Everybody has a Story: Chris Lewis
4 January, 2017
Harness
Chris Lewis has kicked off his new year in a way that no fireworks display could ever top.
Behind the fittingly named ‘I’m the Best’, Lewis chased down his 5000th win with an all the way victory at Bunbury on New Year’s Eve.
The champion reinsman drove four winners that night alone, proving why he is the best in the West.
With harness racing running through his blood, Lewis started his career in South Australia during the 1970s.
Destined for great things, Lewis is the prodigy of the astute harness trainer, Allan Lewis.
Lewis’ father later became his biggest influence.
At the ripe age of seventeen, Lewis drove his first winner – Classic Air.
“I remember it well, was a bit of a wet night and it was all stands then. We jumped out well and led, we ended up winning pretty comfortably.
“That was the start of it.” Lewis said on TABradio’s The Sports Daily.
Such an esteemed career couldn’t have been possible if Lewis was to stay in his home town.
“I had two options back then. To be a professional was to either come west or go to Melbourne. We decided to come west. “
Lewis’ career is one that’s admired by Harness fans everywhere. Having driven 52 Group One winners and been crowned Perth’s premiership driver 9 times, Lewis is an icon.
Lewis has not only made a mark in Western Australia, but has driven multiple winners nationwide. He’s even had two winners in Moscow.
“Driving was always my love. We’ve always trained a few along the way, I don’t mind training but driving has always been the number one thing. I love the competition.
“Every time I go out there I’ve always wanted to be very competitive and win. That really hasn’t changed, I just keep going.” He said.
A career equally as incredible was that of Village Kid. Their partnership needs little introduction after Lewis guided Village Kid to 88 or his 90 Australian wins.
“He was a freak! I think really it came down to his will to win. He wanted to beat every other horse out there.
“Village and I, we worked it out pretty early what both of us had to do.
“He was always a willing participant. He knew how to race, he was ready to go before you were.”
Lewis is preparing to add another Group One victory to his already mammoth tally this Friday night. Behind John of Arc, a solid performer in the Inter Dominion series, Lewis will tackle the $300 000, Retravision Fremantle Pacing Cup. Hopefully edging him towards his 6000th winner.
You can hear Lewis’ full interview with Gareth Hall and Digby Beacham from The Sports Daily below: