Mark Billinger, Kim Prentice, Dani Hill, Scott Ewen, Michael Smith, Lance Justice, Lisa Miles,Wayne Hill, Kate Gath and in front, Leah Harvey with representatives from Elders Insurance
If Kate Gath stood for any office in Port Pirie she would be elected in a landslide as she is definitely the unofficial ‘Queen’ of the South Australian industrial town.
Port Pirie born and raised, Gath now lives in Victoria with her husband, trainer Andy, and her father Peter Thompson also relocated when he left his job as a postman.
Each-time Gath returns ‘home’ she dominates the Port Pirie harness meeting and last Friday night took off the annual Elders Insurance Drivers Invitation series.
Gath amassed 38 points to take off the series from Lance Justice and Leah Harvey who tied for second on 33. It was also a personal birthday present as she celebrated another year on Sunday.
At her previous visit to the SA town in March, Kath drove a personal best five winners including her first Port Pirie Cup.
The 2016 Elders Insurance Invitation Series saw Gath joined by another expatriate South Aussie Lance Justice, also now based in Victoria, along with Lisa Miles (Victoria) and Western Australia’s Kim Prentice take on the South Australians of Danielle Hill, Leah Harvey, Scott Ewen, Wayne Hill, Mark Billinger and Michael Smith.
Ryan Hryhorec was also to be part of the team but was a race day scratching having had off colour for several days with suspected food poisoning.
Gath staked her claim early with a win on Billy Mack ($6.60) in heat one beating Novappeal ($14.80) driven by Leah Harvey with Dani Hill third on Just Read My Mind ($3.90).
Harvey went to the lead by scoring in heat two on Doubledipofheaven ($1.90 fav) beating Lance Justice on Springfield Oflynn ($10.70) with Timansi ($34.80) third for Lisa Miles.
It was Dani Hill’s turn to keep the victories going for the female drivers with her victory on Rip It Up Sister ($2.10 fav) in the third heat with Michael Smith second on Uphill Battle ($6.30) and Kim Prentice third on Marzzz Barzzz Bazz ($14.10).
Top pacer Glenferrie Bunter ($1.40 fav) gave Mark Billinger a comfortable victory in the fourth heat from Kate Gath on Cheersbigears ($11.40) and Lisa Miles third on Hey Hardy ($22.60).
Lance Justice was at his brilliant best lifting Johnny Tsunami ($6,10) off the canvas to win the fifth and final heat beating Kim Prentice on Tahlia May ($13.90) with Mark Billinger third on Time To Dash ($1.,60 fav).
Final points tally was: Kate Gath 38, Lance Justice, Leah Harvey 33; Danielle Hill 31; Kim Prentice 25; Michael Smith 24; Lisa Miles, Mark Billinger 22; Wayne Hill 20; Scott Ewen 13.
