Breeders Challenge series heats up at Bathurst

Four heats of the of the New South Wales Breeders Challenge for three-year-olds are the highlight at tonight’s (Oct. 12) Bathurst meeting with a host of Western District trainers vying for spots in the harness racing series semi-finals at Tabcorp Park Menangle on October 22.

Both Steve Turnbull and Bernie Hewitt are strongly represented at their home track but there are a number of smaller stables that have undeniable chances to qualify their youngsters for the state’s feature futurity races.

Visiting South Australian pacer Jawsoflincoln (Art Major) is an interesting visitor to Bathurst tonight, trained out of Naracoorte by Greg Scholefield.

The colt last raced at Globe Derby on September 24 when he scored an easy win, rating an impressive 1.56.4 for the 1800m trip.

Jawsoflincoln has drawn barrier one in his heat and will lose nothing by having the services of Sydney reinsman Blake Fitzpatrick in the gig.

His main threat appears to be Allstarzzz Frankie (Four Starzzz Shark), to be driven by Amanda Turnbull for her father Steve.

He bounced back into the winners’ circle at Eugowra, scoring a tough win in the Kenny Sharp Memorial after working hard in the run.

Amanda will drive in each of the four heats and appears to have a mortgage on the first fillies’ division when she will partner Pas De Cheval, also trained by Steve.

Popular local trainer Tony Higgs has again opted to jump off his smart filly Silk Cloud (Shadow Play) to allow John O’Shea to take the reins behind her in the second Breeders Challenge heat.

She has won eight of her 20 career starts and has proven to be a real gem for Higgs.

“She is a beautiful filly that has taken my family on another wonderful ride,” said Tony.

“We have been so fortunate, as back in 2002 we won the NSW Sires Stakes with Hannah McKenzie and then this filly was runner-up in this series last year.

“Hopefully if Silk Cloud qualifies for the final, she can go one better.

“Gate eight is not an ideal draw so JT will need to go forward on her.

“He knows well her trait of dropping the bit and he’ll be mindful of that.

“Fitness-wise she is spot-on so hopefully all goes well tonight and she can push through to the finals.”

For complete race fields, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW