Harrison makes long-awaited return to driving at Hawera

By Brigette Solomon 

After a year on the sidelines with a shoulder injury, junior driver Alicia Harrison is excited to finally be returning to the drivers' ranks at day one of Hawera’s grass track meeting on Friday. 

“It’s been exactly 12 months since I’ve driven at the races with last year’s Hawera meeting being the last I drove at and I’m really looking forward to getting back out there," says Harrison.

The 28-year-old, who is employed by Steve and Amanda Telfer at their Ardmore stable, had been off to a good start in the 2024 season having posted two winners and multiple placings from just 26 starts. However, an unfortunate incident at work one morning resulted in serious damage to her right shoulder.

“I was leading a young colt and he got a fright and leapt forward dragging me with him as I hung on to him,” says Harrison, “basically it damaged the cartilage in the shoulder socket and tore a ligament that helps move the arm up and down. The surgeon said it was basically partially dislocating constantly and surgery was the only option to repair it.”

With a waitlist of a few months, Harrison had her surgery in May and confirms it has been a success after a long recovery period.

“After the surgery it was straight into physiotherapy every week, and it wasn’t until about November that I was allowed to begin doing light duties and get back to some normality although I didn’t start driving horses again until a few weeks ago,” said Harrison, “I’m now fully back into trackwork and trials and my shoulders feeling strong again.”

Harrison has three drives, including Iron Brigade who starts in the Taranaki Steelformers Stratford Cup Handicap Pace (3.35pm).

“I think he’s a pretty good chance provided he steps away well from the stand, he had no issues at trials last week and won his heat nicely,” says Harrison.

“He’s had a bit of a freshen up since last racing but was racing some nice horses and going well in December.”

The four-year-old by Art Major put in some solid performances at Alexandra Park last month finishing third behind Duchess Megxit in the three-year-old Golden Gait Final on December 20 and third again on New Years Eve beaten only a head by race winner Invisible. 

In heat two of the Hygain Revell Douglas Memorial Series, Harrison drives Akatea (5), one of two Telfer trained runners in the field, the other being Lewey Maguire (6). Harrison is a previous winner of the series, taking out the inaugural running in 2022.

“Akatea looks well placed in this field and has previously been racing in some nice fields,” says Harrison, “she’s best driven for one run so I’ll be looking for a sit today and she’ll hopefully have too much speed for them in the finish.”

The Art Major mare had mixed form throughout December finishing a solid fourth in the three-year-old Golden Gait Final, followed up by a well beaten fifth place some 10 lengths off the winner in the Sires Stakes Fillies & Mares Classic on New Year’s Eve.

“She’s another that has been freshened and will likely benefit from the run today but I’m looking forward to driving her as we have a good record together for a win and a few placings.”

Harrison also drives the Danielle Green trained Shirley Bassey in Race 5, the Silver Fern Farms/Carrfields Livestock Mobile Pace.

Racing action gets underway on Friday at 12.13pm