news room
Hewitt wins NSW Rising Stars
26 June 2012
by Adam Fairley
NSW Rising Stars Winner Sam Hewitt is pictured with Rod Smith, Board Member HRNSW and Brian Ingram, President of the Young Harness Racing Club.
The Young Harness Racing Club NSW Rising Stars Series finished with a sizzling front running display by Moama based Riverina Representative Thomas Gilligan aboard IM FULLA LUCK.
Ironically after having no luck in drawing horses throughout the Series, with only one prior engagement being priced under $10 on the NSW TAB, he had finished predominately in rearward positions.
Though Gilligan declared at Saturday’s HRNSW Industry Forum that it was going to be a handle bars down approach come dispatch on Sunday.
Leading into the race the Series appeared to be down to two winning chances; Sam Hewitt representing the Western Districts had been consistent racking up two wins and two seconds from the previous seven heats. While Metro rep David Morris had won one race, finished two seconds and one third and was 12 points behind.
Morris had to win and Hewitt finish further back than 7th for Morris to claim the title, though in the score up Morris’ drive LIGHTNING MCCOOL broke and was hopelessly tailed off.
As the green light twinkled Gilligan drove as planned carving out sectionals of 26.6, 29.0, 28.1 and 27.9 stopping the clock at 1.51.6.
Hewitt would finish 8th, while Morris never got into the race and finished last.
The final standings were as follows:
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Driver
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Region
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Total Points
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Position
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Sam Hewitt
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Western Districts
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77
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1
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David Morris
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Metropolitan
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63
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2
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Melissa Hawke
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South West & Riverina
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58
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3
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Lauren Panella
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Metropolitan
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53
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4
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Matthew Harding
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North West
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52
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5
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Aiden De Campo
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Western Australia
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49
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6
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Aaron Garaty
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North East
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48
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7
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Cassie Robinson
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Far West
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48
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7
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Thomas Gilligan
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South West & Riverina
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35
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9
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Ben Hagney
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Western Districts
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21
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10
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The series was filled with highlights, particularly for Far West representative Cassie Robinson who hails from Broken Hill and had never been to Sydney in her lifetime. She steered HIGHVIEW OBAN to victory at Newcastle in what was a major achievement for herself and her town.
Sam Hewitt will represent NSW at the next Western Australia Rising Stars Series Final continuing on the reciprocal agreement between the States.
HRNSW would like to thank Series sponsor the Young Harness Racing Club, the chaperones David & Rachael Micallef, the trainers and owners who nominated their horses for the Series, the Clubs who conducted the heats and the Rising Stars themselves for their professional performances both on and off the track.
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 31 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
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To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:
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Name:
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Dale Walker
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Position:
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Marketing Manager
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Phone:
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(02) 9722 6600
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Email:
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