AYDC heading for thrilling finish at Addington

Heading into the final heat at Addington today the 1Equine Australasian Young Drivers Championship (AYDC) is essentially down to three contenders.

Wilson House carries New Zealand’s hopes. He is on 75 points three ahead of Jett Turnbull (New South Wales) and Jordan Leedham (Victoria) on 68.

With 17 points going to the winner of the last heat and every driver getting at least one point (unless they are disqualified) it means in all probability only one of the current top three will take the title.

The 10th and final heat of the AYDC will be at 12.20pm. It’s Race 2 on harness racing’s biggest event of the year, Go Media New Zealand Trotting Cup Day.

Wilson House drives My Wingman,  a $18 shot for Brent Borcoskie while Turnbull’s drive is Dave Duley ($8.50) and Leedham links up with the very much in-form Ward Lamon ($4.80).

At $1.70 the Steve and Amanda Telfer-trained Captains Secret is all the rage. He is going for a hat-trick following back-to-back wins at Cambridge and Addington last month.

He will be driven by Tasmania’s Jordan Chibnall who has been upbeat during the week about its chances.

“It looks a very smart horse and I’m very excited to drive it.”

Though Leedham was keen to up the ante.

“I think we can sit outside the other Jordy and crush her,” he said with a smile.

If House secures the win he’ll emulate Sarah O’Reilly who was the last New Zealander to win the championships when they were held in this country in 2019.

The standings going into the final heat are :

Wilson House (New Zealand) 75
Jett Turnbull (News South Wales) 72
Jordan Leedham (Victoria) 68
Layne Dwyer (Queensland) 58
Crystal Hackett (New Zealand) 57
Jordy Chibnall (Tasmania) 56
Carter Dalgety (New Zealand) 53
Abbey Vidovich (Western Australia) 49
Ryan Sanderson (Victoria) 48
Jason Kittel (South Australia) 47

 

From Harness Racing New Zealand