By Andrew Adermann
Leonard Cain has chalked up a special milestone in his fledgling career, surpassing 100 driving triumphs for season 2021.
The 22-year-old cracked the ton in fine style at The Creek on Christmas Eve behind the Jack Butler-trained Misterfreeze, in what was a dream early present for the young driver.
Sitting three pairs back on the pegs coming in to the final straight, Cain patiently waited as an inside run opened up, arriving at the death to snare victory by the barest of margins.
It’s the first time in his five-year career that Cain has chalked up 100 wins in the one season, flying past his previous best of 86 in last year’s extend 2019/20 period.
In doing so, he’s become the eighth Queensland-based driver to reach triple figures, joining Brendan Barnes, Nathan Dawson, Grant Dixon, Angus Garrard, Shane Graham, Narissa McMullen, and Pete McMullen.
Reflecting on the milestone, Cain said that crossing the line he was totally unaware what he had just achieved.
“I knew I was close (to the 100 wins), but I didn’t know exactly how close,” he said.
“I knew I was working towards it as a couple people had said to me along the way that I was only 10 or so away but I didn’t know that was the 100th.
“When you start looking at those kinds of milestones that’s when I feel you can start making mistakes so I tried to stay away from it and if it happens then great but if not then so be it.
“It’s pretty high up there in what I’ve achieved in my career thus far and something I’m immensely proud of, right alongside those Group and Listed wins.
“I wasn’t even 100% sure I’d won that race, but I thought I might’ve just nosed them.”