ROBBIE CLOSE WINS 2015 AUSTRALASIAN YOUNG DRIVERS SERIES
HRNZ Media Release, May 12, 2015
The Lone Star Riccarton 2015 Australasian Young Drivers Championship was held throughout New Zealand last week.
Ten drivers from across Australasia, including four from New Zealand and one from each state of Australia competed to win the annual event.
Robbie Close salutes at Addington after winning with the Robert Dunn-trained The Royal Garden in the Garry Thomson _ Solicitor Young Drivers Champs Mobile Pace.
The first night of racing was held at Harness Racing Waikato. The weather conditions were testing but the drivers were all excited to get the series underway.
The first heat of the night went to defending champion Andre Poutama, who drove confidently and stamped himself as an early favourite in the Championships.
Robbie Close then joined in on the action and took out the second heat.
Racing headed to Alexandra Park on Friday night where another two heats were completed.
Robbie wraps up the series after scoring with favourite Saint Michel in the Lone Star Riccarton Young Drivers Champ Mobile Trot at Timaru.
Andre Poutama once again saluted the judge in heat three and secured himself a strong lead heading into the next heat.
Girl power was to the fore in the fourth heat, with the only female in the Championships, Michelle Neilson, getting home on top.
Addington Raceway was the location of the fifth heat, and the Australian’s were hoping to claim their first victory, but it was not to be. Robbie Close continue his
great form and sped away to take the victory.
The final day of racing was held on Phar Lap Raceway.
Robbie Close was in the lead after his constant run of wins and placings and simply needed to win heat six and for an unassailable lead.
That is just what he did.
The Australian’s had one last chance to get a win on the board in the final heat and they did it in style bringing home the trifecta.
Tom Buchanan representing Western Australia came away with the win and just missed out on third place overall after points had to be counted back.
New Zealand had a great Championship and ended up with the top three placings overall:
1. Robbie Close NZ 77
2. Andre Poutama NZ 52
3. Michelle Neilson NZ 51 (count back)
4. Tom Buchanan WA 51
5. Dylan Ford TAS 48
6. Jake Webster SA 44
7. Josh Aiken VIC 43
8. Trent Moffat QLD 39
9. Robbie Morris NSW 27
10. Ben Butcher NZ 26
The competitors in the 2015 Australasian Young Drivers Championship, featuring Overport Lodge employees, winner Robbie Close (far left) and third-placed Michelle Neilson (middle).
This Championship is a fantastic part of harness racing in Australasia and helps us develop and educate our future top drivers and give them experiences that they may
not otherwise have.
We thank Trevor Casey from the Lone Star Riccarton for his sponsorship and hospitality.
Courtesy of Stacey Markham,
Marketing & Communications, HRNZ.