Gallagher looking to keep strike rate up

Currently there is no harness racing reinsman in the Sydney region driving more consistently than Menangle Park based horseman Josh Gallagher.

During the past month, Gallagher drove 20 winners, capitalising on the opportunities afforded him by a vast number of trainers.

Josh drove 124 winners for the season, two more than the previous year, cementing himself in the top echelon of the state’s reinsmen.

“Having such a good run in December was certainly a great way to end the year,” said Gallagher.

“I do a lot of kilometres up and down the eastern seaboard, so it is satisfying to be rewarded with getting winners.”

Gallagher landed a well-deserved feature win last Friday night at the Maitland Harness Racing Club’s TAB Carnival of Cups meeting when he guided the Lisa McDonald trained Master Catch (Tiz A Masterpiece) to victory in the $15,000 Maitland Cup.

A much improved gelding during the past twelve months, Master Catch made it back to back wins at Maitland and was dominant in the Cup, racing outside of the leader and outstaying his rivals, staving off some late chargers to score by a half neck margin.

MASTER CATCH REPLAY

“It was really pleasing to win that race for the McDonald family. They have Master Catch absolutely flying at present and were excited to win their local Cup race.”

Gallagher turns his attention to Penrith this evening where he has five drives.

His best winning chance comes up in race five when he takes the reins behind Manly Mach for trainer Troy Williams who has racked up 19 winners at Penrith during the past twelve months.

Drawn perfectly in gate one, Manly Mach will get every chance from the ideal draw and Josh believes the gelding will be hard to beat should he be able to lead.

“He is a consistent type who relishes racing at Penrith.”

“It is not the strongest race and if he can find the lead, I feel we can dictate terms and be hard to run down.”

Reasonforagrange (race 2) should have punters on good terms early in the night as he has drawn well in a winnable race.

Trained by Geoff Day, the mare that has one win to her credit from fifteen starts will be driven by Will Rixon.

Last start at Bankstown she was held up on the turn and ran home reasonably to finish fifth.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW