Galahs to have last laugh

Gallant Victorian mare Pink Galahs only needs to stay out of trouble at Newcastle on Sunday night to earn enough points to make it into the TAB Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Grand Final.

The plucky daughter of Skyvalley has tasted defeat in both her heats so far, finishing third to Timothy Red at Menangle and then third to the same trotter at Bathurst on Wednesday night in the second round.

Drawn in gate four at Newcastle tomorrow night, the trotter named after one of singer John Williamson’s ditties, finds herself in one of the toughest heats so far with the likes of Humble Ladd, Tough Monarch, Majestic Man and Caligula all serious threats in the final round.

“Pink Galahs found it hard to muster from the inside gate in the first round and sitting outside the leader wasn’t probably her go,” said trainer-driver Mattie Craven.

“She ran out of tickets in the end and had she been following a helmet it might have been different in that first hit-out.

“Hopefully she’ll improve going into the final, which would be perfect.”

While unbeaten Timothy Red has been the find of the trotting series, so far, with two outstanding wins, Pink Galahs has lost no store in her efforts so far and still shapes as a great chance to add to her 18 wins from just 38 starts.

Meanwhile, one of the more recent partnerships in harness racing looks set for a big night at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night.

Trainer Tony Bertwistle pulled the pin on running a restaurant at Forster returning to Sydney to be closer to his grandchildren.

It didn’t take him long to renew ties with leading horseman Darren Binskin and that partnership has five chances at Menangle tonight.

Binskin will drive Hands On (Race 4), Shanlou (Race 5), Dancinginthedark (Race 6), Islas Joy (Race 7) and Itsrapt (Race 8) for Bertwistle.

Binskin is also competing with Line Up, which he trains, in the Inter Dominion heats to be run at Newcastle tomorrow night.

He’ll be desperate to chase major points after galloping out and losing all chance at Bathurst on Wednesday night.

While that will test Binskin’s horsemanship to the fullest, the veteran told Trotguide’s Mick Ko’cass that he wanted his legacy to be a great horseman.

“I don’t care if I’m not remembered as a great driver or a great trainer, but a great horseman,” he said.

“You have to give back if I can tell the younger ones one thing that would help them along, that would make me happy.”

Click here to view the fields for Menangle Saturday.

Click here to view the fields for Newcastle Sunday.

By Michael Court for HRNSW