HARNESS racing returns to UBET Racing Centre Launceston tonight with a seven-race card that includes the final two heats of the BOTRA Claiming Novice Driver series.
Wade Rattray and Nicholas Brockman share the lead after four rounds with 39 points.
Rattray, who won this series last year, edged his way to the equal lead with a win aboard Chief Destroyer and a second with Punter Karalta at Devonport last Monday night where the third and fourth heats were held.
The first two heats were run at UBET Park Hobart on Sunday night where Allister Woods won his heat aboard No Undies Sundie while Tim Yole emerged from those heats with a win aboard Strezleckie Wildone and a third behind Glamour Art to end the night on 25 points and two clear of Woods who also snared a fourth with Wealthy Warrior.
But Monday night’s Devonport meeting belonged to Rattray who is attempting to make it successive wins in the popular series.
Brockman has yet to drive a winner so his efforts have been consistent to secure a share of the lead.
The winner of the series is decided on a point-score basis with 16 points allocated for first, 12 for second, nine for third and seven for fourth and points reduce by one through to last 1oth with six points awarded to any driver who fails to obtain a drive in any heat.
Point scores after four heats.
39 – Nicholas Brockman and Wade Rattray.
37 – Tim Yole.
33 – Lyarna Graham.
32 – Allister Woods.
28 – Lee Simmonds.
24 – Samantha Freeman.
23 – Justin Howlett.
22 – Adrian Collins & Kristy Grant.