Travis Bullock will make his driving debut at his "home" track on Thursday afternoon as part of the eight-race Tamworth Paceway meeting.
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"We can call it [Tamworth] my home track - it will be good to be back," said Travis, formally from Tamworth but now based at Bathurst.
After heading to Bathurst a couple of years back to join his father, Travis' drives at Tamworth will include the Joan Bullock Memorial - a race named in honour of his late mother.
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Travis won't be the only Bullock in action on Thursday. Peter will train his three runners. While Travis' older brother Cameron, manger of Bearing Accessories Tamworth, will be trackside to present the trophy to the winner of the $8,000 Bearing Accessories Local Pace - the support feature on the program.
"Cam enjoys the day and all the [Bearing Accessories] workers come across as well. He owns Jackeroo Shannon, who is racing [on the day] and [he] is always looking for another horse," Travis said.
Growing up in Tamworth, Travis had no interest in getting involved in the harness racing industry.
"I had nothing to do with the handling of the horses, just followed them on the track," he said. "And Dad was living in Bathurst, and I thought a couple of years ago I would have a change of scenery and move [there].
"Dad was looking for workers and I thought I would give the horses a go."
Travis received his driver's licence in 2019 and has already driven two winners in his short career.
"I have had a winner at Dubbo and Parkes, and hopefully we can win Mum's race," he said.
The 33-year-old continued: "I really enjoy it. There is no better excitement than being behind the barriers - it's an adrenaline rush. Even if I do run last, it is a buzz.
"I'm pretty excited about driving in the race for the first time named in honour of Mum. Dad always has a runner in it each year and has won it a couple of times.
"Time is getting away on us as it is 11 years since Mum passed away."
Peter, formally a well-established trainer and reinsman in the North West, made the move to Bathurst to handle the training of the Rayngold horses, who all carry the Shannon name, with success.
The father and son combination will kick off their day's racing at Tamworth with Lorenzo Shannon in the M&M Office National Tamworth Pace - starting from two barrier, and coming into the race off a last-start sixth at Dubbo.
Smackdab Shannon will contest the Hygain Tracktorque Pace (1609 metres) from the nine barrier.
Last-start winner at Young, Shannonsideal, will commence from the seven barrier in the Joan Bullock Memorial raced (1980m). "It won't be an easy race but we will see what we can do," Travis said.
