18 July 2023 | HRSA Media
Saturday 15th July
Race One: Billed as a clash between a pair of emerging juveniles STAR MAN ($2.15) and Tembie ($2.3), this was an exciting way to kick off Saturday night racing. Star Man was able to find the front from his inside draw for David Smith and draw clear late to win in 1:58.3 (final qtr 28.5). The two year-old son of local stallion Major Secret looks to have an exciting future for owner and trainer John Conry. Second and third place can be followed with confidence also.
Race Two: With $9,999 on offer in this event, good habits were the key in this trotters stand with IM HECTOR finding the front early and doing everything right while others weren’t as polished. Corey Johnson is forming a nice relationship with this Claire Goble trained 6yo gelding.
Race Three: Speaking of forming relationships, Gaita Pullicino and WHATA OPTIMIST have paired up like peas and carrots this season, and this drive from Gaita had to be seen to be believed. In a masterful piece of horsewomanship she was able to get into the one-one from the outside draw over 2230m and then commenced a three wide move a lap out and drew away to win by 9.4m for his first victory at $6,999 level in SA. The Lui Trotta trained son of Rock N Roll Heaven (from a Bettors Delight mare) arrived to SA as a tried five year-old with five wins from 42 starts, and has proved a suitable acquisition to the local ranks with six wins and four placings this season from 16 starts. He looks set to be able to take the next step now, and is a great advertisement for what can be achieved here within the tried horse market.
Race Four: Dean Girardi was back in the winner’s stall with a well-judged drive on SA stalwart SUTTER MAN for trainer Mark Russo. This 12 year-old has been a great story of longevity and a terrific advertisement for the ratings system. Over the past two seasons he’s raced 73 times for nine wins, which equates to a winning strike rate of approx. one in eight, which has been roughly the average field size he has competed in during this time. And the number of starts he’s had since his previous win? You guessed it, eight.
Race Five: another great running of the concession drivers event, giving opportunity to our young talent to compete for some nice prizemoney on a Saturday night. Similar to race one, this event was seen by punters as a clash between the big guns AMERICAN BEAUTY ($3.10) and Rakero Storm ($2.15). It was the former who was able to find the front for Declan Wheelan and lead all the way in a shrewd piece of placement by leading trainer Aaron Bain. Rosiano was an eye catching run for second with Carly Holman in the seat.
Race Six: The NR up to 53 Trotters Stand provided the closest finish of the night, with only a half-head covering the first three runners home. MAJESTIC TILLY ($3), Orlandos Gift ($51), and Horse Of Course ($13) all had their chance to win, and it was the Garth Hurrell trained/driven mare who scored her first $6,999.
Race Seven: DINO MO was the shortest runner and winner on the night, which was somewhat of a trend for harness racing punters on Saturday night with some dominant runners interstate (in particular, Queensland). This was the first heat for the NR 51 to 59 pace in which the final will be run this Saturday. Carly Morgan finishing in second showed she should be well in the mix this weekend, running through to the line strongly.
Race Eight: Run in a much slower overall time than the first heat due to a 62.7 first half (vs 58.6 in heat one) BROOKYINTHEPADDOCK had a little too much in the locker for her rivals late (last quarter in 28.2 vs 28.8 in heat one) to score a cozy win with a sulky’s length covering the first three home. While Dino Mo will surely run favourite in this final, much of the outcome will depend on race shape and map.
Monday 17th July
Race One: BOSS MAJOR took out the opening race on the program for Nick Tardio and Wayne Hill, proving too strong over the last 100m. The son of Art Major ran a close runner-up at Mildura at his previous start. Fun fact: Boss Major won at this corresponding meeting at Globe Derby 12 months ago.
Race Two: LIEUTENANT JACK made it an early double for Art Major going back-to-back after engaging in a great battle with Bernie Macray in the straight. This well-grown five year-old gelding towers over his opposition and appears to perform best when his races are spaced (14, 10, and 37 days between runs for his previous three wins). This brought up an early double for driver Wayne Hill, and a winner for trainer Chris Nicol.
Race Three: Three year-old trotting filly SKEW WHIFF made her seasonal reappearance against the older horses and didn’t let her supporters down. Starting off 10m she was very professional under the guidance of Sam Pascoe, showing her older rivals how it was done. Jill Neilson has this exciting type going well ahead of a couple of upcoming target races.
Race Four: Sam Pascoe followed in the footsteps of Wayne Hill with a race to race double, here on the likeable filly LAYLAS PRINCESS. The Clinton Fuller trained three year-old hadn’t tasted victory since taking out a Southern Cross final last season. Once she found the front from the wide draw, she was always going to prove hard to catch and won running away. Art Major was again at the fore, this time as broodmare sire of the winner.
Race Five: It wouldn’t be a meeting without seeing Luke O’Neil in the winner’s circle, and it was PIESRIDINGSHOTGUN this time who brought up a treble for Sam Pascoe with a dominant win in the NR up to 41 trot which saw several runners make errors. Although beaten 32m, Horse Of Course can be followed in a suitable race next time out.
Race Six: CARLY MORGAN has been a model of consistency this season, having not finished out of the top four in 16 starts. With some early pressure up front, trainer/driver Ryan Hryhorec was afforded a charmed run behind the leading pair and made a well-timed run to put pressure on the leaders in the back straight, whilst having enough in the tank to stave off any late closers. This race shape lent itself to a 22m margin between third and fourth.
Race Seven: HARRY OVENS has enjoyed a renaissance of late winning three of his last four starts. He was again able to find the front for Gaita Pullicino and held off a gallant Longfellow, who looks ready to win, by 2.7m in a slick 1:55.6. This Mario Borg trained six year-old’s scorecard reads as 82 starts, 13 wins, 13 seconds, 13 thirds.
Race Eight: Ryan Hryhorec notched up a winning driver/trainer double on classy three year-old NICELY SPOKEN. The three year-old colt resumed this season with an unplaced result at Mildura then with a strong win here from gate 10. Again, Ryan used the early speed in this race (lead 12.2, first quarter 28.9) to his advantage by making a searching run in the back straight, displaying his strategic skills, to eventually draw clear for a comfortable win. Runner up Lochinvar Ruler is also one to follow if he can find the front in more comfortable circumstances next time out.
Race Nine: A double for O’Neil and a treble for Hryhorec were what was on offer for this combination if they could guide JOSHING OLIVER to victory. This pair have been a formidable duo of late, normally in the trotting ranks, but it was this emerging pacer who was able to secure his fourth win in SA, and in the process proving another good advertisement for the interstate tried horse recruitment ranks.
Photo of Majestic Tilly narrowly defeating Orlandos Gift and Horse of Course on Saturday. Photo Walter Bulyga
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