South Australian reinswoman Lisa Ryan achieved her first career treble at Port Pirie on Friday, July 1.
Ryan partnered Our Cavort ($8), Canturi Crest ($1.90 fav) and Wells Crest ($4.70) to victories.
Our Cavort is trained by Tyson Linke while the other two are prepared by her husband Toby.
It was an early 16th wedding anniversary present for the Ryans who celebrated the milestone the following day by heading to Globe Derby Park combining with Smiling Crest which ran third.
“Toby was pretty happy coming home from Port Pirie,” Lisa Ryan said.
“In fact he was so happy that he gave me Saturday morning off which meant I could catch up on the housework.”
The treble took Ryan to 31 South Australian wins for the season which places her in 8th spot on the premiership and also puts her a clear second on the SA Reinswomen’s premiership.
“It (the treble) was great,” Ryan said.
“When I started driving I thought it would be in a part-time capacity.
“David (Harding) was our stable driver and when he got injured Toby decided to give me a chance.
“I’m sure it has cost us a few wins but I like to think I am driving with more confidence and making better decisions than I did a year ago.
“I still make mistakes, even at Pirie, I thought I went too quick on Melegend in the second, but hopefully I keep learning.”
Ryan had Our Cavort perfectly placed in the running line in the Hopkins Saddlery Pace (2050m) before allowing the mare to sprint home strongly and score a 4-1/2 metre win from Usage ($5.10) with Carbon Crest ($18.50) 1-1/2 metres away third.
It was a bit tougher on Canturi Crest in the Holcim Pace (1609m).
Smooth Grin was driven aggressively out by Ben Cockshell from gate four and it crossed Canturi Crest which had been expected to lead from barrier one.
Ryan bided her time before using the sprint lane but it took a little while for the mare to wind up, but she did, and arrived by a head from Smooth Grin ($21.20) with Little Jasper ($4.30) four metres away third.
The treble came up with Wells Crest but that really took some driving.
Ryan shot Wells Crest to the front from gate four in the Elders Insurance Three-Year-Old Pace (1609m) with the well backed $2.10 favourite Charissa Tee coming across from gate five to sit parked.
Matthew Smith, on Charissa Tee, upped the tempo down the back and the favourite went nearly a metre clear but Ryan continued to work hard on Wells Crest which showed it was up for the fight.
However, the favourite was still clear in the home straight and looked likely to win but Ryan continued to drive hard and in the shadows of the post, Wells Crest lifted and arrived just in time to score a short half head win.
Hapenny ($7.30) was five metres away third.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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