It took Exeter reinsman Conor Crook took just two minutes and 46.36 seconds to secure the BOTRA Claiming Novice Drivers title on Friday night guiding Similan Beach to an effortless fifth heat victory in the opening race on the Launceston Pacing Club card.
Conor entered the final round of Heats with a handy six-point lead over Allister Woods and was able to take full advantage of the perfect inside front line on the classy Marc Butler-trained pacer.
Similan Beach held the lead in the run to the first corner and Conor dictated terms on top, rating the three-year-old to perfection to record a last half of 58.2 seconds and a stroll away for a 5.7-metre victory over Inner Light, driven by Lee Simmonds, with the Allister Woods-driven Flying Wingard a further 7.3 metres away third.
Samantha Freeman drove a sensational race aboard the in-form Thomas Jackson-trained Finn Mac Kee in the sixth and final heat.
Samantha positioned the seven-time winner on the leader Ima Ginger Rogers back and bided her time until turning for home where she peeled off the peg line and stormed to the lead before dashing clear in the stretch to win by 10.7-metres.
Wade Rattray flashed though late on Modern Chic to grab second place with the early leader Ima Ginger Rogers finishing third for Chris Aylett.
BOTRA Claiming Novice Driver Final Points Tally
- 58 Conor Crook
- 51 Samantha Freeman
- 46 Allister Woods
- 44 Matthew Cooper
- 40 Lee Simmonds
- 38 Wade Rattray
- 37 Samantha Gangell
- 28 Brady Woods
- 25 Chris Aylett
- 24 Charlie Castles
With his confidence sky high Crook steered the Deborah Williams-trained Jaccka Len to victory in the Tasmanian Horse Transport Pace.
Conor took Jaccka Len to the front inside the 400 metre mark and had a sustained look over the shoulder as the field turned for home.
Jaccka Len had the favourite Illegal Immigrant on its back on straightening, but kicked strongly in the stretch to hold the fast-finishing The Aussie.
Shane Yates