Bernie ready for fireworks at Parkes

30 December 2022

Harness racing at the Parkes Paceway on New Year’s Eve has become one of the most popular and well-attended fixtures on the TAB Carnival of Cups calendar in recent years.

The Parkes Harness Racing Club spares no expense in promoting the meeting and providing a carnival atmosphere, particularly for the youngsters.

And it concludes with spectacular fireworks display to see the New Year in.

The eight-race program is highlighted by the running of the time-honored Langlands Hanlon Parkes Cup, a sprint race over the 1660-metre trip.

Georges Plains mentor Bernie Hewitt has enjoyed success in the feature race in past years and heads to Parkes brimming with confidence with a strong team on board.

A master at having his horses primed for the district’s feature meetings, Hewitt’s two Cup runners, Infinity Beach and Alta Equus are certain to be trained to the minute for this assignment.

Infinity Beach recently contested the rich Dubbo Red Ochre series, where she ran fourth in the final and will be driven by Bernie’s son Doug.

The mare will start from gate three tonight, a draw that should ensure she is prominent from the outset.

Hewitt will partner his other runner Alta Equus, who has to contend with an awkward draw on the inside of the second row.

He returned from a spell at Bathurst on Boxing night and Bernie believes that with a run under his belt and some luck, the locally-owned gelding is a realistic knockout chance.

“I love getting out to Parkes for these big race meetings,” said Hewitt.

“We have such a big team in work which means that I have to spread my time around, so it is usually Doug’s job to take our team out west.

“But time-wise things have fallen into place for me, so I am keen to get out to Parkes tonight.

“I really do believe that we have two live chances in the Cup.

“Infinity Beach is in career-best form, and I was pleased with her Dubbo run as she copped plenty of pressure in front, yet still ran fourth.

“She will be a lot better under more suitable conditions.

“As for Alta Equus, he deserves his spot in the field.

“He is owned by Barry Allen from Parkes and just needs some luck in the run.”