Leading Bankstown Paceway trainer Martin Herbert (third from right) and five year old bay gelding Intrepid Traveller at the presentation of the 2013 Allied Express Lunar New Year Cup at Bankstown Paceway.
‘WHILE Condell Park’s Martin Herbert looks to have a seemingly unbeatable lead to be this year’s premier trainer at Sydney’s Bankstown Paceway, the race for just who will claim the title of harness racing reinsman of the year is still very wide open,’ Bankstown Paceway director Andrew Ho has revealed.
‘With just under two months left to decide the season championships, the upcoming 29th Schweppes Sydney Cup Carnival of Harness Racing at Bankstown Paceway will play a pivotal role in determining just who will take home the coveted mantles of “Trainer of the Year” and “Driver of the Year”,’ Mr Ho said.
‘In the challenge to determine who will be Bankstown’s premier standardbred trainer, former Bankstown Paceway president Martin Herbert leads the field with a seemingly unassailable 50 premiership points from his ten race wins and twelve placings. He is followed by determined trainer Dean McDowell on 33 premiership points, Brett Cotterill on 30 points and Kerry Ann Turner on 29 points,’ he said.
‘But, the battle to be championship driver is really heating up – with the field led by last year’s winner, Josh “the King of Condell Park” Willick, on 56 premiership points, followed closely by Glenn “the G Mac” McElhinney on 47 points and “Paceway Princess” Lauren Panella on 46 points – so, it’s really anyone’s game,’ Mr Ho added.
The competition for vital premiership points to determine just who will be crowned 2013 Trainer of the Year and 2013 Driver of the Year will continue on Schweppes Clubs Race Day at Sydney’s Bankstown Paceway this afternoon, as part of the 29th Schweppes Sydney Cup Carnival of Harness Racing – with the first race scheduled to start at 1.54 pm. Gates open at 10.30 am and racecourse entry is free.
2012/13 TRAINERS PREMIERSHIP AS AT MAY 2013
|
TRAINER
|
1STS
|
2NDS
|
3RDS
|
TOTAL POINTS
|
|
HERBERT, MARTIN
|
10
|
8
|
4
|
50
|
|
MCDOWELL, DEAN
|
9
|
2
|
2
|
33
|
|
COTTERILL, BRETT
|
10
|
0
|
0
|
30
|
|
TURNER, KERRY ANN
|
4
|
5
|
7
|
29
|
|
STAMIRIS, GEORGE
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
23
|
|
LOBB, GLEN
|
5
|
2
|
1
|
20
|
|
RIXON, PETER
|
2
|
6
|
2
|
20
|
|
FITZPATRICK, BLAKE
|
5
|
2
|
19
|
|
WAITE, DAVID
|
4
|
2
|
3
|
19
|
|
WILSON, IAN
|
3
|
4
|
2
|
19
|
2012/13 DRIVERS PREMIERSHIP AS AT MAY 2013
|
DRIVER
|
1STS
|
2NDS
|
3RDS
|
TOTAL POINTS
|
|
WILLICK, JOSH
|
11
|
9
|
5
|
56
|
|
MCELHINNEY, GLENN
|
7
|
7
|
12
|
47
|
|
PANELLA, LAUREN
|
11
|
5
|
3
|
46
|
|
DOUGLASS, JIM
|
6
|
6
|
7
|
37
|
|
FITZPATRICK, BLAKE
|
6
|
9
|
1
|
37
|
|
MORRIS, ROBERT
|
4
|
7
|
10
|
36
|
|
MORRIS, DAVID
|
7
|
3
|
2
|
29
|
|
BINSKIN, DARREN
|
4
|
3
|
3
|
21
|
|
OGDEN, JOHN
|
3
|
4
|
2
|
19
|
|
DAY, AMY
|
3
|
3
|
1
|
16
|
For additional information or comment, please contact:
Megan J. Lavender
Director
Bankstown Paceway
M: 0419 419 269
