Experienced Temora trainer Ray Walker gets his chance to breakthrough for an elusive group one win in Saturday night's $100,000 Bathurst Gold Crown Final (1730m).
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Walker's unbeaten two-year-old Mister Rea has come up with the coveted gate one draw and has been installed as an odds-on favourite for feature.
Walker has long been one of the Riverina's most successful harness racing trainers and gets a golden opportunity to capture his maiden group one success at the time-honoured Bathurst carnival.
Walker has trained a number of talented pacers over his time and is not getting his hopes up ahead of Saturday night.
"I've had six (group one) seconds, but who's counting," Walker said with a laugh.
"I've had a few thirds and fourths as well.
"But I've been happy doing that, there is good money in finishing down the road so I don't really worry about that.
"A group one doesn't worry me but I'd like to win a Bathurst Gold Crown. It's a bit like I always wanted to win a Leeton Breeders Plate since I was a kid.
"It would be nice to win a Bathurst Gold Crown. It's a good money race and there has been some pretty nice horses win it."
MORE SPORT NEWS
Mister Rea has won all three of his starts and made a statement with his ultra-impressive win in the group two Sapling Stakes at Menangle on Miracle Mile night earlier this month.
He backed it up with a good win in the heat last Friday night where he qualified the fastest with a winning mile rate of 1:55.8.
Coolamon reinsman Daryll Perrot will take the drive and Walker expects to lead.
"I don't want to give that advantage away if we've got it," Walker said.
"He's been drawing bad and I kept saying to Daryll all along, it will be nice to draw one in a big one, we don't want to waste it."
Mister Rea is owned by Walker, his wife Jane and Leeton's Greg O'Callaghan, a long-time supporter of the stable.
Walker believes Masquerading, drawn two, who ran second behind Mister Rea last week is a danger, while he also wary of Lightning Dan.
Blake Jones will also feature in the final, driving Im In Trouble, while Rocknroll Sass, The Mountain and Stravinsky will also represent the Riverina in group one finals on the night.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
