$100,000 Group 1 more than what was asked

Village Jot mare Yarraman Bella was sent to Brad Hewitt’s harness racing stables for one task.

And that was to get a fast time next to her name.

However, the five-year-old had other plans and added a Group 1 to her record when winning the $100,000 Riverina Mares Championship at Wagga on Saturday night.

“She’s done a super job,” said Hewitt who has had the mare for three starts.

“I really have to thank James (Sutton) and the owners for sending her down to me.

“They only sent her to me to get a fast time next to her name at Menangle and then this race come up.

“The Sutton family have done a great job with her and I’ve only had the easy job the last few weeks.”

Formerly trained by Lloyd and James Sutton, Yarraman Bella did all the work outside the leader in her recent success to beat Winona Writer by four metres in a rate of 1:55.3.

In her previous two starts with Hewitt, Yarraman Bella has finished second and only beaten by narrow margins.

“I was a bit worried tonight because last week she hit the front and waited for them,” said Hewitt.

That was Hewitt’s second Group 1 training success with Send It providing the 31-year-old Goulburn mentor his first training win at that level in last year’s TAB Regional State Final at Menangle.

It was Hewitt’s third Group 1 win as a driver.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink