New Wave To Break Into Brothers' Territory

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday September 2, 1998

By SEAN MELEHAN

NEWCASTLE may soon have not only one, but two versions of the brilliant Mercer brothers competing on the Uncle Toby's Super Series circuit.

Joshua Blair will watch his brother Shane line up in Sunday's trial at Mooloolaba while Drew Blatchford hopes to see his sibling Troy qualify.

A big field will assemble hoping to snare one of 10 spots up for grabs in the summer circuit.

Competitors will race in one of three heats, with 10 from each going through to the final.

The Blatchford brothers have been in hard training for weeks and with 21-year-old Troy snapping at his heels at weekly sessions, 25-year-old Drew thinks he could be a chance.

`There's some hot competition but he's going pretty well in training,' Drew said.

Troy has been Drew's handler for the past four seasons and is well acquainted with the series format.

`He's got a fair bit of experience, he's been around it long enough,' Drew said of his rival.

`It's about time he got in and competed against me.

`I'll be handling for him this time, so we've swapped roles.'

Seventeen-year-old Shane has been juggling schoolwork with training in an attempt to follow in the footsteps of his 21-year-old brother, who is ranked fourth in the series.

Joshua said his brother must go out hard if he was to be a chance.

© 1998 Newcastle Herald

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