Kate Gath claims second Noel Smith Memorial title

Long Forest reinswoman Kate Gath has claimed her second Noel Smith Memorial Horsham Invitational Drivers Championship, taking out the annual event on Monday.

Gath produced a consistent performance throughout the championship, piloting two winners and two seconds to finish on 37 points, one clear of Jordan Leedham (36) and Michael Bellman (35).

It was Gath’s second victory in the prestigious championship, having also prevailed in 2020. On that occasion, she secured the title without driving a winner.

The championship has attracted some of Australasia’s biggest names throughout its history, including champion New Zealand reinsman Dexter Dunn, who won back-to-back editions in 2012 and 2013.

The event honours the late Noel Smith, a long-serving Horsham and District Harness Racing Club committee member, past president and delegate who made an enormous contribution to harness racing locally and across Victoria.

Smith was awarded a Harness Racing Victoria Distinguished Service Medal in March 1994, just three months before his passing.

FINAL RESULT

1st – Kate Gath – 37 points

2nd – Jordan Leedham – 36 points

3rd – Michael Bellman – 35 points

4th – Taylor Youl – 33 points

 

by Len Baker for Harness Racing Victoria