By Duane Ranger
The town’s rugby league team isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire, but Newcastle sure does know how to produce promising young harness racing drivers.
Evidence of that came at Alexandra Park last Friday night when Newcastle 15-year-old Andrew Bourke claimed the eighth edition of the Lizzie Of Rosslands Rising Stars Kidz Kart Drivers Series.
Twelve Kidz Kartz drivers (eight girls) took part in the six-race series at Cambridge Raceway and Alexandra Park.
Bourke, was one of two Australians in the line-up. Gemma Howard-Coney, who finished fifth, was also representing New South Wales. Both Islands here were also represented.
Bourke won the Series easily with 70 points. Tayla Collins (Taranaki) and Kaleb Bublitz (Cambridge) both finished with 57 points but Collins won the runner-up prize on a count-back.
Bourke was rapt with his win.
“I’ve competed in the New South Wales Champs, the Mini Miracle Mile and the Interdominions back home but this is the best I have ever done.
“It’s different driving over here, but I loved it. I’m glad I won because this will be my last year with the mini trotters,” Bourke said.
Three races were staged at Cambridge Raceway last Tuesday and then another three at Alexandra Park on Friday. The drivers sat behind ponies that were allocated to them.
The champion pony – Ruff Rufus was trained by long-time Kidz Kartz stalwart, Murray Goldsworthy from the Kumeu Club.
Bourke is in Year 10 at Maitland Grossmann High School and said he would like to be a vet when he left school and also drive in his spare time.
“I really enjoyed driving over here. Alexandra Park was very different to back home. That’s the first time I’ve driven that way around.
“It was a memorable trip and I would like to thank all the organisers and hosts for what they did for us. I really appreciated it and had a great time in New Zealand,” Bourke said.
Series spokeswoman Gayleen MacKinnon termed the two-night event as a success and paid a special tribute to the series sponsors: The Hoggard family, Drill Force, Dunstan Horse feeds, Wallfield Farm, Tony Shaw Transport, Brogden Horse transport, Lincoln Farms, and Photo Force Photography.
The final points were:
Andrew Bourke (NSW) 70, Tayla Collins (Taranaki) 57, Kaleb Bublitz (Cambridge) 57, Jordyn Bublitz (Cambridge) 52, Anna Howard-Coney (NSW) 51; Brittany Edwards (Franklin) 46, Navana McLachlan (Kumeu) 42, Temika Apuwai Bishop (Otago) 39, Harrison Darby (Franklin) 39, Tyrone Neil (Canterbury) 35, Amber Mitchell (Franklin) 33, Kate Coppins (Waikato) 31.
Past winners of the Lizzie Of Rosslands Rising Stars Drivers Series have been:
2015: Kerryn Tomlinson (Canterbury); Kerryn Tomlinson (Canterbury); 2014: Linda Pringle (Kumeu); 2013: Sheridan Rapley (Kumeu); 2012: Dylan Ferguson (Waikato); 2011: Dylan Ferguson (Waikato); 2010: Shane Chalklen (Franklin).
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