The series brings together twelve of our best young drivers for six heats, two in Cambridge last night, two in Addington tonight and the final two in Methven on Sunday.
For years, the series was casually referred to as “the boys’ champions,” because until about twenty years ago, most of its participants were men.
That name clearly no longer fits as the last seven championships have been won by female drivers, Sarah O’Reilly with a remarkable four, as well as Kerryn Tomlinson, Alicia Harrison and last year Crystal Hackett.
One of six females competing this season is northern Monika Ranger, who admits she only started driving “because I had nothing to lose” and has earned the respect of leading northern drivers because of the way horses respond to her.
After Cambridge last night, she has a two-point lead heading into tonight’s third and fourth heats in Addington after a win with Melton Mogul and a second-place finish with Patrick Mahomes.
She has 29 points, with closest competitor Carter Dalgety on 27.
Horses are allocated at random to the drivers and Ranger has two decent chances at Addington tonight in Major Happy (R6, No. 5) and Donna’s Boy (R7, No. 5), the latter a smart trotter for trainer Bob Butt.
Although Ranger is having the best season of her career with twenty wins, she has really put on the best partners, accounting for eleven of those wins, which can only be a confidence boost for those considering supporting Donna’s Boy tonight.
“I love riding trotters, even more than pacers,” says Ranger, whose previous personal best was 16 last season.
“It has been a very good season and I am fortunate to have a loyal group of trainers who have used me so often.
“When I started driving I didn’t think it would reach the level it has now, it was more or less because I had nothing to lose.
“So I’m looking forward to being part of the series again, but I might be the boring one. I’m 30 now, so I might be the Nana of the group,” she laughs.
While junior drivers enjoy being part of the series, Ranger admits it involves a bit more work.
“When I ride here I know the horses quite well, but for something like this series, and this is my third time participating, I will do a bit more video work on the website.
“I liked the look of Major Happy, she looks really nice and consistent and Donna’s Boy was really good on Cup Day when he showed good gate speed.”
It took a great performance from a racing rival tonight in He Aint Fakin (Emily Johnson) to beat Donna’s Boy on Cup Day and the two northern female juniors look set for good points in at least that heat as they look to make it eight consecutive years of a woman winning the series.
The series has been beautifully designed, completely by accident, with the random draw of the rides providing a very even spread of talent, with many of the participants being Friday night regulars at one of our two biggest circuits.
Both heats tonight failed to attract the capacity of twelve runners, so drivers who miss a drive in any heat will have seven points added to their overall total.
While the best version of former pacer He Aint Fakin could well win the second heat (and fourth overall) ahead of Johnson tonight, the pace heat looks more open, with Ellie Barron on favorite Classie Linc, while Wilson House gets his chance to continue a huge season with a good chance of taking pole at Sandy Shore.
Sam Thornley, no stranger to winning the Drivers Series, partners last-start Addington winner Brandi Snapp.
For full race results, click here
Through Michael Guerinfor Harness Racing New Zealand
#Ranger #leads #Junior #Drivers #series #night