After slowly making her mark on the harness racing scene since her debut win at Oamaru in 2008, Ottley (22) has shot up the drivers' premiership this season. She is on 31 wins with three months to go - a far cry from her goal of topping last season's tally of 12.
''Usually [the goal is] just to beat last season's wins, but I've well and truly done that now, so it's been great,'' Ottley said.
The former Geraldine High School pupil has been based with Colin and Julie De Filippi at Lincoln, near Christchurch, for the past season, and her increased profile at trials and workouts around Canterbury has paid off, with plenty of trainers giving her chances on race day.
''Colin and Julie are a big help, and it's just been [a case of] getting on the right sort of horses and getting a bit of luck.''
Variety is playing a part again tonight at Forbury Park , as Ottley drives two trotters for Tahakopa trainer Brian Norman for the first time, while she will also drive pacers for Andrew Stuart, Graeme Anderson and Amber Hoffman, Phil Anderson and Simon Adlam. Adlam who could present Ottley
with her best chance of a win with Nothing But Girls (race 4).
Ottley was in the sulky behind the Live Or Die mare at Westport in March as the 5yr-old turned around some average form to win.
''She led up and got her own way out in front,'' Ottley said.
''It's only a short trip, but she's honest enough, although she'll need a little bit of luck.''
Ottley is pleased to continue her association with Just Rose (race 7), who has given her three of her career wins, including two this season.
The Sands A Flyin mare is now with Anderson and Hoffman at Westwood Beach, and Ottley retains the drive - but she is conscious another win might be hard to find, particularly against the likes of new stablemate Ballindooley.
''Colin and Julie sent her down there to try and find easier races - we left her down there with them,'' she said.
''She's on her mark, really, and there are a few nice ones, too.''
Just Rose sits on the fringes of the 5yr-old mares' division for the harness jewels, in 11th spot on the top 12 leaderboard, and there are no guarantees she will be at Ashburton in early June.
''She's only just borderline now and if she doesn't do something . . . she may be heading to the broodmare paddock.''
The Lutts (race 12) steps up from his mixture of lower-grade and amateur drivers' racing into the claimers, and his $10,000 claiming price has him on the outside of the front line. However, that does not worry Ottley greatly.
''It's probably a little bit of a step up in class, but you can't argue with the way he's been racing. He looks like you can do a little bit with him, so I don't think you have to drive him too pretty, which will help.''
