Brad Hewitt
ACE Goulburn horseman Brad Hewitt probably feels he has a score to settle when he heads to Menangle tonight for the $30,600 Stylish Memphis Stakes with his outstanding mare Yarraman Bella.
That’s because Hewitt’s stable star has had to play ‘second fiddle’ to Yoha and Town Echo at both her recent runner-up finishes.
And that pair will be back there tonight hoping to chalk up another feature victory over Hewitt when all three line-up in Race 6.
Yet none of the trio will be favourite as Belinda McCarthy’s talented mare Fairy Tinkabell resumes from a five-week let-up and a stylish 20.8m trial win last week in 1:51.4 has assured her of favouritism tonight, despite drawing awkwardly in gate 10, although she will come in one if the emergency comes out.
Hewitt has several good chances tonight, although admits Yarraman Bella is probably his best hope.
“She’s been running some really good races against the better ones,” Hewitt told National Trotguide’s Mike Ko’cass.
“Her last start was probably a little below her best, even though her time was still pretty good on the clock.
“I still felt she didn’t go as well as I know she can. And her work has been really good since.
“We did win that Group 1 at Wagga, so I am hoping she can bounce back to that form this week.
“Two of our main dangers, Town Echo and Fairy Tinkabell are drawn outside us tonight, so we do have that advantage.
“She’s got such good gate speed so we’ll certainly be going forward and from there we’ll see how things pan out.”
Hewitt will also be hoping Send It can improve in Race 1.
“He hit the line well in a good last half after being held up last start,” he said.
“If there’s any sort of tempo on, he’ll be the one finishing on.
“He relies on the race being evenly-run and with a decent first half he’ll finish off really strong.”
Rockin With Elvis also looks well placed in Race 3:
“He hasn’t had the best of barrier draws but things worked out perfectly last week.
“He’s been running the quickest last half in most of his races and he sat in the one-one last week and put them away well.”
Hewitt says keeping the team fit and healthy when it’s cold and rainy this time of year isn’t easy but all his team are serious each-way chances.
