A glut of nominations has forced the Parkes Harness Racing Club to extend tomorrow night’s twilight TAB program to eight races.
Club Treasurer and Racing Manager, Wal Parsons said he was left with no alternative but to program the additional races.
‘Our club is only funded for five country penalty events at these meetings but there were so many horses nominated that we made the decision to put on an additional three restricted ($2,000) races in a bid to cater for as many horses as we possibly could,’ Parsons said.
Agreement was reached with the TAB to cover all eight races however only the first six events will be telecast through Sky Channel.
Racing gets underway at 5.00pm with the Steve Magill Earthmoving Pace (2040m) and Alectown gelding, Before The Storm will be chasing a hattrrick of wins in the event.
He came from well back in his latest two outings at Dubbo and Peak Hill and has been such a great money spinner for Nathan Townsend who owns, trains and drives him.
In three seasons of racing he has had 49 starts for 15 wins and 15 placings and this time in he has only twice missed prizemoney.
His main threat is the Ray Walker trained and reined Barabas who followed an impressive win at Wagga with an even better effort at Menangle where he posted a fast 1.56.3.
Last start was a mystery when he
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finished a long way back at Wagga and that run should be forgotten.
In a race of many chances, Nikalongboulevard (Michael Hardy), Holmes Kay Jay (Mark Hewitt) and Card Shark Shannon (Jason Hewitt) all have strong claims.
Bernie Hewitt hasn’t been back to Parkes since he took all before him during the Club’s 100th Anniversary but his son Jason has been sneaking up here and is back again tomorrow night with a good book of drives.
He will partner Christopher Shannon in the Cunningham’s IGA Pace (2040m), a race which sees a drop in grade for the Harold Park performer.
His best recent effort in the city was on June 27 when he was beaten by just six metres into third placing.
Expensive Halter (Cameron Maggs) has struck a purple patch of form on his home track of Wagga and was a winner there three starts back.
He has since been placed in strong company, his latest effort being full of merit when a two and a half metre second behind Burning Stature.
Last start Parkes winner, Barneys Delight (Michael Hardy) will need a touch of luck from his barrier seven draw but he is in sparkling form and cannot be discarded.
Others with claims include Steffie Kelly, Laser Blazer and Kenny Cruise.
Imapacificone (Ray Walker) was rewarded for his consistency when he scored an all the way win here last week and he should take some beating again in the Langlands Hanlon Pace (2040m).
The well bred four year old has been lightly raced, winning three of his 16 starts and if he leads again, he will be hard to run down.
Exotic Sheba (Brett Hutchings) hasn’t had a lot of luck of late and she will have to work hard to put her self in the picture from barrier five on the second row tomorrow night.
She has been thereabouts at her past four starts including placings at Dubbo and Peak Hill.
Cruisin Jake (Ben Greenhalgh) was a winner four starts back at Dubbo and since then he hasn’t been far away.
Rileys Road is well placed in the Lester Coffee Pace (2040m).
He is a C1 class pacer who drops a grade and has drawn barrier two to boot.
It has been more than 12 months since he won a race but his form has been good and includes eight placings and three fourths from 14 starts this season.
Tomanbil Road (John Boserio) is finally living up to expectations and was a winner here a fortnight ago.
He followed that with a handy third at Menangle on Monday.
Geeigh Geoff (Andrew Cassell) and Smooth Maestro (David Harris) are both recent winners while Mihailovich, Micklebri Princess, Work In Progress, Broadway King, Michiko Wahini and What Say You all have claims in a very hard race.
The Rosewood Stud NSW State Bred Bonus 3yo Pace (1660m) has attracted a very evenly graded field, resulting in a number of runners having strong claims.
Jimmy Hanover (Garth Hoy) has drawn well in barrier three for the sprint race and his recent form is hard to fault.
He led throughout to win at Peak Hill before finishing third, beaten seven metres behind Rockabout Nemo here on July 5.
Tully Rachel (Michael Hardy) showed a ton of pace to lead and win here last week and from barrier one she has a chance to repeat her last performance.
Sevens (Greg Lew) Just Chiming (John Vautin) and Alfajiri (Brad Kelly) all have sound form and have drawn favourably off the front row.
The Ron Dunford Chemist Pace (2040m) sees an even bunch engaged with the best of them appearing to be Shes So Hot (Andrew Brooks) who ran second at Wagga two starts back.
Last Ditch (Angela Hedges) was a winner here three starts back and has claims while Magical Ken (David Harris) ran an eye catching fourth last weekend.
Four Dollars (John Boserio) appears to be the best bet of the night in the JT Cock & Sons Pace (2040m).
The three year old has won three races this season and his form during June and July has been quite consistent.
Hion Speed has shown a marked improvement since joining the Brett Hutchings barn and his third here last week suggests that he is the main danger to Four Dollars while Jellybean Jean (Steve Dowton) must be given another chance.
The final event on the program, the Parkes Champion Post Pace (1660m) is a bit of a lottery as there is not a lot of form to choose from.
Pearces Dream (Chris Pearce) ran fourth here last week and is drawn well in barrier four.
Call Me Sis (Anthony Winnell) ran second at Bathurst on June 11 while there is also something to like about Druids Ace (Deehan Crook) and Kid Courageous (Saul Duck).
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