International All Star Series crowns its first champion
March 12, 2016,from Harness Racing Victoria
Flemington, Victoria, Australia — “It has been a pleasure to be involved, an honor to be invited and amazing to be able to win,” and with that Kerryn Manning accepted the first International All Star Series title. The Victorian champion sealed the series with a seventh placing at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday (March 12), when the 22nd and final race was held among Pryde’s EasiFeed Great Southern Star night.
Her success and accumulated 165.5 points also helped The Vics eclipse The World team 719-712, despite New Zealand’s Dexter Dunn (158) and USA driver Brett Miller (152.5) enjoying outstanding weeks to fill out the minor placings.
Harness Racing Victoria photo
Kerryn Manning (center) accepts the International All Star Series winner’s trophy.
“I started slow but got a bit of momentum up as the week went on and have had a very good week,” Manning said.
In fact the Great Western trainer-driver was last on the leaderboard after day one with 15 points, but a victory at Echuca on Tuesday on day two and three second placings at Maryborough on day three soon had Manning back in contention. Two victories on both days four (Ballarat) and five (Bendigo) gave Manning a 10.5-point lead over Dunn heading into the final day, which would prove unassailable.
“It has been fun and exciting and I’ve met a lot of great people,” Manning said. “The visitors are just lovely people and the locals have been one happy family, I suppose you could call it, especially on that bus we go around on.
“It’s been a highlight all week and it’s sad that it’s finished but I think I’m required back at home so I better head home and do some work.”
HRV General Manager–Operations Vaughn Lynch said the series had been a terrific showcase of outstanding drivers from local and abroad and of the state’s country clubs.
“We’ve seen a treat of racing,” Lynch said. “I’d like to thank everyone who took part, and their lovely partners, and commend them on what a fantastic week it has been.”
Manning said the series could not have been such an amazing journey without the support of many.
“I’d like to thank all the trainers who put horses in for us to drive and all the tracks that hosted,” she said. “They put on a great show for us every day we traveled around and they made it most enjoyable.”
International All Star Series day seven leaderboard: Kerryn Manning (165.5), Dexter Dunn (158), Brett Miller (152.5), Greg Sugars (150), Chris Alford (145.5), Yannick Gingras (143.5), Jason Lee (140.5), Anthony Butt (130.5), Corey Callahan (127.5), Gavin Lang (117.5).
Overall leaderboard: Victoria (719), The World (712).
- Yannick Gingras drives the World to the lead in International All Star Series (Monday, March 07, 2016)
Yannick Gingras has shot to the top of the leaderboard after a thrilling first day of the International All Star Series in Australia.
- It’s Miller time on day two of the International All Star Series (Tuesday, March 08, 2016)
United States superstar Brett Miller won for the first time on Australian soil and then made it two straight for good measure. Miller was the toast of the town when the International All Star Series rolled into Echuca for night two, smashing a track record while claiming victory in the final two races of the night to catapult from equal second-last on the series leaderboard to third.
- Dexter Dunn has the competition on the run after All Stars day three (Wednesday, March 09, 2016)
Dexter Dunn of New Zealand has taken a stranglehold on the International All Star Series with a magnificent Wednesday (March 9) at Maryborough. Victories in the day’s opening two series races and a third in the last propelled the Kiwi 9.5 points clear of the competition on the leaderboard and helped wrestle the series back into the World’s favor.
- Vics resurgence in International All Star Series (Thursday, March 10, 2016)
Kerryn Manning and Chris Alford led a Victorian surge on day four of the International All Star Series at Ballarat, overturning The World’s advantage. Manning drove a treble, including two series victories, and Alford was at his consistent best, producing a win, two thirds and a fourth to position himself as the night’s leading point scorer. The World weren’t without their shining moments. United States contestant Corey Callahan had his best day yet, amassing 32 points that included two placings, and his compatriot Brett Miller produced another longshot winner for an overjoyed group of owners.
- Kerryn Manning doubles again in International All Star Series (Friday, March 11, 2016)
A second successive winning double has Kerryn Manning perched atop the International All Star Series leaderboard, with only Dexter Dunn and Brett Miller having a mathematical chance to unseat her. The next and final stop is Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday.