PACING: Leschenault man Tom Buchanan’s success in the world of harness-racing was recognised when he was selected to represent WA at the 2015 Australasian Young Driver’s Championships in New Zealand in May earlier this month.
A 24-year-old reinsman, Buchanan has driven in over 1000 races winning 93 and placing in a further 197.
However he said it is his past two seasons behind the reins that saw him selected to compete in the championships.
“My last two years have been really strong, so that definitely helped my selection,” he said.
Buchanan has driven 62 of his 93 winners in the past two seasons, his biggest coming in the Group One WA Sales Classic last April when he won with Persistent Threat.
He was also a dual winner of the Racing and Wagering Western Australia Rising Stars Invitation Stakes, with wins in 2009 and 2012.
At the Young Drivers Championships, Buchanan will drive against representatives of every state and New Zealand in seven races spread over four days.
The selection came as a thrill to Buchanan who labelled the opportunity a privilege.
“This (pacing) is a sport where not many opportunities like this come up very often, so I’m absolutely thrilled,” he said.
“It’s really exciting to be heading over and it’s an honour to represent the state.”
Although delighted, Buchanan remained humble stating that other drivers in WA had been just as deserving.
“There are a lot of good young drivers in WA so it’s a huge honour to be selected over some of the other talent,” he said.
“Plenty of WA drivers could have gone over and given the competition a shake.”
Buchanan will fly out on Wednesday, May 6 to begin racing in the tournament the next day.
