Consistency key to invitation victory

An accumulation of points rather than victories led to reinswoman Kate Gath clinching her first Noel Smith Memorial Horsham Invitation Drivers Championship.

Gath won the title after collecting 34 points in four heats at Horsham Racing Centre.

Her victory represented the first time in 30 Noel Smith Invitation Championships that winning honours went to a driver who failed to post at least a single heat victory.

The Victorian finished second with Fourth In Line for Horsham trainer Rod Carberry and owners, The Connelly family in heat one of the event. She was second again, in heat two, this time with You Ninety Two for the Peter Salathiel stable.

A fourth place in heat three aboard Pebble Sands for Mt Gambier horseman Barry Finnis kept her points tally rolling.

Gath finished the day with another second, on Glenavril King for Horsham owner-trainer Barry Dunn, in heat four to win the championship.

Nathan Dawson from Queensland was second on 31, Victorian Greg Sugers was third with 30, Chris Voak, Western Australia, 29, and the Wimmera’s Kerryn Manning, 26.

A championship ‘wooden spoon’ went to Mark Yole of Tasmania on countback from Kima Frenning, both with 16 points, and both in first-time appearances in the championships.

The Noel Smith Invitation features 10 of Australia’s finest drivers randomly assigned horses in four events.

The day also showcased eight races with Victorian Team Teal ambassadors helping to boost a fundraising tally for ovarian cancer research.