Locals get the Gold

Local harness racing trainers will provide almost half the finalists in this year’s Bathurst Gold Crown and Gold Tiara.

Last Wednesday night the two-year-old fillies contested the qualifying heats, and five Bathurst-trained youngsters made their way through to the rich $110,000 Final with prominent owner Wayne Loader and his trainer, driver Bernie Hewitt taking the honours by landing a double.

Loader, who has purchased several pacers in recent years, was rewarded for his investment in the sport when Jewel Melody and Betting Jewel won their respective heats to make their way through to the Group 1 feature, which will be run this Friday night.

Mat Rue is currently sidelined with a hand injury, so he entrusted champion Sydney reinsman, Cameron Hart to handle his smart filly Miss Exclusive in her heat.

And after some anxious moments, Hart was able to get her out into the centre of the track where she mowed down her rivals.

She defeated another local, the Nathan Hurst-trained and driven Call Me Millie, who showed vast improvement at big odds to make her way into the final.

The remaining Bathurst filly that qualified for the final was Meraki, a daughter of former top mare Ameretto, which is trained and driven by Ashlee Grives.

Seven heats of the Gold Crown were run on Friday and the night unearthed some potential superstars.

It would be hard to single out which of the colts and geldings impressed the most, but it all leads to an intriguing and mouth-watering final on Friday night.

Sydney colt Tardelli rated 1.54.8 in heat five for Menangle trainer-drive Rickie Alchin and owners the La Spina family.

Victorians Emma Stewart and Nathan Jack combined to win with Petracca, who was one of the pre-post favourites before the series got underway, and he looked sharp in his runaway win.

Like Bernie Hewitt, Bathurst trainer Chris Frisby and his son Anthony were able to win two heats of the Crown with Happy Reg and Our Sunset Delight, the pair being raced in partnership by Chris and popular Bathurst businessman Reg Morris.

But without a doubt, the most popular win of the night was that of Better Be The Best for The Lagoon trainer-driver Nathan Turnbull, who exploded away to win heat two.

Nathan Hurst also qualified Our Dickie Bart for the final.

The Gold Crown Carnival continues today with heats of the Gold Chalice and Gold Bracelet. Click here to view fields.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW