19 July 2023 | HRNSW MEDIA | MICHAEL DUMESNY
GRENFELL-TRAINED filly Eye Keep Smiling is star in the making.
A three-year-old filly by Sweet Lou out of former bonny race mare Oh Eye See, she has returned from a spell full of zest, winning at Parkes and Wagga and tonight will be chasing at hat-trick in Race 2, the Blinds By Design Pace on Bathurst’s eight-race program.
Trained by Mark Hewitt and owned by Jackie Gibson, who operates the Success Stud at Young, this filly made all and sundry sit up and take notice in her most recent win at Wagga when she was able to sit outside the leader and odd-on favourite Skinny Dip over the 2270m journey before scoring a runaway win, clocking 1:57.9 in adverse weather conditions.
Eye Keep Smiling is just another for the highly-successful partnership that Hewitt and Gibson have struck up, with the pair combining to produce some talented pacers over the past decade.
Tonight the filly will start at short odds after drawing gate four over the 2260m trip after proving she relishes the distance.
While Hewitt says it is only early days with just four runs under her belt, Eye Keep Smiling gives him the impression she has the potential to go on and contest better races.
“She is a lovely filly that has come back from a spell in great condition and is racing well,” said Hewitt.
“Her win at Wagga last start was a huge effort to sit outside the favourite and put them away over the longer journey.
“Tonight’s race, again over the longer trip, suits her and although she is stepping up in grade a touch, her class should see her go close to winning.
“I am fortunate to have had a great working relationship with Jackie and Mary Gibson and her late husband John.
“They breed some beautiful horses that are well reared and from that, we have been able to race some very nice types and have plenty of success.
“Hopefully it can continue for us in the years to come.”
Not To Be Denied (Race 5) is another that Mark and Jackie will combine with tonight.
The former Golden Easter Egg winner faces a tough task from her wide draw against a classy field, but will certainly be in the mix following some sound recent form.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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