Goulburn harness racing trainer Brad Hewitt prepared a treble at Canberra on Monday night and the common link between the three horses is part owner Jarrod Croker. Croker is the captain of the Canberra Raiders rugby league team and wears the number three jersey on the field. Hewitt and Croker have been friends for years and the young horseman is hoping their success can continue on the track.
“I think Jarrod has been in five or six horses with me now and they have all won, he has become a bit of a lucky charm for the stable,” Hewitt said.
“We both grew up in Goulburn and while we didn’t go to the same school we played for the same rugby league club before he started playing for the junior Raiders, Jarrod loves harness racing and he is out cheering on his horses whenever they are in and he isn’t playing or training.”
The first leg of Monday night’s treble was former New Zealander My Trial By Jury.
“All of them are former kiwis, My Trial By Jury went really well at Menangle last week, he doesn’t show a lot at home but I think he is one of those horses that goes a lot better at the races.
“Monterey Jack was the second winner for me, he’s a solid three year old without being a star but I still think he will do a good job going forward.”
The final winner for Hewitt at the Canberra meeting was Tullow, a three year old by Mach Three.
“He’s got brilliant speed and he showed a heap of it on Monday night, he has just kept on improving since he arrived in Australia and if he continues to get better then I will think about taking him to Brisbane for the Queensland Derby.
“I’ve nominated him for Menangle on Saturday night as well, another one of his part owners is Raiders halfback Sam Williams, he hasn’t had a horse for a while so it was nice for him to get a winner.”
Hewitt has his talented mare Sweet Molly Oshea engaged at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night.
“She has had a few trials but I want to see where she is at this week because if she races well then I will take her to Melbourne for the Queen Of The Pacific.”
“I wish I had a bit more time with her because she isn’t eligible for the Breeders Crown and there aren’t a lot of mares’ races around.”
Sweet Molly Oshea last raced on Inter Dominion day when she took out the Gr. 2 Carnival Stakes. Another of Hewitt’s talented pacers Im Jay Tee will be on the sidelines for a number of months.
“He had a set back and he will be out for anywhere between six and twelve months, it is disappointing for the owners because he was doing a good job.”
Greg Hayes