Brady Woods, fresh from success in the 6ty° Youngbloods Challenge, is attempting to become the first driver to capture the Youngbloods and Claiming Novice Drivers Title in the one season.
Brady also has the added pressure of being the defending champion of the BOTRA Claiming Novice Drivers’ title and if successful be the first driver to go back-to-back in the Series, first staged in 2012.
Brady led this year’s Youngblood Series going into the final night of Heats and his decision to return home from his Australian Kelpie Muster holiday in Victoria paid dividends, clinching the title in a nail-biting finish that went right down to the wire.
The BOTRA Claiming Novice Drivers Series commences with two Heats in Devonport tonight, moves to Hobart on Sunday and concludes in Launceston next Friday night.
BOTRA President Barrie Rattray is delighted to be supporting the Series again this year.
“A key focus of BOTRA is to welcome and encourage the development of new participants in the industry, breeders, owners, trainers and of course drivers and find ways to support them,” said Barrie.
“The Claiming Novice Drivers Series is a perfect example of how we can do this and we appreciate the owners and trainers nominating their horses to enable the drivers to gain further experience, we’ve had some close finishes since the Series commenced in 2012 including a couple of dual winners so we are looking forward to another competitive Series starting tonight.”
The equal winner of the 2014 Series Samantha Freeman has a great opportunity to draw first blood, steering the favourite Flying Wingard in Heat one.
The Badlands Hanover-Truffieres four-year-old is now in the care of John Castles and is ideally drawn in two for tonight’s assignment of adding to its two career victories.
Brady Woods should also be hard to hold out with Jasmina’s Joy, the four-year-old mare was held up at a vital stage in the home stretch in Launceston last week behind Ready To Fire and should have finished closer.
Samantha Gangell, currently equal third on the Leading Female Drivers Premiership for the season, will partner Shadow Control from the pole position and on the strength of its last start fourth to Pushkin on Sunday night is a leading contender for maximum points.
Samantha has the luxury of following up with last start winner El Jays Monet in Heat two.
The Ken Rattray prepared Major In Art-El Jays Belle gelding scored impressively by 7.2 metres in Launceston on Sunday night and has come up with gate five on the front line.
Allister Woods will drive the popular pick Ima Ginger Rogers from the pole, the Steven Davis-trained mare has been placed at her last two outings and is primed for a forward showing on her home track.
Tonight’s compact six-event Devonport Harness Racing Club card commences at 17.00 and may be viewed via the live stream service at tasracing.com.au.
Shane Yates