By Matt Markham
Stevie Golding’s achieved a lot in his short driving career but he’d give it all back for a national title.
And the popular young horseman gets his shot at it tonight when he, along with 11 of his peers, line up for a shot at the title of New Zealand’s best junior driver.
Technically he already holds a national title as last season’s joint Junior Drivers’ Premiership winner with Robbie Close, but as he comes the final week of his time in the junior ranks, Golding is keen to sign off in the best possible fashion.
“It would be the dream ending,” he said.
“But every driver dreams of winning this championship, that’s what makes it so hard to win.
“You can never go into it being too confident or anything because it’s been such a huge leveller over the years to some of the best to sit in a sulky.”
Victory tonight comes with a little more importance stamped on it than some of his other rivals as Golding’s future in the sully is currently up in limbo as he looks away from the harness racing industry.
Currently he’s splitting his time between working for Andrew Stuart in the mornings while studying to obtain his licence be a real estate agent in the afternoon.
“Things have been a little bit flat this season for me and I’ve decided that I need to get something else to support myself as it’s only going to get harder breaking into the open driving ranks.
“So at this stage I’m, studying real estate and hoping to drive when required.
“We will just see how it goes and take it as it comes really.”
Golding is attached to prominent Real Estate agency, Mike Pero and is spending a lot of his study time in their offices, picking up as much information as he can along the way.
But the driving bug is still burning and nothing quite beats being out on the track and Golding’s drive and determination will see him succeed whichever path he takes.
Tonight his three drives give him what could be best described as an each-way shot at the glory.
“They are three good drives I think, all of them are capable of getting in on the action if things go their way.
He opens up with the talented Brads Kenny in the first of the three heats before taking the reins on Gunpowder and then Pay Me Way to close out the night.
“Brads Kenny is a really nice horse and he would only have to trot to be in it you would like to think.
“The other two are going good enough to think they wouldn’t be the worst either.”
Golding lines up against rivals from both the North and South Island tonight with the line up made up of; Katie Cox, Jessica Young, Matt Anderson, Brad Williamson, Craig Ferguson and Golding from the South while the North Island contingent is; Kyle Marshall, Andre Poutama, Trent Lethaby, Jack MacKinnon, Ben Butcher and Dylan Ferguson.
The 12 drivers will battle it out over three races in which points are on offer for every placing and as an aside the North Island and the South Island will also take each other on for Island glory.
Super Selector – By Matt Markham
Race 1: Mr Preston, The Foot Tapper, Forgot To Remember, Heavenly Love
Race 2: Flyingretna, Rapid Flight, Cullenz Diamond, Maddison’s Desire
Race 3: Franco Cristiano, Expressive Victor, Fifth Edition, Pay Me Art
Race 4: Jean Sebastien, Brads Kenny, The Silver Fox, Royal Kenny
Race 5: Allison Stokke, Milwood Charlie, The Valiant, Mrs Browns Boy
Race 6: Errol Finn, Donegal Jimmy Dave, Culler Coded, Gunpowder
Race 7: Pass The Speights, Vera’s Delight, Gotta Del, Soapbox
Race 8: Martin John, Pay Me Way, Mighty Empire, Jewelz
Race 9: Amaretto Sun, Tornado Valley, Phil’s Gift, Twelve Monkey’s
Race 10: Hall Of Fame, Mighty American, Thisgirlisonfire, Kotare Kasai
Race 11: Quite Ideal, Lucky Three, Rocketeer, Lavros Vance
Best Bet: Hall Of Fame (Race 10)
Each Way: Martin John (Race 8)
Longshot: Gunpowder (Race 6)
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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