Harrison Ross. Photo by Club Menangle
HE’S only 20 and his biggest win so far might just happen this weekend.
Goulburn reinsman Harrison Ross will contest Monday afternoon’s $30,000 Kriden Park Canola Cup at Eugowra, hoping to secure his biggest feature win so far.
Ross is currently driving in career-best form and will partner the Wade Judd-trained Artful Prince in the rich final after he combined with the gelding for an all-the-way win in his qualifying heat on Sunday afternoon.
“Artful Prince certainly gave me a great feel last Sunday,” said Ross.
“My only other drive on him was four days earlier at Bathurst where he ran a huge race to finish second, beaten just over a length.
“So, when he drew gate one at Eugowra, I was confident that he would be hard to beat, and he did not disappoint.
“Juddy has him flying so hopefully he can draw well in Monday’s final.”
Artful Prince and fellow heat winners Chart Topper and Rocknroll Raider each have strong claims in an open final.
Chart Topper ran the fastest time of the trio and prior to the barrier draw was quoted as the favourite ahead of his stablemate Rocknroll Raider.
Harness racing for the coming long weekend kicks off at Newcastle this afternoon, with the Hunter Valley Club hosting a strong 10-race program followed by Wagga, who are hosting an eight-race fixture.
Harrison Ross kicks off his busy weekend at Wagga, where he will contest the first six races.
He will partner handy two-year-old Treacherous Belle in Race 3, the filly coming up against older pacers.
Trained by Brad Hewitt, the well-bred daughter of Captaintreacherous has not been seen since she dead heated with Our Dance Monkey at Bathurst on September 18 in a heat of the NSW Breeders Challenge and has drawn ideally in gate one for tonight’s assignment.
Despite her good form and favourable barrier, Ross is a little wary that she is a young filly taking on the older horses.
“She is a very nice filly with a bright future, but it is quite a challenge for a lightly-raced youngster to take on older horses and there are some handy ones engaged including Victorian mare Gotta Hav Me,” he said.
“But if I can secure the right run with her, I am confident that she will figure in the finish.”
Harrison’s other strong chance lies with the Craig Turnbull-trained Binalong Week in Race 1.
