Negus expecting "even" contest in NZ Amateur Drivers Championship

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

Colleen Negus is expecting another hard-fought and competitive NZ Amateur Drivers Championship this weekend.

And that's something she knows all about, having won the Championships twice before. Now, she is looking forward to getting out there again. 

"We are very grateful for all the owners and trainers who put their horses in," she says, "all of us (drivers) get on well and are very competitive, it's a great thing."

Comprising 10 amateur drivers, five each from the North and South Islands, the championships kick off at Cambridge on Friday and then move to Addington on Sunday.

"I've had a bit of a look at what I've got and I'm happy with them - the fields are much of a muchness and it should be very even."

At Cambridge on Friday she'll drive Amaretto Delight ($11FF) for Nicky Chilcott in Race 1, the Daily Double NZ Amateur Champs Heat 1 Mobile Pace (4.44pm) and the Adrienne Matthews-trained Reet Petite ($6.50FF) in Race 3, the Waikato Thoroughbred Racing NZ Am Champs Heat 2 Mobile Pace (5.37pm).

"Because they are horses I don't normally drive I have to look back at their videos to see how they are going and talk to trainers about any suggestions."

"You pretty much have to play it by ear."

After Cambridge the championship heads to Addington on Sunday where the final two heats will be held.

In Race 1, the Southern Pork NZ Amateur Drivers Champs (Heat 3) Mobile Pace (1.15pm) Negus will drive Bettor Off for Steve and Amanda Telfer and the Brad Mowbray-trained The Bettor Major in Race 3, The Tennent Engineering NZ Amateur Driver Champs (Heat 4) Mobile Pace (2.25pm)

Negus' previous wins have been close-run things.

In 2018 she tied with Neil Munro while in 2017 it came down to the last heat and was literally decided in the last few strides as she went head to head with another driver in this year's event, Cheree Wigg.

"The points were so even it was depending on which of us won that race would win the competition," says Negus.

She was driving Highland Reign. 

"I ended up at the back of the field and managed to weave my way through - it worked out great."

Highland Reign stormed home to beat her closest rival Wigg, driving Gabby's Star, by a nose.

Negus heads into this weekend's championships in good form. She has had three wins so far from 13 drives in 2026 - all with Quinn, trained by husband Bruce.