THE WILDCARD
While Pete McMullen is a tearaway leader in the State Drivers title, there is a battle further astern in the top 10 that will perhaps carry greater bragging rights that the top spot.
Filling positions ten, nine and eight respectively in the premiership are Pete’s three sisters Danielle (Veivers), Taleah and Narissa.
After driving a double at Thursday’s Redcliffe meeting, Taleah jumped to 63 wins for the season to lead the charge of the three female McMullen drivers.
With Dannielle currently serving a suspension, her current tally is stalled on 59 wins, so she was unable to add to that figure across the weekend.
With Narissa having been overtaken, the eldest of the three McMullen daughters had a strong book both on Friday and Saturday night to look to regain her position.
After three placings on Friday, Narissa would have to look to Saturday to cash-in and move up the ladder from her tally of 62 wins thus far in season 2021.
Placed in two races aboard Midnight Man and King Triton, there was only one more opportunity to at least move equal with Taleah.
Taking the drive aboard Subtle Delight for trainer Don Hancock, Narissa had driven the gelding on six previous occasions, including a win back in 2019 in a heat of the Australian Female Drivers Invitation Series.
Angling away from the pegs in the early stages in the field of eight, Narissa had Subtle Delight in the running line as Sabrage was setting an even tempo in front.
Making a wide and sweeping run, Subtle Delight powered home over the top to claim his 23rd career victory and second win for the season.
The win meant the week ends with Taleah and Narissa all equal on 63 wins for the term, four clear of Dannielle.
So, while Pete continues to power away at the top end, the real battle looks to be just heating up.
THIS WEEK
The week kicks off with a ten-race card from Redcliffe on Monday night.
Monday’s fixture will sit alongside the regular meetings from the Peninsula with Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon also being hosted by the Redcliffe Club.
Albion Park will conduct a regular week with three meetings held on Tuesday afternoon, Friday night and Saturday night.
The highlight of the week will be the APG Brisbane Sales Series Final for the two-year-old pacers, with Group 1 glory on offer to the winner.
The two heat winners were Cat King Cole and I Am Sparta, with the star filly Cat King Cole already having a firm grip on the trophy.