Davis Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 (edited) Congratulations Sarah O'Reilly on taking out the 2021 New Zealand Junior Driver Championship. She clinched the series with a masterful display at Addington this afternoon. There were three heats of the championship and she won two and was third in the other. What an accomplished young driver she is. She never seems to panic, looks composed and in control in the cart. John Morrison was runner-up and Zev Meredith third, a good result for the young North Island driver who doesn't get many opportunities. I put some money on her to win as the odds on offer $9 too good to turn down. Well done Sarah. Edited July 18, 2021 by Davis 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gammalite Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 8 minutes ago, Davis said: Congratulations Sarah O'Reilly on taking out the 2021 New Zealand Junior Driver Championship. She clinched the series with a masterful display at Addington this afternoon. There were three heats of the championship and she won two and was third in the other. What an accomplished young driver she is. She never seems to panic, looks composed and in control in the cart. John Morrison was runner-up and Zev Meredith third, a good result for the young North Island driver who doesn't get many opportunities. I put some money on her to win as the odds on offer $9 too good to turn down. Well done Sarah. Fantastic you had a win! with that great driving by Sarah and her double win today, and her great driving through the whole series . John Morrison a close second just 8 points behind. Both these fine drivers now get to represent NZ in December, at the Australasian Young drivers Championship , to be held during the Interdominion (making a return after a year miss), at Menangle later this year. Even if they don't take that young drivers title there, they'll get to see "live" some of the fastest horses ever to race, as some of these amazing horses like King of Swing, Copy That , Amazing Dream and Expensive Ego strut their stuff. WA with Shockwave as well, who is sure to give them all a fright. gunna be grand. and very very fast. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gammalite Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 Here's a list of the winners. North island had some good un's at the start of it all. Maurice and Tony H still go round each week. also in a lot of those junior races early 80's Auckland were Mangos and David Butcher. many young drivers had NO HOPE even then of getting established ( just as it is today) and along came another young Purdon too. Mark Purdon starting out as well 1982 with just 12 wins in his first 3 years as a junior driver !!! That tells you, Was hard to get drives let alone wins. he did take the title still one year on this list of champions which is fitting!! He was of course North Island Rep in those days. Junior Drivers Championship Winners Year Winner Second Third 2020 Kerryn Tomlinson Luke Whittaker Alicia Harrison 2019 Sarah O'Reilly Kimberly Butt John Morrison 2018 Alicia Harrison Benjamin Butcher Mark Hurrell 2017 Rory McIlwrick Ben Butcher Katie Cox 2016 Stevie Golding Dylan Ferguson Katie Cox 2015 Robbie Close Michelle Neilson Jack MacKinnon 2014 Michelle Neilson Dylan Ferguson Robbie Close 2013 Simon Lawson Mitchell Kerr Roydon Downey 2012 Zac Butcher Matthew Williamson Jack Trainor 2011 Tim Williams Shane Butcher Matthew Williamson 2010 Simon Lawson Joshua Dickie Roydon Downey 2009 Zac Butcher Joshua Dickie Anna Stormont 2008 Shane Walkinshaw Amber Jenkins Tim Williams 2007 John Dunn Reon Tither Amber Jenkins 2002 Lauren Pearson 2001 Stephen McNally 2000 Mark Jones 1999 Blair Orange 1998 Lauren Pearson 1997 Scott Wallis 1996 Stephen Boyd 1995 Logan Hollis 1994 Michael Langdon 1993 Brendon Scobie 1992 Logan Hollis 1991 Peter Ferguson 1990 Phil Jeffries 1989 Bradley Anderson 1988 Anthony Butt 1987 Glen Wolfenden 1986 Mark Purdon 1985 Anthony Butt 1984 David Butt 1983 Paul Black 1982 T Herlihy/J Curtin 1981 Tony Herlihy 1980 Grant Payne 1979 Maurice McKendry 1978 Maurice McKendry 1977 Maurice McKendry 1976 Maurice McKendry 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 The biggest worry is the fact that the last 4 winners of the Junior Champs have been won by female drivers! They are doing a fabulous job for harness racing and we need to acknowledge that more! Not meant to be sexist or patronising at all! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mardy Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 Congrats to Sarah for getting the win the comp. Interesting that her 2 wins yesterday now have her 4 behind John Morrison,with i think 3 meetings left in the South,can she get him?. Interesting that Sarah hasn't travelled up North in her quest for the title,like some others have done when it's been getting tight. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davis Posted July 19, 2021 Author Share Posted July 19, 2021 (edited) 27 minutes ago, Mardy said: Congrats to Sarah for getting the win the comp. Interesting that her 2 wins yesterday now have her 4 behind John Morrison,with i think 3 meetings left in the South,can she get him?. Interesting that Sarah hasn't travelled up North in her quest for the title,like some others have done when it's been getting tight. I doubt she will travel to the North Island, Sarah is needed at Kentuckiana Lodge while Cran Dalgety is in Australia with Krug. In a recent interview I saw she said that Cran had left her in charge! Edited July 19, 2021 by Davis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mardy Posted July 20, 2021 Share Posted July 20, 2021 23 hours ago, Davis said: I doubt she will travel to the North Island, Sarah is needed at Kentuckiana Lodge while Cran Dalgety is in Australia with Krug. In a recent interview I saw she said that Cran had left her in charge! Oh yes i do now remember that same interview. Well Sarah gets a good chance to level up with John,as he's suspended so not driving this week,so it should be all on,hope she goes well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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