Tashs Not A Bad Girl

Bruce Stewart Journalist

On a horse named after her, Winton based junior harness racing driver Natasha Kyle won her first race on her home track this afternoon.

“Very exciting. She’s always been a good horse, and I was just hoping for some luck today,” Natasha said after she drove Tashs Bad Girl (Sir Lincoln) trained by her father Alister to win at Central Southland Raceway today.

Kyle settled the seven year old mare three back on the outside. When Havarti Arden improved three wide, Kyle latched onto her back but she was battling soon after so Tashs Bad Girl had to start her run four wide. By the 400 she’d hit the front and was still under a hold.

“The wind was quite strong down the back straight so I had to wait for the bend. And when she did go she definitely went.”

The Kyles had two horses in the race, with Alister on board Ask Me Lou. He was on Natasha’s back for a while but couldn’t keep up with his daughter.

“Yeah. I saw that (laughter).”

“I did follow her at one stage and got left in the dust. It was a very proud moment,” Alister added.

Just before straightening up Kyle pulled the ear plugs and Tashs Bad Girl let down to win by two and three quarter lengths.

“It was overwhelming to be fair. Very exciting.”

Tashs Bad Girl winning for Natasha Kyle (Bruce Stewart Photo)

Matty Williamson, driver of runner up Havarti Arden, was the first to congratulate Kyle followed by her father.

“I didn’t, but Dad had a few tears,” she said, in response to being asked about the emotion of the win.

Natasha has been involved with harness racing for a long time.

“She’s been around horses since she’s been in a pushchair. She’s very confident around horses. Vicky (her mother) drove a couple of winners and with me still driving she couldn’t miss could she?” Alister said with a smile.

When she was old enough she also drove in Kidz Kartz but Natasha has no plans to do harness racing fulltime.

“I’m full time teacher aiding so I definitely do it part- time because I’ve got a couple of horses that I own.”

The Kyles with Tashs Bad Girl (Bruce Stewart Photo)

Alister said Natasha is the fourth generation Kyle to drive at the races.

“My grandfather (Andy Kyle) had a couple of race day drives but didn’t drive a winner. He pulled the pin and Dad (Bill) took over from him. I’m lucky it’s a good family business. If it wasn’t for the two girls (Natasha and Maddie) and Vicky I couldn’t do it. They do most of it. It’s a big help.”

Alister has driven twenty eight winners, his first being Crucial Lady at Gore in February 1983. The mare was trained by his father Bill while Natasha’s mother Vicky’s first winner was Calypso Queen at Winton in 1997. Ray Jenkins was the trainer.

Bill trained Bonnies Chance to win six races before she fashioned an outstanding career. The Kyle history in the sport runs deep.