Joseph Suvaljko Photo by Pacepix
WA’s junior drivers are reaping the rewards of the new national rating system and the opportunities offered by Racing WA, and on Saturday night at Bunbury in-form junior driver Joseph Suvaljko walked away with a driving treble.
The junior drivers are just one win away from surpassing the yearly tally from 2024, with 78 wins on the board so far as a collective in 2025, just three months into the racing season, an incredible result for junior drivers here in WA which is largely supported by Racing WA and their commitment to their growth and success.
The new handicapping system allows trainers to claim a five-point deduction on their horses rating by enlisting a junior driver claim.
In-form junior driver Joseph Suvaljko has already claimed 33 winners this season, just 90 days into the year, already edging himself closer to doubling his number of winning drives from last year which was 19.
Contributing the spike of success to the new handicapping system and the further opportunities he has received since its introduction on January 1, Joseph Suvaljko is thankful for all the support he has had from trainers who continue to put him on each week.
“I’m getting more drives becomes of the system, which is causing me to drive better, which causes me to get more drives.
“A couple of years ago when I started taking it more seriously, I wanted to get to a point where driving was my main job and that’s sort of what it is now, and I couldn’t be happier.
“All the trainers that put me on, it doesn’t matter how good I’m driving, if the trainers aren’t putting me on, then I’m not getting the results.” Joseph Suvaljko said.
Confidence hasn’t ever been much of an issue for Joey Suvaljko, out on the track, but he did mention that he no longer second guesses himself or his decision in a race.
“If I make a decision, I’m pretty confident to stick with it.”
We have 12 junior/concession drivers with a claim currently in WA, this is the total number of wins they’ve had for the 2025 season until March 31:
Aaron Suvaljko - 1
Abbey Vidovich – 10
Ajay Markham – 4
Ashley Shepherd
Briana Edman – 1
Joseph Suvaljko - 32
Kylah Madden – 4
Lachlan Kennelly – 1
Liam Elliot – 11
Sara Grout - 3
Toby Lynn – 7
Tom Bryant – 2
Image: Pacepix
