Of the six invitational races for women drivers, four were won by SA reinswomen. The successful SA drivers were Lisa Ryan, Gina Bell, Dani Hill and Angela Chapman. The other two races were taken out by Erin Hollaway (Tas.) and Lisa Miles (Vic.).
Interestingly, every one of the women drivers placed at least once on the night.
None of the drivers drove two or more winners.
The six race series was keenly contested, as was to be expected.
Lisa Ryan drew first blood with Miasblaze, in the first of the Reinswomen’s Challenge races. Miasblaze was strongly fancied by punters. She went to the post as the second favourite for the event. Miasblaze is a 4YO mare by Ponder. She made it back to back wins.
Lisa Ryan gave Miasblaze her head when the arms folded back. Miasblaze scooted to the lead from gate three. Day Dream Dancer (driven by Erin Hollaway) took the trail and I’m Elton (driven by Ellen Tormey) followed through on the markers. These three horses filled the placings. Miasblaze ran home in a stunning 28.7, 28.7 to beat Day Dream Dancer by 9m. Day Dream Dancer (driven by Erin Hollaway) beat I’m Elton (driven by Ellen Tormey) by 3m. Canturi Crest was the first of the horses in the running line to finish the race. Canturi Crest came in fourth for Lauren Jones (WA).
Peter Borrelli trains Miasblaze for the Wills family. Miasblaze has won 3 races from only 6 starts. Miasblaze was bred by Alabar Bloodstock.
The second heat of the Reinswomen’s Challenge was taken out by Erin Hollaway on My Elusive Dream. My Elusive Dream’s win came as no surpise. Seriously, My Elusive Dream has been knocking on the door for weeks. He had racked up 9 top five placings from 13 races here in SA prior to this win. To say he was overdue for a win is an understatement.
There were only six runners in this race but it was a very even field of pacers. Every horse had their admirers.
Lauren Jones squirted Power Of Attorney to the early lead. She gave Power Of Attorney a terrific run out in front.
At the 400m mark you could have covered the field with a tissue.
I personally thought that Power Of Attorney would kick on and win but that was not the case. Lauren Jones had given him a good run out in front. The first two quarters were run in 31.8, 31.1. The speed went on down the back stretch.
On the home turn every runner was still well truly in the fight. Five horses spread across the track.
In a very exciting finish My Elusive Dream flooded home to win the day from Lark Rise (driven by Ellen Tormey) and Callaway Bromac (driven by Brittany Graham).
There was less than 10m between first and last.
My Elusive Dream is trained by Peter Borrelli. Peter Borrelli trained the first two winners. Well done!!
In a highly competitive race every runner had their chance.
Angela Chapman (SA) opened her winning account on the Ryan Hryhorec trained Glenferrie Bunter in the third heat of the Reinswomen’s Challenge.
Glenferrie Bunter is a ridgy didge race horse. He has won 12 races with three minors from 15 starts here in SA. Ryan Hryhorec has him flying.
Angela Chapman knew she was on the best horse in the race. She piled on the pressure from the get go. In short, she bullied her way to the early lead. Glenferrie Bunter ran a blistering first quarter (28.7) and thereafter the sectionals were even throughout (30.7, 29.5 and 29.1). Shadow Of Fortune (driven by Brittany Graham) put in a sensational run to finish second, 3m behind Glenferrie Bunter, after sitting without cover and losing ground on the hometurn. Brittany Graham is an up and coming driver from Queensland.
Natalee Emery (Tas.) came in third on King Crocker for the Justin Brewin stable. King Crocker was attacked by all and sundry in the early stages of the race. Natalee Emery desperately wanted to hold the lead but eventually had to hand up to Glenferrie Bunter and take the trail. King Crocker fought on right to the line. His run was terrific.
In fact, all three placegetters were fantastic.
Glenferrie Bunter has won his last six races. He is part owned by Mr Frank Borg and was bred by Lauriston Bloodstock. Glenferrie Bunter is a 4YO gelding by Somebeachsomewhere.
He started a short priced favourite for the event. Glenferrie Bunter rated 1:57:0 which was easily the fastest of the night.
In the fourth heat of the Reinswomen’s Challenge, Team Harding came out on top. Frostyflyer (driven by Lisa Miles) grabbed the lead and the win. Frostyflyer was also highly fancied by most form students. Lisa Miles (Vic.) wouldn’t take no for answer when the starter said go. She was on a mission and she had no intention of settling anywhere with Frostyflyer, except in front.
