A SLICE of history awaits talented reinsman Robbie Close when he heads to Perth in early December.
One of 10 competitors in the Australasian Young Drivers’ Championship, Close is aiming to become the first New Zealander to successfully defend his crown.
As it stands, only two reinsman have won consecutive Championships since its inception in 1976 – both Victorians!
John Caldow was the ground breaker in 1987 and ’88, followed by David Miles in 1994 and ’95.
Close captured the title in his homeland last season and is excited by the prospect of defending his throne as part of the Inter Dominion Carnival.
To conducted as a 10-race series, the Championship begins with a heat at Gloucester Park on December 2 before heading to various country venues and returning to Gloucester Park for the final leg on December 9 – Inter Dominion Day.
“I’m quite excited as I’ve never raced in Australia,” Close said. “In fact, I’ve only ever been on a holiday to the Gold Coast.
“To win last season on my home turf was fantastic as my family was there, but to win again, this time in Australia during the Inter Dominion, would be amazing.
“I can’t wait to get there and enjoy the experience of racing in Perth, meeting all the others in the Championship and have fun, which is the main thing.
“Todd McCarthy is the only Australian in the series I know, so it will be great to meet the others.”
One of the Shaky Isles’ rising stars, Close’s ‘origin’ story is a well played harness racing tale, having spent time at a stable as a kid where caught the harness racing bug!
In Close’s case the stable belonged to his Uncle Bernie and Aunty Michelle, who would babysit the youngster after school as his parents worked.
Before he knew it, Close was more interested in working horse than attending school.
“I went there after school as mum and dad have to work and I just loved the horses,” Close said. “It was all I wanted to do.
“I went to school just to eat my lunch, make friends and talk about what was on television. The horses and being a driver was all I was interested in.”
Gaining his licence in 2011, Close made an instant impact as a reinsman, scoring with First Art in Christchurch at his first drive.
Since then the 24-year-old has cut a regular path to the winners’ circle, including being New Zealand’s premier junior driver in 2015.
“I’ve had a lot of support from so many trainers and owners and have been very lucky,” Close said. “Hopefully I can keep driving as many winners as possible for those who give me the opportunity.”
