Bryant Excited By Gloucester Park Opportunity
When mature-aged reinsman Thomas Bryant got the call from trainer Matt Scott on Saturday to drive C C Chevron, pictured above, in tonight’s Etch Coatings Pace (2536m) at Gloucester Park, he didn’t have to think twice about jumping at the opportunity.
The 32-year-old will have his first metropolitan drive at tonight’s eight event card and he said it was a chance he couldn’t wait for.
“I got the call from Matt last week and he said that Shannon wasn’t driving her, so I said that I’d love to drive her,” he told The Trots WA.
“It’s a dream come true for me just to be able to drive around Gloucester Park.
“Whether I come first or last, it will be a great experience.”
Bryant has had eight drives in his career to date at Bunbury, Kellerberrin, Narrogin and Northam.
All eight drives came behind his own horse Rather Sentimental, a horse he purchased to help him get his licence.
Bryant first got into ownership a decade ago and likened his growing expanding involvement in harness racing to “catching a bug”.
“I started working with Matt’s uncle Brent at the old trotting track Cannington and fell in love with the sport,” he said.
“It was probably eight to 10 years ago I started helping Matt each Saturday morning.
“They taught me everything and Matt’s always giving me little pointers now.”
Scott said he was confident Bryant was ready to drive at Gloucester Park.
“He doesn’t do anything wrong,” Scott told TABradio.
“I hope C C Chevron gets around well for him because Tom is a great guy and nothing is ever too much for him.
“Rain, hail or shine, he’s there every Saturday morning at Jandakot trackwork.”
A former forklift mechanic, Bryant is now the operations manager of Komatsu Forklift Australia.
Bryant said he had found the right balance between driving and work and hoped to get more opportunities in harness racing going forward.
“Work is very accommodating, and they know racing is very much a hobby,” he said.
“My wife Kathleen is also very supportive of me fitting in work and driving.
“I hope the more I can build myself up as a driver the more opportunities will come.
“I’m hoping I can pull the right rein at the right time.”
As for C C Chevron’s prospects tonight, Bryant said he was confident the mare would “be doing her best work late.”
Tim Walker
Image – Hamilton Content Creators