NZ HARNESS NEWS
The Kiwis hit the ground running on day 1 of the Australasian Young Drivers Championship in Queensland on Thursday, winning three of the four heats at Redcliffe.
Sheree Tomlinson was twice a winner and placed in another heat to hold a commanding lead over compatriot Alicia Harrison, who also won a heat.
Benjamin Butcher started well with a fourth and fifth but ran last in the next two heats after drawing outsiders.
Tomlinson, on her second tour to Queensland for the Championship, was naturally thrilled to kick out to an early lead, but reckons she’ll need it heading in to days 2 and 3.
“It was great to start the series with a win but I needed it because I’m not overly confident with my upcoming drives.
“I looked at my day 1 drives earlier in the week I thought I had a couple of nice chances.
“When I saw was on a Grant Dixon runner (One Off), I knew I would go close.”
Tomlinson adopted aggressive tactics on both of her winners, believing it was necessary at an usual track like Redcliffe.
“I have to say, fortunately New Zealand doesn’t have any tracks like Redcliffe.
“I can’t really complain after the day I had, but it’s an interesting track to be honest.
“It’s a funny track to get around, it’s more of a triangle with a dummy straight.”
Tomlinson will just hope to grip on to her 16-point lead on the same track tomorrow before heading to Albion Park on Saturday evening.
“I have one that looks like it might go ok on Saturday night, but I might struggle tomorrow.
“I’m just happy to have made a great start to the series and got the points from some good drives.”
The 10-driver group have only had one day together, but Tomlinson reckons they’re a friendly lot and the next few days promises to be a lot of fun.
“It’s a great bunch. We all met up for the first time yesterday and went out for tea and had a bit of an introduction.
“We’re all getting along really well and it should be a good night tonight.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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