Stalwart supporter fronts up in NZ amateur drivers championships

Frank Phelan is hopeful of a strong start to the 2025 New Zealand Amateur Drivers Championships at Cambridge tonight.

For well over a decade he’s been a strong force in the North Island harness racing amateur driving ranks and this week’s championships will be his third attempt at the title.

He is one of 10 drivers taking part at Cambridge tonight and then Addington on Friday and Sunday.

“The ultimate goal is to win,” Phelan says, “this year the winner gets to go to the World Champs so it makes it even more important to win, if you get the chance it’s the trip of a lifetime and an opportunity to represent New Zealand.”

Phelan kicks off his campaign with Midfrew Lucre in  Heat 1 at 6.07pm tonight and he rates the Jay Abernethy-trained gelding as his best drive of the series.

“He’s been up a while but hopefully Jay has got him right for the night,” he says.

“He’s really competitive in these amateur races and he’s always thereabouts. I think he’ll go a really good race and he’d be the pick of my drives.”

Midfrew Lucre is currently a $5 fourth favourite behind Delightful Chic, Billy The Kid and Desert Dawn.

A trainer of 30 years, Phelan says taking out his amateur licence felt like the right move after competing amongst open class drivers for 18 seasons.

“I had an open horseman’s license and used to like driving a couple of my own, but if I had anything half-pie decent, I’d give (son) Scotty and Jay Abernethy the drives.” he said.

“I felt that if you’re not out there all the time it’s just too hard.”

“Then the amateurs came along, and after a few years I changed over, and I really enjoy it. It’s nice just having a couple of drives a month and the people out there are really great. We look out for each other.”

A stalwart supporter of the amateur ranks, Phelan thoroughly encourages anyone to give it a go.

“It’s a great thing to do, if you’re an owner or someone in the background who really loves the horses you’ve got to get out there and see how good it feels to drive.”

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by Jordyn Bublitz for Harness Racing New Zealand