Goulburn’s Memorial Hewitt day sees keen racing

The Goulburn club staged their annual Tom and Angela Memorial Day and despite only a six event harness racing program the racing was keenly contested with the Trotters Cup another highlight of the day. A good crowd was in attendance for the Sunday afternoon fixture.

Evergreen local trotter Jungle Eyes (Peak Dnk) returned to winning form with a faultless display to take out the Benstud Standardbreds Crookwell Goulburn Trotters Cup on Sunday afternoon.

The seven year old gelding who has been a familiar face in trotters races at Menangle was on his best behaviour as he strode to the front for driver James Locke and from then on controlled a steady pace in the lead.

The only interstate performer Our Marvella was strongly supported into favouritism and driver Brad Hewitt was able to sit behind the leader while Valley Star was three back on the rails. Former top juvenile Maximus Meridius was caught outside the leader.

Both Valley Star and Our Marvella tried to rally down the home straight but Jungle Eyes was travelling well enough to hold them both off and record 2.03.4 for the 2240 metres.

Raced by his breeders Steven and Suzan Lee who are based at Crookwell, Jungle Eyes is an all family affair as he was driven by their grandson James Locke.

The Super Maiden saw the first time appearance of Emperor (Captaintreacherous) who could not have been more impressive in winning at his debut. Raced by his breeder Mick Harvey who is the proprietor of Harnesslink, Emperor is trained by Luke McCarthy and was driven by Jack Callaghan.

The three year old colt started on the outside of the front row and after working to the lead toyed with his rivals. A third quarter of 27.8 seconds and unextended as he reached the finishing post suggests that Emperor will be prominent in the forthcoming three year old features.

The Goulburn Soldiers Club Tom and Angela Hewitt Memorial could not have been better scripted with an Hewitt finish as a result.

PRECISE 1 FEB REPLAY

Brad Hewitt was driving the favourite Precise (Captain Crunch) who threaded her way through the field from her second row draw. The Sam Hewitt trained and Will Rixon driven Refusal took the trail behind the early leader Angus Finn while Siren Sea driven by David Hewitt was one out and two back.

Taking advantage of the slow pace Brad Hewitt took off on Precise and was content to race outside the leader. The field jammed up in the back straight and Precise worked to the lead but both Siren Sea and Miki Be Good issued strong challenges out wide. Refusal who was able to work around the tiring Angus Finn went for the inside run. In a driving finish Refusal looked as if she might get up but Precise showed plenty of heart in winning by half a head from Refusal a head away third just in front of Miki Be Good.

Precise rated 1.59.5 for the 2240 metre trip.

Precise is raced by prominent owner Mick Boots. A lightly raced four year old she has already won at Menangle and displays plenty of promise.

The performance of runner up Refusal was also first class and this similarly lightly raced four year old mare is bound for better prospects for the future.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink