Cracking start to Junior Drivers Championships

By Jordyn Bublitz 

The New Zealand Junior Drivers Championship got off to a lively and competitive start at Cambridge Raceway last night.

Strong drives, bold tactics, and tight finishes set the tone for what promises to be a closely-contested battle.

In Heat 1 Carter Dalgety and Emily Bay were stuck three-wide before finally being able to press on to the lead with 1600 metres to run. 

Eagle Hanover, driven by Sam Thornley, made a mid-race move to sit parked and kept the pressure on for the final lap. But when Dalgety asked Emily Bay to lift turning for home, she responded like a mare right at the top of her game. 

Bounding away in the final stages, she put a decisive 3¼ lengths on her rivals. Patrick Mahomes and Monika Ranger were second. 

Heat 2 belonged to Ranger, who produced a cool, confident drive behind Melton Mogul. 

Drawn the widest on the arm, Ranger wasted no time sending the gelding forward, clearing them and taking control with 1400 metres left to travel. 

Once in front, she was able to dictate a steady tempo – at least until Harrison Orange and Caulfield launched three-wide with 600 metres to run.

While Caulfield peaked on his run before the turn, the challengers didn’t stop coming. Sea Of Love and Mia Holbrough had enjoyed the perfect trip in the trail, and Holbrough made the right call to use the passing lane in the run home. They charged hard late, but Melton Mogul refused to yield, holding on by a neck in a gritty finish.

With a win and a second placing Ranger's leading on 29 points, with Dalgety just two points behind.

The leaderboard after two heats : 

Monika Ranger        29 points 
Carter Dalgety       27 points 
Mia Holbrough        20 points
Emily Johnson        19 points 
Wilson House         13 points
Harrison Orange      12 points 
Hayden Douglas       11 points
Ellie Barron         10 points
Seth Hill             9 points
Sam Thornley          7 points
Gemma Thornley        6 points
Crystal Hackett       5 points 

There'll be a further two heats at Addington tonight with the series concluding at Methven on Sunday. 

To find out more about the Junior Driver Championships and the drivers involved click here