Josh Holberton – A Class driving

By Graham Fischer

July 18, Josh Holberton

The name Holberton is famous in South Australian harness racing and another family member has taken a step in making his mark in the sport.

After driving his sixth win from about 50 drives at Port Pirie on Friday night, Josh Holberton was informed he had been granted his A class driving licence.

Then on Saturday night, he had a tough initiation to the ‘big league’.

At Port Pirie, Holberton drove Howcomewhynot to a head win in the Pirie Fodder Supplies Final (2050m) for trainer Domenic Tattoli.

After the race Barbara Scott, chair of SA Harness Racing Stewards, told Holberton he had been granted an A class licence, effective on Saturday.

So it was an understandably delighted Holberton who took the drive on The Nature Boy, in race two, the Lion Dairy Products Pace (1800m) and as a $5.50 chance, he thought he would be right in the finish.

And things worked well early when the $1.60 favourite Lookofalegend led from gate one, and Holberton, from barrier eight, was able to chase through on the favourite’s back.

Coming off the back and Lookofalegend was struggling to hold off challengers out wide, and it was now Holberton was to learn a massive lesson.

Globe Derby Park has a sprint lane in the home straight but the young reinsman waited just a second too long to go down with The Nature Boy.

Wayne Hill, on Cyclone Mach, had been on Holberton’s back, and he quickly darted into the sprint lane on the home turn so when Holberton steered down he found Hill already there.

Cyclone Mach, with momentum up, brushed wheels with Holberton on The Nature Boy and took away the latter’s momentum.