Harmey has strong army aimed

Trainer Clayton Harmey has achieved many highlights in the Hunter Valley but one race that has eluded him is the iconic Maitland Inter City Pace.

Today will see the 58th running of the time-honoured series that culminates in a $20,000 Final on Easter Saturday.

“I am yet to win this race and also the Newcastle Mile,” said Harmey.

“We have come close a couple of times at Maitland and feel that maybe this year I might be able to get the monkey off my back as I have ten runners in the heats, most of which have a bit of class on their side.”

Looking at his runners it appears that Major Bob (race eight) and Big Black Diamond (race nine) are the most likely to lead the charge for Harmey to capture his first Inter City Pace victory.

“Major Bob is a really speedy little fella who will handle the 2422 metre trip,” he said.

“He has come back in good order following a spell and is ready to run well.

“If there is speed on early in the race, he will relish the longer journey and be getting over the top of them in the end.”

Major Bob has not raced since November when he ran a cracking race to finish third behind Crunch Time in the NSW Breeders Challenge Eastern Region Final after doing plenty of work outside the leader in a fast 1:52.3.

“Big Black Diamond is also first up following a spell and I have been happy with his work leading into today’s race,” said Harmey.

“We took him to Victoria for the Breeders Crown and although he did not run up in the placings, I was not overly disappointed with him as it was a very strong series.

“His form before that was very strong and I think we will see the best of Big Black Diamond this time in”.

“This series is right up his alley and he should go close to winning this afternoon.”

While Harmey has named Major Bob and Big Black Diamond as his main hopes, his other eight runners are all very well supported in early betting markets and it would not surprise to see him qualify many of them for next week’s final.

HRNSW MEDIA | MICHAEL DUMESNY