The leading metropolitan driver this season and a recently minted Group 1 champion will don the maroon colours and represent the Sunshine State at next month‘s Australian Drivers' Championship series in Adelaide.
The reinsman known as “Leader Pete”, Pete McMullen, has been selected to drive for Queensland, alongside his youngster sister Narissa.
The McMullen’s have been in stunning form of late.
Last season Pete become the first driver in Queensland history to go past 300 victories in a season.
He is again having a memorable campaign in the sulky, currently rated the leading metropolitan driver for the season and is again leading the state-wide premiership, already ticking past 150 triumphs as we enter the middle of August.
Pete’s youngster sister – Narissa – had a carnival she will never forget in the winter of 2022.
The 27-year-old captured her maiden triumph at the elite level of racing, with trotter Global Flight landing the Group 1 Darrell Alexander Trotting Championship.
She has been in-form since the start of the season as well, ranked inside the top five for the state-wide and metropolitan drivers premiership.
Pete captured the Australian Drivers' Championship series back in 2014.
“It is fantastic to see that Pete and Narissa have had their outstanding campaigns recognised by being invited to next month‘s Australian Drivers' Championship series in Adelaide,” RQ's Senior Harness Racing Manager David Brick said.
“The brother and sister combination have had outstanding season’s in the sulky and there is no doubt they will represent the state proudly.
“It was also excellent to see so many female drivers from different states be invited this year, which is set to be a cracking Australian Drivers' Championship series in 2022.”
Drivers will compete across eight races with each Championship race worth $10,000 and are ratings exempt.
This year’s Championship will be the first time it has been held since 2019, which was won by Sandgroper Gary Hall junior.
There will be additional non-Championship races scheduled for the meeting on September 17, with an earlier than usual start time to accommodate the extended program and maximise the premium coverage on Sky 1.
With five female drivers selected this year, it is set to be the biggest representation of female drivers in the history of the event.
The handful of female of drivers will also be out to be the first female to ever claim the Australian Drivers' Championship series.
Harness Racing SA CEO Dean Elliott is looking forward to hosting the popular event at Globe Derby.
“We’re thrilled to bring this fantastic series back to life and have it here in Adelaide,” he said.
“And, we couldn’t be more excited about the line-up of drivers nominated by their states.
“What a tremendous advertisement for harness racing to see such a diverse cross section of representatives.
“This will be a night to remember at Globe Derby and a real highlight for not just our passionate harness racing industry here, but the broader sporting community.
"It will also put Globe Derby in the national spotlight for the night.”
State driver representatives:
SA
Danielle Hill
Wayne Hill
TAS
Conor Crook
Rohan Hillier
VIC
James Herbertson
Kate Gath
NSW
Cameron Hart
Grace Panella
QLD
Pete McMullen
Narissa McMullen
WA
Gary Hall Jnr
Emily Suvaljko
