Big Shadow and Robbie Morris take out 2023 Hewitt Memorial
Harness racing enthusiasts from across the region came together at the Goulburn Paceway on Sunday to witness the running the $14,500 Goulburn Soldiers Club Tom & Angela Hewitt Memorial.
Honoring the memory of Tom & Angela Hewitt, the afternoon of racing was a huge success with punters trying their luck on a bumper 9 race program while donating funds for the charitable works of the Crookwell Community Trust.
Proudly sponsored by the Goulburn Soldiers Club, the Hewitt Memorial saw a capacity field of 10 horses compete over the testing 2240 metre journey.
Big Shadow from the Menangle stables of KerryAnn Morris was sent out the public elect at $2.40 over the locally trained Thats Art for David Hewitt.
Driven by Robbie Morris, Big Shadow charged out from his gate four position to find the front passing the winning post on the first occasion. From the pole he controlled the tempo sprinting home the last half mile in an impressive 55 seconds (27.3 & 27.7) to hold off all challenges.
“He went really good; he’s always shown above average ability” said driver Robbie Morris.
“The Hewitt Memorial is such a good race to win. The Hewitt family, and through the Pickers, they are spread far and they’re all friends of mine. It was great to win” explained Robbie.
As to the racing plans for Big Shadow, Robbie added “The horse was broken in as a late two-year-old, and he’s improving all the time, so we’ll now aim him to the Regional Championships series”.
With a large contingent of the Hewitt family present, the winner was sashed with a garland of flowers, and driver Robbie Morris presented with a dress rug and trophy
Second across the line was the David Hewitt trained Thats Art. Driven by son Brad Hewitt, Thats Art put up an enormous effort to come from last at the bell and be beaten 10 metres.
Moving up to be 5 and 6 horses wide as the leader approached the home straight, Thats Art spotted Big Shadow at least 20 metres before charging home to grab a 10 metre second. The effort was made all the better given the fast 27.7 seconds split for last quarter of the race.
The afternoon also saw the Download The TAB App Today Walla Walla Stakes honouring the memory of the famous pacer who is buried at the Goulburn Paceway,
Veteran trainer Harry Martin, who was represented by three runners, prepared the winner Double Act who led throughout to score with ease.
Starting a popular $2.70 second favourite, Double Act was cleverly driven by David Morris who secured a moderate first half of 58.8 seconds before sprinting home in a good 55.8 seconds.
“Once he got to the front, there was no pressure early, so I knew we were on,” said Morris. “He won with the ear plugs still in and hit the line superbly” he added.
The afternoon also saw the Benstud Standardbreds NSW Aub Frost Memorial conducted with the Neil Day trained and driven King Tintin winning in impressive manner.
A handsome chestnut, the three-year-old settled in the second half of the field as the leader Il Bandito set a fast pace. Chasing hard, King Tintin closed the gap in the back straight before surging to the front to win in a new three-year-old track record mile rate of 1:53.9.
“He’s a very nice horse, who has always shown a lot of ability” said trainer Neil Day.
“I had to kid glove him as a two-year-old, but now that he has matured a little and is stronger, we’re hoping he can go around in some of the better three-year-old races” he added.
Also on the program was the Top Water Carters Crookwell Robert Allport Memorial which was taken out by the Scott Hewitt trained and driven Arena Queen.
Starting at the good odds of $4, Arena Queen confirmed her good form of late by charging home from the second half of the field to win narrowly from the favourite For The Boss and Nowherenearcrazy.
Owned by David and Maree Hewitt, Arena Queen has been in career best form under the care of Scott Hewitt and recorded a smart 1:55.7 mile rate.
Goulburn harness racing is kindly supported Tabcorp, Goulburn Soldiers Club, Hollingworth Crane Hire Service, Sun Solutions Goulburn, Benstud Standardbreds Crookwell, Haras Des Trotteurs, Goulburn Hay Supplies, Seib Racing, RSM Accountants, ASPIRE Traffic Offenders Course, and a host of smaller businesses including Top Water Carters Crookwell, Luke O’Brien Electrical, First National Real Estate Goulburn, Nutrien AG Solutions, J A Communications, Crust Gourmet Pizza, and Glen Mia ACT Saddlery.
For all the latest Goulburn harness racing news visit the club’s website at www.goulburnpaceway.com.au and don’t forget to like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/goulburnpaceway/ and on Twitter https://twitter.com/GoulburnHarness
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