By Mike Love
Sam Ottley, New Zealand’s most winningest female driver, picked up win number 800 at the Ashburton meeting yesterday.
Driving the John Howe-trained Didjaseemiki in Race 5, the John Rollinson & Cash Register Memorial Mobile Ottley was able to settle toward the rear of the field from their wide draw. Ottley then made a move at the 900m being able to flush out a drag up. Being beautifully placed, it was a timely run to get up and win by a neck.
“Coaster said he’s a speed horse but they were going that slow I opted to get going down the back and obviously it worked out great. We had cover right to the top of the straight which suited.”
“It’s still a long way down that straight but he stuck on so that was great.”
Ottley not only notched up career win number 800, the Canterbury reinswoman is sitting on 93 wins for the season, chasing down the ton. It’s an achievement she reached just one other time – during the elongated 17 month season in 2021 when she drove 120 winners.
“It’s one of those ones where people get close to a milestone and sit there for ages, and I was really hoping I wouldn’t be doing that,” said Ottley, of the 800.
“It’s a big thrill to tick that off.”
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support so I’m grateful.”
Ottley has always been a popular driving choice for trainers and owners throughout her career to date. In more recent years her employer Mark Jones has provided Ottley with many driving successes, including her sole Group 1 victory to date on Rocker Band at the 2016 harness Jewels. Among her wide range of achievements it was Ottley’s first race day drive on her 18th birthday where she drove her first winner Nigel Paul for her mother Denise at the Kurow meeting in 2008.
“The next goal will be to get to 100 winners for the season.”
Ottley has won $8.8 million in stakes thus far.
In other highlights on the card local trainers Brent and Tim White trained a hat trick (Major Doosie, Bettor Go Vinnie, Kaysans Rock), Blair Orange drove a treble (Flying For Me, Sunny Louis, Aunty Deb), Tim Williams drove a double (Caught The Eye and Kaysans Rock) Bruce Negus trained his 500th winner as a solo trainer (Katherine), and Sam Thornley bridged the gap to just two wins from Carter Dalgety in the battle for the junior drivers premiership by winning with Katherine.