Ark Sea out to turn Breeders Challenge success into Eureka opportunity

Goulburn harness racing trainer Sam Hewitt is hoping that the upcoming Nutrien Equine NSW Breeders Challenge Series finals can be a springboard into the $1.5 million TAB Eureka considerations for his bonny filly Ark Sea (Stay Hungry).

Rated as the best three-year-old filly in the state, Hewitt is currently focussing on getting Ark Sea through Saturday night’s Breeders Challenge semi final at Menangle where she is a $1.60 favourite to make her way through to the Group 1 final the following week.

Providing that all runs smoothly through her Breeders Challenge campaign, Hewitt and the filly’s connections have indicated that they would love to gain a slot in the richest pacing event in the world, the TAB Eureka and believe that she has what it takes to mix it with the elite lineup that will assemble for the November 21 feature.

“Obviously her main goal is to contest the Breeders Challenge series and fingers crossed make it into the final,” Hewitt said.

“All things being equal she should be a prominent player in it but looking forward we would love to be considered for a spot in the Eureka.

“She is in great shape, and I expect her to perform well tomorrow night.

“As expected, it is a strong field in the semi-final, and should she qualify for the final we are well-aware that she will be up against some really nice fillies.”

Ark Sea sealed off preparations for the Saturday night’s race with a run at a fortnight ago at Wagga, defeating older horses and rating a fast 1.51.4.

As has been a customary trait in her juvenile seasons, the daughter of Stay Hungry has shown her customary blinding early speed and dictated from the front end in the majority of her races, but the hit out at Wagga gave Hewitt and her regular driver Will Rixon the chance to sit her off the speed and come with the one run, proving the filly is no one trick pony as she dashed past a few quality fast class pacers to score impressively.

 

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW