Driver has his eyes on the prize

Milstones within Hunter Valley harness racing circles have been a common theme over the past few seasons.

Only last week Clayton Harmey brought up his 1000th winner as a trainer when Mitsi Gaynor (Sweet Lou) scored at Newcastle, and it was his number one driver Blake Hughes that was in the sulky.

Just two days later, again at Newcastle, Blake’s partner Grace Panella also achieved a significant milestone when she was able to drive her 100th career winner aboard Beatboxer (Well Said).

Now Hughes himself is hoping he can emulate Grace’s feat before the season ends on December 31.

With seven weeks of 2022 remaining, the 100-win target is not out of his reach as he needs just 13 wins to get there.

Hughes previously achieved a century of winners during the 2019/20 season when he drove 121 winners, a significant effort in his short career.

“It would be great if I were able to get there again,” said Hughes.

“I will be taking every drive offered to me over the next seven weeks to give it my best shot, so I will see how I go.

“Clayton has been a real driving force behind my success, and I cannot thank him enough.

“But there have also been a lot of other trainers who have supported me, something I am most appreciative of.”

Hughes has an important assignment tomorrow night (Nov. 12) at Tabcorp Park Menangle where he will partner Saint Crusader (Courage Under Fire) in the New South Wales Breeders Challenge Blue final for three-year-old colts and geldings.

The colt narrowly won the two-year-olds’ edition of the Blue series in 2021 and Hughes believes the defending champion provides him with a realistic chance of securing his first Group 1 winner after drawing favourably in gate four.

“From the draw, he gets his chance to win,” said the young reinsman.

“This is a race we have had earmarked for him for some time.

“Hopefully, things will fall into place for us in the run and I can get him home.”

Blake will first concentrate on tonight’s (Nov. 11) Newcastle meeting, where he has six drives.

His first comes up in Race 3 when he again partners last start winner Mitsi Gaynor, who is racing in top form.

The four-year-old mare has to overcome a second-line draw tonight but does have class on her side.

For complete race fields for Newcastle, click here.

For complete fields for Menangle, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW