Mildura reinsman Nathan Weightman is the 2016 Harness Racing Training Centre Bendigo Central Victorian Concession Drivers Champion after the running of the fourth and final race of the series at Maryborough on Sunday.
Needing to finish in the top five to secure victory, Weightman did exactly that, finishing fifth on backmarker Mister Bellisimo. Anything worse would have given the title to series runner-up Brad Chisholm, following Brad steering home the final heat winner in Chirpy Chuckles with a great front-running drive.
Starting from gate seven, race favourite Chirpy Chuckles speared straight to the lead and held off Sonofamasterpiece (Richard Caruana) by a neck in a slogging finish. The race time for the event was 1:58.4.
Chisholm’s 15 points for this final victory saw him finish on 38 points, only one point behind ultimate Series Winner Nathan Weightman on 39 points.
Jackie Barker finished in third position on 31 points.
In making the presentation to Weightman, Harness Racing Training Centre Bendigo manager Vicki Moro said the Centre was delighted to be able to provide opportunities such as this for young up-and-coming drivers to be able foster their driving skills. “Such opportunities are integral to our Industry if we are to ensure our next generation of drivers are able to progress through the ranks”.
Weightman also said in his acceptance speech that it was nice to also be able to compete “without the older drivers” on occasions such as this.
The Series participants now eagerly await the announcement of who is given the privilege of driving Smoken Up as he leads out the Bendigo Cup Field on Saturday, February 13.
CENTRAL VICTORIAN CONCESSION DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP 2016
FINAL STANDINGS
Nathan Weightman 39
Brad Chisholm 38
Jackie Barker 31
Patrick Franklin 22
Ashley Ainsworth 17
Robert Caton 17
Denbeigh Wade 16
Cheyenne King-Davies 15
Lisa Bartley 15
Kevin Weidenbach Jnr 12
Xavier O’Connor 11
Troy McDonald 11
Joshua Smith 10
Ashleigh Stewart 9
Daniel Rose 9
J. Murphy 8
Matthew Horsnell 7
Bradley Barnes 7
Tommy Hill 6
Scott Rains 5
Media enquiries:
CODY WINNELL
COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA MANAGER
HARNESS RACING VICTORIA
PO BOX 184, MOONEE PONDS, VIC 3039
400 EPSOM ROAD, FLEMINGTON, VIC 3031
t: 03 8378 0288 | f: 03 9214 0699 | e: cwinnell@hrv.org.au
www.hrv.org.au
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