YOUNG Bathurst driver Max Hughes will be part of a strong Bathurst representation making their way to Parkes for an eight-race program tonight.
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Hughes’ profile has been steadily growing since his win in the Rising Stars Series last year and he is continuing his work with Peter Bullock.
“I love it out here. Peter’s been really good to me and he’s given me plenty of opportunities to drive his horses,” Hughes said.
“Parkes has been pretty good to me. Bathurst is a track that’s a lot stronger than Parkes, but Parkes is a great front- runners’ track.
“It favours those that can get the lead.”
Hughes will take two drives for Meadow Flat trainer Graham Bullock at tonight’s meeting.
The first of those is the Courage Under Fire out of What Tooths Next filly Tooth On Fire, who will go around over 1660 metres.
The six-year-old is still searching for her second win as she lines up for start number 24.
Hughes will step up for his fourth drive on the filly.
He believes the last start counts for nothing in the face of some poor luck.
He thinks he can overcome a tough draw from gate six.
“Tooth On Fire had a flat tyre last start, but she got to the line alright. She might want some more time. She does have some good gate speed, though,” he said.
Two races later, and over the same distance, will come a similarly named filly, but a much less experienced one, up for just her sixth career start.
Heavenly Tooth, an Art Major out of Tooth Almighty three-year-old, hasn’t even broken the $500 mark in prizemoney yet, having no top three finishes to her name.
Her best effort to date came with a fourth place two starts back at Cowra and Hughes says she’ll be a great chance from gate four should she put in a similar effort.
“Heavenly Tooth has drawn fairly, however, it’s not the best,” he said.
“Last start she raced well without luck. She ran a good race a few starts back at Cowra and has had a couple of good trials.
“I’d have to give it to Heavenly Tooth, though, if I had to pick one, from that draw.
“She’s been going alright without luck, so hopefully her luck might change.”
Bathurst trainers Steve, Josh and Wendy Turnbull, Peter Bullock, Bernie Hewitt, John O’Shea and Nathan Hurst will all bring a host of chances with them to Parkes.
The first race will begin at 6.32pm.