GOULBURN trainer Sam Hewitt says he is hoping to get a couple of extra wins out of classy mare Modern Dancer before a breeding career, and based on what she's done recently she can pick one up on Wednesday at Bathurst Paceway.
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The six-year-old by Modern Art out of Phantom Dancer brings strong form into the R4-R5 Pace over 2,260 metres having won her last two races, both at Menangle.
In a steady 63-race career she has won 12 times in total, as well as running 23 placings, and she comes into Wednesday's meeting within touching distance of $100,000 in career earnings.
But a tough draw, and a couple of driving changes mean that she is likely to yield favouritism to multiple Group 1 placegetter Freedom Is, who starts from gate one.
"I think when I first looked at the field and their recent form I thought my mare would be too good for them but Freedom Is has won well over $100,000 and has drawn perfectly from the inside on the front," Hewitt said.
"My horse goes from second on the back row so it will be tough, but with luck there will be a bit of speed on and she can come home over the top of them.
"I've driven her for her whole career but to get her into this race I had to use a concession driver, Chris Geary has over 100 winners this season so he was a great choice.
"But then because of the weather, the Menangle meeting from the other day got shifted to Wednesday night and Chris had a book of drives there. Instead I've got Ben Battle in the gig.
"He's a Blayney boy, he's come down and helped out a lot at Goulburn so I've got no doubt he's capable of doing the job."
With Freedom Is almost certain to lead given her draw, Hewitt is banking on her being forced to keep a high tempo in order to keep front spot. If that happens he is confident his mare has the quality to make a charge.
"Modern Dancer is better in front when she's drawn well but from where she is, I'll be hoping she can get a cart-up ideally and make a run in the final stages," he said.
"I just hope Freedom Is doesn't get away with a couple of cheap quarters to start the race. If she does, she will be nearly impossible to stop."
Though Modern Dancer could conceivably have a couple of good seasons left in front of her, especially given her recent form, her trainer says she has probably earned an early trip to the retirement paddock.
"She raced a lot as a two and three-year-old, missed a season as a four-year-old but has probably done her best racing this last 12 months," he said.
"She's getting up in grade which is the worst thing, it has been hard to find her a race this month which is why we were keen to get her in at Bathurst.
"I think she might go to the breeding barn reasonably soon, but I'd like to get a few more wins in first then I'd be happy to see her retire."
This evening's meeting starts at 4.33pm.