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Emerging reinswomen Jackie Barker and Ewa Justice are set to represent Victoria in the Australian Female Drivers Championship in Launceston, Tasmania on Sunday, October 20.
The series will take place at Mowbray Racecourse and run across an entire meeting as Australia’s best female drivers battle it out to determine a champion.
Justice, 21, is excited by the opportunity to represent Victoria on the national stage.
“It is pretty exciting to represent Victoria in the drivers’ series,” Justice said. “I have always wanted to represent the state and to be doing it with Jackie (Barker), who is also a really good friend, will be really exciting.”
Justice has fond memories of the Apple Isle after taking out the state’s only equine Group 1 earlier in the year.
“That Group 1 (Tasmania Cup) was in Hobart, so it will be good to go back and re-live some memories,” she said.
The Toolern Vale horsewoman has just celebrated the two-year anniversary since her debut drive.
“To even be considered to be in this series is a massive thrill, it’s a huge thing for me,” she said.
Ewa’s father, John, is a harness racing great, with his crowning moment being the 2000 Inter Dominion pacing success with Shakamaker.
“Other than myself, he (dad) is my hardest critic and my best supporter, so he also gives me criticism and support after every drive,” she said.
Barker, who is fresh off breaking her Group 1 duck thanks to a double during Saturday night’s Vicbred finals, will join Justice as a Victorian representative in the Australian Female Drivers Championship.
“It has been something else,” Barker said.
“It is so exciting; I have never done something like this before in terms of representing Victoria.
“I am really looking forward to it and just the experience as a whole.”
Justice and Barker will follow in the footsteps of Kerryn Manning, Kate Gath,Ellen Tormey and last year’s champion Michelle Phillips.
