Sports News Sunraysia with Sammy Smythe

                                                                          By home Stright 

Five of the top male harness drivers and five of the top female drivers will take part in the annual Driver’s Challenge at the next Mildura Harness Racing Club meeting at Mildura on Saturday October 3.

Club Secretary-Manager Mark Kemp said that in the past the Drivers challenge meeting had been programmed in February but a number of drivers said that the timing of the meeting was in the hot weather and when they had to get back to Melbourne to drive the next night, the weather had made the trek to Mildura exhausting.

Mr Kemp said the Club had picked a new date in October 3 and while it clashed with the AFL Grand Final, the drivers were keen to participate.

The male reinsman who have agreed to drive in four races on the program that night are Gavin Lang, Michael Bellman and Chris Alford of Victoria, along with Mark Billinger of South Australia and Anthony Butt of New Zealand, who is now based in Victoria.

His daughter Kimberley Butt, who is still based in New Zealand, will make the trek to Mildura to drive as part of the female contingent.

The 21 year old drove her first winner two years ago in New Zealand.  Earlier this year she drove a winner for her  23 year old brother Chris,  giving him his first success  as a harness trainer.

The others are Kerryn Manning, Jodi Quinlan, Lisa Miles and Leah Harvey of South Australia.

The meeting on August 3 is being sponsored by the Mildura Workingman’s Club with free admission to all members.

Mr Kemp said that to promote the night all ladies would also be admitted free.