“It has been a pleasure to be involved, an honour 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.

“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.”

Harness Racing Victoria 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 travelled 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).

(Harness Racing Victoria)