If you are looking for a horse to back in the Central West at the moment, you could do far worse than just look for the purple silks and slap on a pineapple.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The iconic purple and mauve sash of the Mark Hewitt stable has been red-hot of late - and Hewitt added to his collection of winners with victory in a NSW Breeders Challenge heat in Parkes on Friday evening.
Based in Grenfell but an honourary local at the Parkes track, Hewitt took out the three-year-old Fillies heat of the NSW Breeders Challenge with Good Cheddar This ($9.50) after picking off the well-backed Miss Lemon ($1.85f) in the shadows of the post.
It was Hewitt's fourth win in his last 10 races in the gig, and the trainer-driver said after the race that the stable has been enjoying quite the purple patch.
"We've got some of our better horses back racing, so we are performing pretty good and we have a nice little roll on now at the stable," he said.
Amanda Turnbull appeared to have the monopoly on the race after drawing gate 1 and 2 for Miss Lemon and Hold My Halo ($3.30), but after the latter went up in the air just after the start, causing carnage behind her, the race did not pan out as expected.
Hewitt was able to avoid the kerfuffle, and sat one-out, one-back before making his move from three-wide at the top of the straight, picking off the vulnerable Miss Lemon to win by a neck in a swift 1:58.8, with Classical Music ($17) another length back in third.
He wasn't entirely happy with the draw (which for this series is done randomly, and not by National Rating), but said he was pleased with the way the Betterthancheddar x Persuasive filly was able to run out the race.
"I had no luck at the draw, but I did have a bit of luck early after avoiding the skirmish.
"Once the race panned out like that, I was in a good position at the top of the straight," said Hewitt.
It means Good Cheddar This will progress to the semi final, with Bathurst due to host the $30,000 final on December 1.
READ MORE SPORT STORIES:
Despite not having the breeding pedigree of some of her opponents, the fact the filly was able to win despite the wide draw (10) is a great sign for the rest of the NSW Breeders Challenge Series.
"I'm really pleased with how she's performed, she will be in the semi and I think she will be a real shot," Hewitt said.
Hewitt also had a runner, Western Bill ($71) in the Colts and Geldings heat - though he'd completely written off the gelding pre-race.
"He hasn't got the ability, he'll struggle," said Hewitt.
The three-year-old certainly wasn't disgraced despite the huge quote though, finishing 9.3 metres back in forth behind star gelding Major Bracken ($1.50f) - meaning he is still in with a shot in the series.
Parkes will now host the next two Friday night meetings, after COVID-19 forced the races scheduled for Dubbo and Eugowra to be moved.
Two more heats of the NSW Breeders Challenge will be held this Friday, while the following Friday will be a regular eight race card.
Punters may not be able to attend trackside as of yet thanks to the Public Health Order but if you're watching at home on Sky Racing 1, you just need to look for the purple when you wonder who to bet on. Mark won't let you down.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
Bookmark www.parkeschampionpost.com.au
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
