Two newcomers for McMillan Equine Feeds NZ Junior Drivers Championships

Two drivers will make their debuts at this year's McMillan Equine Feeds New Zealand Junior Drivers Championships.

The championship's two rounds will be held at Alexandra Park on Friday, August 7 and then at Ashburton two days later.

Twelve of the country's best young talent will duel it out, with Carter Dalgety returning as defending champion along with 2024 winner Crystal Hackett.

The two newcomers will be Kate Coppins and Nikita Burton, who has been selected as the wildcard.

Coppins has had an especially successful time of it in the north with 23 wins so far in 2026, eclipsing the 19 she had for the entire season last year.

Qualifying for the championships finished on Sunday.  

The 12 drivers confirmed for the Championships are :  

Most points North Island (3)
Harrison Orange
Crystal Hackett
Kate Coppins

Most points Canterbury (4)
Carter Dalgety
Wilson House
Riley Harrison
Seth Hill

Most Points South of Waitaki (2)
Hayden Douglas
Max Hill

Next Most Points overall
Emily Johnson
Mia Holbrough

Wildcard
Nikita Burton

Ten of the 12 have competed in the championships before though Max Hill and Riley Harrison missed out last year after competing in 2023.

In this year's junior drivers' premiership Carter Dalgety is currently on 55 wins, 13 ahead of defending champion Wilson House (42) and Crystal Hackett (40).

HRNZ would like to thank long-standing harness racing supporters McMillan Equine Feeds for their continued sponsorship of this series.

For any enquiries contact courtney@hrnz.co.nz