Royal Safari (driven by Angela Chapman) was intent on holding the lead but Frostyflyer was irresistible. Frostyflyer is in scintillating form. He is making his way through the grades as we speak.
Frostyflyer was able to slow the field and get a second quarter breather (32.3) after a fiercely contested first quarter, before pouring on the pressure in the final 600m. Lisa Miles asked Frostyflyer for a little bit more at the top of the straight and he responded magnificently. Plati (driven by Lauren Jones) and Cyclone Mach (driven by Leah Harvey) finished resolutely. They took the second and third placings respectively.
Plati has his foot on the till. He sat parked and boxed on terribly well.
Frostyflyer is a 4YO gelding by Jeremes Jet. He has won 4 races with one minor from only 5 starts here in SA.
After the fourth heat of the Reinswomen’s Challenge was run Erin Hollaway had her nose in front. Erin Hollaway did not have a drive in the fifth heat.
Heat five of the Reinswomen’s Challenge saw Gina Bell take the spoils. Gina Bell drove the Leah Harvey trained Alldaybliss along the sprint lane to defeat the Leah Harvey driven Doubledipofheaven. Doubledipofheaven led the race and looked the goods on the home turn. However, Alldaybliss came with a barnstorming finish to win the day. Doubledipofheaven gave his supporters a huge sight. Doubledipofheaven was 1m behind the winner. The third horse was Bevendale Boy, driven by Angela Chapman. Bevendale Boy came from a back row draw and did well to run into the placings. He could be one to keep an eye on.
Alldaybliss is a 3YO gelding by Blissful Hall. He was bred by highly successful local breeder, Viv Clark. Alldaybliss is raced by a 10 strong syndicate. He is the winner of 3 races with 5 minors from only 13 starts.
After the completion of heat five of the Reinswomen’s Challenge, Leah Harvey and Lauren Jones were the leaders. However, neither driver had a drive in the final heat.
Dani Hill had the drive on the favourite (Hit Maka) for the Ryan Hryhorec stable. Hit Maka has been in superlative form of late and deserved to be the short priced favourite he was.
Interestingly, Hit Maka was a last start winner at Horsham in an invitational driver’s race. Ricky Duggan had the drive. He led all the way. He repeated the dose in this race. Dani Hill took Hit Maka to the early lead and it was “shut the gate” from there on.
I don’t know of too many horses that have won back to back races in invitational driver’s races in two states.
Anyway, when the dust had settled and the points were tallied, Lisa Miles was declared the winner. She drove Lookofalegend into second place behind Hit Maka. Erin Hollaway followed through along the rails with Our Cavort to finish third. All three placegetters hugged the rails in the run. Dani Hill was at her brilliant best. The final quarters were run in a sizzling 29.0, 28.4, which made it extremely difficult for the backmarkers coming wide, to reach the leaders.
Lisa Miles had five drives for a winner (Frostyflyer), a second (Lookofalegend), two fourths (California Ice and Destiny Warrior) and an eighth placing (Son Of Iris). She racked up 46 points.
Lisa Miles hails from Victoria. She is a highly regarded trainer/driver in her home state. She has supported SA’s Annual Reinswomen’s Challenge for a number of years. Lisa Miles is a bona fide
The 2016 Reinswomen’s Challenge went down to the wire. It was a super event. Congratulations go to the organizers of this year’s edition. It was one of the best yet.
Oh, I forgot to mention, Leah Harvey won the pony trot race. She edged out Lauren Jones in a stirring finish. The pony trot race is always a highlight of the night. The drivers take it very seriously but have a ton of fun at the same time.
Each of the Reinswomen’s Challenge races was sponsored. Those sponsors were Peter Kittle Toyota, Shelbourn family/David Jolly, Sam and Pauline Spirou/ Michael Taylor, Harnessbred.com/Gary Newton, Frank Borg/ Lorraine Hryhorec and Gary Crocker Homeloans/Allen Tapp.
There are some names amongst the sponsors who have been outstanding contributors to the sport of Harness Racing over many, many years. They are all brilliant!! SA Harness Racing is lucky to have such incredible people and businesses who support events such as the Reinswomen’s Challenge.
Final point score was Lisa Miles (Vic) 46; Erin Holloway (Tas) 45, Angela Chapman (SA) 44; Leah Harvey (SA) 43; Lauren Jones (WA) 39; Dani Hill (SA 38; Ellen Tormey (Vic) 38; Brittany Graham (Qld) 38; Gina Bell (SA) 37; Lisa Ryan (SA) 36; Natalee Emery (Tas) 28.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
