GREEN Hammerton harness racer Vicki Gill beating some of the best drivers from the United States in a special challenge race at York Harness raceway.

She was leading on the last bend on her home track with Direct Deal but was overhauled in the last 150 yards when back-marker Mick Welling put Blackwell Jerry in to overdrive in a charge up the stand rail to win by a length.

Britain completed a one-two-three over the Americans with Stephen Browell bringing home Finn McCool in third place.

Mike Ternisky, who led for two-thirds of the race with I'm No Fool was the leading American in fourth place.

Acomb professional trainer/driver Mick Lord won the Lower Grade final with Mister Hill. Earlier in the day he Mister Hill had dead-heated with Mick Welling's Magical Sign in their heat for the final.

Both clocked a cracking time of 2 minutes 04.3 secs.

The next meeting at York Harness raceway will be on July 5 when the 2003 Rising Stars Series begins. The following day it will host England's richest three-year-old race with prize money totalling £16,500, including a £1,000 handicap trotting race.

Updated: 09:01 Wednesday, June 18, 2003