Junee teenager Miranda McLaughlin is a mix of nerves and excitement approaching her first race drives on Saturday night.
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McLaughlin will drive the Trevor White-trained pair Bonnybobbyshaftoe and No Tangles at her home track.
“I’m very nervous, it’ll be a whole different experience compared to a trial,” McLaughlin said.
The 17-year-old has worked with White for a few years and with driver Cameron Hart leaving for Sydney, was encouraged by White to have a go in the gig herself and get her licence.
“I said I will. I used to get a bit scared when a horse played up but I got over that and now I reckon it’ll be good,” she said.
“The trials have been good… I won a couple and that was pretty exciting so imagine what it will be like if I won a real race!”
No Tangles is a last-start winner at Wagga but both her drives have drawn the outside of the front row, among a few of White’s six runners looking for luck, including Ideal Fantasy (11) in the Merry Christmas Pace and Leopardite (five) in the TAB.com.au Pace.
I won a couple (of trials) and that was pretty exciting so imagine what it will be like if I won a real race!
- Miranda McLaughlin
White fared better with Dust to Diamonds in the Judds Horse Supplies Pace (gate two) which has had four minor placings in its last six starts.
“He should run a good race, he’s been racing pretty well and should be thereabouts,” White said.
Lauriston Dash will be piloted by Chris Judd in the Trevs Tasty Treats Pace.
“Lauriston Dash will go pretty good. He’s drawn the pole and should go pretty well.”
White said he was more than happy to give McLaughlin a couple of his drives to kick off her career in the gig.
“She’s been helping me for a couple of years, but she only got her licence the other day,” he said.
“She’s still learning but they seem to run all right for her.”