Hewitt hoping to kick off in style at Goulburn

It is shaping as a busy week for Goulburn Harness Racing Club when it hosts feature race meetings both this afternoon (Apr. 23) and again next Sunday.

Regarded as one of the best 1000m tracks in New South Wales, this afternoon’s meeting has attracted horses from far and wide, with connections chasing the healthy prizemoney on offer.

The Goulburn Club’s TAB Carnival Of Cups meeting is programmed for next Sunday, the headline races being the Group 3 $30,000 Frank and Edna Day Memorial Cup and the $20,000 Goulburn Sapling Stakes for two-year-olds.

This afternoon’s nine-race program is an attractive prelude to next week’s Cup meeting with the Walla Walla Stakes and the Tom and Angela Hewitt Memorial drawing quality fields.

Local trainer-driver Brad Hewitt will be hoping to kick off the carnival in style with two leading hopes in today’s feature races.

The third-generation horseman from the talented Hewitt family, who originate from nearby Crookwell, Hewitt has had a successful start to the 2023 season with a 30 per cent winning strike rate, training a boutique team of pacers.

Hewitt has just one runner engaged this afternoon in the shape of Triple Four (American Ideal), who will contest the Download The Tab App Walla Walla Stakes (Race 6) but will drive in four of the nine races.

Triple Four comes up against a small but select field today and his Menangle form leading into the race has been strong.

“He has been racing well in town and our long-term plan has always been to aim him at races like this one today,” said Hewitt. 

“This Goulburn carnival is one we all look forward to each year and set our horses for. 

“There is nothing better than racing at home.” 

Like many of the Hewitt family members, Brad has a burning desire to win the memorial race that honours his grandparents.

This afternoon he combines with his father David when Bosch contests the Tom and Angela Hewitt Memorial (Race 8).

“It will be a great thrill for Dad and me if we are able to win Nan and Pop’s race,” he said.

“You strive to win memorial races named in honour of family members or close friends.

“There is just something special about it.”

David Hewitt has three runners in the Waratah heat (Race 9) and Brad has chosen to drive Arama Reactor.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW