Thomas Borcoskie to debut with two drives at Addington on Sunday

[Wandering Eyes]

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

There’ll be a new Borcoskie in the sulky at Addington on Sunday.

Just 17, Thomas Borcoskie will make his race day debut when he drives two horses trained by his father Paul.

Mount Thomas will be at big odds in Race 2, the Thank You , Bill and Helen Bishop and Canty Equine Trot (1.07pm), while Archer will be well-supported in Race 3, the Woodlands Stud Producing World-class Equine Athletes Pace (1.45pm).

In Race 2 he will line up against some very familiar faces, most notably his uncle Brent Borcoskie who trains and will drive Bacardi Doll

At $67 Mount Thomas is not expected to be a factor with Tom Borcoskie saying “he doesn’t have a lot of high speed and will probably benefit from the grass tracks”.

In contrast, Archer heads back to the races after a win two starts back when Blair Orange speared him to the front then took the perfect trail before getting up on the markers.

Archer is currently a $5.50 equal third favourite behind Arizonawildcat ($2.60) and Wolf Of Wall Street ($3.90).

Both Mount Thomas and Archie race in the blue and gold colours that were used by Tom’s grandfather Brian Borcoskie, who died in March.

Based at Sefton in North Canterbury, the family’s been involved in many good horses over the years including Silk Brocade (15 wins) and The Bloss (18 wins).  

“The first time I went to the races with Dad and Grandad it was with Jaffa Josh and he actually won a maiden pace,” says Borcoskie.

That was in January 2020 with the Borcoskie-bred son of Auckland Reactor winning at Addington.  Jaffa Josh was later sold and raced in Australia and North America, winning 20 races.  

Still at school (St Bede’s College) where he’s in the first 11 cricket team (opening batsman) Tom Borcoskie views harness racing as a “bit of a hobby”. He has plans on heading to university and a career potentially in rural valuation.

Much of his harness racing education has come from his own family with help from Robbie Holmes – “he lives about 1k up the road from our farm” – as well as the likes of Tom Bagrie and Bob Butt.

In preparation for his debut he’s had 35 drives at the trials.

“There’s a bit of nerves but not too much now … but there will be closer to the time.”

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