Coelli’s Breeders Plate runner in good hands

IT HAS been some time since Leeton trainer Terry Coelli has had a Breeders Plate runner, but his filly Man Hands will be one of four local hopes in the Riverina’s richest race.

Trained with help from grandson Grant, who owns the horse with uncle Matthew, Coelli senior is realistic about the filly’s chances. 

He is well aware there is always more involved in racing than just having a fast horse.

“She’s a nice little filly, but there’s a couple of smart ones around,” Coelli said.

“My grandson Grant has done all the work for her. I’ve jogged her.

“When she qualified she was 2:01, 2:02. With the young ones you never know. You need to get a good draw.”

Which is exactly what has happened – Man Hands drew barrier one in the first heat on Monday night.

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With a harness racing history stretching back decades, Coelli can remember the halcyon days of the MIA Breeders Plate.

“It’s the greatest ever, just look at the crowds we’ve had,” he said. “It has been unreal. I can remember when they had nine heats.

“Our Breeders Plate was like the Melbourne Cup.”

Coelli knows the secret to harness racing success – and it’s simple.

“Get the good horse,” he said. “Anyone can train a good horse.”

Former Riverina horseman David Jack has the early favourite for the MIA Breeders Plate.

Despite drawing the second row in heat two, Call Me Hector is coming off a dominating run at Ballarat last Friday night, storming to victory by 30.8 metres and setting a fast mile rate of 1:57.2.

Now based a Euroa, Jack was thrilled by the son of Art Major’s efforts.

“He is showing a lot of promise and looks like he could be a pretty good colt,” Jack said.

“I’m pretty happy with him. He seems pretty strong and just travels really good.

“He has been working well and we have been happy with him for a while so it didn’t surprise us actually.”

While Jack drove Mike Brennan to a Breeders Plate victory for Ray Walker in 2008, it is only the second time he will line up one of his own horses.

He will also have Tygerphinn, who finished fourth behind his stablemate at Ballarat, from barrier one in the first heat on Monday night.

THIS year’s Kriden Park Ladies Invitational to be held on January 1 will feature:

RECENT on-course work has focused on drainage.

“With all the rain in the winter an area was under water so we put in a new drainage system,” Leeton Harness Racing Club secretary Joanne Punch said.

The next project is shelter over the outdoor seating.

“We have a meeting in February then May, then we start again in July so even if we get one or two done in between,” Punch said.

The track has been graded this week with new inside pegs installed.

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