Action starts at 1.42 pm,  with the Hewitt family are expected to continue their good season by lining up a strong team of 11 starters.  Scott Hewitt who prepares a team of 6 pacers will start 4 of them this afternoon and is favoured to feature prominently.

The young trainer has enjoyed a good strike rate this season and opens the programme with Nippers Grin in race 1, the Divalls Earthmoving & Bulk Haulage Pace.  The 4 year old pacer was a winner at Canberra earlier this month and followed that up with a solid second behind the promising Florist.

While drawn a little wide in gate 6, Nippers Grin has the speed to cross and looks well placed to lead from start to finish.  

Scott will also be represented by recent Goulburn winner Ichon Blue who was impressive when taking out a C1 pace at the club’s Carnival of Cups race day.  On that occasion the 5 year old mare sprinted quickly from the 1200 metre mark to take up the running with a lap to go before going on to win in a fast 1:56.6 mile rate.

In today’s event she will face a strong C2/3 field but has drawn nicely in gate 2 and is another likely to find the front and prove hard to run down.

Older brother Brad Hewitt will start the consistent Miracle Smile in race 6 and after drawing gate 1 is another who is favoured to lead throughout.  The 4 year old gelding is a winner over the distance and has raced well since winning first up in December.

Father David Hewitt may have to wait until the last race where he lines up the well performed mares Holm Three and Mygirljo.  The pair have drawn gates 1 and 2 respectively and looked very well placed to feature prominently at the finish.

Gates to the course will be open from 12.30 pm and the club encourages all to come out for a great afternoon of competitive and interesting racing, and to experience the wonderful facilities of the Grace Millson Function Centre.  Enjoy quality food and a wide range of cold alcoholic and soft drinks whilst watching all the racing action in air conditioned comfort.

Goulburn harness racing is brought to fans by the kind support of Tabcorp, Goulburn Soldiers Club, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Divalls Earthmoving & Bulk Haulage, Goulburn Mazda, RSM Accountants, and a host of smaller businesses including Top Water Carters Crookwell, First National Real Estate Goulburn, Goulburn Livestock Transport, Goulburn Landmark, Hollingworth Crane Hire, Glen Mia ACT Saddlery and Ranvet.

For all the latest Goulburn harness racing news like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/goulburnpaceway/ or visit the club’s website at www.goulburnpaceway.com.au  

Race 1 Divalls Earthmoving & Bulk Haulage Pace: CO pace for 4yo & older with 9 runners; Nippers Grin from the Scott Hewitt stable looks well placed in this following a win and second at Canberra recently.  Has the pace to lead and will take running down following his recent 1:59.4 at Canberra when he led.  Cerrena was an impressive winner at her second start when she demolished a Bankstown field.  At her next start she was checked, galloped and tail off at Newcastle.  Is the sole runner on the second line and likely to find a handy spot.  Artful Lombo is winless in 5 starts but her last 2 have been better.  She was beaten 28.6 metres when 3rd at Menangle in 1:54.1 and followed that up with a midfield effort when beaten 19.4 metres in a 1.54.2 mile; she can improve in this field.  Moneyintintin has drawn the 1 gate and can improve on her two runs since a spell.       

TIPS: 6 Nippers Grin, 9 Cerrena, 1 Moneyintintin, 5 Artful Lombo

Race 2 First National Real Estate Goulburn Two Year Old Pace: 2C0 only pace with 10 starters; interesting race with the majority of the field having their first starts.   The 3 that have had race starts have finished closer to last so it will pay to focus on the trial form of those making their debut.  Act Of Valour won a trial at Menangle in 1:56.5, before that had finished second to Lynnsanity who won on debut at Bathurst and clearly is a horse with ability.  Harry Day is locally trained and has won 2 of his 3 trials rating 1.59.6 earlier this month.  The colt has drawn outside the front but should prove hard to beat.  Courageous Leo is also a trial winner in a good 1:57.3 at Menangle.  He has drawn the 7 gate but must be considered a leading contender.  Others with good trial form include Shadow Eclipse and Pacific Cullen who has come up with the 1 gate.  

