IT'S a sad fact that the inaugural Million Dollar Pace won't be taking place in 2020 due to the coronavirus but the Regional Championships, to be held in its place, are still going to be quite the spectacle for pacing fans.
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Harness Racing NSW recently released their top five selections for the upcoming $100,000 Regional Championships at Bathurst Paceway, based on iForm ratings, and if it's any indication of what to expect for the race then we're in for a treat.
The Bathurst-trained quintet of Animal, College Chapel, Life Lavros, Make Mine Memphis and Shoobee Doo are the best-rated chances for the event.
They each boast strong claims for the race - targeted at horses with a national rating between 60 and 70 - should they front up.
Group 2 Southern Cross Series champion Animal has been a consistent performer for his trainer Amanda Turnbull.
His only two misses over the past two season have been due to breaking stride.
When he's held it together, Animal hasn't missed a placing over the last two years.
If Bernie Hewitt's Gold Crown winner College Chapel can rediscover his two-year-old form then he'll be one to watch.
College Chapel has undergone battles with asthma ever since his Gold Crown victory and it kept him away from the race track for 10 months.
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Hewitt has confidence College Chapel is back on track, past the peak of his breathing issues, and poised to be a strong chance for the $100,000 event.
The Georges Plains trainer has the Gold Crown champion well rated for the race
His single start this season at Menangle looked a disappointing eighth placing on paper but Hewitt wasn't displeased with the effort.
"He's still in the hunt. I've been trialling him lately to give him a couple of runs and he'll be ready to start," he said.
"He was up in grade so if he won another race he'd be out of it. I've been waiting for this race to come along.
"He was just buried on the fence in his last start and he never got a clear crack at them."
From a medical perspective Hewitt said College Chapel is looking as fit as ever.
"It doesn't seem to be worrying him too much. I thought the smoke might have bothered him during that period over summer," he said.
"With a bit of racing we'll be able to see whether it's affected him a whole lot or not.
"He's got some hope of getting back to where he was. He wouldn't be too far off it, I'd say, and a bit more racing might get him there."
Ashlee Grives' Life Lavros did himself lots of favours with his recent brave effort in defeat against Atomic Red.
The Bettors Delight rig is graded perfectly for the event, and despite being winless this season he's done very little wrong in his races.
Had he won his most recent start it would have easily been his fastest winning mile rate at Bathurst.
Bathurst plays host to the $100,000 Group 1 Western Regional Championships final on May 20.
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Alexander Grant
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
