SOS helps trainer get back on top

New South Wales based harness racing trainer Clayton Harmey concedes the past 12 months have not been his most successful year in harness racing.

But he is marking his scoresheet a little harshly because during the 2021 season he still trained 74 winners from 400 starters and had a number of starters in Group 1 races.

Of course, it was always going to be a challenge for Harmey to top the stellar season he had throughout 2019-20 when he trained 158 winners.

While Harmey was disappointed in not fulfilling his expectations last season, he looks forward to what 2022 will bring and is tipping it could be his best yet.

“I backed right off last year, my horse numbers were low and found it hard to get staff,” he said.

“To be honest, I gave up on things somewhat.”

But after sending out an SOS to his former junior stable driver Blake Hughes and his partner Grace Panella to join his team, things are now looking much brighter.

“Both Blake and Grace are young and keen, and I guess their presence has given me a renewed lease on life,” said Harmey.

“I have 25 horses in training, the biggest number I have had for some time.”

One horse that Harmey is extremely pleased with and is resumes racing at Newcastle tonight is Skyfall Benchmark. Click here to view fields.

The three-year-old’s last run was in the 2021 NSW Breeders Challenge, when he finished eighth but was not beaten all that far.

“He raced in the best company last season and was unlucky not to have made the Bathurst Gold Crown final,” said Harmey.

“He took out the consolation and raced consistently after that.

“The owners are keen to set him for the NSW Derby, so he will have to show plenty of class to contest those big races.

“He is fit enough for tonight’s assignment and the instructions will be for him to be taken forward to avoid any risks.”

Former New Zealand mare, Kayla Maguire (Race 4) is unbeaten in four Australian starts for Harmey and will be looking to continue on her winning way.

No doubt this will be her biggest test to date after drawing on the inside of the backline.

But Harmey has a healthy opinion of the mare and is confident she can overcome the adversity and win again.

“She has plenty of class and while gate nine is challenging, Blake will give her every chance,” he said.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW