Teenage Queensland reinsman Layne Dwyer has always dreamed of competing in the New Zealand Cup and hopes the 2026 Australasian Young Drivers Championship is a stepping stone in the right direction.
The up-and-coming driver was announced on Friday evening as the Sunshine State’s representative in the annual series, which will be held in November.
The 19-year-old has been a star on the rise in Queensland over the last few years and tallied his maiden 100-victory season in 2025.
The last Australasian Young Drivers Championship race will be held on New Zealand Cup Day at Addington Raceway, which Dwyer says will be a thrill to compete on the big stage.
“I've always wanted to go to the New Zealand Cup, let alone be selected to go over there and drive at the same meeting,” he said.
“It's pretty surreal. I'm pretty excited to be honest, I'm really looking forward to it. I love New Zealand in general.
“Probably like a week before I even knew I got selected, I said to my girlfriend that we should book to go over to the New Zealand Cup for a holiday.
“So, it turns out I'm driving over there, which makes it even better.”
Dwyer has graduated from the Mini Trotting ranks in Queensland to competing in prestigious events such as the Inter Dominion in recent years.
He has one black-type triumph on his resume, which came in the Listed Peak Of The Creek last year in the bike behind Cheerstolou.
Dwyer was initially the stable driver for his father Graham when he started out in the driving ranks, but he is now working for the Jack Butler stable.
Dwyer – who is in his fourth season of driving – says the move has opened the door for him to pick up engagements for many other trainers.
He has 47 winners to his name in 2026.
“I'm always going around, so it keeps my name out there a bit,” he said.
“It's a lot of hard work, but I'm glad it's starting to pay off.
"The move to Jack’s stable has been a positive.
“I'm starting to get a broader trainer base.
“I used to only drive for my Dad and get a few outside drives and now I am getting a fair few outside drives.
“I'm really enjoying it a lot more. The results probably haven't been that great this year, but I think they're just starting to pick up again.”
The 2026 Australasian Young Drivers Championship will be hosted by Harness Racing New Zealand from 3–10 November during one of the country's biggest weeks of harness racing.
The Championship schedule includes competing at a race meeting at Cambridge Raceway, Alexandra Park, Ashburton Raceway and the final Championship race will be held on New Zealand Cup Day at Addington Raceway.
Before heading to NZ, Dwyer has a busy week of racing with bookings at Redcliffe on Wednesday, Albion Park on Thursday and then again at AP for the city meeting on Saturday evening.
