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New Zealand’s Sam Thornley continues to lead the Haras des Trotteurs Australasian Young Drivers Championships.
Although he missed out on getting a winner on day three of the series at Maryborough on Thursday, Thornley did get valuable points with a second in one of two races.
He has 56 points after six races to lead Emily Suvaljko (WA) by seven.
Three races remain in the championship, including two at Bendigo on Friday night and one on Inter Dominion grand final night at Melton on Saturday.
Tasmania’s Jordan Chibnall and Victorian representative Tayla French were the big movers at Maryborough’s all-maiden race day, with each having their first win of the Harness Racing Australia-run series.
Chibnall saluted on trotting mare Wicked Liquor, who had her breakthrough moment at her 43rd career race start.
The six-year-old is trained at Cranbourne by hobbyist Phillip Ellery, who is well known as the mobile barrier driver at Melton. It was Ellery’s first winner since 2017-18.
French landed the money on Alook To Like at big odds for Hamilton legend Jim Barker.
Alook To Like settled back in the field before working into the race in the running line and then finishing strongly in the home straight, rating a slick 1:57.5.
French is now third in the championship and within striking distance of Thornley.
Points standings (after six races): Sam Thornley (NZ) 56, Emily Suvaljko (WA) 49, Tayla French (Victoria) 44, Brendan Barnes (Queensland) 34, Jordan Chibnall (Tasmania) 32, Samantha Pascoe (SA) 30, Sarah O’Reilly (NZ) 29, Cam Hart (NSW) 26, Crystal Hackett (NZ) 22.
A maximum of 31 points is up for grabs at Bendigo’s all-trotting meeting.
With only eight runners in the second of the two championship races, Emily Suvaljko has just the one drive and will need to make the most of that opportunity to keep within touch of Thornley at the top of the points table. She will receive five points for the race she is sitting out.
Her only drive is on Benny The Gun for trainer Mick Blackmore - a winner at Kilmore two starts ago.
Sarah O’Reilly has the drive on favourite Love Gun in the first championship race at Lords Raceway, while Crystal Hackett combines with market leader Kyvalleyhoneybunny in the second.
Thornley will have the reins on last-start Kilmore winner Jessicas Story and the consistent Baxter, who has not finished outside the top four in 11 starts since arriving from NZ.