Underutilized driver deserves more recognition
FULL disclosure before critics start chanting at their screen….yes, this article has a touch of bias, but it’s often a touch of bias or firsthand knowledge which brings a story, character or cause to light.
And by no means does it weaken the facts.
In this instance the subject is Brad Chisholm, whom has to be one of the most underrated and certainly under-used reinsman in Victoria.
It should be noted Chisholm has no idea this article is being written, which is why it doesn’t contain any quotes from him.
Bred to a star within the industry, Chisholm registered his 150th win when successful behind Junior Warefare in Shepparton last night.
Having his first drive behind the Greg Lewis-trained gelding, Chisholm had Junior Warefare positioned in the one-one from his second row draw before completing a 1:57 win over 1690 metres.
“Brad’s only had a handful of drives for me, but has driven two winners for me,” Lewis said. “I’m very happy with the young bloke.
“I don’t give him too many instructions just what I think the horse can and can’t do.
“Brad has never really gotten the opportunities he deserved and his claim virtually went out the window for that exact reason.
“He’s got a good head on his shoulders, does his form and knows what every other horse can do.
“He’s deadest underused and if you’re going to write something about the win make sure you give Brad a real big wrap.”
Son of Kevin and Allison Chisholm of Sunshine Band fame, the 24-year-old was born in America before his family moved back to Australia.
Making his driving debut on October 18, 2015, Chisholm was runner-up with Threestones in Kilmore.
A few weeks later Chisholm broke his maiden by partnering the same pacer to victory in Ballarat on November 4.
Despite his obvious talent Chisholm is rarely called upon for drives, but one trainer who did recognised Chisholm’s ability is Anthony Butt who hired the budding horseman as stable foreman while preparing the large ‘Stride’ team.
“Brad is a very talented driver and we were always full of confidence when we put him on one of our horses,” Butt said.
“He doesn’t get a lot of opportunities, but he is a good driver who just needs that one good horse to make people notice, which is so often the case.”
Sure Chisholm’s strike rate may appear less than flattering, but considering the average starting price of his last 10 drives is $30.70 it would be a similar stat for anyone sitting in the cart behind such outsiders.
Chisholm is also the regular reinsman for a trotter I part-own – the Kim Procter-trained Abitofadreamer – and from a dozen outings behind the son of Used To Me is yet to ‘pull a wrong rein’.
Not without ability, Abitofadreamer, like a vast number of squaregaiters and pacers, is often hampered by the wide gap in programming under the National Rating System and is forced to ‘race out of his grade’ which also doesn’t help Chisholm’s strike rate.
For example Abitofadreamer, which has a win at three and another at four, recently finished second in Kilmore behind an eight-win opponent!
Thrilled with the effort Chisholm makes when driving for her stable, Procter shakes her head when discussing the lack of opportunities he receives.
“I can’t believe more people don’t put Brad on their horses,” Procter said. “Every time he has driven for me he has driven them without error, even if he doesn’t think so.
“Before every race he gives his thought on how he should drive and how the other horses in the field may be going which shows how much he has studied his form.
“After the race he gives such valuable feedback on how the horses felt, what they might need and where they could be best placed next time.
“He is a thinking, tactical driver who is underutilized and deserves more recognition than he gets.”