FOR a trainer who has notched up more than 100 winners the last two seasons, it is almost unheard of that they would have two runners in the same race at triple-figure odds.
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But that could very well happen to master George Plains trainer-driver Bernie Hewitt in Saturday night's Group 2 Simpson Memorial (1,609 metres) at Menangle Park.
When the field was released for the $50,000 race for three-year-old colts and geldings, Hewitt's Rock Fisherman ($201) and The Mustang ($101) were at long odds.
Given The Mustang has finished no worse than third in his last six runs and Rock Fisherman has previously contested an Evolution Series and New South Wales Breeders Challenge Final at the same track, those odds came as a shock to Hewitt.
He expects both will be shorter come barrier rise.
"Rock Fisherman, they've got him 200-1 and they've got The Mustang at 100-1, so they don't give us much chance. I suppose the TAB might be different come the race," he said.
"Yeah I was surprised when I first saw that, they'll both run good races I think.
"Both are going really well, I'm happy with them, so hopefully they can put their best foot forward on Saturday night.
"They might not be up to the better ones, like Smooth Baht, he looks like he's a really nice horse, he's really come on since his two-year-old turn, and Grant Dixon's got a couple in there who are pretty well in the market.
"But we'd be hoping for a place for sure, as long as they have trouble free runs I think they'll both have good accounts of themselves. That's the intention, that's what we'll be trying to do, get into the money."
As Hewitt indicated, the Steve Turnbull trained Smooth Baht, who has won his last three starts, is a very real threat. He has drawn nicely in barrier two for the The Lagoon trainer-driver.
Favouritism is likely to be held by one of Dixon's duo - Group 1 winner Governor Jujon (barrier one) or Virgil (barrier five).
Hewitt also knows that a slick mile rate can be expected over the short trip, but he is pleased with the current form of his two chances.
He will steer Rock Fisherman from barrier three, a draw which plays to the strengths of the Pet Rock x Lady Jasperella gelding. His son Doug will be in the gig behind The Mustang and also has options from barrier six.
"He [Rock Fisherman] gets off the arm pretty quick, but he's best suited with a sit these days. He's always been a better sit horse than a leader, so I'd imagine we'll dive in for cover with him," Hewitt said.
"I'm not sure what Dougie will do with his fella, he's got pretty good gate speed if he wants to go forward.
"I think there's no risk there will be reasonably good speed early and they usually back it off in the second quarter and get home in a solid half mile. They'll run pretty big time in it, no risk, but both our horses, I'm pretty happy with where they are up to."
The Simpson Memorial is set to go at 8.48pm.
