Hoitomt’s Hot Start
Norway’s Eirik Hoitomt wasted no time announcing himself as a leading contender for the 2007 World Drivers Championship, scoring an unexpected victory aboard Veranjee in the opening heat of the series.
The 38-year-old, with more than 2100 wins to his name after 20 years in the sulky, claimed the first lot of maximum points (17) when he came with a barnstorming run from the tail of the field aboard the Arthur Fullwood-trained $20 shot.
Hoitomt pipped the Netherlands’ Hugo Langeweg, who looked set for victory aboard Justforrobbie at the 100m mark, in the shadows of the post with Estonian representative Veiko Tamjarv holding third placing aboard $2.90 Jackson Street after leading into the straight.
Australia’s Kerryn Manning picked up seven points for finishing fourth on Beaudiene Holmes.
Heat 1 placings: 1 Veranjee - E Hoitomt (17 points); 2 Justforrobbie - J Langeweg (12); 3 Jackson Street – V Tamjarv (9); 4 Beaudiene Holmes – K Manning (7); 5 Hudson Wasp – B Goop (6); 6 The Kiss Of Fire – C De Filippi (5); 7 Brunswick Bruiser – C Martens (4); 8 Yes Please Louise – A Miller (3); 9 Beloka Diamond – G Barrieau (2); 10 Overnight Success – A Teivainen (1).
Miller Makes His Move
An inspired drive aboard hot favourite Royal Shiraz in tonight’s second World Drivers Championship heat enabled United States representative Andy Miller to make up for a disappointing start to the night.
The 39-year-old, who finished third-last in the opening heat of the night, bounced back with a vengeance aboard the $2.30 favourite in the second heat.
Miller set Royal Shiraz alight 500 metres from home and the Ian Dornauf-trained gelding responded by shooting 30 metres clear of his rivals shortly after straightening for home.
While Royal Shiraz got tired in the final 50 metres, he was entitled to, but had still done enough to earn Miller the maximum 17 points.
Belgium’s Christophe Martens, who finished one spot ahead of Miller in the opening heat, collected 12 points for finishing second aboard Brannaka in the second heat, while New Zealand’s Colin De Filippi picked up more points than he might have anticipated after finishing third aboard $70 pop Indi Gloves.
Heat 2 placings: 1 Royal Shiraz – A Miller (17); 2 Brannaka – C Martens (12); 3 Indi Gloves – C De Filippi (9); 4 Village Pop – B Goop (7); 5 Stop Looking – G Barrieau (6); 6 Idol Rich – H Langeweg (5); 7 Dancing Legacy – A Taiveinan (4); 8 Kaiser Chief – K Manning (3); 9 Sahara Prince – E Hoitomt (2); 10 Flighting – A Tamjarv (1).
Canada’s Gillies Denies Kerryn
He didn’t endear himself to Aussie fans, but Canada’s Gillies Barrieau showcased the talent that has landed him almost 3000 career victories when he took out the third heat of the 2007 World Drivers Championship aboard Amysteriouseagle.
The 43-year-old powered home along the sprint lane aboard the Andy Gath-trained former Kiwi, who was having his first run in Australia, to deny hometown hero Kerryn Manning her first win in this year’s series.
Manning was forced to settle for second placing aboard $4.10 favourite Badlands Chief after the Ahmed Taiba-trained gelding looking set for victory after straightening for home with a commanding lead.
The 12 points Manning picked up for second placing lifted her into equal fourth place on the overall standings three races into the series but just three points astern early leader Barrieau.
Filling third placing for the second heat in a row was New Zealand’s Colin De Filippi, who flashed home along the inside on The Stewardess.
Heat 3 placings: 1 Amysteriouseagle – G Barrieau (17); 2 Badlands Chief – K Manning (12); 3 The Stewardess – C De Filippi (9); 4 Chardonnay Lass – H Langeweg (7); 5 Calatravia – A Teivainen (6); 6 Tyron Lining Wonder – C Martens (5); 7 Godines Gem – B Goop (4); 8 Ferrero – E Hoitomt (3); 9 Chriscott – V Tamjarv (2); 10 Holme OK – A Miller (1)
Manning Rebounds To Claim Lead
Australia’s Kerryn Manning didn’t have to wait long to make up for her narrow defeat in the third heat on the opening night of the 2007 World Drivers Championship, taking out heat number four aboard $11 chance Delargo Boy.
The champion Great Western reinswoman pocketed her maiden victory in a World Drivers Championship heat when Delargo Boy prevailed in a slogging go to the line with Bugara Charles, driven by the United States’ Andy Miller.
Third, for the third heat in a row, was New Zealand’s Colin De Filippi aboard Ultimate Image.
Sweden’s Bjorn Goop saw his best chance for big points go down the gurgler when $1.60 favourite Sonoko galloped away from the start, costing itself any chance of victory.
Delargo Boy’s propelled Manning into the box seat in the race for the 2007 World Drivers Championship.
After the first night of competition she has 39 points to her name, enough for a handy six-point buffer over Miller. Third is De Filippi on 31 points with Hoitomt in fourth place on 29 points.
Heat 4 placings: 1 Delargo Boy – K Manning (17); 2 Bugara Charles – A Miller (12); 3 Ultimate Image – C De Filippi (9); 4 Sunshine Annie – E Hoitomt (7); 5 Alba Rama – V Tamjarv (6); 6 Aggedor – C Martens (5); 7 Pride Of Action – A Teivainen (4); 8 Sonoko – B Goop (3); 9 Mistic Illusion – H Langeweg (2); 10 Ballycotton – G Barrieau (1).
