ROYAL Story is a strong contender for Group 1 glory this Sunday when she lines up for Georges Plains trainer Bernie Hewitt in the Alabar NSW Breeders Challenge Three-Year-Old Fillies Final (1,609 metres).
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There’s just one problem. Dont Think Twice is also in the race.
The Jason Grimson-trained Gold Bracelet champion will start as a red hot favourite for the $153,000 event as she searches for her 13th career victory in 20 starts.
However, Hewitt has gained a helping hand from the draw.
Royal Story will start from gate three while Don’t Think Twice has to contend with a start from two wide on the second row.
Betting markets have Hewitt’s filly as the runner most likely to upset Grimson’s superstar filly.
Hewitt is hopeful he can lead the race from start to finish.
“She’s drawn ideally. She’ll be right up there, if not in front she’ll be handy. I think she can lead from there and has pretty good gate speed,” he said.
“She’s racing really well and I think she’s a good chance. Jason Grimson’s filly is the measuring stick, and I think she should get a nice run through because she’s got a good trailing draw.
“We’ll give her a run for her money, we hope.”
Royal Story finished a narrow runner-up in her semi-final to Our Sohoe.
Hewitt isn’t concerned about missing the top spot in the semi considering the effort his runner had to produce.
“She’s been racing very consistently, including her heat win which she dominated,” Hewitt said.
“Her semi-final second was really good. She did a lot of work to get to the lead and she just got beaten on the line by a horse who sat on her from the one gate and had the soft trip.”
Hewitt has also qualified Might And Main for the final after finishing fifth in the same heat as her stablemate. Mat Rue will have the drive.
After sneaking into the field, and being handed gate eight for the decider, a lot of luck is going to be required for her to get involved at the finish.
Hewitt has a third runner at the feature meeting with Pretty Hot taking on the Alabar NSW Breeders Challenge Three-Year-Old Colts & Geldings Final (1,609m).
The Bathurst region is strongly represented at the meeting.
Rue, Wayne Watterson, Peter Trevor-Jones, Kevin Hurst, Chris Frisby plus Steve, Amanda and Nathan Turnbull will all be out for glory on Sunday.
