3 minute read
Harness racing’s version of fantasy football has dropped with Fantasy Harness Racing the latest product set to stir a bit of friendly rivalry amongst family and friends.
Victoria drivers are set to be a major player in ensuring success throughout the 25-weeks of competition kicking off on Sportsbet A.G Hunter Cup week (Jan 30).
Players will need to ensure the list of five Victorian drivers including a reserve are well equipped to score the most points and stay within the healthy $25.6 million budget.
It comes without surprise that young gun and Australia's leading driver, James Herbertson comes in at a cool $2.97 million and is the most expensive driver in the game.
One of the most interesting things to note is that the competition runs purely from Thursday to Sunday for the 25 weeks (from January to late July) so it's no good being a Monday hero with points mainly targeted at weekend metropolitan meetings across the country.
The scoring allocation hands 10-points to the winner with 5,3,2 for all places down to fourth with drivers receiving one point for all remaining placings.
The eye-watering price tag ($2.9 million) is a lock for me with the reinsman securing 37 metropolitan wins, leaving the 24-year-old in third-place heading into the final week of competition.
Fellow reinsman Greg Sugars, Mark Pitt, Chris Alford and Jason Lee are the remaining Victorian drivers who sit in that two-million-dollar bracket and might be a bridge to far to afford all and keep within the salary cap.
In saying that, I have found room for Mark Pitt by cutting corners and will use him as my captain through the early part of the season. The multiple Group 1 winner can be a dominant force especially when teaming up with the powerhouse Stewart-Tonkin stable.
Someone who might be considered a 'steal' is the Hamilton based reisnwoman, Jackie Barker who sits 10th on the Metropolitan Drivers Premiership table and has had a stellar 2024 season with two Group 1 triumphs on Vicbred night.
The 28-year-old currently sits at $1.065 million which would be a steal as prices fluctuate throughout the season, Barker might be a handy addition to the reserve spot or as a cash cow to sell later on.
A few other reinswomen who could be an early 'cheap' buy are Kerryn Manning and Ewa Justice who sit at 562k and 597k respectively. The duo certainly looks like rising throughout the year.
As far as Queensland and New South Wales picks go Pete Mcmullen and Jack Callaghan are set and forgets. The obviously question in NSW would be Callaghan over fellow NSW reinsman Cameron Hart, but with Hart at almost $250,000 more, cash might be better used to use elsewhere.
Filling the additional spots for WA, SA and Tasmania are where bargains can be found. Danielle Hill for South Australia has amassed 50 wins this season and sits at the $1.1 million mark.
Tasmanian Tiarna Ford could be a steal at $200,000. Ford currently sits in the top 10 in the state's Drivers' Premiership for 2024 with 32 wins to her name.
