by Graham Fischer
When leading reinswoman Danielle Hill started season 2016-2017 she stated a goal was to improve her status as a trainer.
Four winners over two nights at Globe Derby Park on the weekend took her tally to 44 for the season and she sits in fourth place on the SA Trainers premiership behind Ryan Hryhorec (70), the training partnership of Jake Webster and Aaron Bain (50) and Les Harding (48).
Her tally might have more but for a virus slowing down her stable for several months earlier this year. To the end of March, Hill had 31 winners to sit second on the premiership but lack of runners saw fellow trainers go past.
On Friday, the South-East-owned Missy Deyo ($1 fav) scored an all the way win in the Ubet Pace (1800m) beating Markleigh Fireball ($72.50) by two metres with Cyclone Mach ($17.40) a half-head away third.
“She wasn’t impressive tonight,” Hill said. “I am finding she doesn’t like float trips, even though my stables are not that far away, unless she has a travelling companion.
“She came by herself tonight and maybe that is why she wasn’t at the peak of her game.”
On Saturday night, Hill produced Ricks Shadow, Hez A Chance and Arber in consecutive races to land a treble.
Ricks Shadow ($1.80 fav) led throughout in the PFD Food Services Pace (1800m) to score by a metre from Smooth Delight ($8.30) with Ace To Play ($6.80), 2-1/2 metres away third.
“I was glad she was able to win for her new owners,” Hill said.
“The mare was purchased from Jake Webster and Aaron Bain last month and has had three runs previously and picked up a cheque each time but it was great to win for them tonight.”
Hill made it a double when Hez A Chance ($1.30 fav), also led throughout to win the Schweppes Australia Three-Year-Old Pace (1800m) by 6-1/2 metres from I Wanna Rocknroll ($18.20) with Priddy Sporty ($10.30), 10-1/2 metres away third.
Hez A Chance is also owned in the South-East and normally prepared by Bec East. The three-year-old came to Adelaide for the Southern Cross series but Bec left the gelding with Danielle Hill to try and win his breeders’ bonus – and it only took the one start.
“He’ll be on the float back to Bec on Monday,” Hill said. “Actually, I understand he is for sale and as his is lightly assessed could be a nice purchase for someone looking for a winner.”
The treble came courtesy of the former talented young pacer Arber.
Now a 10-year-old, Arber was bred and is owned by Phil Nott, who sent him to South Australia to extend his racing career.
The $2.50 favourite, Arber came from near last to score a 2-1/2 metre win in the BGC Industrial Cleaning Supplies Claiming Pace (1800m) from Sir Julian ($6.50) which trailed him for much of the race with Machtwister ($6.10), a long neck away third.
“The owner has a $15,000 claiming price on him and I’m, sure it won’t decrease,” Hill said.
“He’s a lovely old horse enjoying a new lease on life here in Adelaide. I believe the owner really doesn’t want to lose him but just wants to see him performing positively.”
Hill drove all three winners and she will land back-to-back driving premierships currently sitting on 154 winners – 31 clear of Ryan Hryhorec.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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