Twins are ready for a busy night

IT HAS been a busy time for regional harness racing throughout New South Wales, particularly in the central areas with the TAB Carnival of Cups juggernaut making its way around the state.

Both the Albury and Parkes Harness Racing Clubs hosted the biggest crowds seen at both venues for some time while well-attended Carnival of Cups events were also held at Dubbo, Bathurst, and Leeton.

But it does not stop there as over the next few weeks three more tracks will host their feature meetings with the $15,000 Temora Cup scheduled for Saturday night, the much sought after $40,000 Golden Guitar at Tamworth on Friday night, January 20 and the $19,000 Junee Pacers Cup on Saturday, January 28.

Heats of the Golden Guitar will be run on Sunday week, January 15 and the rich series is likely to attract horses from as far away as Sydney and Queensland.

Last year Sydney trainer Jarrod Alchin combined with reinsman Will Rixon to take out the Multiquip-sponsored final with Aqua Sancta.

In a close finish another Alchin trained pacer, Delightful Dude provided Jarrod with the quinella in a close finish.

Tonight, a nine-race card will be hosted by the Newcastle Club and defending Golden Guitar reinsman Will Rixon has three drives at the meeting while his twin sister Hannah will combine with her father Peter, driving handy mare Gigi Bob in Race 4.

Three starts back the six-year-old won on protest at Goulburn, a result that took her career tally to 13 wins.

She has drawn wide tonight but does appear to be one of the main hopes in an open field.

Her latest runs have been at Penrith and included a close third in the Merv Adams Memorial behind stablemate Sight To See in a busy finish.

The first of Will’s drives tonight is aboard another from his father Peter’s barn, namely consistent gelding Dance And Deliver.

The four-year-old has not won since September 2 when he came from well back to score at Newcastle but since then he has been ultra-consistent, running nine minor placings from 10 starts.

Punters will get plenty of value at Newcastle tonight with a number of chances in each race, the best value bet coming up in Race 6 with the Darren Elder-trained Booker Bay.

• MICK DUMESNY