Frank Phelan looking for late claim in Amateur Championship

By Mike Love 

Northern hope Frank Phelan is hopeful a late burst on day two of the New Zealand Amateur Drivers Championship at Addington today.

He goes into the final two heats eighth on four points, four behind leader and defending champion Michael House with Colleen Negus and John Kriechbaumer just one point behind, on seven.

Phelan's first chance comes with Ar Gee Rulz ($4.00FF) in Race 1, the Southern Pork Amateur Driver Champs (Heat 3) Mob Pace (1.15pm) over 1980m for the Ben and Greg Hope barn, one of three chances they line up in the event. 

Ar Gee Rulz ran a close second at his last appearance, and with a handy draw  Phelan suggests he is confident the five-year-old Courage Under Fire gelding can deliver.  

“It only just got beaten last Sunday, and they ran a good time,” said Phelan.

“It suits my style of driving, going to the front, so hopefully I can get it home.” 

Other notable chances include Mouton Cadet ($7.50FF) with Kriechbaumer for Bruce Negus, while Lasa ($5.50FF, Blair Wilmott/Cran and Chrissie Dalgety), Putere Boy ($7.00FF, Andrew Sharpe/Darren Keast), and Franco Elvis ($9.50FF, James Brownlee/Greg and Ben Hope) off the second line are likely to come into contention if the race tempo is fast. 

The final heat of the series is Race 3, the Tennent Engineering NZ Amateur Driver Champs (HT 4) Mob Pace (2.25pm) over 1980m. 

Phelan links up with the Brad Williamson-trained Tabasco ($4.20FF), who has a second line draw to contend with. 

“The draw will be tough, but hopefully JK (Kriechbaumer) can hold up on his (Style Council, drawn one),” said Phelan. 

“He’s been competitive against some pretty nice horses down south, so hopefully we can get a bit of luck and he should go well.”  

Other chances include one of the shortest priced favourites of the day, Beachbreak ($2.50FF, Cheree Wigg/Steve and Amanda Telfer), while you could throw a dart at the rest for minor money.

Phelan heads into Sunday's final heats after some tough luck in 2025.

“I was leading going into the final heat last year, but I didn’t have a drive because there weren’t enough horses, so my name got drawn out of the hat to miss a drive, and I got pipped.”

Phelan drove 11 winners in the professional ranks between 1993 and 2011, before taking out his amateur licence where he has won 32 times. Phelan has also trained 119 winners.  

Note: The FF (Final Field) odds can fluctuate, so check at tab.co.nz for the latest information.