by Graham Fischer
Teenage reinsman Jayden Brewin capped an amazing 2016-2017 season by taking out Saturday night’s G O Silke Plate (1800m) at Globe Derby Park – the ‘grand final’ for South Australia’s junior and concession drivers.
Brewin finished the season with 62 winners – 55 in SA and seven in Victoria, an incredible achievement for the 17-year-old in his first full season of driving.
South Australia has produced a series of outstanding reinspeople this century including Kate Gath, Greg Sugars, David Harding Danielle and Wayne Hill, who were all highly successful juniors, but they couldn’t match Brewin’s tally in their first season.
Brewin drove the three-year-old Make Mine Joe in the Silke Plate for owners Paul and Judy Nobes and trainer Lance Holberton.
He took Make Mine Joe ($10) to the front from gate two and rated him perfectly for a three-metre win from Marty Major ($10, Shane Turner) with Ace To Play ($24, Michael Smith), 2-1/2 metres away third.
“This is a race I wanted to win,” Brewin said. “It is a feature race for junior drivers with a lot of history.
“I would have loved to drive in the Silke Plate last year but was sidelined with a broken collarbone from a football injury.
“I didn’t know Graeme Silke (after whom the race is named) but Dad (Justin) told me all about him and he must have been a great character.
“It is something I will never see now, a punter taking on a ring of bookmakers, but it was great that he tried to promote junior drivers. Dad said he actually had a drive for Graeme.”
Brewin said he was amazed he had such a successful season.
“I have to thank the owners and trainers who gave me the chances. It all started with Dad who has been my strongest supporter and adviser.”
Greg Sugars, who has made the move to Victoria to become one of Australia’s top reinsman, paid tribute to Brewin.
“I certainly didn’t drive that many winners in my first season,” Sugars said, “My breakout season was my second.
“It is a wonderful effort to drive 62 winners, especially without a major stable backing him, and obviously trainers have had faith in him to give him the opportunities.”
Brewin, said he had given himself a benchmark. “I have to come back in the new season to try and improve on that figure. It will be good to have my concession back but I know I have to continue to work very hard.”
Part-owner Nobes was delighted with Make Mine Joe’s win.
“He was going okay as a colt but we made the decision to geld him and I’m sure he will be better for the cut.
“Only a three-year-old, I thought he did a great job against the older horses and rated 1:58.4. Justin rated him perfectly and no doubt slowing for a 31.4 second quarter was crucial in victory.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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