George’s Plains trainer-driver Bernie Hewitt will be gunning for a sixth Canola Cup after guiding Lex Crosby’s I’m With Lexy to a comfortable heat win at Eugowra on Sunday.
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The four-year-old $2.50 favourite led from virtually start to finish in the Chris’ Bakery Canola Cup heat one over 2100 metres, holding off Belligerence and Our Chittybangbang to win by a touch over a metre and firm as one of the trotters to beat heading into the long weekend’s rich Cup race.
He’s confident I’m With Lexy, a mare coming off a second in Dubbo before Sunday’s heat win at Eugowra in just two starts after a spell, will be one of the trotters setting the pace in the final.
“She got to the front early, there was a bit of trouble inside, but she ran along well, even sections, and then managed to hold them off at the other end,” Hewitt said looking back at Sunday’s heat win.
“All’s going good. I’m pretty happy with where she’s at.”
Giving Hewitt plenty of cause for optimism is the Cup draw, with the mare out of Lexy’s Laughing and by Roll With Joe USA securing barrier one for Monday’s final.
“We’ve come up with a gun draw,” he said. “She’s got reasonably good gate speed. I’d expect her to be on the speed.”
Hewitt said he was always happy to be in the running to win a race he says is one of the best run by a small club in NSW.
“It’s a race I set one or two for each year,” he added.
“It’s the richest CO in the country and has been for a number of years. The small country club does a marvelous job.
“(The field) looks exceptional. A number of trainers have come from far and wide and a couple of impressive heat winners and qualifiers.”
Inner Light NZ, the $1.50 favourite driven by Brad Hewitt, claimed honours in Sunday’s second Canola Cup heat.
Heat 3 (Sunday’s Race 5) was taken out by Amanda Turnbull and Eliza Dushku NZ. The bay mare was $1.50 favourite starting the 2100m pace.
The fourth Canola Cup Heat went to Miss Patriot, trained by Kevin Pizzuto and driven by Todd McCarthy.
Pay Me Sam, trained and driven by Brad Hewitt, secured his place in the final with a win in Heat 5 on Sunday.
Picnic day
All are welcome to head to Eugowra’s racetrack on the public holiday Monday to enjoy country racing “at its best”.
There’s all the fun of a picnic race day including a hotly-contested fashions on the field with $1000 in prizes.
Entry on the day costs $10 per adult, $6 for a pensioner under 16s free.
Gate entry puts you into the draw to win a trip to Queenstown NZ or a ride in the back of the mobile during a race. The racebook is your entry into the draw for a new Toyota.
There’s loads of free entertainment for all ages on course throughout the day.
There’ll be teacup rides, jumping castle and entertainment with Pooka, a live band, face painting, sand art and horse-drawn carriage rides.
The inflatable bouncing pony races return, dash for cash and much more to keep you entertained. Both coffee and ice cream will be available on course.
Meeting-goers will be able to support CanAssist Forbes on the day, through donations or by supporting the raffle for a 55” smart TV. Donations toward other raffle prizes would be welcome, contact Eugowra Harness Racing Club through Facebook.
Other races on Monday are the: $12,000 Alabar - Don Tildsley Memorial, $10,000 Heats of the C1/C4 Eugowra to TABCORP Menangle and the $7,000 Mick Rawsthorne Memorial.
Fields released Wednesday. For more details on the event go online to www.eugowraharnessracing.com
