Kiwis on fire but McCarthy leads the way in Australasian Young Drivers' Championship

06 December 2016 | Paul Courts
Logo

TWO wins from the last three heats has seen New Zealander Kyle Marshall overcome a slow beginning to be a major contender in the Australasian Young Drivers’ Championship.

Sitting towards the bottom of the table after the first two rounds, Marshall has been catapulted into second position thanks to his victory in the seventh heat, which was conducted at Northam just moments ago.

Marshall partnered rising star Rich Yankee, which was having his third run from a 17-month spell.

“He is a very nice horse which is doing well on the comeback after injury a suspensory,” Marshall said. “He was still pretty green and wanted to run off the track, as it is his home track, but he felt like a very good horse which can go far.”

Marshall has led a Kiwi domination during the past two days, which has resulted in Robbie Close travelling in third spot, with Matt Anderson fourth.

Breaking his series maiden in the sixth heat when combining with promising filly Sarah Goody, Queenslander Nathan Dawson has moved to fifth position.

But it is New South Wales representative Todd McCarthy who is the one to beat as he heads the tally thanks to some ultra-consistent performances.

Along with his win in the second heat, McCarthy has two seconds and a third to his credit as he aims to shake off a NSW hoodoo.

Since Peter Morris captured the inaugural AYDC’s for New South Wales in 1976, the state’s only other winner is Trevor Munday, who was successful in 2004, giving NSW the least members on the honour roll!

Australasian Young Drivers’ Championship Points Table:

Todd McCarthy (NSW) 65

Kyle Marshall (NZ) 60

Robbie Close (NZ) 57

Matt Anderson (NZ) 55

Nathan Dawson (QLD) 54

Brad Williamson (NZ) 43

Jayson Finnis (SA) 40

Jason Lee (VIC) 35

Stuart McDonald (WA) 27

Wade Rattray (TAS) 26

 

Related News

18 September 2024
Third good enough to complete TAB punter's $18,500 collect
He might have been well beaten into third, but Playnice’s minor placing was music to the ears of one TAB customer at Shepparton last week.
18 September 2024
A reason to smile for Patsy as a Group 1 helps warm spirits
The joys of what a Group 1 win can bring couldn’t be more evident then the smile that lit up 92-year-old majority owner Patsy Abrahams’ face after Rapid Return hit the line first in Saturday night’s Vicbred Super Series final for four-year-old trotting mares.
18 September 2024
Huntsville... is he the next Super Sire Down Under?
It's astonishing to see how much Huntsville has accomplished in Australia from a single racing crop. The leading son of Somebeachsomewhere, was a $1.8 million-dollar earner who not only boastsan impressive race record, but also a breeders dream when it comes to mare matching. His Dam Wild West Show...
18 September 2024
Grimson sets sights on Victoria
JASON Grimson could have as many as four runners in his quest to win the $300,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup for the first time. Grimson, 31, has been a revelation in Australia’s training ranks since Boncel Benjamin’s upset win on protest in the 2021 Sydney Inter Dominion. Although he won the 2022...
18 September 2024
Reed Confident Draw Won't Bother Wonder Filly Water Lou
Water Lou wasn’t blessed with a barrier draw on Friday night in the $50,000 Daintys Daughter Classic, but trainer Mike Reed isn’t too phased, stating “I still think she can win, she’s the best horse in the race, she drew nine when she beat the boys. “On Saturday morning...
Click for more