Seven points separating top two trainers

Just seven points separate the top two in the leading trainers’ award heading into the final harness racing meeting of the Albany Harness Racing Club season tonight.

Coolup trainer Hayden Reeves is on top of the standings, seven points clear of rival Barry Howlett heading into the nine-race program at Harold Reid Paceway.

Reeves is in the box seat to claim the trainers’ premiership with seven runners entered on the final program, headlined by Phi Phi Island in race five.

To add to his impressive season, Reeves has also claimed the two major feature races with promising type Thomson Bay.

Howlett has won 11 races this season — the same number as Reeves.

He will have five runners engaged as he looks to bridge the gap to Reeves at the final meet.

Driver Bailey McDonough, who has a strong relationship with Reeves, has a stranglehold on the leading driver award.

McDonough has won this season’s Albany and Denmark cups and holds a 13-point advantage over Trent Wheeler.

The leading reinsman has eight drives tomorrow, while Wheeler is engaged in all nine events.

The first race will be run at 5.45pm, while the final event of the season will wrap up at 10pm.

By Taj Stubber

Reprinted with permission of The West Australia