HORSE RACING
Hawkesbury will have three local trainers represented in the final of The Championships Provincial Series after Harmonic stormed home to win the fourth heat of the series.
The Tony McEvoy-trained six-year-old will be among the chances for the final at Royal Randwick on April 11 to compete for the $300,000 purse after finishing strongly to pip Electric Power on the line at Hawkesbury last Thursday.
The Noel Mayfield-Smith prepared Unequivocal ran third to give Hawkesbury three locals in the final – joining Nick Mitchell’s Radical Impact who qualified at Wyong earlier last month.
Harmonic, the $3.40 favourite, overcame a mishap in the barrier a fortnight earlier at Kembla to claim victory with Tim Clark on board.
Hawkesbury is guaranteed three of the 15 runners in the final with the last qualifier to be held at Gosford tomorrow.
McEvoy said he was delighted with the result after a difficult preparation.
“I’m just pleased to get in the final,” he said.
“He had a beautiful run in the race. There were a couple of hiccups in his prep but the horse did a wonderful job.
“I didn’t really want to do it (race at Hawkesbury) with this horse. He loves to be fresh – he’s a hard horse to give an easy trial to.
“It wasn’t ideal, I wanted to run him at Kembla then take him straight to the final.
“It was a great ride from Tim Clark. He’s got a good record on this course.
“My team presented the horse in great condition. My staff at Hawkesbury have done a great job.
“He’s not an easy horse this fellow. He’s had his issues through the years but he’s a great warrior.
“He showed a great tenacity to win for us today.”
McEvoy described the Provincial Series as an incredible concept.
“It gives provincial and country people a chance to run at a good level on a big day,” he said.
“That doesn’t happen all the time. Big days are normally for the big stables.
“I think it’s an incredible concept and I commend them for making the decision.”
Clark echoed McEvoy’s thoughts on the series and said he looked forward to April 11.
“It’s a great idea and has been well received this year,” he said.
“I think it will only grow bigger and better in the coming years.
“I want to thank Tony and his team for giving me the chance to ride this bloke and I look forward to riding him in the final.”
