From driving bed posts to Inter Dominion contender
AS KIDS we all had our dream careers and visions of grandeur.
There's the prospect of catching bank robbers as a Policeman, fixing broken limbs as a nurse, finding treasure as an archaeologist, or in the case of my middle child, becoming an international arms dealer.
Yes, that was his goal at one point!
For Jodi Quinlan there was only ever one path she was following - becoming a harness racing driver.
As for her visions of glory, Quinlan was going to be an Inter Dominion winner.
During her formative years Quinlan prepared for the big occasion by strapping her dressing gown belt to her bed posts and 'driving' it to victory.
Competing against her Uncle Gary, Quinlan is reported to be undefeated...even if Gary didn't see it that way!
"Driving is all I ever wanted to do," Quinlan said. "The thought of doing anything else never entered my mind.
"I used to drive in races against Gary using my bed and dressing gown strap, but I don't recall ever being beaten.
"If that did happen, which I don't believe it did, I would've won the protest!"
Making her official debut during the 1991/92 season, Quinlan registered her maiden win with Zephyr Lad in Cranbourne on June 1, 1992, with the son of Windshield Wiper trained by Gary.
"I did win plenty of big races with that bed, but I still remember getting my first win at the track," Quinlan said.
"It's what I had been looking forward to my whole life and was an amazing feeling."
Adding 2230 wins to her tally throughout the years, Quinlan has achieved a tremendous amount within the industry.
Along with being a popular calendar girl, Quinlan has won Australasia's premier sprint - Miracle Mile - and Harness Racing Weekly's Vin Knight Medal.
As a reinswoman, Quinlan has secured 18 Group Ones, while also capturing three as a trainer.
"I've been very fortunate to have had support from so many wonderful trainers and owners, who have helped me win some of our biggest races," Quinlan said.
"Winning the Miracle Mile with Sokyola after Lance Justice gave me the drive is my biggest highlight."
At Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night Quinlan has two opportunities to realise her childhood ambition of winning the Inter Dominion.
The diminutive driver will partner Ofortuna in the Trotters' Final and Act Now in the Pacers' Final.
Although successful in Ballarat a fortnight ago on the opening night of the series, Ofortuna is among the outsiders in the time-honoured event.
Drawn the second row, the Craig Demmler-prepared mare is $51 with TAB Fixed Odds.
"The first night she went sensational, which set her up to make the Final," Quinlan said. "Her runs in the other two heats were a little better than they look on paper.
"She has come through the heats well, but the draw hasn't been kind and she will need luck."
Act Now boasts two wins and a second from the qualifiers, including a track record performance in Geelong last weekend.
The son of Somebeachsomewhere rated 1:54.9 over 2570 metres to slash 1.6 seconds from Phoenix Prince's mark established in November 2019.
A $41 TAB Fixed Odds shot before the series began, Act Now is listed as the $2.20 favourite after drawing to search for the lead from barrier three.
Trained by premier horsewoman Emma Stewart, Act Now is aiming to become the 14th four-year-old to claim the Championship since its inauguration in 1936.
"I'm happy with his draw," Quinlan said. "There is a lot of speed around him and it will be a burn early.
"He has proven he is versatile, so leading is not the 'be all and end all', but I will come and have a look."
Stating I Cast No Shadow "holds the key from the pole", Quinlan believes Act Now's stablemate, Honolua Bay, is the one to beat.
The only unbeaten campaigner in the series, Honolua Bay will begin from gate two, with TAB Fixed Odds listing the gelding as the $2.75 second elect.
"On face value Honolua Bay is the one to beat," Quinlan said. "He's got a nice draw and has options from there."
