Wilson House goes to top of NZ Junior Driver Championship

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

Wilson House has a two point lead heading into the final four heats of the McMillan Equine Feeds New Zealand Junior Driver Championships at Ashburton on Sunday.

House compiled 34 points in the opening three heats at Alexandra Park on Friday night courtesy of a fifth with Brienne in the opening heat, then a fourth with Rependant before finishing with a third heat win with the Jason Teaz-trained Aventador.

Aventador got the perfect trip in the trail behind Mick Konstantin before peeling out around the home turn and fending off strong challenges from Debrief and Franco Salah.

"It's my first time in his (Teaz's) colours," says House, "and I haven't had too many steers around Auckland."

"I think the best I had before was a fourth."

"It was a lot of fun."

On Sunday he has "a couple that go really good" - notably Majestic Monkey for Coaster Howe in Heat 4 (1.06pm) and last start winner Heaven, trained by Peter and Mitchell Robertson, in the seventh and final heat at 3.49pm. 

Just two points behind House is fellow Cantabrian Mia Holbrough.

She opened this year's championship with an all the way win with Kamilla in the opening heat in what was her first race day drive at Alexandra Park.

The six-year-old mare, trained by Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett, was well rated in front, withstanding late challenges from Cyclone Sala and Chesinov.

In the night's other event, Heat 2, the Roydon Downey-trained Santapazienza was too strong for Harrison Orange in wearing down the pacemaking favourite Two Francs, driven by defending champion Carter Dalgety.

Orange is third overall after the opening night on 30, four behind House.

Dalgety is next on 29.

The first of the four heats at Ashburton will be held at 1.05pm on Sunday.

To see the Ashburton fields click here