Kriechbaumer wins second NZ Amateur Drivers title

Northern horseman John Kriechbaumer has today claimed his second NZ Amateur Drivers Championship - but only just.

It was tied up at 17 points each between Kriechbaumer and defending champion Michael House after the final two heats at Addington this afternoon, with Kriechbaumer winning the title on a countback.

He had one win, two seconds and a 10th from the four heats while House had one win, a second, a fourth and a fifth.

The fact that Kriechbaumer had two seconds, to go with his win, was enough for him to claim the title. 

His win came with Big Herb at Cambridge on Friday night while his seconds were with Mouton Cadet and Style Council at Addington today. 

Going into the final two heats at Addington House (8) was just one point clear of Kriechbaumer and Colleen Negus (7).

Today House had a fifth placing in the third heat with Monkee Major and then won the fourth and final heat with the Ross Cameron-trained Lonnekers (pictured above).

It's Kriechbaumer's second title after he took out the 2009 championships as well. He then represented New Zealand at the world championships in France in 2010.

The countback meant House didn't claim back to back titles but as 2025 champion he has qualified for this year's world championships in Malta in September.