Ken Casellas | PACEPIX
Tipping the scales at a mere 47kg, 19-year-old Abbey Vidovich is the smallest harness racing driver in WA who continues to show her skill in the sulky and looks destined to develop into an outstanding performer.
She revealed her aggressive nature at Gloucester Park on Friday night when she summed up the opposition perfectly by getting Blaze Away off to a swift start from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line in the 2536m Trotsynd Join The Fun Pace.
Blaze Away, prepared by leading trainer Michael Young, was the $1.70 favourite, and the Sweet Lou four-year-old gave his backers little concern by bowling along in front and coasting to four-length victory over the $6.50 second fancy Sound Wave, who finished strongly from sixth at the bell.
Vidovich, who was handling Blaze Away for the first time in a race, said: “I appreciate being able to drive horses like this. They know what they are doing, and they get the job done.
“Every time I asked Blaze Away for an effort, he responded. He is a real gentleman.”
Vidovich began driving last year when she won at four of her 55 drives, and she has flourished this year. Friday night’s victory was her 54TH winner for the season, putting her into eighth spot of the State drivers’ premiership table.
Friday night’s success followed a double for Vidovich with Heavenly Wage and Douseeme at Pinjarra four days earlier. Then she kept up the good work at Kellerberrin on Sunday when she drove four-year-old Shes A Mare to an easy victory in a race over 2130m.
The Mandurah-born Vidovich is planning to travel next month to enjoy a well-deserved holiday in Croatia, the home of her forebears.
Blaze Away, who is out of the unraced Rock N Roll Heaven mare Maggie Pearl, was purchased for $45,000 at the 2022 Perth ASPG yearling sale and is raced by the Trotsynd No. 21 syndicate which is managed by Rob Gartrell.
He has earned $88,177 from seven wins and seven placings from 21 starts, with a highlight of his career being his second to Waverider in the Group 1 Sales Classic for two-year-old colts and geldings in March 2023.