Gavin Lang could well be back in the winners' circle in Hectorjayjay's silks tonight.
Gavin Lang could drive a big wedge between himself and his competition in the hotly-contested SBG Accountants Metropolitan Drivers’ Premiership at Tabcorp Park Melton tonight.
A five-time winner of the crown, including last year’s tie with 11-time winner Chris Alford, Lang has squared off against Alford and Greg Sugars throughout season 2015-16, grabbing some breathing space with an outstanding Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series.
On 46 metro wins, Lang leads by two from Alford with Sugars on 39, and the cards have fallen Lang’s way tonight.
None of Chris Alford’s three drives at Tabcorp Park Melton are in races that would earn him a metropolitan gong.
Conversely, Lang drives $1.30 favourite, $5.50 shot Glenferrie Burn and $10 chance Im Alex in the wide open Breeders Crown Graduate Cup.
A victory or two could give him a healthy buffer heading into Breeders Crown’s super Sunday, when his nine drives will include favourites Heavens Trend, Ideal For Real and Delight Me, as well as well-drawn Miss Graceland ($3.50) and unbeaten trotter Maori Law ($3.50).
Alford will also drive nine on super Sunday, including one favourite – trotter Our Regal Love – and several who are short in the market, namely High Gait ($3), Rocknroll Magic ($3.10), Our Little General ($7.50), Sundons Courage ($10), Menin Gate ($11) and Lovelist ($11).
The closely contested Alabar Concession Drivers Premiership looks to now be in Jason Lee’s safe keeping after the Terang reinsman produced four winning drives at Horsham yesterday.
The outstanding afternoon out saw Lee draw seven wins clear of Mark Pitt, all but securing a third-straight concession drivers’ premiership.
Other categories appear in hand, with Emma Stewart’s stable dominating the training premiership and Alford the clear leader in the state drivers’ crown.
The three-year-old sires premiership remains the most tightly contested, with only one win separating Alabar duo Courage Under Fire and Art Major, with Pepper Tree Farm’s Rock N Roll Heaven three behind the leader.
2015-16 PREMIERSHIPS:
Melton Saddlery State Drivers’ Premiership: Chris Alford 284 wins, Greg Sugars 233 wins, Gavin Lang 177 wins.
Renown Silverware State Trainers’ Premiership: Emma Stewart 191 wins, Andy Gath 108 wins, Brent Lilley 103 wins.
SBG Accountants Metropolitan Drivers’ Premiership: Gavin Lang 46 wins, Chris Alford 44 wins, Greg Sugars 39 wins.
Taylors Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership: Emma Stewart 66 wins, David Aiken 26 wins, Brent Lilley 22 wins.
Alabar Concession Drivers’ Premiership: Jason Lee 113 wins, Mark Pitt 106 wins, Josh Aiken 68 wins.
Sires Premiership: Art Major 213 wins, Bettors Delight 189 wins, Courage Under Fire 138 wins.
2YO Sires Premiership: Muscle Mass 18 wins, Art Major 15 wins, Somebeachsomewhere 15 wins.
3YO Sires Premiership: Courage Under Fire 54 wins, Art Major 53 wins, Rock N Roll Heaven 51 wins.
Broodmare Sires Premiership: Safely Kept 163 wins, Holmes Hanover 119 wins, Armbro Operative 116 wins.
Trotting Sires Premiership: Skyvalley 81 wins, Sundon 61 wins, Majestic Son 59 wins.
Trotting Broodmare Sires Premiership: Sundon 111 wins, Safely Kept 49 wins, S J’S Photo 40 wins.
Juvenile Trotting Sires Premiership: Skyvalley 23 wins, Muscle Mass 18 wins, The Pres 11 wins, Sundon 11 wins.
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Media enquiries:
Michael Howard (HRV Media/Communications Co-Ordinator)
t: 03 8378 0286 | e: mhoward@hrv.org.au | tw: @MichaelRHoward
