Master and apprentice combine for breakthrough harness win

By Jordan Gerrans

A plan hatched at the ‘Triangle’ before the Team Teal Cup in March of this year has finally paid dividends for the unlikely harness racing team of John Stariha and Anna Payne.

Stariha and Payne are at opposite ends of the harness racing spectrum.

At 83 years of age, Stariha is in the twilight of his career in the sport but is not losing steam in the way he goes about his business by any means.

On the other hand, Payne is still in high school and is making a fist of a driving career as a 17-year-old.

The duo combined on Friday evening at Albion Park to hand the fledgling youngster her maiden race driving victory.

Stariha - who has decades of experience in the caper - and Payne did not know each other from a bar of soap before March of this year.

The Wellington Point-based Stariha entered Magicol Ideal from his stable in the Team Teal Cup, which is a race for all female drivers.

He was allocated Payne as his reinswoman.

Industry stalwart Stariha was shocked by his conversation with the enthusiastic teenager before the race.

“She was really honest with me before I put her on the first time a little while ago, she told me how many drives she had without yet getting a winner, it was around 50 or so drives,” Stariha recalls.

“I was blown away with how honest she was.

“I told her that I hoped to give her that first winner.”

They did not combine to score with Magicol Ideal on that occasion at Redcliffe but the wily veteran had a plan in mind.  

“I thought the best horse to set her up with would be Jay Tee Tyron as he is a good horse to drive,” Stariha said.

Jay Tee Tyron was off the racing scene between late April and earlier this month but as soon as the gelding was back, Stariha stuck to his promise and put the young reinswoman on.

She even drove the gelding in a trial as well. 

They did not have any luck at their first race day appearance together at Redcliffe earlier this month but it all came together on Friday night at Albion Park.

From the four barrier on the front, Payne found the lead in the opening few strides and was not headed again, scoring by a touch over a metre.

After debuting last year, it took Payne more than 90 drives to nab her first winner but Stariha was proud to be a part of the journey.

“She is a very, very good driver” Stariha said.

“I have watched her drive quite a few races and she is a good little driver.

“She is a careful driver and does not do anything wrong.”

It was just Payne’s second drive at ‘headquarters’ on Friday evening.

She was back in action on the grass on Sunday at Gatton chasing her second career victory. 

Payne is the younger sister of fellow up-and-coming driver Amanda Payne.

Amanda was mentored by stalwart trainer Denis Smith, regularly honing her skills at the Marburg track.

Being brand new to harness racing in recent years, the Paynes mother, Kate, has also taken out her trainer's licence.

Older sister Amanda said it was back to reality for Anna on Monday as she was back to her studies at school.

Stariha is likely to continue to support Anna with more race drives.

“I think she would drive a lot more winners if she was driving better stock,” Stariha said.

“I think she is a good driver.”

The Stariha team picked up a winning double on Friday as Its One Life scored in the race prior to Payne’s breakthrough.

Stariha drove Its One Life to victory.