"A good all-round achievement" was how Tamworth trainer Greg Coney acknowledged his win in taking out the Leading Trainer in the North West Award for the 2019/2020 racing season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
There is certainly no rest to celebrate the achievement as Coney has seven runners engaged on the eight-race program on Thursday afternoon at the Tamworth harness meeting.
Coney accepted the award from the North and North West Harness Racing Association at the recent Tamworth Harness Racing Club Awards Night which turned into a family affair.
Alongside Coney accepting his award was daughter Jemma Coney, who in her first season of driving won both the TAB sponsored Peter & Shirley Hillam U23 Drivers Award after securing 12 winning drives for the season and the Johns Auto Service Local Female Driver Award.
READ ALSO:
"I am very proud of both the girls," Coney said of his daughter and the second of his "team", Madi Young, who also picked up an award.
"It was a good all-round achievement," Coney said.
"I have a lot of help - I can't do it on my own. Everyone around the stables needs a pat on the back.
"I am very proud of both the girls - Madi has done a lot and she wasn't expecting the award."
Young was acknowledged by the Tamworth HRC for achieving 100 career winning drives at meetings throughout NSW.
She has been a standout in harness racing with not only working in the Sydney stables of Tritton, McDowell and Morris but has also moved back home to help out around the family stables.
Young has also been a past ambassador for the NSW Standardbred Owners Association, who are feature sponsors at the Tamworth harness meeting on Thursday afternoon, as well as an ambassador for Mates4Harness.
But Young isn't the only one shining at the moment.
"Jemma is starting to shine through as well," Coney added.
"She has achieved her awards in her first 12 months of driving."
They came as a shock for Jemma.
"I didn't expect to win the awards in my first season but hopefully there is more to come," she said.
"At the moment I am helping Dad with the team."
Jemma has two drives at the Tamworth meeting. The first is Storm Blaster in the Australian Pacing Gold Pace from the two barrier over 1609 metres.
"She has been working well and hopefully she can find the top and win but I know that is not always the case. But that is what I would like to happen," the 18-year-old said of Storm Blaster.
The second drive for Jemma comes courtesy of an outside drive for Tamworth trainer Russel Murray behind Penny A Packet in the Multiquip Poultry Ladyship Pace from the one barrier.
"I have only driven the mare a couple of times and she has been racing consistent and has a good draw. With the right run she will be in the finish for sure," Jemma said.
Meanwhile, Young has four drives for her father in Casino Comedy, Ladyeenwaiting, Royal Admiral and Heavenly Song while another inform reinsman Blake Hughes will take the reins behind Betterthanspraying.
