“He’s near enough the best horse in the stable” were the words of Georges Plains trainer Bernie Hewitt following the impressive win of Lets Katchmeifucan in the $12,720 TAB.COM.AU Tom and Angela Hewitt Memorial at Goulburn on Sunday afternoon.
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Before a large crowd of enthusiastic harness fans, the lightly raced five-year-old gelding started from behind the 11 gate in the 2240 metre event and settled with the tail enders as the leaders sorted themselves out.
First out was Pocket Of Terror who soon handed up to Feel The Burn who then withstood challenges from Seeuinnashville first, followed by Southwind Train and then the New Zealand import Presonpans who started race favourite.
Fending off the early attacks, Feel The Burn and James Rattray maintained a solid and steady tempo putting up a lead time of 46.6 followed by first half quarters of 30.5, 30.8.
Hewitt who had bided his time at the back set sail at the 800 metre mark, and in a third quarter of 28.8 made up ground quickly leading the three wide line.
Reaching the leaders’ wheels as Prestonpans joined Feel The Burn passing the 400 marker, Hewitt steadied the pacer for the run home.
As the field rounded the home turn, Lets Katchmeifucan joined the leaders making it a line of three as they straightened.
Sprinting clear in the run down the Goulburn Paceway home straight, he went on to record a widening 4.7 metre win in a good 1:57.9 mile rate.
Second across the line was Prestonpans with the Brad Hewitt trained and driven Real Obsession charging home to edge out Feel The Burn for third place a further 10 metres back.
Owned by Johnny Star Racing, Lets Katchmeifucan brought up career win number nine in his 25th start.
“The horse came to me after having six months off following a knee operation; he’s a clean gaited and good driving horse” Hewitt said.
“I was very impressed with the ease of his win. You’re never sure about the Kiwi horses, but I felt confident in the run as he was quite relaxed moving up under a hold.”
For Hewitt it was successive Memorial wins having won his first with the classy mare Royal Story in 2018.
“I’m very, very happy to win the race again, and in front of so many family and friends” Hewitt said.
The afternoon of racing was a great success according to club secretary Mark Croatto.
“We’ve been blessed with a big and enthusiastic crowd who seem to have really enjoyed the days racing and entertainment” Croatto stated.
With the day also supporting the Crookwell Community Trust Charity, members of the Trust were kept busy selling tickets all afternoon.
“In total we’ve raised in excess of $3,000; we’re so grateful to the harness club and the people who come out to support us” Trust chairman Tim McCarthy.
In the $12,720 Goulburn Soldiers Club Walla Walla Stakes, the New Zealand import Raukapuka Ruler prevailed in a narrow and exciting contest.
Trained by leading New Zealand trainer Tim Butt who has now made NSW home, the five-year-old Bettors Delight gelding was driven by his brother Anthony and held off the fast finishing Brad Hewitt trained and driven Spare Me Days.
“He’s just below the real free for all horses at this stage, so Tim will keep him to some of the country cups” Butt said. “He’s probably 12 months off being a grand circuit horse” Anthony added.
In a slowly run affair, Raukapuka Ruler was not rushed at the start with Butt allowing the locally trained Stanley Ross Robyn to take up the running.
As the field went past the mile marker, Butt took over the running and following a first half in a slow 65.2, Raukapuka Ruler raced home in a last half of 57.2 for a slow 2:02.1 mile rate.
Goulburn’s next big event is the annual Carnival of Cups race day scheduled for Monday 28 January, the Australia Day weekend public holiday.
Featuring the $31,800 Goulburn Soldiers Club Frank and Edna Day Goulburn Cup, and the $19,040 Hollingworth Crane Hire Service Goulburn Rose Pace, the afternoon will be all about entertainment and top class harness racing action.
In this year’s event the club is supporting the Convoy For Kids Goulburn charity. All gate takings on the day will be donated in full to the charity and the club’s committee encourages all to come out and enjoy the day at the Goulburn Paceway.
Goulburn harness racing is brought to fans by the kind support of Tabcorp, Goulburn Soldiers Club, Hollingworth Crane Hire Service, Randwick Equine Centre, Southern Highlands Equine Centre, Sun Solutions Goulburn, Semco Equipment Sales, RSM Accountants, and a host of smaller businesses including Top Water Carters Crookwell, First National Real Estate Goulburn, Goulburn Livestock Transport, Landmark Southern Livestock Agenices , J A Communications, Crust Gourmet Pizza, Glen Mia ACT Saddlery and Ranvet.
For all the latest Goulburn harness racing news visit the club’s website at www.goulburnpaceway.com.au and don’t forget to like the club on Facebook www.facebook.com/goulburnpaceway/.
