Lauren Harper keen for happy homecoming

By Jordan Gerrans

On the back of her best driving campaign in a decade, Queensland reinswoman Lauren Harper returns to Albion Park on Friday for two engagements for her father Peter Jones. 

The 30-year-old hails from the Sunshine State and relocated to Western Australia earlier in her career to work for the champion stable of Gary Hall.

She is putting the finishing touches on a sparkling season in the bike across the Nullarbor.

Harper has 36 winners to her name which is her best result since the 2015-16 campaign where she collected 48 victories.

The Queensland product is on the comeback trail in the sulky after taking less race day bookings in recent years following the birth of her son Leo.

Harper – who has a Group 3 victory on her resume back in 2023 – says it has been pleasing to land some positive results in the bike so far in 2025.

“I have been having a good season – the best season I have had since I come back from having my little boy,” Harper said.

“It has been a good season so far. I started going to the outer country tracks and getting out there a bit more.

“I finally got in with a couple of trainers, which has helped.”

Harper has been entrenched in the WA ranks in recent years and estimates her last drive back on home soil was about eight years ago.

She competed at Albion Park, Redcliffe and the Gold Coast as a teenager before eventually heading across the country.

The father-and-daughter team combined for a winning double in September of 2017 when Harper made a return trip to Queensland.

She took three drives at Redcliffe at the Thursday meeting with Real Knucky and Fui Fui both successful. 

The 71-year-old Jones takes two pacers to the track on Friday.

“Hopefully I can get him another double,” Harper said.

The Tarampa-based Jones believes the shift to Western Australia has been the best decision his daughter has made in her harness career.

“She has done really well,” Jones said.

 “She has been back driving properly over the last year after having her son and she has gone really well.”

Veteran horseman Jones takes Pink River Diamond and Our Aunty Penny to AP on Friday.

They have both had a recent freshen up and went around at Marburg on Sunday for their first-up assignments. 

“Our Aunty Penny is going better than Pink River Diamond but she is a bit suspect of getting away from the gate at the moment,” trainer Jones said.

“In saying that, Pink River Diamond always goes better at Albion compared to other two tracks, despite her having limited ability.

“We would like to think they are a chance.

“The 2138 metre race should suit Pink River Diamond better, even though it's only her second run back from a break.”

Harper is hopeful of picking up a victory during her return to Queensland for the Christmas period.

“They have been going ok and have had a bit of a freshen up,” Harper said.

“They have now got a run under their belt so hopefully they go a little bit better this week.

“This is the best draw Pink River Diamond has had in a bit so hopefully she can go well.”