Junior Drivers’ Champs headed for a big finale

Kerryn Tomlinson wants the win and the trip this time.

But first the Oamaru harness racing driver who surged into contention for the McMillan Equine Feeds Junior Drivers Champs with a win at Addington on Wednesday, has to win the series which has been left one of the most open in its history.

Tomlinson and Seth Hill were the winners of the two heats at Addington seeing them  both high up on the stacked leaders board.

Zev Meredith leads the series with 37 points just one clear of Tomlinson on 36, with Crystal Hackett and Hill on 33, Carter Dalgety and Olivia Thornley on 31 and Max Hill on 29.

There is one heat left in the series at Addington on Friday night and it looks very even apart from Borrisokane, who will start favourite and has Sam Thornley on board but he is too far back to win the title.

Another one of the favoured runners will be driven by Wilson House who is also out of contention for the title.

So those drivers who can win it find themselves on relatively even horses for the final heat without a lot of recommend them.

Tomlinson has one thing on her side, winning experience as she won the series at her first attempt in 2020.

“It was so cool to win but I never got to go to the Australasian Junior Champs because of Covid,” she explains.

“So I’d love to win again and get a chance to represent New Zealand.”

While Seth Hill caused the upset of the night guiding rank outsider Eastwood Dream to win at 51-1 in the first heat Tomlinson’s win on Crazy N Love in the second heat came much easier.

“I went down the stables and Greg (Hope, co-trainer) told me he thought it would just win,” she smiles.

“I didn’t ask him many questions after that. I just went out and won on her.”

It is apt Tomlinson should win a trotting heat, her family renowned for their ability with the gait and Kerryn working for Brad Williamson, who is equally adept with square-gaiters.

Soon it could be the 24-year-old training winners, trotting or otherwise, as she has just taken out of trainer’s licence.

If she can get a good result with Tempo Warrior in the final heat of the series on Friday she might become a two-time Junior Driver’s Champ.

And finally get that trip she missed out on four years ago.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand