Ashleigh Delosa takes National Drivers Championship in a first for women drivers

New South Wales reinswoman Ashleigh Delosa achieved one of her greatest successes in her relatively short harness racing career when she took out this year’s edition of the National Drivers Championship at Globe Derby on Saturday night.

The series was all over after the eighth race when Emily Suvaljko who was the only possible contender for the title couldn’t win on her drive Alkazam.

What made the win so special for Delosa is that she becomes the first woman driver to take out a National title. Delosa finished second in the National Series in 2024 so going one better at Globe Derby would have been additionally satisfying.

Gary Hall Jnr took up the early running and mid way was a clear leader. In particular he was responsible for a brilliant drive on trotter Sammy Barbaro who edged out Feel The Moment.

But Delosa in just three drives in Races 5, 6 and 7 that sealed the series.

In Race 5 she was narrowly beaten on Resurrects by Rocknroll Spirit driven by Adam Sanderson. But then won the next two races with favourite Delightful Dream who led all the way and Places You Don’t that finished brilliantly from an inside run to snatch a win. It was at that point that Delosa had the title in her grasp.

PLACES YOU DONT. 3 OCT REPLAY

The series is shared between South Australia and Tasmania and this year’s edition has been a great success for the locals in promoting South Australian harness racing.

No doubt Delosa will be looking to defend her title next year.

Preliminary Final points as follows:

Driver	Points
Ashleigh Delosa NSW	65
Gary Hall Jnr WA	50
Dylan Ford Tas	49
James Herbertson Vic	48
Adam Sanderson Qld	48
Angus Garrard Qld	43
Emily Suvaljko WA	42
Jett Turnbull NSW	41
Wayne Hill SA	33
Danielle Hill SA	41
Jordan Chibnall Tas	26
Mark Pitt Vic	25

 

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink