Draw has Hewitt smiling

No wonder harness racing’s Gemma Hewitt cannot stop smiling.

Just days after winning her first Group One as a trainer, scoring with Keayang Kreuzer in the $100,000 Tab Regional Championship Final at Bathurst, Hewitt heads for Menangle tonight living the dream.

And it seems even the computer responsible for doing the barrier draws for these races is on her side as well.

Although unable to drive in tonight’s $100,000 Regional Championship State Final as well as the $25,500 Consolation due to having only a ‘B’ grade license, Hewitt’s two starters have both drawn the coveted pole position in both features, making them the ones to beat in both races.

Not bad for a popular young trainer that has just six horses in work at her father Bernie’s stables just outside of Bathurst.

With premier reinsman Luke McCarthy required for his wife Belinda’s stable runner Ilikemebettor ($2.75 favourite) in the State Final, Gemma turned to her housemate and close friend, who just happened to be this state’s premier reinswoman, Amanda Turnbull, to take the drive on her Group 1 hero Keayang Kreuzer, who should be able to take a forward position from gate one and be hard to beat over tonight’s 2300m journey.

Ironically, Gemma will be handing the reins over to Brad to pilot her other Menangle starter, Kash Us Back just over half an hour earlier in Race 5, the State Championships Consolation Final, also run over the 2300m.

“Kash Us Back ($2) has been installed as favourite for the Consolation after also drawing the pole and leading on the home turn in the Bathurst Final before being run down in the straight for a plucky third after a hard run.

“It was just amazing to win the Western Final and my first Group One,” said Hewitt.

“To win another at his next start would be the stuff that dreams are made of. It would be like winning the lottery.

“I can’t believe Keayang Kreuzer has drawn gate one again.

“It certainly puts him in with a chance.

“He’s been thriving since his win, and with 10 days between starts it works out just perfectly for us.

“But at this stage we can only dream!”

By Michael Court for HRNSW