WHEN Bernie Hewitt drove College Chapel to victory in the Gold Crown Final earlier this year, it marked the first time in his career he had won the prestigious Bathurst feature.
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Now the Georges Plains trainer-driver is chasing success in another of the Bathurst Harness Racing Club’s annual series – the Soldiers Saddle.
Since 2010 the closest Hewitt has come to winning the saddle decider was a 8.9m second with Son Of Lopez. That was eight years ago and Brad Hewitt was in the gig.
Hewitt picked up a third placing in 2014 with Kenny Dee Dee and has had two members of his team – Might And Main and Noplacelikehome – run fourth, but a win has eluded him.
This year Hewitt is once again hoping for success in the $15,000 final and a runner who could deliver it to him is Scarlet Babe.
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The four-year-old mare won her 1,730 metres heat on Wednesday night in impressive all the way fashion.
“She’s only had the three runs now back after a spell and just the one trial and she’s been coming along nicely,” Hewitt said.
“She’s not an easy filly to drive, but she’s maturing all the time and I think whatever she does this time in, I think she’ll be better for it.”
While her heat win came as she crossed the field from barrier three, pinched a 62.9 seconds first half then sprinted home well, Hewitt said Scarlet Babe can handle a sit too.
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“From my experience she can do it both ways, in front is a nice spot to be, but obviously we’ve got options,” he said.
The fastest qualifier for next Wednesday’s semi-finals was Peter Trevor-Jones’ Ominous Warning who clocked a 1:56.7 mile rate in his heat.
It was the seventh win from 10 starts this season for the seven-year-old, whom Trevor-Jones is hoping goes one better than his runner-up finish in the Star Trek Series final.
The first of the heats was taken out by Amanda Turnbull’s favourite My Secret Beach.