Sharpe returns to defend NZ amateur drivers' crown

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

Andrew Sharpe is leaning on his winning experience from last year as he looks forward to this week's New Zealand amateur drivers' championships.

The championships kick off at Cambridge on Thursday and then head to Addington for more racing on Friday and Sunday.

Last year Sharpe, who works for Ray Green at Lincoln Farms in Pukekohe, won at his first attempt. He was third equal going into the final day only to win twice at Addington to leapfrog Michael House and Cheree Wigg to claim the title.

"I don't know whether to bring the cup south or just leave it up here," he laughs.

So what will be his approach as defending champion this week?  

"A lot of it comes down to the horses you're drawn and luck in the running."

Among the things he learnt last year was "not to overthink it too much."

"The key is to drive horses on their merits and there is no point overdriving them just because you need the points."

The top five drivers from both the North and South Islands over the past 12 months were selected for the championships.  

NORTH ISLAND - Bruce Hadley, John Kriechbaumer, Frank Phelan, Andrew Sharpe, Craig Sharpe. 

SOUTH ISLAND - Alan Edge, Michael House, Neil Munro, Colleen Negus, Cheree Wigg. 

Of the drivers at this year's championships Colleen Negus is the most successful. She has won it twice before. She won outright in 2017 and then dead-heated with Neil Munro in 2018.

The most successful amateur since the first championships in 2002 is three time champion Gavin Cook. He also won the world amateur championships in 2008.

The Points allocation for the three races are as follows : 

1st = 7 points
2nd = 5 points
3rd = 4 points
4th = 3 points
5th = 2 points 
6th = 1 point 
 
To see Thursday's opener for the championships click here