An exciting array of talent . . . and a few tried and tested performers makes Saturday week’s J C Caffyn Plate one of the most open on record.
This annual race for invited Indigenous drivers has become one of the most keenly-contested races of the season.
And the field for this year's $20,400 Plate has been decided by rewarding the most consistent among a large field of eligible drivers.
The one to beat and the first selected was defending champion Lleyton Green, a 20-year-old Sydney-based reinsmen who has more than 200 wins to his credit and has been a prolific winner at Menangle, Penrith and Bathurst in recent months.
Green is the only previous winner of what has become a hotly-contested annual race.
Another young driver bound to attract plenty of interest is Victoria-based 21-year-old Rory Coverdale.
This young reinswoman has made the most of limited opportunities and, in just her third season of driving, has caught the eye with some impressive efforts around the provincial tracks south of the border.
With points decided by allotting five for every win, three for second and two for third and one for every drive, Harness Racing NSW and Club Menangle have come up with a first-class field, which will see three women drivers out to finish ahead of seven men.
Besides Coverdale, Kootingal-based Danny Mackney and Young-based Todd Day have been two of the better-performed drivers around the New South Wales country circuit.
Another experienced campaigner is Dubbo-based James Sutton, who has contested this race several times, but is yet to take home the trophy.
The final field for this annual race, run as an adjunct to the rich Breeders Challenge series on October 26 is:
Lleyton Green (2023 winner)
- Rory Coverdale
- Danny Mackney
- Todd Day
- Tanner Brown
- James Sutton
- Amanda Dean
- Courtney Sutherland
- Scott Rains
- Dwayne Brown
- Jeff Brown (Reserve).
