Harrison steers Luvavici to big win in Darren DeFilippi Memorial

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

This was no ordinary win.

For Riley Harrison victory in the Darren DeFilippi Memorial Junior Drivers' race at Addington on Friday night meant so much.

"I'd be thinking about it all day, I was so nervous I had to get some Rescue Remedy," Harrison told Harness Unhinged's Nigel Armstrong.

But if she was anxious about taking part in this most coveted of junior drivers' races it didn't show on the racetrack.

A capacity field of trotters lined up in the 2600m event, with Harrison getting Luvavici into the one-one and then three back the running line before circling the field at the 600 metre mark

Turning for home the combo clearly had their opponents' measure, clearing out to win by five lengths. Luvavici paid $11 for the win.

"He was bloody awesome," Harrison said post race.

Paige and Mia Holbrough finished second after getting a nice run on the inside while Zoltan Boscik and Max Hill flashed home for third. Both were well back early after tardy beginnings. The pace-making Dark Ghana and Sam Thornley held on for fourth.

It was the 29th running of the race. It's held annually to remember and celebrate the life of Darren DeFilippi, an accomplished junior driver who died at just 19 in a motor accident coming home from the Geraldine races in 1995.

Darren's parents Colin and Julie DeFilippi handed the Darren De Filippi Memorial Junior Drivers Challenge Trophy to Harrison after the race.

"I'm really grateful to win this special race," she said.

For the DeFilippis it's always an emotional and special occasion.

"It means a lot to the family," Colin told those gathered at the presentation.

"It was the biggest race of the night and we are quite overwhelmed by the support we get."

The win was a notable one for Luvavici's trainer Paul Nairn. He'd been in hospital with a hand injury and couldn't be on course to see the four-year-old win his third race in 11 starts. Luvavici was bred by the late Katie Cox who trained and drove the horse in his first three starts (including one win) before he was transferred to Nairn in May this year. Cox died from a rare form of lung cancer earlier this month.

It was Harrison's 11th win in the sulky. Coincidentally her first was on a Nairn-trained horse too - Outamyway at Addington last August.