Deni Roberts after her 100th win this season. Photo Credit- Pacepix
When Deni Roberts set herself a goal at the start of the season to drive 100 winners in the 2023 racing calendar, not once did she think she would break through just six months into the year, but on Friday night in the last, the pacing poster girl did just that on board the Greg and Skye Bond trained Mighthavtime NZ.
“It’s hard to believe,
“I set a goal at the start of the season to drive 100 and to do it only half way through the season is unreal.”
Making a career out of driving, Roberts initially thought it would be just a hobby, but eight years after making her debut, she’s well and truly made her mark in the industry.
“I thought it would be a hobby for me, something to pass the time until I worked out what career I wanted.”
After finishing last season on 98 wins, Roberts is only halfway through the current one and is on track to double her personal best. With 4650 races under her belt, the 27-year-old has now had 450 wins and 1071 placings and although she is yet to win a Group 1, the talented young driver has taken out six Group 3’s, as well as the Gr2 San Simeon on board Socrates NZ late last year.
“I think it’s just been natural progression and opportunities,
“The stables I have worked for and everything I have learnt along the way has finally got me to the stage I’m at now,
“Which is rewarding, I’ve worked and worked at getting here.”
Roberts started working for Team Bond three years ago, the experience opening up many opportunities to the then 24-year-old, with Roberts making mention that she wouldn’t be able to do this without the faith and support of Greg and Skye.
“There are so many (credits to success), early on Kim Prentice and Ryan Bell taught me most of what I know,
“My mum for giving me the opportunity to drive her horses and learn whilst I was getting started and still today,
“Ryan Warwick and Gary Hall Jnr of late have helped me take my driving to the next level.”
Like any sportsperson, Roberts has had her doubts over the years, but in her words, she has ‘pressed on’, overcoming any mental challenges that have come her way.
“I didn’t know if I could handle the pressure of what it takes,
“But I’ve just tried to do the best that I can, and that’s all you can do really.”
Roberts has now set herself a new goal, with 500 winners in her sights by the end of the 2023 racing season. She currently sits just 50 wins away from the target.
100th driving win
Ashleigh Paikos