Freelance South Australian reinsman Wayne Hill is the 2016 Australian Driver’s Champion.
Hill amassed 67 points during a six-race series at Globe Derby Park on Saturday night to win the title by 10 points from fellow South Australian Ryan Hryhorec to land a home-state quinella.
Adding merit to the tallies by the South Australians is that Hill had drives in only five of the six races and incredibly Hryhorec had just four meaning that for each lost drive they picked up just five points.
Hill finished with two wins, a third, fourth and fifth while Hryhorec had a win, two seconds and a last.
The popular reinsman was lucky to be driving in the series as he was the state’s reserve but got a call up when his sister Danielle, one of the two selected SA drivers, was suspended and opted not to appeal or ask for a stay of sentence.
“There is no doubt it was my greatest night in harness racing,” Hill said.
“It was such a great privilege to be able to drive against the best from around Australia.
“I’m not naïve enough to believe that I am the best. I’m sure that I had a hometown advantage – knowing my own drives and importantly the capabilities of the opposition.
“Going into the series I thought I had some good drives and could do okay but winning the whole thing was never in my thoughts.”
Hill admitted the pressure did get to him on his final drive on The Dutchman in the last race of the series.
“Gary (Hall) was close to me in the points and was driving the favourite Bee A Lassie which looked a really good chance so if it won I had to be close up in the placings.
“I was aware Bee A Lassie galloped in the score up and basically lost all chance so I decided to drive very cautiously on The Dutchman and dropped down behind the leader Hanlon Parade which in hindsight proved not the right decision.
“When Hanlon Parade started to drop back and others were going around me I knew I had to be careful trying to get off the inside because if I received a suspension I would automatically lose my points.
“Luckily, a run came and The Dutchman trotted home well to finish fifth.”
Believers of things happening in threes and fate, Hill was always in with a chance of taking off the title.
Hill has had an incredible last 10 months – first by driving an Australian record-equalling six winners at a meeting at Victor Harbor on Monday, December 28, then at the conclusion of the 2015-2016 season finished with 118 winners, the first time he has topped 100, now he has taken off the Australian Drivers Championship.
Danielle Hill, opted to stay home on Saturday night watching the races, but when she knew that her brother had won the title she rushed to Globe Derby Park to offer her congratulations.
“I’m so pleased for Wayne,” Hill said. “He has worked really hard to establish himself as a freelance driver and deserves the title.
“One of the reasons I opted not to seek a stay of my suspension was that I knew Wayne was the reserve and would take my spot.
“I am really keen to build on my training – it is something I love – and I am now happy to basically just drive my own horses while for Wayne he wants to be keep growing as a freelance driver and this was a great opportunity and he made the most of it.”
Hill acknowledged that his career has blossomed through his sister.
“When Danni had her terrible accident in May, 2010 and was sidelined for a long period I suddenly found I was getting more drives and that was a kick start for growing my career, and obviously tonight was a wonderful opportunity.”
“We are a close family and everyone is pleased when someone has success.”
The Australian Drivers Champion success places Hill in good position to represent Australia in the 2017 World Drivers Championship to be held in Canada in August next year.
“I’m not holding my breath but it would be the ultimate honour,” Hill said.
The World Drivers Championship will be hosted at five different racetracks in four different provinces between August 12 and 18, 2017, which will offer the competing drivers the opportunity to see much of Canada during this competition.
The 2017 WDC, which will feature a field of ten of the world’s best harness drivers and will kick off in the west at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino in Calgary, Alberta, on Saturday, August, 12 for the first leg. The drivers will then head to Ontario for the next two legs. Mohawk Racetrack in Campbellville will host the second leg on Monday, August 14, and that will be followed by the third leg at Georgian Downs in Innisfil on August 15.
The action then moves to Quebec on Wednesday, August 16, where Hippodrome 3R will host the fourth leg of the WDC before the drivers head to Prince Edward Island and Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park for the fifth and final leg of the Championship on Friday, August 18.
Dexter Dunn of New Zealand is the defending WDC champion having been victorious in the 2015 event hosted in Australia and automatically is able to defend his title.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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