Skip to main navigation Skip to main content

Young drivers en-route to Brisbane for AYDC

21 November 2018

Share this page

Share on a platform

Or copy the page link

Some of the world’s best young harness racing drivers have arrived in Queensland ahead of the 2018 Garrard’s Australasian Young Driver’s Championship to be staged in Brisbane between Thursday and Saturday.

Racing Queensland Harness Strategy and Development Manager David Brick said if last year’s series was anything to go by, the 2018 edition would provide plenty of thrills. 

“The drivers from across Australia and New Zealand are not only recognised as the best young talents in harness racing, but as some of the most well-known names in the sport,” he said.

“The 10 drivers have amassed a combined 2359 winners and more than $15 million in stakes, despite all being aged under-25.”

The series returns to Queensland for a second-straight year where defending champion and Queenslander Narissa McMullen will join cousin and leading Queensland driver Nathan Dawson to try and keep the trophy in the Sunshine State.

The points-based series will be determined over nine heats (four at Redcliffe on Thursday, two at Redcliffe on Friday and the final three heats at Albion Park on Saturday) with the leading point-scorer earning themselves glory for their state or country and, a new Rio Mark 2 sulky thanks to major sponsors Garrard’s – long-time supporters of harness racing in Queensland.

Mr Brick said the young drivers had again agreed to throw their support behind a charity through the donation of their driver’s fees and raising funds throughout the series.

“This year the young drivers will be racing in support of Youngcare,” he said.

“The drivers will visit a Youngcare facility to meet some of the residents during their stay in Brisbane and have set a fundraising goal of at least $4000 to help provide appropriate housing for young people with high care needs.”

The drivers will be welcomed to Queensland at an opening function at the famous Breakfast Creek Hotel – just steps away from the Albion Park club – on Thursday morning.

To follow the series head to www.racingqueensland.com.au or follow Racing Queensland on Facebook and Twitter (@racing_qld) or the event Twitter handle @AustralasianYDC

   

 

 

 

 

 

Driver

State

Drives

Wins

Places

Stakes ($)

Narissa McMullen

QLD

6139

669

1345

$3,658,885

Deni Roberts

 

WA

1221

83

243

$697,257

Chris Geary

 

NSW

3711

501

914

$4,369,376

Nathan Dawson

QLD

4688

549

1045

$2,549,854

Jack laugher

 

TAS

901

74

185

$555,994

Darby McGuigan

VIC

1298

135

333

$929,157

Jayden Brewin

 

SA

1246

154

314

$664,869

Benjamin Butcher

NZ (Nth Island)

1374

103

260

$988,218

Sheree Tomlinson

NZ (Sth Island)

976

75

145

$840,111

Alicia Harrison

 

NZ

128

16

22

$142,387