By Jordyn Bublitz
The New Zealand Junior Drivers Championship gets underway at Cambridge Raceway tonight, and among them is first-time contender and Canterbury-based junior driver, Mia Holbrough.
Holbrough has already enjoyed a standout season, producing a career-best 14 winners and 40 placings, and her selection for this year’s championship is the reward for a year of consistency, growth, and confidence. For Holbrough simply lining up is a dream realised.
“It feels incredible, being in the Junior Champs is something I’ve dreamed about since I got my licence, it means a lot,” she said.
The opening two heats of the Championship will be run as Races 3 and 5 tonight at Cambridge, and Holbrough heads into night one with two competitive bookings.
To kick off the series the southern reinswoman will partner the Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett–trained trotter Viscount Mackendon, a four-year-old son of Volstead who has put together several honest performances in recent races. While the gelding faces a tricky assignment from three the second row, Holbrough remains upbeat about his chances and has labelled him the horse she is most looking forward to throughout the series.
“He’s gone really good his last couple of starts and he looks like a pretty versatile and safe trotter. We’re going to need a little bit of luck from the draw, but hopefully we can get the right drag into the race,”
Heat 2 sees Holbrough team up with Sea Of Love, a five-year-old daughter of Downbytheseaside for trainers David and Claire McGowan. The mare steps back in grade after tackling some tough opposition at Alexandra Park last start, and her handy draw gives Holbrough options early.
“She faced a tough field at Auckland last start, but prior to that at Cambridge she’d been running some nice consistent races. We’ll have to see what happens off of the gate but fingers crossed we’ll land a nice spot,”
Although every junior driver lines up hoping to lift the trophy on finals night, Holbrough is equally focused on making the most of the opportunity. For her, the Championship represents more than points and placings.
“I’m just looking forward to the experience, meeting new people, driving the best I can for these trainers and hopefully making some new connections.”
With form on the board, confidence in her drives, and genuine excitement for the challenge ahead, Holbrough shapes as one to watch when the tapes fly at Cambridge tonight.
The ones to beat in the opening Junior Drivers Championship Heats
By Brittany Graham
The cream of the New Zealand young driving crop will be on display over the coming few days when the National Junior Driving Championships takes place.
Six heats will be staged over three venues, before the winner is crowned on Sunday at Methven as part of the Green Mile meeting.
With such a deep group of talent, luck in running and allocated drives is going to play a crucial role, so here’s who has fared well on night 1.
Race 3 Cambridge – Thursday @ 6.24pm – Heat 1
One to beat: Mia Holbrough, #11 Viscount Mackendon
Holbrough looks poised to make her Championship debut a memorable one when she teams up with Michelle Wallis, Bernie Hackett and their ever-consistent square gaiter Viscount Mackendon. While the second row looks potentially tricky, he was luckless last start and Holbrough has had a great recent run with trotters, most notably Buffy Northstains whose successes propelled her into the series.
Smokey: Monika Ranger, #5 Patrick Mahomes
Ranger was awarded the HRNZ CEO wildcard to take part in this year’s series and it’s not hard to see why. A constant in the winner’s circle both here at Cambridge, and at Alexandra Park, she has a phenomenal strike rate on trotters this season winning 11 times from 37 steers.
Race 5 Cambridge – Thursday @ 7.14pm – Heat 2
One to beat: Sam Thornley, #5 Billy The Kid
Thornley comes into the series as the equal most successful driver with 220 wins across his six seasons of driving and will look to draw on all that experience in search of his first Championship success. He partners front of the field type Billy The Kid who should suit his aggressive driving style.
Smokey: Emily Johnson, #10 Midrew Lucre
Johnson has made an instant impression on the Northern junior drivers’ scene after returning from a successful stint in Western Australia. Eight of her 20 wins this season have been here at Cambridge Raceway and she will have a very strong hold on the form of her charge, and her rivals’. From a nice trailing draw, she can pick up some further valuable points to position herself favourably heading to Addington for the first time on Friday.
