Global driving superstars converge on Brisbane

Three of the world’s best harness racing drivers, headed by Kiwi-born US superstar Dexter Dunn, are in Queensland for an innovative new series.

Dunn, fresh from being crowed US Driver of the Year for the fifth time in the past six years, will be joined by fellow US gun Yannick Gingras and Swedish hero Bjorn Goop in the 20-race Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Challenge across two nights – Friday and Saturday – at Albion Park.

They will be joined by Kiwi young gun Carter Dalgety as the four internationals, taking on six of Australia’s best drivers for more than $250,000 in prize money.

WA’s long-time top driver and three-time Inter Dominion winner Gary Hall Jr and trailblazing Victorian Kate Gath headline the Aussies.

The host state will be strongly represented by Australian premiership winners Pete McMullen and Nathan Dawson, along with outstanding youngster Angus Garrard.

NSW’s Brad Hewitt, winner of the recent Inter Dominion final with The Locomotive, completes the Aussie contenders. The drivers were all chosen by slot holders.

“We’ve never seen anything like this before the interest just to be part of it has been amazing,” Racing Queensland’s David Brick said.

“We could’ve filled the quota more than twice-over, just with the drivers to reached out to us directly from all over the world.”

Dunn, who has been holidaying back in NZ, was the first driver to land a slot almost 12 months ago.

“It came out of the blue, but when they explained what it was, I jumped at it,” he said. “It comes at a great time for us because it’s still cold and the racing is pretty quiet over the States.

“What a great concept. As soon as I signed on, I had so many other drivers from the US and Canada asking me about it.

“Obviously Yannick (Gingras) is one of my main rivals back home, but I’m hoping all my experience growing up Down Under and driving here will give me an edge against guys like Yannick and Bjorn, who is an absolute rockstar in Europe.”

Dunn, 35, won 10 NZ driving premierships before moving to the US in 2018. His last big Down Under win came at Albion Park on Let It Ride in the 2018 Group 1 Blacks A Fake.

“I’ve driven at ‘The Creek’ a bit. The racing is always exciting and competitive and with the line-up they’ve got for this series, it should be full-on,” he said.

Goop, who boasts wins in iconic world races like the Elitlopp in Sweden and Prix D’Amerique iin France, will drive in Australia for the second time.

“But it’ll be my first time in Brisbane,” he said. “I came in 2007 for the World Driving Championship, which was held jointly by Victoria and New Zealand.

“I finished third then and would love to go two better this trip.”

Kate Gath, Australia’s most successful female Group 1 driver with 58 wins at the top level, is thrilled to bring a female flavour to the series.

“It’s one of the greatest things about this sport, how women compete on level terms and are such a huge part of it,” she said. “I can’t wait to take on the boys.”

Fields for both Friday and Saturday come out tomorrow and each contestant will chose their own drives through a draft system on Wednesday.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia