Strong attack on Breeders Challenge series

Shoulda Passed (For A Reason) and McLean (Bettor’s Delight) provided the quinella in the first colts and geldings heat of the New South Wales Breeders Challenge at Dubbo  for harness racing owners Wayne and Julie Loader and they will be hoping that the result is a sign of things to come throughout the series.

The Loaders are rapidly becoming recognised amongst the highest profile owners in the country and were most satisfied with their one-two finish last Friday night (Sep. 2).

Their number one trainer Bernie Hewitt puts the polish on Shoulda Passed who came over the top of his rivals to score a last stride win in a fast 1:56.7 with Olivia Frisby at the reins while McClean dived through to grab second for his trainer-driver Mat Rue.

“There is a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and October,” said Wayne Loader.

“But it is very exciting to have both horses heading that way and we look forward to see how they will measure up throughout the series.

“It is great to quinella any race, but we were over the moon to achieve it in a feature race like that.

“Bernie has Shoulda Passed absolutely flying.

“He has always been an honest fella that gets through his work and is now really putting it all together.

“Olivia summed up the race perfectly and timed her run well to get him home.

“Mclean went great also. He had a nice run and hit the line hard when he got clear. He has a great racing style, but still has a lot to learn.

“We are hoping that the penny fully drops with him soon and then we will see the best of him.”

The Loaders are excited over the prospects of Rippin Rupert which they own in partnership with Lex Crosby from Forbes.

He won the Sapling Stakes at Tabcorp Park Menangle back in March but was sent for a spell following a minor injury.

“We are all really excited to see how Rupert returns,” said Loader.

“It does seem as though he has recovered well from the injury and Bernie is confident that he will be ready to contest the Breeders Challenge heats in a few weeks time.

“We were gutted when he had to miss the Gold Crown, but hopefully he can put that behind him and have a solid campaign this time around. ”

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW