Helluva’s class prevails in Tamworth Cup

Helluva (Mach Three) was clearly the best performed runner and he showed it with an all the way harness racing win in the Garrards Horse and Hounds Tamworth City Cup last night.

Despite starting from the outside of the second row, punters considered Helluva the class runner of the field and he started a warm favourite.

Driver Seaton Grima didn’t waste any time shortly after the start and he went around the field early. Ashleigh Delosa on last start Menangle winner Ooga Chaka also had ideas to get to the front but Helluva showed too much speed to take up the running. Ooga Chaka took the trail behind the leader. Local hope Grasso Naso after leading early ended being four back on the rails.

I Break The Line made a run in the final lap but didn’t get very far as Helluva was still travelling comfortably. Ooga Chaka pulled out to make a run but couldn’t make much of an impression as Helluva prevailed by five metres from Ooga Chaka. Grosso Naso who was giving the leaders a big start in the final lap finished well enough for third without looking likely to trouble the winner.

HELLUVA 23 JAN REPLAY

In winning Helluva rated 1.56.1 for the 2360 metre trip and beat the track record set in 2015 by Yayas Hot Spot who ran 1.57.3.

Helluva has proved to be a good money spinner for his new owners Grima and co owner Joe Conolly. Early in his career Helluva was prepared by John Justice. He competed without success in the 2023 Inter Dominion at Albion Park. He won a Charlton Pacing Cup as well as a Free For All at Melton and in September 2025 moved to Grima’s Penrith stables. He’s since ran 1.54.3 winning at Menangle and last week was a credible third behind Swayzee at Menangle.

He’s the only progeny of the Real Desire mare Desire Mhe. The eight year old gelding still has plenty of speed and should be prominent in forthcoming country features and sprint events.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink