PARKES Harness Racing Club is still coming down from the wonderful success of its Carnival of Cups meeting held during the Elvis Festival.
The meeting saw a lot of out of town pacers take home the lion’s share of the prizemoney with eight of the 10 races being won by Bathurst trained horses while the remaining two races went to Dubbo and Goulburn pacers.
Tonight’s Parkes meeting has much more of a local flavour with many of the Parkes stables well represented along with a strong contingent from Dubbo.
Steve Dowton has been a prominent driver in the district for several years and he has a good book of drives on the six-race program.
His first assignment comes up in the opening event when the Jimmy Clyburn trained Reign Blue Chip will contest the Tooheys & Parkes Cellars Pace (2040m).
The four-year-old was formerly trained by Brian Hancock and has very sound form that includes placings at Menangle and, more recently, he was runner up, defeated narrowly by Hurrysound at Parkes on January 11.
Stanley Vale (John O’Shea) has been a little disappointing since resuming from a spell but has drawn well and could pose a threat if he can produce his best. Uni Fees (Colin Young) has been runner-up at his past two outings and could also figure in the finish if he can overcome his awkward barrier seven draw.
Dowton will team-up with the Clyburn-Logan camp again to drive Cam Pacific in the Parkes Leagues Club Pace (2040m) and although his hasn’t won a race since August 2010, he is in with a very real chance in an open affair. He has been placed fourth at Dubbo at his past two starts .
In Damascus (Robert Harris) didn’t handle his latest trip to Bathurst on January 4, finishing well down the course, but he is much better than that and is the class runner in a field of eight.
His previous local form was quite respectable and you can expect a forward showing from the gelding.
Shave It Off (Katie Jenner) and Smooth Maestro (David Harris) both have claims while the interesting runner is ageing gelding Elite Ted who has won 19 races.
Imitate Life is raced by Parkes bank manager, Troy Peters and is trained by Steve Dowton.
The filly looks well placed to break through for a win in the Hando Family 2012 Bathurst Gold Crown Honourees 3yo Pace (2040m).
She has only had the two runs at Dubbo where she was beaten a head by Bee Mine on Boxing night and had to settle for second prize again on January 8 when beaten by Holy Camp Girl. Her main threat is likely to be Aurora Bell, a recent Bathurst placegetter from the strong Steve Turnbull stable.
Of the others, Gracey Grace (Malcolm Hutchings), Scots Legacy (Trent Rue) and Mumas Boy Red (Steve Turnbull) all have claims.
A further two heats of the rich Western District Championship will also be decided.
Bathurst ran the opening heats on January 15 and the $9,000 Million Dollar Cam Final which also carries a gig for the winning trainer will be held at Dubbo on February 3.
Promising Dubbo trained four-year-old, Mavrick is starting out of his class in the Col Fletcher Ford sponsored heat three (2040m) of the Championship.
His trainer-driver, Warren Sambrook, has a big opinion of the gelding and so he should.
He burst onto the scene scoring back-to- back victories at Dubbo during December and then he tackled strong company at Parkes on Elvis night, finishing a close up third after doing plenty of work.
Highview Kiwi (Steve Turnbull) put up a poor performance behind her at Parkes last meeting but returned to the winner’s circle at Bathurst a week later and she is a real danger to Mavrick.
Others that have claims include Dancing Joroco (Nathan Townsend), Avoca Capri (Brett Hutchings), The Westernbelle (Jason Hewitt) and Sign On Sally (Mark Hewitt).
The fourth and final heat (2040m) is sponsored by Telescope Tyres and the Bernie Hewitt trained Screaman Seaman (Jason Hewitt) is the on top pick despite resuming from a five-month layoff.
His last outing was at Menangle where he scored an impressive win in 1.55.2 and Bernie is a great conditioner who is likely to have the four-year-old spot-on for this assignment.
Business Time (John O’Shea) has scored two wins at Bathurst in his past four starts and has strong claims along with Stellar Esprit (Brad Kelly) which should get a good run on the back of Screaman Seaman.
She is a model of consistency and went close to beating Lettucereason at Goulburn last Sunday.
Terry Powter has a promising type in his stable in the shape of Go Scotty (John O’Shea) and he looks the goods in the Gordon Bray Australia Day Pace (2040m).
Both his wins this season have been here on his home track and he hasn’t been disgraced against strong opposition in recent starts.
His opponents are evenly matched with the dangers appearing to be Imposing Sign, Itz The Promised One, Panvoolas Mission and Then We Dance.
The first race gets underway at 7.24pm and the famous Yabby Races are likely to set a real Australia Day theme.
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