NZ Premiership race - Open driving ranks

We continue to make our way through the harness racing season.

Here we provide a mid-May update and look into the current NZ Open Driving Premiership.

Blair Orange continues to enjoy a healthy lead in the season-long race although the gap between himself and the rest of the pack has been cut down somewhat by a stint on the sidelines and consistent driving performances from his nearest rival in John Dunn. That gap being a wide 30 wins currently.

The leading reinsman increased his winning figures on a premier night of racing at Addington last week with a sound drive behind the favoured Akuta to take out the Harness Million at Listed level. A brace of wins at Winton behind Whata Razzle Dazzle and Steve also propelling him forwards.

John Dunn has been chasing with some determination lately (currently on 121 wins from 733 drives) and has been behind a number of high achievers who have helped him stay, at least within a bull’s roar, of Orange. The winning habits of Highgrove, Five Wise Men and Sundees Son along with recent salutes on Jimmy Paul, One Majic Kenny and American Sniper all adding their weight to his premiership ambitions.

While it looks unlikely that such a margin will be overcome in the time that is left in the season this premiership race isn’t all together done and dusted with the smallest of watches on further movements through the next 2-3 weeks warranted.

Matthew Williamson (82 wins) and Tim Williams (78 wins) sit in 3^rd and 4^th place on the ladder with both enjoying a strong winning turn of late.

Williams and his driving talents are always in demand and he’s enjoyed victories for the H Cullen, J Howe, M Edmonds, P Kerr and J Gameson barns lately, and that’s just to name a few!

Sam Ottley (71 wins) heads the female drivers and currently sits 5^th overall  with her peg-line drive to victory behind Taxman at Ashburton proving a popular win for punters who backed the horse in from an opening quote of $41. Her latest salute being behind the impressive Major Memphis who scored a two-year-old victory at Ashburton on Sunday.

In terms of UDR success rates Natalie Rasmussen, although having limited driving engagements this season, is proving hard to beat when appearing on track. Her .5253 UDR comes off the back of 24 wins from just the 66 drives! Friday night at Addington saw Rasmussen at her best with wins behind Bettor Twist, Samhara, Shan Noble, South Coast Arden and Regal Attire, in other words, she dominated!

Tony Herlihy continues to lead the North Island based drivers. His UDR of .3197 has improved recently with a treble of wins achieved on the 7^th of May behind Double Delight, Blameitonthenight and Melanion.

Nathan Williamson continues to lead the southern tallies with 70 wins so far this season at a strong .2764 clip. His competent driving abilities leading to memorable wins on You’re So Fine and Ragazzo Mach recently.

So plenty happening and plenty left to come!

 

Ben McMillan