THE $20 000 EasiFeed Golden Guitar Final has attracted one of the best fields seen to date for Tamworth’s biggest harness race.
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THRC acting chairman Mark Lowe said the barrier draw has made the race very interesting.
“The five heats were very even, although there were a few standouts,” Lowe said.
Set in Stone started from barrier one in the heats and led the field all the way to win, and has drawn the same inside barrier for the final.
Smokin Bopper won his heat from four and has drawn three in the final, although both horses will have to run well to beat favourite Goldplay.
The Bart Cockburn-trained and driven mare drew barrier six in both the heat and final.
“She drew the outside barrier in the heat and had to come from the back,” Lowe said.
“He was still too good for them and will be hard to beat in the final.”
The Peter Hedges-trained Gotta Feeling ran the fastest time in the heats, although he will need some luck from the outside of the second row.
He will join fellow local runner Master Firehawk trained and ridden by Rodney Pike on the outside of the second row.
Once again Bathurst trainer Nathan Hurst is having a crack at the race with three horses.
Hurst has had several entries in the race for the past few years, but is yet to take the Guitar home.
“It has shaped up to be a super race,” Lowe said.
“Whoever wins it will need a great drive and a bit of luck with this field.”
Tamworth’s biggest night of harness racing also includes the $10 000 Garrard’s Horse and Hound Tamworth City Cup, as well as a new big race.
The $12000 Burke and Mead Lawyers Star Maker three year old final will be run for the first time.
The nine-race meeting is expected to draw a big crowd which will also be entertained by singer-songwriter Jacki Ranclaud.
The night will also include a Princess of the Paceway competition, a public and celebrity golf chip-off tournament and an exhibition
Monte race.
The race will pit apprentice driver Sophie Young on a pacer against local driver Sally Torrens on a trotter.
First race starts at 5.53pm with the feature Golden Guitar at 8.09pm.