Victoria’s Tayla French has inscribed her name on the Haras des Trotteurs Australasian Young Drivers Championship honour roll.
French clinched the title by taking out the ninth and last race in the series at Melton on Saturday night.
She guided home rank outsider Major Watson, trained by Julie Douglas, to move to the top of the championship points table.
The 16 points for the win enabled French to finish three ahead of New Zealander Sam Thornley, who had led from the outset in the five-day event, which was contested over five race meetings at four Victoria tracks.
Major Watson was French’s second win of the championship, having also picked up a race at Maryborough.
The 25-year-old from Bendigo, who has more than 200 career wins, said it was a great feeling to win the championship.
French is the fourth female in a row to win the title and the first Victorian since Ellen Tormey in 2012.
Nine drivers contested the series – one from each Australian state and three from NZ, including reigning champion Sarah O’Reilly.
Thornley set himself up as the one to beat with a double at the opening meeting of the series at Melton on Tuesday night.
WA’s Emily Suvaljko made her run with a double at Ballarat on Wednesday.
French and Tasmanian representative Jordan Chibnall shared the honours at Maryborough on Thursday and then NZ pair Sarah O’Reilly and Crystal Hackett each tasted success at Bendigo on Friday night.
Thornley went into the last race five points ahead of French, with Suvaljko another point back in third position.
Thornley finished third, but with French first across the line it was not enough to hold on.
Haras des Trotteurs principal Pat Driscoll presented French with her championship trophy.
David Brehaut
