Carnival of Cups heads to Narrabri

24 April 2022

HARNESS Racing New South Wales Carnival of Cups heads to the New England town of Narrabri this afternoon.

Many country clubs have already hosted their feature meetings for the year round carnival, which is sponsored by Tabcorp and attracts quality horses and leading trainers to the higher level of prizemoney offered.

The Narrabri carnival is no exception with three feature races highlighting a strong program.

And it is a feather in the cap of club president Peter Shepherdson and his hard working committee given that trainers are travelling long distances to compete.

The Shepherdson family work hard for the club and will be there in force with Peter’s brother Garry also supporting the meeting with four runners including Montana Nights, who will contest the TAB Long May We Play Santos Cup final.

Montana Nights ran a solid third in his heat behind Nor Westa and will be driven by Garry’s son Chris.

Jarred Hetherington is another local trainer who will be looking towards having a big afternoon on home soil.

Hetherington has met with good recent success and teamed up with his 16-year-old nephew Jack Buckman, who recorded his first winning drive at Armidale on April 10.

“Watching Jack win his first race aboard one of my horses was one of my proudest moments in the sport,” said Hetherington.

“He is a great young kid, and all the family were there to witness the win, which made it all the more special.”

This afternoon Hetherington has horses competing in two races and is quietly confident that he can snare a winning double.

“I have four horses engaged in the fourth race which limits my chances to land winners but on paper they are all genuine chances, and it is hard to split them,” he said.

“Somethingaboutlexy, Always Bopping and Miss Maravu are all racing well but have drawn awkward barriers on the back line, while Sahara Jewel has drawn nicely in gate three and has been unlucky in recent starts.”

Hetherington has Bathurst reinsman Jason Hewitt aboard Night Lights, who has drawn well in gate four in the opening event.

“She is second up from a spell today and has struck a suitable race,” he said.

“Her third placing first up last week pleased me and Jason’s driving style will suit her and that gives me plenty of confidence.”