Dutch trotting racer Jaap van Rijn made every post a winner at Winton today, winning three of the four heats of the World Drivers’ Championships.
He got the party started when he led and won with the Matt Brinsdon-trained Sheeza Vinny (Vincent) in the Vetsouth Equine WDC25 Heat 16.
SHEEEZA VINNY REPEAT
“He (Matt Brinsdon) told me to just leave the gate and let one go. At the first corner I thought about letting one pass, but she felt very strong and I think I’ll go for my own chance. She got the job done,” said Van Rijn.
Sheeza Vinny wins at Winton (photo Bruce Stewart)Sheeza Vinny returns to the birdcage (Photo by Bruce Stewart)
Sheeza Vinny finished with a neck to spare from Bombay Glacier and driver Brett Beckwith.
“Here with the open stretch (straight) you are always afraid that someone will fly on the inside. One was coming, but we were on the same page.”
Pacers are not raced in the Netherlands, so this year’s WDC has offered Jaap a new experience.
“It was my first time riding a race here with a pacer. That’s a nice experience and it’s a bit different. They told me before that if you can drive a trotter, you can also drive a pacer. For me, riding with a pacer is a fun experience. I’m happy with it.”
Sheeza Vinny’s winning team (photo by Bruce Stewart)
Riding on a 1500 meter track was also new for the Dutchman.
“That was a nice experience. Our tracks are 800, 1000 or 1200 meters. The mile is only one lap, so you have to give your horse a chance at the start and you have to find a good position. If you are three wide, you cover a lot more extra distance.”
Van Rijn says he is really enjoying his visit to New Zealand.
“It’s a lot of fun, a nice culture, nice people and everyone is very friendly. We come from ten different countries, but after a few days (racing together) we are very collective together.”
With one heat to go, Cup Day in Addington, James McDonald (USA) still leads the WDC with 164 points, from Gary Hall jr. with 149 and Jaap van Rijn third with 140 points.
The result extends the hot form of Gore coach Matt Brinsdon who also supplied Blair Orange with his 3000e winner on Friday evening in Addington.
Sheeza Vinny’s winning team (photo by Bruce Stewart)
“Sometimes it comes down to this: You can’t do anything wrong. You take it when it’s there,” he said.
Sheeza Vinny’s win was her third in thirty-nine starts.
“She’s coming out of the gate a lot better this time. She’s looking great and working strong. She had a good gallop on Friday and she was doing really well.”
Two winners in two different locations within three days, driven by world-class drivers, is certainly a rarity and a great achievement.
“Vinny will stay here and bounce around in the ratings races. I’ll have a chat with Johnny (John Dunn) this week and see what we do with Menace.”
Jaap van Rijn’s other wins came with the Matty Williamson trained Jordan Anne (Pegasus Spur) in the SBSR/Diamond Creek Farm WDC25, Heat 18 and Mouton Cadet (Sir Lincoln) trained by Bruce Negus in the Ultra-Scan Western Southland WDC25, Heat 19.
Jordan Anne and Jaap van Rijn after winning Heat 19 of the WDC25 (Bruce Stewart Photo)Mouton Cadet after winning his seventh race (Bruce Stewart Photo)
“Here with the open stretch (straight) you are always afraid that someone will fly on the inside. One was coming, but we were on the same page.”
“Here with the open stretch (straight) you are always afraid that someone will fly on the inside. One was coming, but we were on the same page.”
