Harness racing driver Adrian Collins left it until the last minute to win his first BOTRA Novice Drivers Challenge series at the Luxbet Racing Centre in Launceston on Sunday.
It was Collins' last chance to win a novice drivers series as he is only one win away from losing his claim.
Collins, 39, won the fourth of the five-heat series aboard Little Bit Of Big and despite finishing last in the fifth and final heat he had done enough to score a one-point win over Matthew Howlett.
"I'd like to thank all the trainers for giving me the opportunity to drive their horses," Collins said.
"I've come close to winning a couple of novice driver series but fell short by a couple of points."
It was a drama-packed series finale with the first of Sunday's two heats was marred by a nasty fall approaching the home turn.
Series leader heading into the last two heats was Kristy Grant but she suffered facial lacerations and bruising when her charge Kamili raced roughly before crashing to the track and Heavenly Rock with Samantha Gangell aboard, was unable to avoid the fallen horse and crashed into the flaying sulky of the fallen horse.
Gangell had a very heavy fall and was knocked unconscious. She lay motionless on the track for a long time before being taken to hospital with concussion and remained in hospital for x-rays on her shoulder.
Grant was lucky to escape with only cuts and abrasions but she was more concerned about not winning the series because she was adamant her charge would have won the race.
"I really thought my horse was going to win but I just couldn't steer her," Grant said.
Two replacements were required for the fifth and final heat but only one claiming driver, Ken Hall, was on course and, after a ballot, it was determined that he would drive Olivers Mate while Christian Jaz had to be withdrawn..
Jack Laugher won the final heat on Frankie Falzoni who came from last at the bell to beat Fortino and Sign No More.
The top six points scorers for the series were: 43 Adrian Collins, 42 Matthew Howlett, 38 Adam Woods, 33 Nicholas Brockman, 29 Kristy Grant, 28 Wade Rattray.
Peter Staples