In form Jack ready to collect Group 3 success

Up and coming junior harness racing driver Jack Brown will chase his biggest win to date when he partners classy two-year-old filly My Stella Rose (Warrawee Needy) in Friday night’s (Dec. 9) Mates4Harness Group 3 Eastern Regional NSW Breeders Challenge Final at Newcastle.

Trained at Llandilo by Allan Ellul, My Stella Rose scored a narrow last-stride win over Threebushelsofoats in last Friday’s qualifying heat at Newcastle and after drawing favourably in gate two for the final will again be hard to beat.

Brown, who is driving in career-best form, landed a double at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Tuesday and is heading into this weekend’s racing excited about his prospects.

“It is a busy weekend coming up, most of them are these days, and I am really looking forward to contesting some of the upcoming feature races,” said Brown

“My drive in the fillies feature at Newcastle is exciting.

“I was impressed with My Stella Rose’s heat win last Friday and she has drawn perfectly to give the final a real shake.

“I am very grateful to have been given the chance to take the reins on her and hopefully we can get the job done.”

But before that, Brown will compete at Thursday night’s Penrith meeting where he has four drives, including one for his father David aboard War Western.

“It is always good to get back on board one for dad,” said brown.

“My family gave me the best grounding in the game and when we do team up it gives me a special feeling.

“Dad does not have the biggest team, but he does a great job with his horses.

“War Western possess his fair share of ability.

“Still, he has drawn gate seven tonight, which will make his task quite hard.

“I can only hope there is some early speed in the race and then things might open up late for us to run home.”

Brown’s best winning chance is The Tiger Army, drawn ideally in gate one in the Merv Adams Memorial.

The gelding has been runner-up at his past two outings.

The best bet at Penrith comes up in Race 1 where the Leon Jurd-trained mare Kissed By A Rose should get all the favours coming out of gate one.

The last-start Menangle winner will be driven by in-form reinsman Chris Geary.

For complete fields for Penrith, click here.

For complete fields for Newcastle, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW