Misterfire on target for Joseph Clark

The Courage Under Fire entire, which Clark part-bred and owns from his mare Miss Charge, won in 1:57.8 at Newcastle Paceway on Saturday night.

All of his starts so far have come at Newcastle with Morisset-based trainer-driver Mark Callaghan in the gig.

Clark, 53, has been involved in harness racing all his life and is the son of former prominent trainer Doug Clark. He has only ever had a couple in work and is keen to see how far Misterfire can go after the promising start at Newcastle.

“He’s a late foal and he’s still very immature, but he’s got to a C2 class reasonably quickly,” Clark said.

“The plan is to take him down to a Tuesday Menangle meeting, where I think the big track will help him.

“He’s only an honest type and I think he will be a better five year old because he’s a had a few issues.”

Clark said Misterfire “gets on his knees a bit” but some remedial shoeing work has improved his racing and the wide open Menangle track would suit.

Visiting driver Blake Fitzpatrick dominated on Saturday night at Newcastle with wins on Leonidas, Lexus With A View, Pat Stanley and Tavewa Sunset.

On Friday night, former Hunter combination Shane and Lauren Tritton had a treble at Menangle with MY Sweetchilliphilly, Franco Nelson and Reaza Grunter.

On Monday, Maitland will hold a nine-race meeting from 1pm.

By Craig Kerry

Reprinted with permission of the Newcastle Herald