The Steve Turnbull trained 4yo Im Blue Double Dee and Goulburn’s Amy Day combined to take out the $7,000 Tom Hewitt Memorial last Monday week. In a thrilling finish, the winner had the narrow margin of half a neck to spare when they hit the finish line.
Driving in the best form of her career, Amy settled the handsome grey horse towards the back of the field whilst the Brad Hewitt driven Shez All Magic took up the running and led the field at a steady pace. At the bell the Luke McCarthy trained favourite Sanjaya was the first to make a move and commenced a three wide run with Amy following it for the cart home.
Passing the 600m mark the pair was still back in sixth place in a three wide position but only a few lengths in arrears. Reaching the 400m point, Shez All Magic was quickly collared by firstly Western River and then Sanjaya; Im Blue Double Dee and Amy bided their time and as Sanjaya hit the front on entering the home straight, Amy urged the $10.70 runner up to join the lead and in a driving finish drew slowly clear of the favourite to score convincingly.
The winner returned an impressive mile rate of 1:58.2 for the testing 2240m journey. Sanjaya held on strongly with Turnbull’s second runner No Ah Jack finishing fast to take the 3rd place position. Post-race, winning connections were joined by the Hewitt family where the winner was presented with a clock trophy and rug.
Racing at the Goulburn Paceway now takes a short respite with the next meeting being held on Monday the 30th July, 2012.
AP & H TROTTING COMMITTEE NEWS
Last Thursday evening the Trotting Committee met at the Crookwell Hotel Motel to hold its Annual General Meeting. All positions were vacated and following nominations the meeting determined Mr. John Handley as President. He will be joined by Mr. Robert Allport as committee Secretary and Mr. Mark Croatto as the Race Day Secretary.
After many years as the Committee’s President, Mr. Tom Fahey declined nomination. The Committee is indebted for his contribution to trotting in Crookwell. The Crookwell Show Trots are schedule for Sunday afternoon the 10th February, 2013.
The 2013 Crookwell Show details can be accessed here http://www.crookwellshow.com.au/index.php
OTHER HARNESS RACING NEWS
Whilst the Hewitt Memorial day failed to produce any local winners that has not been the case in the last week. The David Hewitt stable were successful with the well performed Ark Alencon at Menangle last Tuesday, whilst the Rob Allport owned Modern Dancer proved far too strong for the opposition in a head of the 2yo fillies Breeders Challenge Heats held at Bathurst on Wednesday evening.
Having only her 6th start, the Modern Art filly started the $3.40 favourite following her impressive first up run at Young the week before. Driven with confidence by David Hewitt, the filly charged forward at the start to take up the running where she led the field a merry dance.
At the finish she had a length to spare from the Mark Hewitt trained and driven Chloes Venture with Laaganoosh in third spot. The brown filly has now booked a spot in the $25,000 semifinals which will be held at Tabcorp Park Menangle on the 9th of June.
