21 July 2019
by Duncan Dornauf

The revamped BOTRA Claiming Novice Drivers series headlines tonight’s eight-race card in Launceston tonight, and a rain-affected track is expected after some early morning rain.

In good news for those heading to the track, the forecast is for a clear afternoon and evening.

The inaugural BOTRA Claiming Novice Drivers series was held in 2012 in which no females drivers competed, tonight a total of five female drivers take part in the series and they look to dominate the first heat, the Wayne McLaughlin & Rattray Family Trust – Izaha Pace, a rating 55 to 59 event over 2200 metres.

Driver Hannah Van Dongen was randomly allocated the Todd Rattray-trained mare Karpenkova Leis (pictured) who has drawn barrier one and comes into the race off an all-the-way win in Hobart last week.

“I was wrapped to draw her, she went well last start and a repeat of that effort she shouldn’t be too far away in this event, the pole draw gives me a few options early,” Van Dongen said.

The main danger is the stablemate, Bremusa, a last-start winner in Launceston on 7 July, who will be driven by former New Zealand driver Kimberley Grant who gave the mare a strong chance when speaking on Tasracing’s From The Stables Podcast.

Another female driver with a good winning chance in the race is Georgia Hayward who will partner the in-form Popnduke, a winner of his last three starts, the most recent was in Hobart on Friday night.

Another each-way chance for Van Dongen is Stylish Trend in the second heat, the Charlie & Connie Beadman – Ideal Bliss Pace, over 2200 meters for horses with a national rating of 60 to 69.

“He draws to get a soft run on the pegs and with any luck late he should be finishing the race off strongly,” said Van Dongen.

Van Dongen, last season’s leading female driver in the state, missed last year’s series due to suspension, but she is wrapped to be taking part in the series this year.

“I’m looking forward to driving in the series, I lost a few drives when I outdrove my claim this season and now I have struggled to get drives with the new handicapping system, with a large number of drivers that have got their claim back with the new rules,” said the Van Dongen who is currently riding in thoroughbred jump outs as she prepares to get her license to ride in thoroughbred trials.

Previously the BOTRA Claiming Novice Drivers series has featured six heats in all three regions of the state and was limited to 10 drivers due to the maximum field limits at other venues, although the heats have been cut back this season, an extra two drivers will get the chance to compete in the series.

Races two, three, four and six make up the series.

Once again punters have a number of TAB Jackpots to play into on the UTAB pool with a $3,405 Any 2 Jackpot on race one, a $2,500 Quaddie Jackpot commencing on race two and a $1,775 Extra Double Jackpot on races six and seven.

The Launceston card commences at 17:09 and will be televised on Sky Racing 1 and TasracingTV’s live stream.