Sight set on Carnival of Cups raid

Hunter Valley horseman Clayton Harmey has set his sights on harness racing’s Carnival of Cups at Armidale and will head there on Sunday with five horses, his main mission being to contest the qualifying heats of the Gig Series.

Harmey has three of his pacers contesting the heats and believes his classy three-year-old Comet Crusader can win his heat and go on to be the one to beat in the final.

“The Armidale club does a wonderful job with their two-day carnival, and I make an effort to support them each year,” said Harmey.

“You can never knock back racing for good prizemoney and it is a bonus if you take home a new sulky, should you happen to win.

“I have horses in all three heats of the Gig series and I hope they can all qualify for the final.

“Looking at the fields, I do feel that Comet Crusader has the class edge on his opposition, so he should take a lot of beating.”

Last start Comet Crusader ran third in a heat of the Gold Chalice at Bathurst behind the well-credentialed Saint Veran, who rated a fast 1:54.9 mile rating.

The three-year-old is engaged in the opening race and heat this afternoon.

“Comet Crusader has had a good campaign this season and I thought his run at Bathurst was super and before that he raced consistently at Newcastle,” said Harmey.

He was also quite bullish about the chances of his other heat runners, Western Rikki and Union Liz.

“Western Rikki has only had the two runs for our stable and I have been rapt in the way he has performed.

“His first-up win at Tamworth was impressive as he won by almost 18 metres and then last time out at Newcastle his run was full of merit as they ran fast time and he ran home well to finish second.

“Union Liz is blessed with a lot of gate speed and should be able to take advantage of that from gate three.

“Blake Hughes (reinsman) will be instructed to lead on her and take luck out of the equation.”

“Hopefully, we can leave Armidale with a truckload of winners.

“But either way it is always a great day out up there and I’m keen to support the club.”

To view the fields for Armidale on Sunday click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW