He’s got a head like an old oil drum…but I love him!

“HE’S got a head like an old oil drum and wouldn’t win any beauty pageants, but I love him!”

That was the remark from veteran horseman Trevor White after Defiant provided him with his first Group One victory.

Upstaging a strong field at Club Menangle last night, Defiant captured the Regional Championships State Final as a $31 outsider.

Bred and owned by White, the son of Roll With Joe scored by a head from last start Group One Metro Championship winner, Lets Get Rockin.

Lyrical Genuis, which won the Western Region Final at his previous outing, was two metres away third.

Driven by Peter McRae, Defiant rated 1:55.7 over 2300 metres, taking his record to seven wins and 12 placings from 23 starts for earnings of $121,207.

“He was second in his heat and the Final of the Riverina Championship and I knew all he needed was the right run,” White said. “He’d certainly put the writing on the wall going into last night.

“He’s a nice type and I was confident enough in him without thinking he had it in the bag.

“I’ve been breeding and racing standardbreds for a long time and this is my first Group One winner.”

With no major plans in mind for the four-year-old White is happy to relax and enjoy his moment in the spotlight.

“I haven’t got anything picked out for him and may not even race him for a couple of weeks now,” White said.

“I’m going to soak in being a last start Group One winner for a while.”

Bred to be in harness racing, White has “done it all” within the industry.

Born to Merle and Lance in 1954, White believes there is every chance he was taken straight from the hospital to the track as racing was rampant in his family!

“I started going to races as soon as I was born,” White said. “By the time I was 10 I started driving track work.

“I’m 67 now and have been doing it ever since.”

White is a grandson of George Harpley who is best-known for his association with Welcome Advice.

A star of the early 1970s, Welcome Advice reached the industry’s pinnacle when he secured the 1972 Inter Dominion at Albion Park.

Welcome Advice was driven by White’s Uncle Allan, who is the father of multiple Group One winning horseman Bruce Harpley.

Interestingly, Bruce and White are bred on a double cross of Harpley/White bloodlines.

“My father’s sister Phyllis married my mother’s brother Allan, so in breeding terms Bruce and I are pretty much full brothers by blood instead of cousins,” White remarked.

A year before Welcome Advice’s ultimate victory, a young White registered his maiden win in Junee.

“To be honest I don’t fully remember the name of the horse let alone how to spell it,” White said. “I do remember it was in Junee.

“A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then.”

Enjoying his share of success throughout the years, White has captured four Wagga and three Temora Cups, with stable stars such as Hollywood Sign and Big Achiever.

“Teddy’s Star was another good horse for me early on,” White said. “Western Secret also did well before I sold her to overseas interests a couple of years ago.

“I’ve had a fair few winners at Harold Park and now I’ve got one fast enough to race and win at Menangle.”

Along with working a team of 12 White breeds “two or three every year”.

“I did a carpentry apprenticeship when I was younger, but never went on with it,” White said. “I’ve been full time training since I was in my 20s and have been lucky enough to make a living in harness.

“I always wanted to train horse…I must be silly I suppose!”