Back
Home
Racing
Industry & Integrity
News & Podcasts
Futurities
HRNSW
Clubs & Assoc
GIPA
Fantasy Harness Racing
Race & Feature Dates
Carnival Of Cups
Breeders Challenge
Upcoming Meetings
Gear Changes
Scratchings
Sectional Times
HarnessWeb
Results
Stewards Reports
Follow Up Reports
RULES
Participant Directory
Concession Drivers
Premierships
Regional Boundaries
Forms
Horse
Participants - Ownership & Banking
Participants - Licences
Bookmakers and Race Fields
Complaints
Insurance
HRAP
RAT
Drought Assistance
Fees
Insurance
Important Messages For Trainers and/or Drivers
Claims
Policy Wordings
Notices
Racing Notices
Integrity Notices
Industry Notices
COVID-19 Notices
Harness Racing Appeals Panel
HRAP Process
HRAP Forms
Integrity
Disqualifications
Open Inquiries
Racing Appeals Tribunal
RAT Appeal Process
RAT Forms
Appeals
Appeals Pending
Appeal Decisions
Development & Support Program (DASP)
HRNSW Policies
SafeWork Code Of Practice
Sulky Recovery Scheme
Latest News
Latest Videos
Podcasts
The Sprint Lane
Fantasy Harness Racing
About Us
What We Do
Functions and Powers
Board
Executive
Stewards
Racing Office
Licensing and Registration
Stakeholder Engagement Plan
Contact Us
Complaints & Enquiries
Integrity Auditor
General Complaints
Enquiries Structure
Get Involved
Ownership
Betting
Horse Sales
Terminology
How To Read A Formguide
Breeding
Statements and Payments Online
View Statements
Make Payments
Document Library
Annual Reports
Strategic Plan
Legislation
Awards Criteria
NSW Breeding Guide
Tax Parity
Breeding Report
IER Report
Racing Data Reports
Race Fields and Corporate Wagering Operators
Positions Vacant
Website Terms and Conditions
Clubs
Harness Racing Industry Consultation Group
Accredited Bodies
Club Photographers
Harness Racing NSW Rehoming
Access to information
Racing
Race & Feature Dates
Carnival Of Cups
Breeders Challenge
Upcoming Meetings
Gear Changes
Scratchings
Sectional Times
HarnessWeb
Results
Stewards Reports
Follow Up Reports
RULES
Participant Directory
Concession Drivers
Premierships
Regional Boundaries
Industry & Integrity
Forms
Horse
Participants - Ownership & Banking
Participants - Licences
Bookmakers and Race Fields
Complaints
Insurance
HRAP
RAT
Drought Assistance
Fees
Insurance
Important Messages For Trainers and/or Drivers
Claims
Policy Wordings
Notices
Racing Notices
Integrity Notices
Industry Notices
COVID-19 Notices
Harness Racing Appeals Panel
HRAP Process
HRAP Forms
Integrity
Disqualifications
Open Inquiries
Racing Appeals Tribunal
RAT Appeal Process
RAT Forms
Appeals
Appeals Pending
Appeal Decisions
Development & Support Program (DASP)
HRNSW Policies
SafeWork Code Of Practice
Sulky Recovery Scheme
News & Podcasts
Latest News
Latest Videos
Podcasts
The Sprint Lane
Fantasy Harness Racing
Futurities
HRNSW
About Us
What We Do
Functions and Powers
Board
Executive
Stewards
Racing Office
Licensing and Registration
Stakeholder Engagement Plan
Contact Us
Complaints & Enquiries
Integrity Auditor
General Complaints
Enquiries Structure
Get Involved
Ownership
Betting
Horse Sales
Terminology
How To Read A Formguide
Breeding
Statements and Payments Online
View Statements
Make Payments
Document Library
Annual Reports
Strategic Plan
Legislation
Awards Criteria
NSW Breeding Guide
Tax Parity
Breeding Report
IER Report
Racing Data Reports
Race Fields and Corporate Wagering Operators
Positions Vacant
Website Terms and Conditions
Clubs & Assoc
Clubs
Harness Racing Industry Consultation Group
Accredited Bodies
Club Photographers
Harness Racing NSW Rehoming
GIPA
Access to information
Fantasy Harness Racing
Menu
Experience counts
26 October 2021
IF experience counts for anything, then at least one of Saturday night’s $150,000 Breeders Challenge finals at Tabcorp Park Menangle may be as good as over.
And after drawing gate one in the three-year-old colts and geldings final, the head-strong Titian Raider will be giving more than just veteran trainer Harry Martin a few headaches this week as rivals stew on how they can possibly beat him.
Martin turned 81 last weekend and is confident Titian Raider can become the champion horse he has been searching for in the 25 years since his Miracle Mile winner Double Identity retired from racing.
Martin became the oldest driver to win the Miracle Mile when he steered him to victory in 2002 and he has called on experience again this weekend by handing the driving to another experienced campaigner in Glenn McElhinney, who has a mere 40 years’ experience in the sulky.
And Martin also has a score to settle with his Menangle ‘neighbour’ Rickie Alchin, who will have second favourite Captain Crusader in Saturday night’s feature – one of four $150,000 Breeders Challenge finals to be run at Tabcorp Park Menangle.
“Rickie’s other horse Watts Up Sunshine beat Titian Raider by a head here one night, so I guess we do have a score to settle,” Martin said.
“Yes, there was a bit of banter between us when Captain Crusader was stabled next to us the other night.”
Martin doesn’t go overboard about his chances but is quietly confident Titian Raider can hold the lead from barrier one and lead all the way.
“Ricky’s horse does have terrific gate speed,” he said.
“Look, I hope we can hold him out when the starter lets them go. We’ll be doing our best.”
Martin admitted Titian Raider had a mind of his own and wasn’t the easiest horse to train.
“We had to leave the gig on him just so we could get the gear off him in the swabbing stall after he won the other night,” he laughed.
“Thankfully, he is learning. But he is a temperamental bugger.”
Martin said his former mighty pacer Double Identity held seven track records as one stage and went 1:53.5 to become the fastest horse in Australia, at one stage.
“Now we have three-year-olds going 1:50, it’s just incredible.
“Saturday’s night’s winner will probably need to go that fast to win. It’ll be a great race.”