Ready for the Challenge

Heats of harness racing’s New South Wales Breeders Challenge Regional Series will be held at Newcastle on Friday night for both sexes.

East Maitland trainer Darren Elder and his son Brad will be chasing another win with their talented youngster, Flare Up who has drawn perfectly in gate three in the filly’s division.

From eight starts this season, the daughter of Warrawee Needy has won five races.

Her most recent run was at Tabcorp Park Menangle in the Group 2 True Blue Series where she ran fifth, beaten by two and a half metres.

On Friday she drops back in grade and ironically her main danger is stablemate, Mystical Jazz, who also raced in the True Blue Series and has won two races.

“Flare up has been really good to us right throughout of her two-year-old campaign. She has won five races including a heat of the NSW Breeders Challenge. Unsuitable draws in the Semi Final of that series and the True Blue Series Final did not help her cause but we were not disappointed with her efforts despite her finishing out of the placings,” said Brad.

“With all things being equal, she should jump on the speed and be hard to beat. Her trackwork since her last Menangle run has been spot on so I am confident heading into tonight’s race.”

“Our other filly Mystical Jazz is a very fast and if she is close enough, she will be hitting the line strongly.”

Seven colts and geldings headed by Chappy Streetnorth will contest the other heat.

The Mitch Chapple-trained pacer was unbeaten in his first three starts and after that, things did not go well for him.

Meanwhile, at Wagga on Friday a further three heats of the NSWBC Regional Series will be conducted and Crookwell trainer, driver, Scott Hewitt has a runner in each qualifier.

“Both of my fillies, Lulu Mae and Zenxena should be hard to beat in their respective heats. Zenxena had a setback in October, but she bounced back with a strong win at West Wyalong last start. And Lulu Mae was impressive in winning at Wagga two starts back.”

“Marvella is working well but has struck some strong opposition so I will be rapt if he finishes in the placings,” said Hewitt.

To view fields for Newcastle on Friday click here.

To view fields for Wagga on Friday click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW