CHRIS Holder has retained the Australian Championship after a dramatic series decider at Mildura.Poole star Holder started the third round four points behind new Peterborough signing Troy Batchelor, who had won the previous two events.

CHRIS Holder has retained the Australian Championship after a dramatic series decider at Mildura.

Poole star Holder started the third round four points behind new Peterborough signing Troy Batchelor, who had won the previous two events.

But Batchelor failed to reach the Final, allowing Holder to overturn the deficit and take the Championship, with Darcy Ward and Rory Schlein completing the top four.

Holder said: "I really had to fight for this one. This is a big track and everyone is really quick here so to make the final itself is a pretty good effort and having to go out and win it, there was a bit of pressure there.

"Now that the Championship is done, I'll just send some stuff back to England and start getting ready for that season, I don't think I have to be back there until March so I'll just rest up until then and get ready.”