In the first two races of his career as a driver, Hayden Lew got the experience the highs and lows of harness racing.
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The local teenager made his debut in the gig on Sunday at Dubbo Harness Racing Club but in his debut race his horse Roll With Tricky got into a gallop just as the event began and after falling a long way off the pace he had to settle for a last-placed finish.
But in the very next event, the NSWSOA & Cobbity Equine Pace (1720m), Lew guided Neikte River to a strong 2.5m victory.
Making the victory even more special is the fact Nekite River is trained by Hayden’s dad, Peter, while it was bred by his grandparents, John and Jan Lew.
Starting from gate six, Lew moved Nekite River ($6.80) forward early but stayed wide enough to avoid some contact at the first corner.
The youngster moved further up down the back straight and moved into second on the outside of leader Bettors Power ($7.10).
The order didn’t change as the field went past the post and got the bell but Lew stayed in touch and made his move as the bend for home approached.
At the top of the straight Nekite River got to the front while Nathan Hurst and Bettors Power began to drop off the pace.
Pre-race favourite Zodiac Dream ($2.70) started to loom from the outside and Lew was nervously looking around in the gig but his lead was too much.
The young gun went on to guide his father’s five-year-old gelding to victory while Zodiac Dream ran on well for second and Medonc ($31.90) was third.
While Hurst had faded late in that event, it wasn’t the case in the first event of the meeting.
The NSW Standardbred Owners Association Pace (1720m) was not only the first race of Sunday’s meeting, it was the first race of a new season at Dubbo Harness Racing Club.
And it was only fitting Hurst, who trained the Two-Year-Old/Three-Year-Old Horse of the Year at Dubbo last season, claimed the win.
Hurst was a long way back during the final lap and had work to do but flew home to win with relative ease in the gig of Safely Under Wraps ($2.30 favourite).
“I was a little worried when he was caught up … but it all opened up around the bend and he’s got really good speed so he was able to get over the top of them,” he said.
“Once he started his run he felt pretty good and he was going pretty quick so I thought he might able to pick them up.”
Hurst hinted Safely Under Wraps might have a crack at the Canola Cup feature at Eugowra later this month but he was more pleased to claim the first win of the season.
“It’s good to start the season off well. If you don’t it can seem to drag on a bit but this is a good start,” he said.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
