SHEREE TOMLINSON YOUNGEST FEMALE CENTURION
History was made in cold and wet conditions at Forbury Park on Thursday night when Sheree Tomlinson because the youngest female driver to win 100 races in New Zealand.
The 20-year-old completed the feat when the Shane Matheson-trained Hurricane Banner stomped up a slushy passing lane to win.
Tomlinson saluted as she notched a milestone that she said she never would have dreamed of achieving so early in her career when she started driving.
Sheree Tomlinson, after winning the 2018 Australasian Young Drivers Championship.
“That was great, I definitely did not think I would drive 100 winners only in my third season of driving.”
The accomplishment sits beside her Group 1 victory in the 2017 Dominion with Amaretto Sun and her win in the Australasian Young Drivers Championships last year, in an epic top-three achievements in a short, but stellar career.
Adding more wins to the three she scored in the young drivers’ competition is the next target on Tomlinson’s agenda.
Her employer, Mark Jones, has given Tomlinson the chance to further her career in New South Wales this weekend.
She will drive possible Harness Jewels raider, Lulu Le Mans, from Jones’ Australian stable, at Newcastle on Saturday night.
Tomlinson will also reunite with Barrett at Armidale on Sunday.
“I really want to take the opportunity to go over there and drive; not many New Zealand drivers get the chance to drive in Australia.”
“I have only been working for Mark for a year and he has given me a lot of opportunities.”
As well as Jones, Tomlinson paid tribute to family for supporting her career.
The reinswoman also said she would not have been able to reach the heights she has without the help of trainers all over the South Island.
“Obviously I wouldn’t be able to drive at the big meetings if I didn’t get the wins before then.”
“So, that is down to the trainers all over the country that have supported me.”
Shane Matheson has been one of the trainers that have got behind Tomlinson’s career.
She said it was a thrill to notch her 100th win with Hurricane Banner in his stable’s colours.
“They are one of my main stables and it is great to get a milestone like this for them.
“They support me a lot driving down here. And the horse, too; he has been so honest.”
Tomlinson continued on her winning way with an upset victory at Addington’s premier meeting on Friday night, reining home Smoke N Reactor for Jones.
- Courtesy of Jonny Turner, NZ Harness News