Driving for luck in $100,000 Group 1

Driving for luck has worked out reasonably well so far, so why change tactics?

That’s the theory from harness racing trainer Keith Kenna ahead of Saturday night’s Regional Championships State Final at Club Menangle.

Kenna will represented in the Group One by consistent pacer, Barrett (Bettors Delight), which earned his position in the field with an eye-catching third in last week’s Riverina Final.

Barrett made his way into the provincial decider thanks to his second behind Western Style in his heat.

Thrilled with Barrett’s performances, Kenna is quietly confident the Australian Pacing Gold purchase is ready to upstage his more fancied rivals.

“I’m rapt to have him in the Final,” Kenna said. “He’s been a good horse for us.

“He came from Sydney and I didn’t expect much from him, but he must be enjoying our training methods and lifestyle in the paddock as he’s doing really well.

“It was a good drive in the Final by Drew (son) who said he’d go to the fence and hope to get sucked along, which is what happened…he only went around one horse!”

To be driven by Drew again, Barrett has drawn awkwardly in barrier eight over 2300 metres.

“He’s not a horse you can use up early and got to be saved for one sprint,” Kenna said.

“We’ve got to hope there is a bit of speed on and he is given the chance to come home as well as he can.

“There’s a bit of class in the field, so hopefully that sees them run at a reasonable tempo from the outset.”

BARRETT REPLAY

Barrett is one of two APG representatives in the $100,000 major, with Rockin With Elvis facing a tough time from the outside of the front row.

Prepared by Brad Hewitt, Rockin With Elvis was runner-up in last weekend’s Metro Final at Club Menangle.

“He’s been very consistent this time in and I was rapt with his run last Saturday night,” Hewitt said.

“The draw hasn’t done us any favours, but with the right run they will know he is there.”

For complete Menangle Saturday fields, click here.

From Harness Racing New South Wales