Angus Garrard takes out Ultimate Drivers Championship

Young Queensland harness racing gun Angus Garrard has won the inaugural running of the Ultimate Drivers Challenge staged over two nights at Albion Park with the final 10 races run last night.

Taking a lead after the first night Garrard capitalised on his good start with some superb drives on the second evening. Garrard started off with second placing abroad Rock Supreme and then won the next race with Dele Row (Art Major). He then had to wait until Race 8 where he finished second on Rylee Rhayne Bow.

ANGUS GARRARD FEB 22 REPLAY FINAL RACE OF ULTIMATE DRIVERS CHALLENGE

But fittingly it was the last race of the series that capped off a great night for Garrard when he scored on Betting Jewel (Betting Line) who came with a well timed burst to snatch victory.

Fellow local Queenslander Pete McMullen who hadn’t gone that well on the opening night scored a treble with Free Thinker (Hurrikane Kingcole), Brett’s Red (Lord Zin Zan) and Miss Froufrou (Warrawee Needy) but the gap was too much to bridge.

West Australian reinsman Gary Hall who was prominent in the rankings throughout had one winner on the evening namely with the mare Bonnie’s Dance (A Rock N Roll Dance).

Swedish reinsman Bjorn Goop drove a double with handy pacer Jimartee (Sportswriter) and Island Bouhinia (Betting Line).

It was a well deserved win by Garrard as he had a clear margin over the other drivers. At just 21 years of age Garrard is already closing in on the remarkable milestone of 900 wins.

He has already tasted feature race success with three Group 2 victories to his name including the Breeders Challenge Blue Final with Queensland filly Soap Opera at Menangle late last year.

His successes in his home state include an APG Gold Bullion Final, Queensland Trotters Sprint, Patrons Purse and South East Derby.

Final points standings:

Angus Gerrard 180

Gary Hall 155

Pete McMullen 146

Dexter Dunn 133

Bjorn Goop 128

Brad Hewitt 121

Yannick Gingrass 121

Nathan Dawson 116

Carter Dalgety 96

Kate Gath 81

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink