09 April 2018 | Graham Fischer
Teenage reinswoman Kaela Hryhorec drove confidently to land Waynesfirst a strong winner of the Schweppes Australia Pace (1800m) at Globe Derby Park.
Hryhorec, who has been driving for just over 18 months, sits 10th on the South Australian drivers premiership with 19 winners, a wonderful achievement for a junior driver not attached to a major stable.
Her record also ensures the teenager remains a clear second on the South Australian Reinswomen’s Association table.
Waynefirst is trained by Matt Maguire, who apart from training his own horses, also works for top trainer Ryan Hryhorec.
The winner is owned by Garry Folland and Maguire says he is a big help with Waynesfirst.
“Garry loves the horse and helps out around the stable cleaning out and feeding up when needed,” Maguire said.
“I believe Waynesfirst can keep improving.
“Last week he was going well but carried back on the fence so his seventh was a lot better than it might have looked on paper.
“Tonight’s field looked a bit easier and I was sure he would be hard to beat despite coming from gate seven.
“He has good gate speed but there looked to be too much pace inside, so we went back early, believing he could be good enough to round them up.”
Hryhorec came wide from the tail of the field with Waynesfirst ($4.70) and the nine-year-old proved too good scoring by four metres from Just Read My Mind ($8.10) with Rocking With Charm ($5.20), 3-1/2 metres away third.
“I really think he is getting better, despite his age, and it is worth remembering he has good gate speed if he draws a good gate on the front.”
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