For those that know Darren Carroll, there’s almost certainly something up if he’s at the track without his trusty laptop and backpack full of gadgets.
The full-time punter and form analyst has made a living out of in-play betting on Victorian harness racing and is one of the familiar faces at tracks right around the state.
But on Saturday night, the 56-year-old trots tragic will leave the computer at home so he can soak up the thrill of horse ownership. Carroll has shares in a staggering six runners at Melton this evening, including five that will battle out Group 1 Breeders Crown finals. They include Ludacrous and Alpha Tori with trainer Kate Hargreaves, Bella Danza and Amalia Pearl with Alex Ashwood, Mipersonaljet with Chris Svanosio and Outlaw Man with Andy Gath.
“They’re all big odds, but it’s just nice to be involved,” he said. “Anything can happen. You’ve got to be in it to win it.
“I’ve never had more than three horses race on the one night, let alone six. Five were entered in the Group 1 series and five made it through to the finals.”
Carroll shares his ownership with a variety of people from all walks of life and gets a kick out of the fact he is supporting numerous stables in the sport he loves.
“These trainers in their own individual ways go above and beyond to make the ownership experience so positive,” Carroll said.
“They are all such great ambassadors for the trots and their love of the horse is so obvious each time I go to the track.
“You’re experiencing a wide range of people in the industry and enjoying what comes with it.”
Carroll’s fascination with harness racing began at a young age under the guidance of his father Bill, who sadly passed away in a car accident during the early 1980s.
“He was the one that got everyone involved in the sport, on both sides of the family,” Carroll said.
“He was a trainer-driver who had some really, really nice horses.
“(Brothers) Bill, Brett and myself used to get up before school and work the horses. We used to always have anywhere between four and six. We used to love every part of it.
“Dad was a hobby trainer because he was a full-time butcher, but we used to love going to the Mildura, Nyah and Ouyen trots. They were our days out and we loved nothing more than that.”
While he rates Ludacrous as his best chance of Group 1 glory tonight despite her barrier 13 draw in the Breeders Crown final for three-year-old pacing fillies, Carroll would cherish nothing more than a shock success from two-year-old trotting filly Amalia Pearl. Carroll is one of six children, four of whom part-own the horse along with their mother, Margaret.
“I have had a horse in my ownership, I reckon, since I was 16,” Carroll said.
“I know I’ve got a lot of horses now – probably too many – but Mum follows them like they’re her own and that gives me a lot of pleasure as well.
“From a young age, I enjoyed the punt very early. I loved going to the trials and watching out for coming winners.
“As a 12 and 13-year-old, I was sneaking around the back and listening to what people had to say. They were probably thinking that this kid wouldn’t be taking any notice, but I was taking it all in.”
TUNE IN at MELTON on Saturday night
First Race: 5.52pm Last Race: 11.05pm
Racecaller: Dan Mielicki, Kirsten Graham, Bronte Nieuwenburg and Ryan Phelan
TrotsVision: WATCH LIVE
SEN Track: LISTEN LIVE
RSN 927: LISTEN LIVE
Winner of the Week
BETWEEN TWO THORNS, by Downbytheseaside out of Kiwi Rose, at Gloucester Park on November 17.
Breed your next winner with Woodlands Stud, supporter of Trots Centre
