Can reinswoman Lauren Tritton guide Mach Beauty to victory at Tabcorp Park Menangle tonight (Saturday)?
TRAINER Shane Tritton believes his former Grand Circuit pacer Mach Beauty might have flown under the radar of some harness racing followers.
The Group 1 winning pacer finished third-placed to Charlaval at Tabcorp Park Menangle last week and following that effort, Tritton thinks Mach Beauty is a promising prospect at Menangle tonight.
Engaged in race two, the gelding has drawn barrier eight for the 1609m challenge with Tritton’s wife Lauren taking the reins.
“He got everyone excited last week with his run and if it was a mile I think he would have won,” said Shane.
“He is a horse that I think most punters will underestimate . . . he doesn’t win very often but he is really on his toes at the moment and going by the way he went last week he should go close to winning this race.”
Mach Beauty recorded a mile rate of 1:52.3 to produce his latest win back on July 29 and has placed in four of his nine starts since.
A win by Mach Beauty or Bettor Ops in race one could set the tone of a successful night for ‘Team Tritton’ who also have the two favourites in the Group 3 Sue Kelly Ladyship Stakes (1609m).
Leading the pack as the $3.80 TAB Fixed Odds favourite is Our Classical Art that will be driven by freelance reinsman James Rattray.
“James has driven for the stable a few times before and when Lauren can’t drive one we always look for the best available driver,” said Shane.
“I’m not worried about the wide draw with this mare as she has enough gate speed to cross.
“I’m really happy with both mares.”
The other mare is $4.20 second elect Miss Riviera Belle, which will begin from the widest draw.
“I’ll have to see what the owners want to do with her in this race and if she comes with one run at them or not, a lot will depend on how the race is panning out,” said Shane.
‘Team Tritton’ also have the second favourite in the following event, with Lombo Kotakinabalu (nine) the $4 hope in the Allied Express Pace (1609m).
The $1.90 favourite is Bling It On (12). The stallion is having his first start back since falling in a race at Albion Park last June.
“Bling It On is obviously there but we are in a position to be a bit more aggressive,” said Shane of Lombo Kotakinabalu.
“We are just starting to get some fitness into him, I probably wrap him up in cotton wool too much, and Lauren said after his win the other week that it was the best he’s ever felt.”
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 33 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by a Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
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