TIPS: 8 Harry Day, 7 Courageous Leo, 9 Act Of Valor, 1 Pacific Cullen

Race 3 RSM Accountants Three Year Old Pace: 3C0 to 3C1 pace with 10 starters; an interesting race with a number of chances.  Fun Magic Trix was a 2yo Breeders Challenge Regional Final winner last season and raced well when resuming before coming up against star filly Partyon.  Last start she galloped out when beaten 25 metres at Menangle and she appeals as one to improve and must be considered a strong chance in this field.  First Ride is trained locally and performed well enough at her first start at Menangle when she made ground in a 25.9 last quarter.  The Victorian visitor Batman Bart finished 4th when having his first NSW start at Menangle and from the 3 gate is capable of showing up again.  Whostolemypigeon won at Wagga last season and in his only start this season finished 4th at Canberra and he is capable of improvement in this.  Troublesome Dave has been racing consistently and was nice winner at Temora in early January.  Drawn a little wide but can be placed.  Persian Puzzle is first up but has drawn the 1 gate and following a couple of trails is more than capable in finishing top 3.

TIPS: 5 Fun Magic Trix, 1 Persian Puzzle, 3 Batman Bart, 6 Whostolemypigeon

Race 4 Top Water Carters Crookwell Pace: C0 only pace with 12 starters; Master Of The Vale from the Sam Hewitt stable has come up with gate 1 and gets his chance to break through.  Last start he galloped twice when there was strong betting support for him.  Ideal Destiny has finished 2nd in his only two starts at Menangle.  Last start he was beaten just 4 metres in a 1:54.2 mile and though drawn on the second row he looks a strong chance.  Downan Out finished 3rd in the same event and he also looks an improver and a strong chance though drawn on the back as well.  Others with a top 3 chance include Squirarchy and Smash That.

TIPS: 11 Ideal Destiny, 10 Downan Out, 1 Master Of The Vale, 9 Squirarchy

Race 5 TAB.COM.AU Claiming Pace: For pacers with a claiming price between $2,000 and $7,000.  Demolition Dave has been racing consistently in this class and has the advantage of the 1 gate which will help his chances.  At his last two he finished 3rd and looks well placed in this.  Franco Revel was retired from his last raced but previously had raced well enough in stronger class than this race and he is one who can bounce back to form here.  Hi Tech Fury has won 2 of his last 5 starts but has drawn wide in the 7 gate.  Has the speed to take up a forward position and in his best form he would be most competitive in this race.  The Dip has some good runs to his credit in his last 5 and while drawn on the outside of the front it wouldn’t surprise to see him figuring in the finish.    

TIPS:  1, Demolition Dave, 6 Franco Revel, 7 Hi Tech Fury, 9 The Dip

Race 6 Goulburn Mazda Pace: C1 only pace with 10 starters; Miracle Smile from the Brad Hewitt stable gets his chance to break back into the winners stall after drawing gate 1.  The 4yo has been racing consistently in stronger class and will appreciate the draw and easier class of this race.  A Million Starzzz has been a little disappointing of late but can improve over the longer distance and was a good winner at Goulburn last month.  Silk Banyula is a good stayer but will need the pace on to figure in the finish.  Absolution was racing consistently but is having its first start since October when 2nd at Menangle in fast time.  This is easier and should be a strong top 3 finishing chance.  Shivarnee put in a good effort last start and look for her to go better here.

TIPS: 1 Miracle Smile, 3 A Million Starzzz, 6 Absolution, 11 Shivarnee

Race 7 Goulburn Mulwaree Council Pace: C2 to C3 pace with 10 starters; Ichon Blue was a good winner here 2 starts back and can once again be a leading contender after drawing gate 2.  The mare showed good mid race speed to take up the running and looks ideally placed to lead from the start.  Im The Smoocha ran a great race in the Goulburn Rose on Carnival of Cups race day and though drawn in the 10 gate has the ability to race strongly in this.  Rainbow Fighter will be at long odds but his last start was good and providing he can find some cover he could sneak into the place positions.  Our Nero Star, Keilor Kimberly and Our Nero Star are all locally trained but while their race form looks a bit disappointing they could improve in this easier race  

TIPS: 2 Ichon Blue, 10 Im The Smoocha, Rainbow Fighter, Keilor Kimberly

Race 8 Goulburn Soldiers Club Pace: C4 to C6 pace with 10 staraters; Interesting race with the 3 main chances coming from the Hewitt family stable.  Verdot raced strongly at Wagga Wagga last start but has drawn wider on the track in gate 7.  Holm Three has come up with gate 1 and that should suit her ideally.  The 6yo mare has been racing consistently of late and is overdue for a win.  Mygirljo was a winner 3 starts back at Canberra and there were excuses for her 2 most recent starts when she finished down the track.  The 5yo mare has drawn gate 2 and looks well placed to finish in a top 3 place.  Others with chances include Pompidou who has raced consistently in the provincials, and Blucolla Moon who has some nice runs at her last couple at Menangle.

TIPS: 1 Holm Three, 2 Mygirljo, 7 Verdot, 8 Blucolla Moon