Friends lean on each other hoping for Vicbred success

Harness racing trainer Maree Caldow has been a long-time friend of leading New South Wales trainer Bernie Hewitt and she’d like nothing more than to repay his faith with Vicbred Super Series success tomorrow night.

Hewitt has regularly stayed with the Caldows when campaigning in Victoria or left horses in their care, and that’s the case again with Caldow gearing up two starters at Bendigo tomorrow night for Hewitt and owner Wayne Loader.

She will help Hewitt put the final touches on his Art Major Vicbred Super Series Silver Pace hopeful Chap Daddy, who’ll contest the two-year-old colts and geldings class along with Mach Assassin, a former Hewitt runner who’ll start in Caldow’s name.

Caldow has been acting as a caretaker for Chap Daddy during the series, while Mach Assassin transferred to her Melton stable leading into the Breeders Crown for an extended Victorian campaign.

“Bernie’s such a great trainer,” Caldow said. “We’re very lucky that we’ve been friends with Bernie and (his wife) Cath and Wayne for a long time, and fortunate through the friendship to have such nice horses come into the stable.”

Chap Daddy finished sixth without a lot of luck in a heat at Shepparton, just enough to progress in the series, and then seventh in a semi-final to miss out on a final berth.

Caldow described the Always B Miki colt’s work this week as “awesome”.

Mach Assassin has not had everything go his way in four runs in Victoria, but Caldow was upbeat about his chances at Bendigo despite a second row draw.

“He did get a little bit crook around Breeders Crown time, but he’s better now and back on track, and he’s worked really nicely.

“Going into the race we couldn’t be happier with him. Fingers crossed we get a good run. With a little bit of luck he could finish in the placings.”

Caldow is having a big week with multiple runners in Vicbred Super Series features at Geelong tonight, Bendigo tomorrow night and Melton on Friday. To view fields for upcoming Australian races, click here.

They also include three in Group 1s on New Year’s Eve, with Our Kinky Boots in The Storm Inside Vicbred Super Series three-year-old pacing fillies’ final, which kicks the night off.

While rapt with the job Our Kinky Boots has done to get into the final, she is most excited about the prospects of Tipsy Turvy and Sangreal in the Aldebaran Eagle Vicbred Super Series three-year-old trotting fillies’ final.

“I think they’ll do really well,” Caldow said. “Their heat runs were fantastic. I can’t split them. A deadheat for first would be awesome.”

By David Brehaut for HRV