Natalee Emery, long regarded as one of the leading drivers in the state, currently sits second on the Female Drivers Premiership table behind young gun Hannah Van dongen.
Natalee has a handy book of drives tonight starting with Devil Of Tyne, trained by husband Adam in race two the McKillop Insurance Brokers Pace, the Ponder- Seeya Lombo six-year-old geldings most recent win came at Carrick in November and has drawn the pole tonight over 2200 metres.
"We've had trouble getting up enough points to gain a run with him, but a stroke of luck has given us an inside front-line draw which will be a help, I think he can race handily from the draw and may even be able to hold them out and lead," said Natalee.
Adam also prepares the Always A Virgin-Shez Dripping Diamonds four-year-old mare Ten Crystals in race three, the Impress Print Stakes, where she is in search of her fifth win of the season.
"Ten Crystals ran a nice second to Plata O Plomo at Devonport last start, we led early but I handed up to the favourite which finished up winning easily but she stuck on well and tonight we follow out the favourite and likely leader Iden Amrak," Natalee said.
"If we can hold our position early and then get off the pegs at the right time I would expect her to be in the finish."
Natalee combined forces with trainer Shelley Barnes to guide Chief Destroyer to a runaway Ulverstone Cup victory at Devonport a fortnight ago but goes back to the 20-metre handicap for tonight's assignment in race four.
"Shelley has done a great job with Chief Destroyer, obviously giving away 2o metres is going to be a tougher task but he begins well from the stand and he's very versatile so there are a number of ways I can attack the race," Natalee remarked.
"Bayridge Bill and Fortino are smart performers but they will know he's in the race that's for certain."
Natalee will steer the Ben Yole-Ruby's Bad Boy for the first time in the Claimer and then jump aboard the Brian Rode-prepared Master Leon in the Maxfield Drilling Stakes.
"I've driven Master Leon for Brian at his last two runs, he ran home from well back on the home turn to run a promising fourth to Out To Strike and then was just behind the placegetters in the race won by Origin Tara, he still has a little way to go but he has a good chance tonight and I would love for him to win for Brian," Natalee said.
The ace driver finishes her night behind the David Miles-trained three-year-old Beachboy Butch.
"I've spent the night in the Gym and had two bowls of cereal this morning in preparation for the drive, he's a real puller so I will need to show him who's boss or just hang on," Natalee said laughing.
Tonight's seven-event Launceston Pacing Club meeting, commencing at 16.52, can be seen via the live stream service at tasracing.com.au.
Watch the Shelley Barnes-trained Chief Destroyer race away with the Ulverstone Cup at his most recent run at Devonport on May 4.
