By Matt Markham
As a group they’ve won more than 430 races.
They’ve competed in Group One races, and on a weekly basis they compete against the best New Zealand has to offer.
Off the track, they’re a bunch of good mates with a common bond.
But when 12 of New Zealand’s best young drivers step out onto Addington to compete in the McMillans NZ Junior Drivers Championship it’s every man, or woman, for themselves.
It’s the most coveted title for any junior driver in New Zealand to win and every young horseman or woman with a (J) next to their name wants to qualify to compete against their peers for national glory.
Previous winners include Maurice McKendry, Tony Herlihy, Jim Curtin, Anthony Butt, Mark Purdon, Peter Ferguson, Mark Jones, Blair Orange, John Dunn and Zac Butcher and last year’s winner, Michelle Neilson.
Off the back of her victory last year, Neilson is back for another shot at the title alongside last year’s place-getters, Dylan Ferguson and Robbie Close.
They are joined by Michael Blakemore, Tony Cameron, Jack Mackinnon, Stevie Golding, Matt Purvis, Brad Williamson, Kyle Marshall, Ben Butcher and Kim Butt.
With three races to compete in over the space of the night tonight – there’s ample opportunities for these young talents to stake their claim on the national title – although a lack of horses in two of the races has meant that some of the group will be watching from the grandstands.
Neilson has a strong chance to defend her title with two strong chances in Nui Toc Tien and Tessa’s Rocket but there will be plenty nipping at her heels ready to knock her off the perch.
Matt Purvis, who makes his championship debut, has a particularly strong looking book of drives that includes Burn Off, Aveross Brachole and Clean Break.
Attached to the Robert Dunn stable, Purvis has been in hot form this season after nearly giving the game away late last year.
The battle within the battle will continue with Stevie Golding and Robbie Close still fighting it out for the national juniors premiership.
Golding holds a two win lead over close on 36 winners with Ferguson firmly wedged between them on 35.
Close has a further incentive to get a win on the board tonight as he currently sits on 99 driving wins for his career with the 100 just around the corner.
Golding’s best chance tonight is Happy Heidi in the opening of the three heats while Close will pair up with the Jimmy Curtin trainer, The Persuader in the same heat in what is his strongest chance of the series.
Tony Cameron, who is employed by Tony Herlihy might be the sleeper in the field with three each-way chances.
He drives Mr Meddle in the opening heat before teaming up with Mark Jones to drive Fair Dinkum Bromac and then Tehoro Holly for Robbie Holmes in the final race of the series.
The series is based on a points system with points allocated according to each driver’s placing in each of the three heats.
Those who miss out on a drive are still awarded points.
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