The Goulburn Harness Racing Club will host the final of the $7,000 Tom Hewitt Memorial on Thursday afternoon as part of a very good 8 race programme. Tom Hewitt was a leading trainer in the Southern Tablelands winning the Canberra trainers’ premiership on numerous occasions and his highly successful ‘Lost River’ stables produced many quality performers including Karamea Value, King Rancio and Inter Dominion contender Nikalong Shadow.
The final, which is race 5 at 2.49pm, has drawn together a very strong field of up and coming horses. The Hewitt family is represented by two strong chances in David Hewitt’s Anna’s Ace and Bernie Hewitt’s Kennedy Creek.
Favourite for the event will be the Michael Hardy trained and driven Amazing Spirit who qualified for the final by taking out last fortnight’s heat No 2 in impressive fashion. The 4yo Strong Life mare was trapped 3 wide for the first 900m before finding the position outside the leader 800m from home. She then fought her way to the front before straightening and fighting off all challengers to stop the clock in a very good 1:59.6 mile rate.
Anna’s Ace who will be driven by Tom Hewitt’s grandson Samuel was equally impressive coming from well behind to score an easy win for her owner Kenny Hewitt of Grabben Gullen. The 4yo Aces N Sevens mare returned the fastest time of the 3 heats when recording a 1.59.5 mile rate.
Inuit Lady for club president Dennis Day was the other heat winner in the good time of 2:00.5. Driven by leading reinsman Neil Day, the Presidential Ball mare went straight to the front when scoring an untouched win from Bernie Hewitt’s Kennedy Creek who was having his first race start.
Each of the three heat winners have drawn barriers on the second row which will open up the event and add some betting value for punters.
In the first race of the day, the $5,000 Goulburn Soldiers Club 2yo Pace, the Dennis Day trained Whatifwhynot resumes from a short spell after having finished 2nd at his first start. He has drawn barrier 7 and with the speed to cross looks the hardest to beat. The strongest danger is the Neil Day trained Treuative who has nice trial form.
The $2,000 Puffin on the Park Pace for R0 horses is race 2 and has drawn together a field of even horses. Alfie Nik for Bernie Hewitt has been close up at his most recent runs and from the 1 barrier will be hard to beat. Zaphod for Frank O’Sullivan has had a couple of runs back from a spell and could prove value at long odds.
Race 3 is the $5,000 Crookwell Combined Businesses Pace for C0 pacers over 1710m. A number of these runners have performed well at Menangle in recent weeks including the Graham Moon trained Mordor. Last start he was a close up 5th to No Outlaw and should prove hard to beat with Lombo Lockenkey the biggest danger.
The $5000 Goulburn Carpet Court Pace for 3yo’s is race 4 of the afternoon and Uneek Bella with Amy Day can repeat her last start long shot win. On that occasion the filly started at better than 30/1 odds when she raced away to score easily. The stable mate Billy Badlands has finished in the money at both his starts and can repeat those efforts here.
Race 6 is the $5,000 Top Water Carters Pace for C0‐C3 mares and Miss Rustic Rose for Peter Morris of Menangle looks very well place. At her last start she competed against Carousel class horses and she will appreciate the drop in class. Hardest to beat look to be Jessiemine for Brian Hancock and the Graham Moon trained Im Leza De.
The $5,000 Crookwell Veterinary Hospital Pace is race 7 and a good field of fast class horses will do battle. Kimberly Street for David Hewitt can break back into the winner’s circle following some recent unplaced runs. Last start she wasn’t beaten far when 6th to Just Plain Crazy and looks well place in this event. Hardest to beat could be Bylong Astar and Finn.
The final race is the $5,000 Goulburnpaceway.com.au Pace with a capacity field of C1 to C2 horses engaged. Danny Roger for Peter Morris has drawn wide on the track but should prove too strong for the opposition. The danger could be Woodybegood and Sorry I Aint.
