Award-winning junior driver set for Albion Park debut

By Jordan Gerrans

When acclaimed Mini Trotting driver Lorelei Limpus heads to the races for the first time on Tuesday afternoon as a professional reinswoman, she will have an old friend by her side.

At 16 years of age, Limpus will make her debut at the home of harness racing in the Sunshine State at Albion Park.

Still in high school, the enthusiastic horsewoman has enjoyed a stellar career in the Mini Trotting ranks before graduating to the top tier.

In March at the Queensland Harness Awards in Brisbane, Limpus walked away with two major gongs.

She was honoured as the Mini Trotting Driver of The Year at the Albion Park Harness Racing Club and the Marburg Harness Racing Club.

The keen youngster hopes her years in Mini Trotting will hold her in good stead for Tuesday afternoon and beyond.

“It helped me get started, I would like to think,” Limpus said of her days in the Mini Trotting ranks.

“I did do it for about four years, going up to five. It helped me get started and learn the basics. It really helped me get going.

“I drove in the Mini Miracle Mile earlier this year and a few years ago I went away to Menangle to compete in the Inter Dominion.

“I've always had horses since I was younger, I was just riding.

"I've always been around horses my whole life, but it's only recently that I have got into the standardbreds.”

All aspiring drivers need to compete in a certain number of trials in front of the stewards to be granted their raceday ticket. 

In Limpus’ bid to get through her trials, she was regularly in the sulky behind her old mate Kuzma.

Kuzma is a veteran gelding that is prepared by Crystal Dawson at Clarendon.

Dawson prepares her team of standardbreds alongside her husband and top horseman Trent Dawson.

Limpus has worked at the Dawson stable over the last few years as she has aimed to upskill her knowledge in the sport to progress.

Dating back to early January of this year, the teenage driver has taken Kuzma to the trials on an extraordinary 18 occasions.

The black gelding has only actually raced once in that period, finishing eighth at Albion Park in late January.

Limpus will have one drive in her maiden day at the races, aboard Kuzma over 2318 metres.

They have drawn the second row.

“He's here all the time,” Limpus said of Kuzma.

"He was really there to help me get through my trials and it's been great that I'm able to drive him now, as well.

“I think he'll go okay on Tuesday. He's been going pretty good.

“I know it's just been trials, but now he's going to be racing horses in his own class, I guess.

“So, it might be a bit harder on him, but I should still be able to handle him and go okay.”

Kuzma’s last victory was in July of last year. He has 18 to his name from 150 career efforts, with 34 minor placings, as well.

The Year 11 student is keen to follow her passion for harness racing following her school studies and is hopeful of making a career out of it.

She completes a few mornings of the week at the Dawson stable as well as helping out on the weekend.

The young driver says Trent and Crystal have been crucial in her development.

“They're great people,” she said.

“I've learned so much since I've been here. Trent's really helped me in my trials, helped me improve and do different things while I'm driving.

“He's taught me a lot, actually.”

Limpus’ interest in harness racing comes from her mother’s side of the family, with many with the surname of Tobin involved in the caper over the generations.