Blake gears up for Febfest

27 January 2023 | HRNSW MEDIA | MICHAEL DUMESNY
Logo
Driver Blake Hughes.

Driver Blake Hughes.

FEBRUARY is shaping as being one of the biggest months of racing seen at Newcastle International Paceway for some time.

The Newcastle Harness Racing club is rolling out a new series on its calendar, which will be known as Febfest. 

Run on three Friday nights in succession and kicking off on February 3, the club will hold the first of its feature races, the revamped Newcastle Cup to be run over the stayers’ distance of 2550 metres. 

A $15,000 Ladyship Pace features on the second Friday, then on February 17 the Club’s TAB Carnival Of Cups program will be highlighted by the running of the Group 1, $100,000 Newcastle Mile. 

Local reinsman Blake Hughes is excited about his involvement in Febfest as he hopes to play a strong hand throughout Febfest.

In the meantime, Hughes, who is one of the state’s most promising young reinsmen, has a strong book of drives on tonight’s nine-race program at Newcastle. 

“It is one of the best books of drives that I have had in quite a while,” said Hughes. 

“Each of the horses I am driving has strong claims. 

“Hopefully I can do them justice and kick home a few winners.”

Hughes singled out consistent filly Shiralee as one of his better chances of winning in Race 7.

Trained by his mentor Clayton Harmey, the three-year-old has drawn perfectly in gate one and according to Hughes should get every chance to break back into the winners’ circle.

“This will be Shiralee’s fourth run since returning from a long spell and she has drawn perfectly in gate one,” said the young reinsman.

“We have been happy with her recent efforts and her work at home as well, so I do expect her to give this race a good shake.”

Recent Inter City Pace heat winner Im Quick As Fire is another that Hughes has signaled as a solid winning chance - in Race 5.

Also trained by Clayton Harmey, Im Quick As Fire will be advantaged by his gate one draw as there is likely to be an abundance of speed early in the race, which should allow the gelding to balance up just off the pace.

“I really feel the race will shape well for Im Quick As Fire as he has the speed to hold a position early and plenty of bottom to be strong late,” said Hughes.

 

Related News

13 May 2025
Young driver Lily Small finds her captain
From never having sat in the sulky behind a pacer in 2023 to winning a race at Redcliffe in the bike this week – it has been a steep learning curve for Queensland’s Lily Small. The 23-year-old reinswoman achieved the feat on Sunday evening around ‘The Triangle’ circuit when a...
13 May 2025
Wharton: Victoria's busiest sires of 2024/25 revealed
A total of 2,122 services to Victorian sires were recorded in the 2024/25 stud season, according to Harness Racing Australia’s HarnessWeb website. READ THE FULL COLUMN AT THETROTS.COM.AU
13 May 2025
GOODFORM - Ryan's tips, strategy and Quaddie for Shepparton
Ryan Phelan has done the form for tonight's 7-race program at Shepparton.
13 May 2025
Davis chasing $100,000 dream in TAB Regional Championship
BROWNS Creek dairy farmer Jake Davis is chasing his biggest win to date as a trainer-driver at Bathurst on Wednesday night when he and his stable star Studleigh Melise take on a quality field in the $100,000 TAB Regional Championship Western Final. Named after Jake’s wife Melise, the four-year-old...
12 May 2025
WATCH: Family, friends and harness racing farewells Greg Sugars
Hundreds attended Melton Entertainment Park on Monday afternoon to farewell Greg Sugars as thousands tuned in on TrotsVision to pay their respects to a champion horseman and even better person.
Click for more