New Zealand Junior Driver Championship to be decided at Ashburton today

By Mike Love  

The McMillan Equine Feeds New Zealand Junior Driver Championships will conclude at Ashburton Raceway today with four heats.

Current leader Wilson House has a two-point advantage, on 34 points, with Mia Holbrough on 32 points, and Harrison Orange on 30 points. 

Defending champion Carter Dalgety sits fourth on 29 points, while Seth Hill and Emily Johnson are fifth equal on 27 points. With a big gap back to the rest, it looks likely the winner of the Championship will come from one of these.

While northern driver Emily Johnson is happy just to be part of the series, she may just have the formula to pull off a come-from-behind performance as she lands a book of drives with plenty of form behind them.

"Just to be in the series is a good achievement. To compete against the best juniors in the country is great, and so far I'm doing well enough," said Johnson.

"I'm driving a few horses with a bit of form behind them, and we have a few good draws. So I should get my chance."

In Race 2, the McMillan Equine Feeds NZ Junior Drivers Champs (Heat 4) Trot (1.06pm) over 2400m, Johnson will drive the Sam Payne-trained Neil William ($16.00FF). 

The Vincent trotter has had two starts since breaking maidens, running an okay fifth most recently at Addington Raceway, and should measure up to most in today's fixture.

"It looks an even field, and he's a good beginner. So hopefully we can land somewhere and we'll go from there."

Current favourite Lexicon ($3.30FF) will be driven by Carter Dalgety, while Wilson House drives Majestic Monkey ($17.00FF) starting from the ace.

Longview Tui ($23.00FF) is Johnson's second drive, in Race 4, the White Racing NZ Junior Drivers Champs (Heat 5) Mobile Pace (2.09pm) over 2400m. Trained by Ken Barron, Longview Tui put some handy form together before failing to get to grips with a slushy Addington track last time out, finishing seventh.

"She looks like a sit-and-kick type. The distance probably helps her."

Current favourite is Smoking Ashes ($2.90FF), to be driven by Hayden Douglas, while Champs leader House will need favours with his drive Shadow Creek ($31.00FF) from an awkward draw of one on the second line. Taumutu Lad ($4.50FF) for Riley Harrison is overdue for some luck and looks a strong winning chance.

The third heat of the day is the sixth race on the card, the Quigley Contracting NZ Junior Drivers Champs (Heat 6) Mobile Pace (3.24pm) over 1700m.

Putere Boy ($11.00FF) has really found his form in recent racing, and Johnson will take the drive behind the five-year-old Ultimate Machete gelding for trainer Darren Keast. Winning two of his previous four starts, and placing on the other two occasions, albeit in the amateur grade, Putere Boy will be looking to capitalise on his newfound confidence back in a stronger grade today.

"He's in wonderful form and drawn handy. The short distance will be a question mark, but hopefully we can roll over the top of them."

In a very open market, current favourite Lasa ($6.00FF) will be driven by Harrison Orange, and has a big task needing to come from the outside of the second line. Other chances include the fresh-up Mighty Flying Lou ($7.50FF) for Riley Harrison.

The final heat of the Champs is Race 7, the Molloy Agriculture NZ Junior Drivers Champs (Heat 7) Mobile Pace (3.49pm) over 1700m.

Last-start winner Woodlea Rocks ($51.00FF) has drawn the ace, giving Johnson the potential to get into a handy position. The field is much stronger this time than the calibre of what she beat last start, but Woodlea Rocks will still have a good chance of picking up minor points in the final heat.

"Gate speed from the one should help her. The distance probably works in our favour."

Other chances include Caught The Eye ($5.50FF) with Riley Harrison, and Nothing But You ($2.60FF) with Crystal Hackett.

Race 1 gets underway at 12.35pm.

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