Reinswoman Colleen Negus claimed her second consecutive New Zealand amateur drivers’ title at Rangiora yesterday despite her brother handing one of her rivals crucial series points.
The former Waikouaiti horsewoman shared this year’s series after finishing on the same number of points as Cantabrian Neil Munro.
Munro secured maximum points in the second heat of the series when winning on Aveross Ferrari, trained by Negus’ brother, Denis O’Connell.
The first race of the championship was at Cambridge earlier this month before two heats at Rangiora yesterday. Negus secured her second title when driving Den’s Legacy to win the third and final heat. The championship added to an outstanding season she has enjoyed in the sulky. In October, Negus competed at famed American racetracks such as Yonkers in New York when representing New Zealand in an amateur drivers’ series against the United States.
Negus’ New Zealand title win put her in line to represent her country at this year’s world championships in Hungary, but an obscure rule will deny her that opportunity.
Drivers are required to have previously won 25 races — including trials and workouts — to qualify for the series. Negus has no hard feelings over the ruling. She and husband Bruce plan to head to Europe as support for New Zealand driver Cheree Wigg.
"Them’s the breaks. It’s nice to have gotten the drives and to all the people who have put horses in the amateur series, I am just appreciative to all of them."
