A
FTER starting her driving career with a respectable fourth aboard Ay Tee Em on September 18, 2010, up and coming driver Katrina Salathiel decided to up the ante. In the ensuing weeks, the 20-year old from Kerang had four wins in as many starts, driving both Ay Tee Em and Centonic Katrina Salathiel to a pair of
victories in the final period of 2010.
Since her, the deeds of Jodi
The daughter of popular trainer
Quinlan, Amy Tubbs and Kate
and harness racing identity Peter, the conditioner of both Ay Tee
Gath among many, many others have ensured that the women of
Em and Centonic and a wonderful
harness racing continue to have a
teacher for the young tyro, Katrina
powerful presence at the top of our
is following in the footsteps of
driving ranks and Katrina looks
many who have come before her in
set to add her name to the list of
recent times.
gun young reinswomen to make a
It is now 17-and-a-half years since
name for themselves in the bike.
a young reinswoman by the name
As part of that process, Katrina
of Kerryn Manning saluted for the
continued to build upon her early
first time behind Gorgeous Gambit
successes with seven drives
at Ararat, before going on to record
already this year to take her career
her record-breaking 3000th race
record to five wins and three
win last December.
placings from just 15 race starts.
S
O strong is the current crop of female pilots at the current time in fact, that as this edition of the Harness Racer goes to print, Mildura is gearing up to host arguably its most exciting Lady Driver Challenge of all time on the eve of the BIG6 Hunter Cup. A top billing of star drivers are confirmed for the event including defending champion Jodi Quinlan, Kerryn Manning, Amy Tubbs, Lisa Miles, Ellen Tormey, Leah Harney, Ashley Siejka, plus a host of local representatives. Group 1 Ballarat Cup winner and champion Kiwi horseman Anthony Butt will also make a guest appearance on the night. Drivers will be flown to Mildura on race day and accommodated at the iconic Mildura Grand Hotel before returning by air to fulfill any driving duties at Tabcorp Park on BIG6 Hunter Cup night. Five races on the card carry stakemoney of $6000, including the three races that comprise the Lady Drivers’ Challenge. Mark Kemp, Secretary Manager of the Mildura Harness Racing Club said, “Mildura is proud to host this fantastic night for just the second time. “We know the drivers really enjoy coming up and having some fun ahead of Hunter Cup night and I’d like to thank everyone who has committed for 2011. “The competition will be fierce on the track with some of Australia’s leading female drivers competing for the title. But off track there will be dining, entertainment and the opportunity for ladies to win a $700 Seiko watch with thanks to Thomas Jewellers of Mildura." For full results and report of the night, visit www.harness.org.au. Anthony Butt holds the 2011 PETstock Ballarat Pacing Cup won aboard Stunin Cullen
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