The chase for the Premiership lead is on

It has been a frantic time for prominent young harness racing reinsman Jack Callaghan.

Callaghan has been a frequent flyer, travelling between Sydney and Brisbane for the Sunshine State’s Winter Carnival where he bagged plenty of winners including the listed Queen of Hearts Stakes aboard Fairy Tinkabell (Big Jim), a mare that he is building a great affinity with.

The 20-year-old is now back home and will focus on the New South Wales Drivers Premiership where he sits in second spot with 101 winners, 10 in arrears of his main rival and good mate Cameron Hart.

Callaghan is well aware that he has an arduous task ahead of him to cut down the margin but is philosophical that with some lucky breaks it is not impossible.

“Cam is a freakish driver who goes out there and makes it happen,” Callaghan said.

“I see firsthand just how hard he works to be at the top of his craft and his results speak for themselves.”

“It will be a challenging task for me to catch him in the Premiership race, but nothing is impossible. If things go my way and I can have a couple of good nights at the track the deficit can be whittled down quite easily.”

“We are really good mates off the track but at the same time are the fiercest of competitors on it. I am looking forward to seeing what unfolds over the next few months.”

Callaghan has five drives at Penrith on Thursday (Aug. 4) and is quietly confident that he can land winner or two on the program.

The Michael Doltoff-trained Promiseland (Bettors Delight) appears to be Jack’s best chance in race eight.

The well-performed filly took out the Group 2 Pink Bonnet Stakes at Tabcorp Park Menangle early in the season and she returns from a short let up.

“She is a really nice filly that has drawn ideally first up.”

“I do not think she will have things all her own way as there are a few nice horses in the race, but she is classy and that should be enough to get her home.”

“The Sloys Company and their trainer Mick Doltoff always have lovely horses. I am just fortunate that they offer me drives on them and I always know that they are up to the mark and ready to go.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW