Is Rixon willing to give The Big M a shot down the road?

by Debbie Little

When Will Rixon got his first win at The Meadowlands with Pack Your Bags, was some greater force trying to tell him something?

The 25-year-old reinsman from Australia came to the U.S. on holiday at the beginning of August and although his itinerary was packed with sightseeing, meeting people, and visiting friends, just like Tony Stark or Steve Rogers, he brought his suit with him.

On Saturday (Aug. 22) at The Big M, Rixon wasn’t decked out in red and gold like Iron Man or Captain America’s red, white, and blue, but as if they were employing some form of muscle memory, his orange and green colors found their way into the winner’s circle just as they had nearly 1,000 times before.

Most drivers Down Under are not known for sporting their own colors, but the native of Elderslie, New South Wales said things are a little different where he comes from.

“We’ve worn driver’s colors a lot more than other states in Australia,” Rixon said of his home track Menangle in Sydney. “It’s just certain owners that like to have their colors still… Different states, not so much, but in Sydney at Menangle, we’ve worn driver’s colors, more so in the last two or three years.”

Rixon got his picture taken not once, but twice last Saturday night, and if you had bet $20 to win on all eight of his starters over his two Saturday nights in New Jersey, you would be showing a profit of $480.

It certainly didn’t hurt that the 6-foot-2 gentleman wearing those colors has four Group 1 victories on his resume, including the $A1.25 million Nullarbor with Max Delight, or that he comes from an iconic harness racing family.

Rixon’s mom, Cindy, is the daughter of the legendary Tony Turnbull, who won back-to-back Inter Dominions (1973-74) and the Miracle Mile (1974) with Hondo Grattan. Will’s dad, Pete, also won a Miracle Mile with his best horse, Divisive (2008).

HRU caught up with Will in the paddock at The Meadowlands on Aug. 15 after his first drive.

“Yeah, it was really good, beautiful track, great weather as well, which makes it nice,” Will said.

It was not lost on the young driver exactly where he was.

“Back home, we think of The Meadowlands as probably the pinnacle of our industry in the world; there are so many great drivers and horses and trainers here,” he said. “And watching The Meadowlands for a number of years, it looks pretty good on TV, so, it was everything I expected.”

After two horses were scratched, he ended the night with a total of four drives and only missed getting a check once. Since he’s not in the country on a work Visa, Will does not get to keep his driving percentage.

“I don’t know any of the [trainers] that put me down,” he said. “I only really know the trainers that are
from Australia and New Zealand, so for [those trainers] to put me down, and the judges, it is very much appreciated.

“I’m not really one to get too worked up or nervous or anything, but I definitely would like to make a good first impression for sure and give their horses every chance. I’d be more than happy with that.”

Will is staying with Todd McCarthy on his visit and has been using McCarthy’s sulky, which, even though Rixon is a little taller, has been working out fine.

“He drives quite long, so I’ve got it as far out as it can go,” Will said of McCarthy’s bike. “Probably still a touch short for me, but not too bad, comfortable enough.”

Prior to Will’s arrival, McCarthy said, “I think he would fit in just fine [at The Meadowlands]. It’s a little bit of a different style of racing, and it takes some adjusting, but it’s not a totally different game.

“Will’s really taken off down there kind of the last few years, but he was a really good young driver when I was there and he was just sort of getting going then, and he’s always done a really good job. I’m not surprised at all to see how well he’s been doing down there.”

Following some sightseeing in New York City and a stop in Kentucky, Will returns home next week, but not before taking a few more spins around the East Rutherford, NJ mile oval tomorrow night (Aug. 29).

“Dexter [Dunn], Todd, and Andy [McCarthy] have really paved the way to probably give the Down Under drivers a good name,” Will said. “Because of what they’ve done, I think people know if you drive Down Under that you can be talented as well, so, definitely we owe a lot to them. I know a lot of people back home that really idolize them and are watching their success over here.”