By Duane Ranger
A first-second-third clean sweep in the last race of the series at Monticello Raceway in New York has ensured victory for the Kiwis in the recent New Zealand v USA Amateur Driving Friendship competition.
The New Zealand team comprising Mike Maynard, Cheree Wigg, Gavin Cook and Colleen Negus trailed the USA by a point heading into the last day of the Series on October 18.
Cook described the Series as an enthralling one which could have gone either way leading into the last day of competition.
The USA team got off to a strong start in the first round winning both races at the picturesque Saratoga track, but team Kiwi stayed within striking distance with placings in both events from Cook and Negus.
“After a rest day we headed to the iconic Yonkers Raceway to drive in a single race. Cheree had started the series slowly but turned it around with a very smart drive to earn a memorable victory behind Big Turn On.
“The race was led up by Mike who had blasted across the face of the field from a wide draw. With 600m to run Cheree made her move from three-back along the markers to quickly master the tiring leader. She was tracked forward every stride by me on Dirty Devil and that was the way it finished with Colleen picking up further valuable points when finishing fourth,” Cook said.
He said at that stage the series was delicately poised with a small points lead to the USA we headed to Monticello for the final two legs of the competition.
“Mike then turned his series around with a wire-to-wire victory behind Sheer Desire in the first heat of the day with further points being earned by myself, who finished third,” Cook said.
“Sheer Desire’s owner, Rory Coolbaugh, told me to send him to the top which I did. When he got to the front he was brave and the further he went the stronger he was. At the finish we were some five lengths ahead of the second place,” Maynard said.
Meanwhile, Cook said Team USA had kept their points tally ticking over to retain a one point lead going into the final race, but such a small lead was never going to be enough as team Kiwi made a clean sweep of the final race.
“Mike secured the early lead on Shamderock before handing up to team mate Cheree, who was labeled urgent from the start on the 37-1 shot, Bangbangkisskiss.
“Cheree then controlled the pace well and managed to hold out a late charge from Mike Maynard to claim a narrow but pleasing finish to the series. Colleen shut out the USA team by claiming the third spot,” Cook, the 2008 World Amateur Driving Champion, said.
He said Team Kiwi was awarded the series at that night’s final dinner with Wigg taking out the trophy for the top driver of the series.
“Another friendship challenge came to a satisfying conclusion with the big winner being the camaraderie enjoyed and the international friendships that were established and renewed,” said Cook.
Wigg was named driver of the Series and couldn’t restrain from smiling when she pointed out the names of the two horses she drove to victory in the competition – (Big Turn On & Bangbangkisskiss)
That smile was even bigger when she glanced at the tote board and saw Bangbangkisskiss paid $75.50; $22.80 and $17.20.
“We had an enjoyable time hosting our New Zealand friends but the way they beat us up they probably had a better time,” noted North American Amateur Drivers Association President Joe Faraldo.
“We look forward to next year when we’ll travel Down Under for yet another Friendship Competition with the Kiwis.”, he added.
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