Jarred Hetherington-trained pacer wins TAB Regional Championship Hunter final

Narrabri harness racing trainer Jarred Hetherington described Friday night’s victory as the biggest of his career just moments after Rock Fisherman had charged home to win the $100,000 TAB Regional Championship Hunter final at the Newcastle International Paceway.

The eight-year-old gelding started one in from pole position wearing the number two saddlecloth in the prestigious 2030-metre event and was driven by Hunter Valley reinswoman Chloe

Formosa just two weeks after they had qualified for the final with a heat victory at the same venue.

With an even quicker mile rate the second time round, the duo charged home to first place following a fierce battle with the Greg Lewis-trained, Josh Gallagher-driven Little Demon, which had led from early in the race until being overtaken by the Narrabri horse down the final straight.

Hetherington was bullish about the pacer’s chances during the week and became even more confident when he drew the number two barrier. The 48-year-old Narrabri man told The Courier that he was proud of what was one of his most memorable nights in the sport.

“You don’t do this from Narrabri. Guys from Narrabri don’t win races like this. I’m so proud to come from a small country town and win a race like this,” he said.

“It’s definitely the biggest win of my career. You don’t get to run around in $100,000 races very often and we’ve just nailed one.

“I feel very privileged. Not many people get a chance to win one like this.

“We’d picked this race out for this horse. We knew what we had with him but he went right off tap tonight.

“We were confident during the week before the barrier draw, and when the barrier draw came up, we were very confident from there.

“We’ve looked after him from home since the heat and kept him happy and sound. He worked the best he’s ever worked for me last Saturday.

“As soon as I saw the leader kick at the end there, I knew we were home.

“Full credit to Chloe Formosa too. She’s a great kid and she’s doing a great job. I’m very privileged to be associated with her and Mick. It was a great drive by Chloe. She’s got a big future.”

The 19-year-old reinswoman also described the win as the biggest of her career.

“It’s a massive thrill. My biggest win to date,” Formosa said.

“I was confident, especially when we drew two.

“I knew there was probably going to be a bit of speed early.

“The race sort of didn’t go to plan. I thought the one would come out a bit harder but it didn’t, so I just went along where I was and lucky enough the death seat horse dropped off and gave me a bit of room.”

Rock Fisherman started well but it was Little Demon that charged out to the front to set the pace.

The Tom Ison-trained-and-driven Ashleys Blue Chip settled just outside Little Demon in second place while Rock Fisherman sat in behind the leader in third, and that was where they all remained when the bell sounded to indicate that there was just one 930-metre lap left to run.

Rock Fisherman had charged into second place with about 600 metres left to run as Ashleys Blue Chip was unable to keep pace with the frontrunning Little Demon, and the duo then entered the final straight still first and second.

It quickly became clear that it was a two-horse race for the crown, and it was Rock Fisherman that won the battle as the Narrabri gelding charged past Little Demon and stormed home fastest to win the race by three metres.

It was his 20th victory and his 76th podium finish in 182 starts, which saw him earn the $54,500 top prize to take his lifetime earnings to $279,745.

He will now line up in this Saturday’s TAB Regional Championships State Final at Tabcorp Park Menangle, which is another $100,000 race and is the last in this series. He will again be driven by Formosa and they have drawn the number eight barrier, which will see them start widest of the front line.