With the states two leading drivers unavailable, David Harding (injured) and Ryan Hryhorec (disqualified), Mark Billinger had a night to savour at Globe Derby on Saturday night, Billinger drove four winners on the eight event program.
He started the night with a second placing on favourite Dougs Courage, but the night only got better from there, he then scored on the Michael Norman trained Blurred Lines in the 3yo colts and geldings Southern Cross Heat . Coming from second last at the 600 metre mark sprinting quickly to take a clear lead by the turn off the back straight. Blurred Lines a 5yo son of Courage Under Fire, which won untouched by 15 metres.
Official Art a 2yo son of Art’s Official having his first race start found the lead early and after a battle with BOTRA Golden Nursery winner The Big Show (who is named after Aussie cricketer Glen Maxwell) held on to win by 4 metres.
The Big Show’s run was full of merit after being three wide early he worked hard outside of Official Art and will be a force in the Southern Cross series. Regal Major the race favourite held on for third but was under pressure after being three wide at the bell before securing cover down the back straight.
Billinger then won on the both Emma Stewart’s fillies Rocknroll Magic (by Rock N RollHeaven) in the 2yo Fillies heat and Lovelist (by Always A Virgin) in the 3yo heat, by fillies won by more than 20 metres.
Both Rocknroll Magic and Lovelist are owned by Bruce Cameron and his syndicates, and both a descendants of the studbook gem Larrakeyah Lady who won the Victorian Sires Stakes as 4yo.
The quartet of winners took Mark Billinger’s total for the season to 75 and the magical 100 is not out of reach. With still 22 meeting to go before the end of the season. If he can crack the ton he will be the fourth South Australian driver this season to do so. David Harding 164 winner and Ryan Hryhorec (140) both of their seasons are over. Dani Hill has driven 104 South Australian winners so far in 2014/15 and should add to her tally before seasons end.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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