11 July 2023 | HRSA
Race One: Before arriving to Australia, kiwi mare SHOW ME HEAVEN was beaten over 70m in her final couple of NZ starts. Since landing in the care of premier trainer Aaron Bain, she’s gone two for two in SA. Wayne Hill steered her home to the delight of a strong ownership group.
Race Two (Trot): It was a Luke O’Neil quinella with SO VOGUE and Ryan Hryhorec taking the honours over Horse Of Course. This trotting mare secured her second win of the season, at her 17th outing. For reference, she raced 12 times last season as a three year-old for two wins.
Race Three: The girl (horse) power continued in the third with ALWAYS STEAMED UP securing her first win in SA and in the process earning her Southern Cross bonus for connections. This was a shrewd piece of placement by Bronte Giorgio who placed this three year-old filly with one career victory into a five lifetime wins race to secure gate one. With 26 wins combined among the other seven runners, Michael Smith set the tempo to suit himself over the 2230m journey and proved far too good.
Race Four (Trot): THE CLIPPER certainly takes home the prize for longest priced winner of the day, saluting at triple figures odds on the tote for Team Kittel, with Jason darting through the sprint lane to score a narrow victory for Trevor, who by reports hasn’t trained a trotter for 25 years before this fellow. Well done!
Race Five: Just like his sire would suggest, EUGENE BROMAC flew like an eagle today, notching up career win number two from 17 starts, and a PB mile rate of 1:58.8 for Michael Smith and Joseph Russo. This might be the type of horse suited to Southern Cross eligible only races that will be programmed in the back half of the season.
Race Six: The speed was on from the outset with a first half of 58.4 after a sharp 12.3 lead time. This was music to the ears of BIG BLACK BETTY who came from last to win for astute trainer Jill Neilson and Wayne Hill. Her striking dark colour stands out in a race field, and was the third filly or mare to win at today’s meeting.
Race Seven: Former Novacastrian JOSHING OLIVER is enjoying life in SA this season collecting his third win in the state from six starts. The increased number of $4,500 races on a Monday was sure to suit this progressive type as he climbs the ratings ladder for Luke O’Neil. The win also brought up a treble for Wayne Hill.
Race Eight: SABREUR capped off a fantastic day for Jason and Trevor Kittel, notching up a double with a gritty all the way win, where he performs best. And speaking of performing best, his most recent previous win before today (Nov 5, 2022) was also from gate one.
Race Nine: This shaped as a battle of Team Borg vs Team Cavallaro, with the former enjoying a quinella thanks to HARRY OVENS and Rebel With A Grin, whilst Culture King and Wrangler completed the first four. The win continued the good run of form for Gaita Pullicino (refer to previous post).
Race Ten: The market was turned on its head with the scratching a of three key chances which left Smokin Strepo as a hot favourite, and scored in such fashion. Putting the writing on the wall last week running second to a smart one (with a gap to third – always a great sign of a horse to follow in the same grade) this Kevin Von Duve trained colt continued the winning run of two year-olds agasint the older horses. In fact, he was a maiden in a two lifetime wins race, and was able to notch his first career win despite not breaking two minutes. His last 150m was full of class.
Take a bow Jason Kittel! A terrific double for the family today
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
