08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Kyle's first winning drive family affair
Natasha Kyle's first win in the sulky with Tash's Bad Girl was just about perfect.
The victory came at her home track, behind a horse named after her, and she produced a pinpoint drive to break through for win No1.
To top things off, her immediate family, who bred, own and train the pacer, were all at Winton yesterday to cheer her on.
"It was a huge thrill. It was an unbelievable feeling. I sort of didn't know what I was feeling as we crossed the line," Kyle said.
"It is definitely something I have dreamed about for a long time, so to do it felt pretty unreal."
Tash's Bad Girl is trained by Kyle's father, Alister, who bred and races the mare with his wife, Vicky.
Kyle's sister, Maddie, was at Winton with the rest of her family to cheer home Tash in her first victory.
"It was definitely special having the family there. Dad shed a few tears and so did Mum."
Kyle juggles her new career in the sulky with her full-time job as a teacher aide at Hillside Primary School in Central Southland.
The junior driver's first victory also serves as a reward for her dedication to harness racing.
Before heading off to school, Kyle pitches in at her father's Winton stable alongside the rest of her family.
"There are definitely some early mornings but I love it so that makes it a lot easier."
Kyle has made a flying start to her driving career, placing in three of her six drives before winning drive No7 yesterday.
The reinswoman is keen to take more outside drives as her career progresses, and she is hoping to get her own horses out on the track soon.
"I have a couple I own so I would really like to drive them at the races."
Kyle has taken over the driving of Tash's Bad Girl from father Alister and the pair have not finished further back than third in four starts together.
The junior driver admitted she's only given her father a little bit of stick about her great form behind the mare.
"Everyone else has given him a bit of stick. I have maybe a little bit.
"But he has driven her for a long time and he knows what she is capable of."
Junior drivers were in outstanding form at Winton.
As well as Kyle, Dan Anderson, Hayden Douglas and Seth Hill were in the winner's circle, the last notching a winning double.
