By Duane Ranger
The McMullen sisters have pulled off what is believed to be an Australian, if not a world, harness racing first.
At 5.30pm last Friday (April 12) the trio nailed their first ‘sister-trifecta’, when finishing one, two, three in the eighth event at Albion Park.
Oldest sister, Narissa (25) trained and drove the winner, Tom Me Gun. She had 3.6m to spare over second placed Danni-elle (23) and Speedie McArdle.
Youngest sister and the cheekiest one of the McMullen four, Taleah (17) finished a head back in third behind the brown gelding trained by her father John, Weedons Express.
“I’m very proud of what we achieved, but I would’ve preferred to beat my sisters,” said, Taleah, who is based with her parents at Glamorgan Vale.
“All of us siblings are very competitive and definitely like to win. We’ve all had the same teacher (Dad) and that’s why we all drive a bit aggressive and love coming out of the gate,” she added.
Oldest sister, Narissa, the current Australian Female Drivers champion, and winner of the 2017 Australasian Young Drivers’ title, said she was proud to have led the ‘eldest to youngest sister trifecta’.
“It was good to beat my two younger sisters home, but Taleah was quick to tell Danni-elle and me that she would have won if we didn’t get in her way.
“The family have had a few trifectas before with Peter, Danni-elle, and myself, but last week was the first sister trifecta with Taleah,” she said.
Danni-elle was also proud, but did give her big bro a cheeky serve.
“I think it’s great that it was the three of us girls, without the older brother getting in the middle. However, it would have been good if he ran fourth,” she said.
All three said their next family goal was to run the ‘First Four’ with older brother Peter.
Mind you the 27-year-old Glamorgan Vale horseman and his wife Chantal (nee Turpin) had weekend to remember themselves.
They won three races on QBRED night at Albion Park on Saturday, including two Listed events.
Chantal trained and drove Will The Wizard to win race three - the Listed $25,000 QBRED Breeders Classic Final for the 2yo pacing colts and geldings.
A race later Peter drove the Turpin trained Amaya Becomes to nail the Listed $25,000 Breeders Classic Final for the 2yo pacing fillies.
Then the husband and wife duo then combined to win the last event, the $13,000 QBRED Breeders Classic 2yo Fillies Consolation.
Mother of the ‘McMullen four’, Jennette, said she was ‘oh so proud’ of her children, daughter-in-law and wider family.
“It was so exciting to see their first sister trifecta. We just need a first four now. They are all good mates and were pretty wrapped with their feat.
“I’m sure Taleah would love to repeat it with her having bragging rights, through being the youngest sibling. Their grandma, my Mum - Beryl Dawson, 85, gets a great thrill out of their achievements.
“No doubt that will be her story at the next CWA (Country Women’s Association) meeting. Eight of her 10 grandchildren all drive in races and another one is a trainer. Her life revolves around the Sky Channel following the Dawson-McMullen clan,” Mum said.