Gallagher ready to tackle JD Watts Memorial

It is an intriguing harness racing line-up for Saturday night’s open class JD Watts Memorial at Menangle.

The time-honoured and sort after event sees the clash of a group of up-and-coming pacers and seasoned Grand Circuit campaigners that are racing in strong form, some of whom are returning from a freshen-up, preparing for feature races programmed along the eastern seaboard.

One pacer that has emerged as a serious contender is the Michael Xuereb-trained, I Break The Line (Betting Line).

The four-year-old has only faced the starter on 21 occasions and the gelded son of Betting Line winning nine races, including the Golden Guitar at Tamworth back in January, his most important win to date.

I Break The Line has impressed, winning his past two at Bathurst and Menangle, his latest in a career best 1:49.4.

There is no doubt that he faces his biggest test on Saturday night, however, regular driver Josh Gallagher insists the horse could not have done any more to impress and deserves a crack in the open class.

“He is still relatively young and lightly raced but has shown that he has a massive upside,” said Gallagher.

“Mick has done a wonderful job with him, managing his progress perfectly.

“But he does face a big test that is for sure.

“The random barrier draw was not kind to him, coming up with gate 10 and having seasoned campaigners drawn to his inside. But he is racing with a lot of zest, and I have no doubt he will run a mighty race.”

Gallagher is in red hot form himself, driving winner after winner and is well on his way to busting through another century for the season.

Gallagher heads to Newcastle on Friday night, with a strong book of drives, the International Paceway being a happy hunting ground for him.

He will partner Port Au Prince in race five, the prolific metropolitan performer looking to bounce back into winning form after several close-up efforts without scoring.

“He is a lovely horse that raced through his grades in the early stages of his Australian career and Kerry is taking him up to Newcastle in the hope that he can find his way back into the winner’s circle,” he said.

“His form reads quite strong without winning and despite him drawing outside of the backline, he certainly has a class edge on his rivals.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW