Star Victorian driver Kate Gath is going to have to draw on all her Group 1 talent to challenge for this year’s Australian Drivers’ Championship, which kicks off in her old home state at Globe Derby Saturday night.
The leader of Victoria’s metropolitan drivers’ championship has crossed the border to represent the Big V along with James Herbertson, who presently tops the Victoria's State Drivers’ Premiership.
The pair will drive against South Australia's Danielle and Wayne Hill, Tasmania’s Conor Crook and Rohan Hillier, New South Wales’ Cameron Hart and Grace Panella, Queensland’s Pete and Narissa McMullen, and Western Australia’s Gary Hall Jnr and Emily Suvaljko.
The series consists of 11 heats with all contestants having eight drives and the winner being the highest points accumulator through the night.
While Gath’s given a big show in the fifth heat when she’ll take the reins of Greg Scholefield’s Stratofortress in the Hygain ADC Pace, of her other seven drives only Aldebaran Alissa ($9) and Waitpinga Heritage ($6) are expected to start in single-figure odds.
By contrast, Herbertson’s tipped to get his night off to a strong start in the second heat – his first drive – when he’ll pair with former Victorian trotter Hammers Law, while his second steer – The Sneaky Fox for Paul Cavallaro – is also rated a $4 chance.
Herbertson has also drawn race favourite American Beauty in the sixth heat and Reece Moore’s entrant Yoursnmine, considered a $4 chance, in the seventh heat.
While she may have a challenging night ahead, Gath told Adam Hamilton she was looking forward to returning to her old stomping ground.
“I like to think of myself as a South Australian when I go back home and a Victorian when I’m here (in Victoria), but it’ll be different this time being in the Victoria team,” Gath said.
“I’ve got a lot of friends and family back in SA and it’s a great chance to catch-up with them.”
The championship hasn’t been held since 2019 owing to a lay-off during Covid-19, with Hall Jr entering as the reigning champ while Wayne Hill (2016) and Pete McMullen (2014) are other returning past winners.