Group 1 races galore

Four Group 1 harness racing features highlight the third night of the TAB Carnival of Miracles at Menangle this Saturday night.

Arguably, this year’s Carnival has drawn together some of the best fields ever assembled at the venue which will culminate with the running of the $1million Miracle Mile on March 5.

This weekend the Pryde’s Easyfeeds Queen Elizabeth II Ladyship Mile and the John Gibson Memorial New South Wales Oaks both carry $200,000 in stakes and are supported by the $100,000 Schweppes Sprint and the Allied Express Sprint which are qualifying events for next week’s Garrard’s Miracle Mile.

And the plethora of feature races does not end there as three heats of the NSW Derby and the Pink Bonnet for the two-year-old fillies will add to a memorable night of racing.

Bathurst horseman Doug Hewitt was hoping that his up and coming star The Mustang would gain a start in the Sprint races, but he failed to do so.

Despite this, Hewitt is excited over what the future holds for the gelding and is confident that The Mustang will be there in future years.

“Competing against the better horses is all a learning curve for my bloke. We have only raced him sparingly, but what he has shown us from racing consistently at Menangle is that he is better for the experience. He has run three second placings at headquarters this time in and I have no doubt he will break through for a win there soon,” Hewitt explained.

“These Carnivals are great to be a part of. It is a real buzz and great atmosphere when you get to the races, and you get to compete against the best in the business.”

Hewitt will drive Tinsel Tiara in the Pink Bonnet, a filly that ran third on debut at Bathurst last Wednesday night.

Doug is back at Bathurst tonight and believes that his has three winning chances.

“I really think each of my three drives are winning chances.”

“ Jungle Baby (race 3) pleased me with two strong wins at Blayney, earlier in the month while Dunno Jo (race 1) is much better drawn and should improve vastly on his two previous runs .”

“I am driving first starter Cash And Bling later in the night for Micky Muscat. Her two trials to date have been quite good.”

To view the upcoming Australian meetings click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW