Jackson Painting has stormed to a handy lead in the Southwest and Riverina drivers' premiership.
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Painting trailed cousin Blake Jones, who has won the last four titles, at the midway point of the season.
However with four months remaining he now almost has a double figure lead.
After Young's meeting on Tuesday, Painting has 67.5 winners in the region so far this season.
Jones sits on 58 with Blake Micallef next best on 35.
Meanwhile Painting's uncle David Kennedy has extended his lead in the region's trainers' premiership.
After taking out the title last year, Kennedy has moved to 50.5 wins.
Ellen Bartley is next best on 36.
The season has been altered and now is measured over the calendar year.
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MISTER Rea will have his first start since taking out the group one Bathurst Gold Crown on Friday.
The fastest two-year-old in the country so far this season, Mister Rea resumes up against the older horses for Ray Walker at Riverina Paceway.
With Daryll Perrot to drive once more, Mister Rea has drawn barrier five in an up to 53 national ratings affair.
Mister Rea is unbeaten in four starts but it is the first time he will race in the Riverina ahead of the start of the NSW Breeders Challenge series.
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CAMERON Hart has hit the front in the NSW drivers premiership.
The former Junee reinsman moved one clear of Jack Trainor, who has been suspended since August 14.
However Hart has been unable to add to his tally of 116 wins since hitting the front with a double at Penrith on Thursday due to a seven-day suspension.
He will be back in the gig for Saturday's meeting at Menangle while Trainor's suspension expires on September 11.
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DIANNE Kelly enjoyed success as an owner and breeder over the past week.
The highlight was the impressive debut of two-year-old filly Steno at Menangle on Tuesday.
The daughter of group one winner Lady Waratah clocked a mile rate of 1:56.4.
She ran home in a last quarter of 26.5 to win by 2.4 metres.
Kelly also struck at Penrith last Thursday.
The Amber Hare was able to break through for her first win at start four for Cameron Ross.
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AN EARLY gallop didn't stop B K Swy added to her impressive record at Wagga on Friday.
The mare has only been unplaced once in her last seven starts, at Menangle with her latest win her third since June.
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WAGGA will hold a nine-race card on Friday.
The first will be run at 12.42pm with the prizemoney for the last boosted by Club Menangle with participants currently limited to their own region.
Leeton races on Tuesday which sees the first heats of the Breeders Challenge for the three-year-olds.
Courtney Rees
Courtney is a sports journalist from The Daily Advertiser focusing on Group Nine, Southern Inland, cricket, harness racing and greyhound racing.
Courtney is a sports journalist from The Daily Advertiser focusing on Group Nine, Southern Inland, cricket, harness racing and greyhound racing.
