Hannah chasing success at Blayney

11 February 2023

THE Billy Soo Memorial Cup, held annually at Blayney, is a feature on the Western District Harness Racing calendar and headlines this afternoon’s TAB Carnival of Cups program.

Billy Soo was a well-known and popular businessman in Blayney, so it is fitting that the Memorial race named in his honour continues to be run with trainers always keen to support the event.

This year’s edition has attracted a strong field of nine runners, including three pacers trained outside the region.

Crookwell trainer Scott Hewitt is making the trip up to Blayney with Sailor Girl, who has been racing consistently, hoping to break through for a win following a frustrating run of minor placings.

To be driven by Hannah Rixon, Sailor Girl is backing up from a sound effort at Tabcorp Park Menangle, where she ran third behind Bridwood Bella on January 21.

A week earlier, the five-year-old led and was nosed out right on the post by Mighty Joe in the Temora Cup.

Hewitt trains the daughter of Sportswriter for his cousin Dennis Picker, who also bred the mare.

Picker is currently having a break from training his horses, concentrating on his sheep farming enterprise.

“She is doing a great job for me,” said Hewitt.

“I have been so impressed with what she has done this time in.

“It is quite an achievement to step up from lower graded racing to then contest the country cups.

“But she keeps coping with taking the step up and hopefully we can capture a Cup win today.

“She is best driven forward in her races, so drawing gate one this afternoon is a great advantage.

“Hannah will attempt to get her away fast and hold a position up near the lead.”

The Steve Turnbull-trained Saint Emilion is the main danger to Sailor Girl, however he must contend with a second-line gate nine draw.

Second-up from a spell today, Saint Emilion will be driven by Blake Micallef and has class on his side, which should help him overcome his adverse draw.

Hannah Rixon’s father Peter has bonny mare Gigi Bob in the Cup, a last-start winner to be driven by Phoebe Betts.

The first race at Blayney this afternoon is the Royal Hotel 2yo Pace, which will see seven youngsters face the starter for the first time.