Mat Rue looking to put on a show at Parkes

Tonight (Jan. 26) is the conclusion of a busy month for Parkes Harness Racing Club when it hosts its’ traditional Australia Day meeting.

The club can proudly reflect on two successful meetings with their TAB Carnival Of Cups feature on New Year’s Eve and Elvis Festival meeting on January 4 both attracting huge crowds, rarely seen in modern times.

The Parkes Club promotes the three-meeting period as its Summer Carnival, and is confident that tonight’s meeting celebrating everything Australian will be just as popular with patrons.

On the track a solid eight-race program is scheduled but the night also plays host to the town’s annual yabby races, which concludes a day of social outings for the locals.

Bathurst trainer-driver Mat Rue will be looking to put on a show for the festive crowd with a strong book of six drives.

Rue established himself as the top driver that he has become by gaining good success around the Parkes circuit in the early days of his driving career and admits it is one of his favourite tracks.

A new acquisition to Rue’s stable is She Owns The Day, who will be sent out as the favoured runner in the opening event tonight, which appears to be an open affair.

The mare’s numerical form does not read all that well but she drops in class and Rue is quietly confident the six-year-old can go close to winning.

“The mare was in perfect condition when she came to me and I have just kept her ticking over,” said Rue.

“Her work has been solid since I have had her and she has struck a winnable race tonight, so I feel she can go close.

“Looking back over her last few starts you can probably come up with excuses for her defeats.

“So, if things go her way here, she should be thereabouts.”

Rue will combine with Aaron Williams later in the night when he takes the drive behind the regally-bred filly French Fleur.

Bred and owned by Luke and Belinda McCarthy, French Fleur is by Bling It On and is out of their former champion racemare Fleur De Lil.

The filly has huge shoes to fill but after drawing well to start from the pole, she appears to have sound claims in the Joe Dumesny Memorial (Race 6) with her main dangers all drawing poorly.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW