A driver draft is poised to turbocharge the TAB Trot Rods finale as the high-octane series reaches a thrilling conclusion at Redcliffe next week.
For a successive year, the series, which is staged over 947 metres at the Triangle, is poised to go down to the wire, with the fastest lap throughout the promotion receiving a $10,000 bonus.
During the opening ten heats, the mark has fallen on no less than five occasions, with the Chantal Turpin-trained ‘Adam Crocker’ presently leading the way after posting a sizzling 63.8.
Ahead of the feature night, a driver draft will be broadcast on SKY2 from 9.30am on Sunday, providing a tantalising build-up to the finale on Wednesday, May 26.
As part of proceedings, the five drivers who will participate on the night are Shane Graham, Narissa McMullen, Angus Garrard, Peter McMullen and Nathan Dawson.
Each of the drivers will have the opportunity to select their own horse across each heat.
Following a random ballot, the draft order has been determined with each driver provided with two opportunities to select first, second, third, fourth and fifth.
The draft order is:
| Race 1 | Race 2 | Race 3 | Race 4 | Race 5 | Race 6 | Race 7 | Race 8 | Race 9 | Race 10 | |
| 1st | Pete McMullen | Angus Garrard | Nathan Dawson | Narissa McMullen | Shane Graham | Pete McMullen | Angus Garrard | Nathan Dawson | Narissa McMullen | Shane Graham |
| 2nd | Angus Garrard | Nathan Dawson | Narissa McMullen | Shane Graham | Pete McMullen | Angus Garrard | Nathan Dawson | Narissa McMullen | Shane Graham | Pete McMullen |
| 3rd | Nathan Dawson | Narissa McMullen | Shane Graham | Pete McMullen | Angus Garrard | Nathan Dawson | Narissa McMullen | Shane Graham | Pete McMullen | Angus Garrard |
| 4th | Narissa McMullen | Shane Graham | Pete McMullen | Angus Garrard | Nathan Dawson | Narissa McMullen | Shane Graham | Pete McMullen | Angus Garrard | Nathan Dawson |
| 5th | Shane Graham | Pete McMullen | Angus Garrard | Nathan Dawson | Narissa McMullen | Shane Graham | Pete McMullen | Angus Garrard | Nathan Dawson | Narissa McMullen |
Taleah McMullen has been nominated as the emergency driver for the meeting.
If a horse is scratched, the driver will be placed on the emergency, however, any subsequent scratching will result in a driver sitting out the race.
Since its inception, innovation has been a hall mark of the series, with driver cam, racecaller to driver on track interviews, new racing angles and the dash-for-cash format proving a popular edition to the racing calendar.
This year the coverage will be further enhanced through the addition of drone vision.
Racing Queensland EGM Operations Adam Wallish said the driver draft was the latest initiative to be turning heads.
“The TAB Trot Rods series is not only fast and furious, but it’s exciting for those who are watching on TV or at the track,” Mr Wallish said.
“During last year’s feature night, we saw the fastest lap recorded in the final heat and it provided an electrifying way to end the series.
“This year, the fastest lap continues to fall and it really will be a guessing game as to who walks away with the $10,000 bonus.
“The driver draft will provide an exciting build up to what promises to be another must-watch finale.”
As a further incentive this year, the winning trainer will also receive an Otto Tuza horse float valued at over $21,000.
SKY2 will provide showcase coverage of next week’s Trot Rods finale from 5pm headed by Brittany Graham and Chris Barsby.
To complement the finale, the heats and final of the Redcliffe Gift will be run in between races throughout the night, an initiative of the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club and the Queensland Athletic League.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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