BRIDPORT-BASED harness trainer-driver Grant Hodges has edged his way t the lead in the race for this season’s Halwes Medal.
Hodges has accrued 32 votes to hold only a one vote lead over reinsman Gareth Rattray (31) after 18 meetings.
There are a total of 85 meetings before the season ends on 31 August 2013.
The Halwes Medal is sponsored by BOTRA Tasmania and harness stalwart Jamie Cockshutt and the award recognises excellence in horsemanship and operates under the following format:
A panel of 12 members is rostered to vote throughout the harness season (September 2012 to August 2013). Panel members are Jamie Cockshutt, Peter Cooley, Matt Jordan, Geoff Lucas, Greg Mansfield, Kevin Neilson, Matt Robertson, Rick Puccinelli, Davis Sales, Damien Seaton,Peter Staplesand Shane Yates
Two panel members vote on each meeting and have 10 votes each to disperse.
The 10 votes can be allocated at the panel member’s discretion with a maximum of five votes for any trainer or driver.
Only Tasmanian registered licensed persons are eligible to receive votes.
Hodges, who is the states leading trainer of the last two seasons and is leading the trainer’s premiership this season, has been relatively quiet at recent meetings after gaining eight votes at Devonport on November 8 when he had runners in two races and completed a training double.
In the same period Gareth Rattray has fared well with trebles at Launceston on November 18 and Hobart on December 2, resulting in seven votes from each meeting.
He added another five votes to his tally at Launceston on November 25 after driving a double including Sarah Lewis at odds of $54.20.
Other leading point’s scorers were Barrie Rattray with six points after a win and two seconds from three starters atHobarton November 11.
Barriescored another five points for providing two wins and two placing’s from five starters at Launceston on November 18.
Zeke Slater was awarded eight points for his two winners from three drives atHobarton 11 November of which one he also trained.
Natalee Emery scored nine points after two winners and a second from three drives at Spreyton on November 14.
Juanita McKenzie notched five points for her two winners from four starters at Launceston on November 18.
Rohan Hadley had his tally boosted when he was awarded nine points for training two winners from as many starters at Launceston on November 25.
Todd Rattray notched six points after driving two winners atHobarton November 26 and Mark Yole received five points for his two winners from three drives atHobarton December 2.
The BOTRA Young Achiever Award is run in conjunction with the Halwes Medal and is restricted to licensed persons aged 24 or under as at 1 September 2012. Todd Rattray leads with 20 votes followed by Mark Yole (15) and Dylan Ford (10).
The leaders to December 3, 2012 are:
32 Grant Hodges
31 Gareth Rattray
20 Rohan Hillier, Todd Rattray
17 TroyHillier
16 Rohan Hadley
15 Ricky Duggan,BarrieRattray, Mark Yole
14 Zeke Slater
12 Tim Maine, Ben Yole
10 Dylan Ford, Rod Plunkett.