KEY POINTS:
A gamble late last season has helped Matthew White develop into harness racing latest young gun reinsman.
The 22-year-old goes into tonight's Alexandra Park meeting with two top winning chances in Locked And Loaded (race two) and Palomine (race nine), as well as three other handy drives.
That
is a far cry from just two years ago when he struggled to get competitive drives at Alexandra Park and was just one of a large number of junior drivers struggling to make a living.
Since then, White's driving has undergone the natural improvement expected with experience but, just as importantly, he has become the most sought-after junior reinsman in the north because many of his rivals are largely inexperienced.
And that comes down to a decision made late last season.
With about six weeks of the season to go, White was on 72 career wins and in his best form.
But with 75 wins the threshold before a junior has to move into the open ranks, he decided to turn down drives and wait for the new season.
That propelled him to number one seed among the north's junior drivers and he is now getting outside drives for leading trainers like Steven Reid and Michelle Wallis.
"While you never like missing drives, it was the right thing to do and it is starting to really pay off," he said.
"It got me one more season as a junior at a time when a lot of the other drivers probably don't have the same experience."
But White is not kidding himself he is Tony Herlihy or Maurice McKendry just yet.
"I still need to improve my decision making, especially in open races," he said..
"But I am getting better and the confidence is there because I am getting to drive better horses."
That is the case tonight, with both Locked And Loaded and Palomine serious winning hopes.
Locked And Loaded has finished second to two smart horses recently and is well drawn, with Cullens Blue Jean looking his biggest danger.
"I haven't driven him before but he is going good races and looks a big chance," said White.
"Any time you drive for Steven (Reid) you know they will be hard to beat."
Palomine later in the night is the best placed of White's drives, coming in as a four-win horse against mainly one-win opposition.
He does, however, meet a likely Derby type in Pembrook Benny, who has the edge in race fitness. That could prove crucial as Palomine took a race or two to come to his best early last season.
White also has place chances on Frankie Maguire (race one), Ultimate Bromac (race eight) and Livelifetothefull (race 10).
"Ultimate Bromac is working well and she could be an each way chance," he says.
Looking further ahead, he hopes for a personal best season, with a target of around 40 wins.
"But I am just happy to be getting good drives from good trainers now," he said.