NSW stars ready to tackle $1million feature

13 April 2023

ALL eyes will look towards Western Australia’s premier track Gloucester Park tonight when their rich million-dollar slot race, The Nullabor will be contested.

The race, to be run over the classic 2536-metre trip, has attracted a strong 10-horse field, with New South Wales having three representatives.

The Jason Grimson-trained Betterzippit, regular Grand Circuit campaigner Spirit Of St Louis from the Belinda McCarthy stable and new star on the rise, Loyalist for western Sydney trainer Joe Conolly will come up against strong local opposition in Perth.

Betterzippit looks the best placed of the Sydney trio after coming up with gate four at Tuesday’s barrier draw.

But it is Conolly’s Loyalist that has a lot of good judges believing he could be the knockout horse in the race.

He and Spirit Of St Louis are going to have to do it tough at some stage of the race as both drew adversely in gates seven and eight, respectively.

For Joe Conolly, the thrill of gaining an invitation with his pacer was somewhat unexpected, but exciting at the same time.

“This will be the biggest race I have prepared a horse for by a long shot,” said the 35-year-old Londonderry trainer.

“Although it was somewhat of a shock to get the call-up, I do feel that he deserves his spot in the race given his recent Menangle form.

“And if he can get into the race at the right time, he will give it a fair shake too.

“He has proven his versatility and talent right throughout his career here in Australia, showing that he can win from anywhere.”

Based at the stable of prominent Perth trainer Mike Read in his stay over in the west, Conolly said that it took the son of Bettors Delight a few days to acclimatize to his new surroundings.

But after giving the gelding his final hit-out on Wednesday, Conolly is supremely confident that he could not have the horse any better.

Tonight, harness racing in New South Wales will host meetings at Dubbo and Newcastle with both venues attracting strong fields.

The best bet at Dubbo comes up in Race 2, with locally-owned mare Eagle Art (Mitch Turnbull).

Meanwhile King Of Hearts (Josh Gallagher) appears to be a standout in Race 2 at Newcastle for consistent Menangle trainer KerryAnn Morris.