TALENTED teenage reinsman Alex Ashwood had his name etched into the record books last Sunday night when he became the fastest ever to outdrive his novice driver’s claim in Tasmania.
Ashwood drove his first winner a week after he was licensed in May last year and one year and four days later he snared his 30th winner (Bayfield High) to outdrive his novice claim and he ended the meeting with a double courtesy of his drive aboard outsider Jilliby Rio in the Elite FFA.
Ashwood turned 17 a week ago so he also becomes the youngest to outdrive his claim, given that Gareth Rattray was 17 and four months when he achieved the feat.
The previous record was held by Tasmania’s gun reinsman Gareth Rattray who outdrove his novice claim of 30 winners 14 months to the day.
Rattray took out his licence on October 9, 2001 and he drove his 30th winner December 8 2002.
Tasmania is blessed to have so many talented young drivers coming through the ranks but some industry participants, mostly trainers, have expressed concern about the number of wins allowed before these drivers lose their claiming concession.
In Tasmania novice drivers lose their claim when they have driven 30 winners while Victorian novice drivers are afforded 40 before losing their claim.