Trainer has 12 horses nominated at one meeting

Accomplished harness racing trainer Bernie Hewitt will head into the Bathurst meeting on Wednesday brimming with confidence with 12 runners engaged, and most of them winning chances.

Hewitt has a host of leading chances on what is one of the best nights of racing assembled at the Gold Crown Paceway this season.

With the time-honoured Bathurst RSL Soldiers Saddle Final headlining the meeting, a Consolation of that Series and four qualifying heats of the NSW Breeders Challenge Regional Series, club officials are ecstatic over the quality of racing.

Heading the list of chances from Hewitt’s Georges Plains stable are Winona Writer and Ballerini.

Both are quoted as long odds-on favourites in their respective heats of the fillies division of the Breeders Challenge while in-form pacer Bridge Coin has drawn ideally in gate two in the first heat of the colts and geldings division.

“I am really happy with the way both fillies came through the major series of the Breeders Challenge,” Hewitt said.

“Ballerini ran fourth behind Anntonia in the Final and hit the line strongly to be only beaten about 12 metres.

“Winona Writer had to start from the widest gate in that same race and despite finishing seventh, she was doing her best work late.

“Both these fillies are the class runners, and I am confident that, barring bad luck, they will be winning their respective heats.”

In all, Bernie has five fillies contesting the heats.

“I do expect all of my fillies to perform well. Between them, they have won 27 races which makes me proud,” he said.

“Bridge Coin, the horse that I have in the colts and geldings heat is on the way up.

“Steve Turnbull has some nice ones in the race, but I am hoping that I can lead with my bloke and give them something to chase.

“The penny is really starting to drop with him, and he is becoming a professional racehorse.”

A barrier one draw with Beta Jewel has Bernie cock-a-hoop over his chances in the Soldier’s Saddle.

“My filly is one of the top hopes in the main race,” he said.

“She has drawn to get an economical trip and judging by her heat win last week, she is getting back to her best form.

“I do love racing on these bigger nights and hopefully I can snare some of the spoils.”

To view the fields for Bathurst on Wednesday click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW