Bathurst four year old, Lethal Promise will start a short priced favourite in this Sunday afternoon’s $10,000 Ex Services & Citizens Club Series Final (1800m) at the Peak Hill Harness Racing Club's Carnival of Cups TAB meeting.
Trained by one of the best in the business namely Bernie Hewitt, Lethal Promise could not have been more impressive when recording a comfortable win in his qualifying heat which was conducted under picture perfect skies last weekend.
On that occasion he was driven by Mat Rue who had the gelding poised to pounce just off the pace before unleashing a powerful finish to score by four and a half metres in a very slick 1.57.2.
The horse that ran third to him, Tulhurst Santanna (Nathan Hurst) made all the running in front and was gallant in defeat, beaten by just over six metres and again he will be the one that Lethal Promise has to get over the top of in the final.
Mat Rue landed a winning treble on the afternoon with one of his wins being aboard the Kevin Medlyn trained Blake On Fire in the second heat of the Series.
Although his winning mile rate was some two and a half seconds slower than that recorded in the first heat, the Parkes pacer looked to have something in reserve as he strode clear for a resounding win over Shazam Shannon and Master Benny with the latter being responsible for a huge effort after being posted off the track for the last 1200 metres of the race.
Sunday’s meeting which kicks off at 12.09pm promises to be a beauty with a plethora of great racing and entertainment for patrons.
Another feature on the program is the $10,000 Kriden Park Lady Drivers Invitational.
Drivers of the fairer sex who have confirmed that they will be competing in the race include inform Bathurst drivers Ashlee Grives, McKayler Barnes, Emma Turnbull, Amy Rees and Angela Hedges.
Parkes will be represented by the very talented Kasey Hocking while popular Dubbo girl, Jacqui Ingham will also be competing.
Two $10,000 heats of the Tabcorp Park Menangle Series are programmed on a card that is offering almost $70,000 in prize money and trophies for the nine race program.
Craig Dumnesy