Australian Drivers Champs a battle to the finish

Champion Western Australian harness racing reinsman Gary Hall jnr landed his second Australian Drivers Championship in an exciting 10-race contest at Globe Derby Park on Sunday.

A fourth on Jilliby Mistress in the final event was enough to see Hall jnr leapfrog leader Ashleigh Delosa from New South Wales and take the tile by four points with a tally of 72.

Delosa, who didn’t have a drive in the last race, finished with 68 points, two clear of another Western Australian Deni Roberts.

Hall jnr, 42, has built an incredible record in Australian Driving Championship series. He won previously in 2019 but also has a second to Queenslander Pete McMullen in 2014, a third to South Australian Wayne Hill in 2016, and a second to another Queenslander Nathan Dawson in 2023.

Sunday’s group of 12 drivers included six of the last eight winners of the Australian Drivers Championship – Grant Dixon (2015), Wayne Hill (2016), Chris Alford (2017), Gary Hall jnr (2019), James Herbertson (2022) and Nathan Dawson (2023).

Hall jnr said he was “pretty chuffed” to have won the Australian Drivers Championship again.

“I realise you need so much luck,” Hall jnr said.

“Right from the horses you draw, and where they draw, along with the information from the trainers.

“On the night, because you are going from trainer to trainer, quite often you don’t know how the standings are going, and I wasn’t quite sure of the points tally going into the final race so when I finished fourth and was told I had won it was a pleasant surprise.”

Wins on Franco Landy for Angle Vale trainer Dean Girardi and the trotter Our Spitfire for trainer Peta Brown from Bagot Well were keys in helping Hall jnr’s victory.

Even the best make mistakes with Hall jnr putting his hand up after winning the Kevin & Kay Seymour heat three ADC Pace (2230m) on Franco Landry.

Going into the back straight while racing midfield, Franco Landry ($5) galloped for a few strides before sprinting strongly to score a 5-1/2 metre win from Charming Major ($17, Cam Hart) with Hesashark ($19, Wayne Hill), 10 metres away third.

Hall said Franco Landy had been tending to hang in.

“When I pulled him out to make a run I over-corrected and he galloped for a few strides but fortunately got down quickly, and sprinted really well,” he said.

Girardi, who races the nine-year-old in partnership with his wife Ali, said it had been an honour to have Hall jnr win on Franco Landry.

“He is a superstar driver, and the horse went so well for him,” Girardi said.

“I can’t wait to get back in the sulky for his next run because he is racing really well.”

Hall jnr related an amusing story after his win on bold front-running trotter Our Spitfire in the Skyvalley @ Aldebaran Park ADCT heat nine Trot (2230m).

“I had heard Terry (husband of trainer Peta Brown and regular driver) could give a spray if he wasn’t happy with the drive on his horses,” he said.

“I drove one for him in the preceding race (Bettor Be Lively, 7th) and mucked up because I should have stayed inside instead of coming off, so I was a bit disappointed.

“So, when Terry said the mare was his pin up I knew I couldn’t afford to stuff up.”

Hall jnr didn’t, bouncing Our Spitfire ($4.80) out brilliantly in the stand start race leading easily from gate four and never looking like losing.

“She felt like she was going to pull so I didn’t fight her and let her run along and she was super impressive.”

Our Spitfire won by 16-1/2 metres from Rioterra ($11) which chased her throughout with Hayoak ($8), two metres away third.

Talented New South Wales reinsperson Ashleigh Delosa had an excellent series to finish second and began the night in winning fashion on Regal Attire for trainer Ryan Hryhorec.

The series was Delosa’s first trip to South Australia and a winner with her first drive at Globe Derby Park, a feat she had previously achieved at Melton in Victoria.

Delosa had a good series also winning on Offyarocka Crocker for trainer Sam Hill in the Ladbrokes Odds Surge ADC heat five Pace (2230m).

Offyarocka Crocker ($2.40 fav) was able to lead from gate one and was never challenged scoring by 9-1/2 metres from Hereforagoodtime ($41) with Treacherous Rock ($3.50), 2-1/2 metres away third.

Trainer Hill was a little surprised her pacer had been able to hold the front from gate one but once he did, knew he would be hard to beat.

The five-year-old has now won both his starts since coming into her stable.

Delosa had the anxious wait of leading the series after nine of the 10 races, but watching as Hall jnr and Deni Roberts attempted to rein her in in the final event.

After a strong series, Delosa headed home on Monday and straight to Goulburn to fulfill her engagements.

The final points tally was:  Gary Hall jnr (WA) 72; Ashleigh Delosa (NSW) 68; Deni Roberts (WA) 66; James Herbertson (Vic) 65; Chris Alford (Vic) 58; Wayne Hill (SA) 52; Cameron Hart (NSW) 51; Gaita Pullicino (SA) 45; Mark Yole (Tas) 42; Nathan Dawson (Qld) 40; Rohan Hillier (Tas) 35; Grant Dixon (Qld) 31.

For complete race results, click here.

by Graham Fischer, for HRSA