Jye Coney and his not so secret weapon, as the case may be, are harnessed and on a mission at this weekend's NSW Mini Trotting Championships in Tamworth.
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The young Tamworth reinsman will be one of over 120 drivers from clubs all over the state, as well as Queensland and Victoria, and even New Zealand, showcasing their talents at the Tamworth Paceway.
Coney has already made his talent known, teaming up with Secret Mission to win the the jewel in the mini trot crown - the Miracle Mile at Menangle - last month.
"It was a big thrill," he said.
Remarkably it was his first time driving the shetland in a race, having inherited him from his older sister Jemma a couple of months before after she graduated from the mini trot ranks.
She had enjoyed a lot of success with him over the last few years, winning both the NSW Championships and Miracle Mile. Most recently she drove him to victory in the Inter-Dominion in December.
By winning on the weekend Secret Mission would compete a rare trifecta. Few horses have won the three 'Group 1' races in the same calendar year.
He and Coney though will conceding considerable advantage to their rivals. As NSW Mini Trots Association president Jeff James explained for every Group 1 win (excluding the Miracle Mile which has a mobile start) horses receive a 10 metre handicap.
Consequently because Secret Mission has won five he will start 50m back.
"The normal mark is 630. He'll start off 680 from the winning post," James said.
Coney isn't too worried.
"It will hold me back a bit but I'm not too concerned," he said.
He knows that Secret Mission is "very fast".
He can also be a bit temperamental.
"He's not the easiest to drive," Coney said.
"It can be hard to keep his rhythm."
But he love to race, as does his young driver.
The 11-year old has been competing in mini-trots since he was five.
Growing up in the industry, with his father Greg a trainer, he was counting down the days until he was old enough for mini trots.
Part of a strong local contingent he will also drive Bulletproof in the midgets division.
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The championships will run across three divisions - midgets, shetland and ponies.
"There'll be 105 races over the day (Saturday) and 154 horses racing," James said, adding that each driver is guaranteed a minimum of five drives.
On Sunday the winners of the three divisions will battle it out over one lap to be crowned the Champions of Champions.
James said from the championships they will also select two NSW drivers to represent the state at the Kidz Karts series in New Zealand later in the year.
It is the third time the championships have been held in Tamworth.
Racing gets underway at 8am on Saturday.
