McElhinney ready to raid the Breeders Challenge

Glenn McElhinney has won many feature races during a long and successful career as a harness racing reinsman.

There would not have been a season go past that the ace freelance driver has not been associated with an above-average pacer and he remains highly regarded by his peers as being one of the hardest to beat on the track.

This season McElhinney has teamed up with Menangle trainer Harry Martin and he is excited about the prospects of Titian Raider, who is one of the leading contenders for the three-year-old colts and geldings’ division of the New South Wales Breeders Challenge.

The son of Sunshine Beach has won 10 of his 25 race starts and has been placed on nine other occasions.

Two starts back he defeated a class field that included Rocket Boy and Tasty Delight in a Breeders Challenge heat at Penrith, booking his place in the semi-finals which will be held at Tabcorp Park Menangle on October 23. Watch the replay below:

“Early in his two-year-old preparation, many good judges had Titian Raider rated as one of the best of his age group in Australia,” said McElhinney.

“However, he went off a little towards the end of that preparation and Harry sent him for a spell.

“But when he came back in as a three-year-old he was bigger, stronger and a lot more mature and he just seems to be getting better with racing.

“His runs this time in have been super.

“Barrier draws have not been in his favour, yet he has been good enough to overcome them and beat a lot of talented horses along the way.”

Most of Titian Raider’s wins have been at Menangle where, on August 21, he posted a personal best time of 1.51.5 and last start, after finding the lead, he was brave when holding off a wall of late challengers.

“Harry is such a top trainer,” said McElhinney.

“He has put the polish on so many top horses during an extensive career and there is no doubt he will have this bloke at his best come finals time.”

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW