Tried-and-tested performers in the spotlight tonight

Goulburn horseman Brad Hewitt has an exciting team of harness racing youngsters coming through his stable at the moment.

Yet it’s Hewitt’s tried-and-tested performers that will hold centre stage at Tabcorp Park Menangle tonight (Sep. 16) with chances in four of the better-class races.

The best of those appears to be the improving six-year-old gelding Taipo (American Ideal), who contests the $30,600 Club Menangle Sutton McMillan FFA.

Taipo rated a slashing 1:50.1 in scoring a slashing 17m victory over Major Meister and Majestic Cruiser at Albion Park in July.

The gelding then disappointed in Queensland’s big race, the Blacks A Fake behind Swayzee before finishing a strong second to the impressive Hi Manameisjeff at Menangle last week over the 2300m journey.

Drawn gate five tonight, Hewitt has high hopes for his current stable star, who should come into gate four if the emergency is withdrawn.

“I was really happy with his first-up run as he was a but under-done and only had the one trial,” said Hewitt.

“He chased home Hi Manameisjeff, who’s been going as good as any horse in the country at the moment.

“I was more than happy with my bloke’s run and I expect him to be a bit more forward tonight.”

Hewitt knows Taipo will have to be on his game to beat the likes of Spirit Of St Louis, My Ultimate Ronnie and Victorian visitor Bulletproof Boy.

“I’ll just have to come out of the gate and see what’s going on before deciding where to settle,” he said.

“As long as he’s going well I do think he’s up to going to the Inter Dom.

“Let’s just hope we can get there.”

Hewitt will also be hoping for some luck with Majestic Trio, who shapes as one of the hardest to beat in Race 4.

“She’s been in good form this whole prep and hopefully can put together another good campaign,” said Hewitt.

“She only had three weeks off after Brisbane and will benefit from the run but I still expect her to run a really good race.

“I’ll play it by ear – you never really know with the trotters and she’s versatile enough.

“She’s led and won, sat in the death and won and come from behind and won, so she should be nice and handy again.

“She might not be up to the really top ones but there are no easy races for her now.”

Hewitt also has Twilight Bonnie in Race 5 and Anna Love in Race 8.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Court, for HRNSW