HARNESS RACING: It has certainly been an interesting year for the Parkes Harness Racing Club.
Almost 12 months ago the racing industry was rocked by an outbreak of equine influenza.
While it was devastating news, at that stage it is doubtful if anybody would have predicted how long it would put the horse racing game out of action or how much it would cost the industry and the Government financially.
For the Parkes club the situation went from bad to worse.
Firstly participants were locked out of the showground and then when the virus rampaged through the district, club officials realised that their plans to celebrate the centenary of the club on the Elvis weekend in January were doomed.
It took a long and disappointing six months for racing to return to the Parkes Showground Paceway but it returned on March 1 and the club hasn’t looked back since.
Undoubtedly the highlight has been the celebration of 100 years since the club was formed which put Parkes in the spotlight on May 17 when possibly the best line-up of horses to have ever assembled here raced for more than $60,000 in prize money and trophies.
This Saturday night marks the end of the shortened season and a number of the seasonal premierships will be decided by the five races on the twilight program.
Only two of the eight awards have been decided with Nathan Townsend assured of the Byrne Clothing Leading Local Driver Award and champion entire, Stature, the Bill Chester Memorial Stallion of the Season, an award he has won on a number of occasions.
Racing commences at 5.10pm with the running of the Col Fletcher Ford Pace (2040m).
Mark Hewitt has half a chance of catching Nathan Hurst in the Cunningham’s IGA Drivers Premiership and could grab a handy five points with Holmes Kay Jay in the opening event.
The gelding is working up to a win after three placings at Parkes and Wagga.
On each occasion he has only been narrowly beaten, and drops slightly in grade.
His danger is Nikalongboulevard (Michael Hardy) who boasts similar good form.
She was placed third in the same races as Holmes Kay Jay at Parkes and then travelled to Menangle where she was far from disgraced in running fourth.
Visiting Riverina pair Phantom Grant (David Kennedy) and Imapacificone (Ray Walker) have sound claims from their front-line draws while the Brett Hutchings-trained and reined Mihailovich also has claims following his well-deserved win at Dubbo last start which followed a run of minor placings.
n n n
Ray Walker has a slender chance of catching Kevin Hurst in the Chester The Chick Trainer’s Premiership and one of his trump cards could be Barabas in the Medlyn’s Auto Services and Castrol Oils Pace (2040m).
He is a last-start Parkes winner where he led throughout for a solid win.
His only unplaced run in eight starts this season was two starts back at Wagga which puzzled his trainer.
Golden Super poses as the main threat provided he puts his best foot forward.
He only started his racing career back in late March but has notched up six wins since then.
But he can be a bit wayward and has finished back in the field at his past two outings.
Old stager Kenny Cruise (Nathan Townsend) is having his 150th start and has claims following three placings from his past five runs.
Illthinkofone (Jeremy Lamb) and Steffie Kelly (Brett Hutchings) both have good recent form and have to be given consideration.
n n n
Forbes-trained mare Roulette Rhythm (Ian Quirk) is very suited by the conditions of the Tony’s Golf House Pace.
The combination of the 1660-metre journey and a barrier two draw suggests that she will take some running down.
Her win here a fortnight ago was very impressive when she came from last and smashed her rivals.
She then ran home well from near last to finish second at Dubbo.
Cruisin Jake (Ben Greenhalgh) is an enigmatic pacer who, on his night, would be the testing material.
He was a Dubbo winner five runs ago and has run some handy races since including a fourth placing here on July 19.
In an open race, other chances include Manhattan Mover who could secure the Reflection Jewellers Leading Under 23 Driver Award for Bathurst youngster, John O’Shea, Geeigh Geoff (Mark Hewitt), Nash Street Matt (Doug Lee) Highland Olive (Tony Beath), Strong Intent (Darren Harris) and Hion Speed (Brett Hutchings).
####
Wheoga Jack scored an impressive win at Parkes on July 12 and backed that up with a good third at Wagga six days later.
He is the horse to beat in the Golden Gait Stud Three Year Old Pace (2040m) and is another plumb drive for Mark Hewitt.
But he will have some strong opposition from Superstar Lady (Michael Hardy), who ran a top race when second at Menangle last Monday.
Bathurst filly, Alfajiri (Brad Kelly) has run some eye catching races this season and appeared a touch unlucky when third here last start while Ray Walker’s Our Ellen has been racing well with two second placings here during July followed by a fifth placing at Wagga in smart company.
####
The 2008 season ends with the running of the Keith Thomson Appeal 6th September Pace (1660m) and Rileys Road (Jason Turnbull) gets his chance to break through for a win.
It is now more than 12 months since he entered the winner’s circle but he always ends up in or near the placegetters.
Michiko Wahini (Steve Dowton) ran her best race for a while when second to Imapacificone on July 12 and her opponents aren’t as talented this time around which gives her a strong chance of winning.
Of the others, Stamos Princess (Brett Hutchings), Butters Heir (Gary McCormick) and Greece (Robert Hammond) are all chances.
Email a friend
Favourites
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
StumbleUpon
MySpace
Reddit
Newsvine
LinkedIn
Kwoff