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Narissa McMullen drives her 1000th winner

5 February 2021

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Dan-Costello-2020-06-14-07-30-54-Garland-Greene-2.jpgBy Jordan Gerrans 

Milestone driver Narissa McMullen says the love of her horses fuels her desire to keep picking up winners.

McMullen made it 1000 victories across her career on Friday afternoon at Albion Park after Royal Obsession took out the fourth event on the program.

The McMullen name is synonymous with the trotting industry in Queensland and Narissa continues to add to her growing resume.

Reflecting on her career so far on the way to 1000 winners, she selected the Group 2 Lady Drivers race at Menangle and claiming the Tamworth Cup – both on big days in the sport in front of large crowds as highlights.

Back in 2016, McMullen, considered one of Queensland’s top female drivers, claimed the Tamworth City Cup with pacer Murano.

And, a race last year in Queensland also rated as one of her best.

The talented reinswoman noted the QBRED TRIAD Consolation – 2YO Colts and Geldings race she won with None Grate at Albion Park in late July of last year was significant in her eyes.

“Breeding him, owning him and doing everything with him myself, that makes it even more special,” Narissa said.

McMullen has known she was nearing the 1000 mark for some time and felt it could have been a jinx as she knew it was on the horizon and was going through a lean run of form.

“I checked it a few weeks ago to see where I was at and the last week or so I can barely drive a winner,” she said with a laugh.

“Maybe, I was feeling the pressure a bit.”

Races

3
3

Albion Park | Albion Park Harness Racing Club | 1:08 PM

PSP PACE

1
HIGH ON MONTANA
D: Jonah Hutchinson
2
BETTING BARON
D: Pete McMullen
3
BEEJAYS DELIGHT
D: Taleah McMullen

The love of her horses and the industry is what keeps McMullen, who is in her mid-20’s, going, she says.

“It is special, there is a lot of highs and lows in harness racing,” she said of the milestone of 1000 winners.

AYDC-Night-1-Narissa-McMullen.jpg“Just to get to a thousand, it makes you realise that the hard work and dedication over the years have really paid off.

“The main thing that keeps me going is the love of the horses.

“Sometimes you get a bit down and it can get hard, but I love the horses and that keeps me wanting to win races and doing it.”

McMullen is a previous winner of the Australasian Young Drivers Championship and has been Queensland’s Australian Female Drivers champion as well.

To bring up 1000, McMullen drove her eighth winner of the season on Friday at Albion Park.

She is unlikely to stay on 1000 for very long as McMullen has several winning chances later in the program and across the weekend.