29 September 2023 | HRSA Media
South Australia’s October festival of harness racing kicks off with two excellent features at Globe Derby Park on Sunday.
The 2023 Hygain Sapling Stakes for two-year-olds, and the 2023 HRSA Derby for three-year-olds, each has attracted seven runners, and should result in competitive contests.
Derbies are generally the domain of just colts and geldings, but Sunday’s HRSA Derby (1800m) has two very talented fillies prepared to test the boys.
Lolita has impressed for South Australia’s leading trainer Aaron Bain while Delightfull Tammy, owned by Cormack Racing Pty Ltd, has joined the Roseworthy stable of Toby Ryan coming across from Victoria’s Peter Manning.
Bain said the start would go a long way to deciding the Derby winner.
“It appears to be a very even field with a good group of three-year-olds,” Bain said.
“If my filly can find the front I believe she would be very hard to beat.
“But I’m sure there are few other runners also keen to find the front.
“Ryan (Hryhorec) would be keen to hold the front from gate one with Nicely Spoken.
“And I’m thinking Lisa (Ryan) would also be having a look with Delightfull Tammy from gate seven, then there is Rupert Ross from gate three which also has early speed.
“Lolita has good gate speed, but it will be hard to cross from barrier two if Nicely Spoken comes away well in gate one.
“Wayne (Hill) drives the filly, and he will need to have a couple of plans depending on what happens early.
“I believe Lolita has improved with each run for the stable and I’m certain she will be competitive.
“Despite her excellent second last start to Im Reggie sitting parked, I would hope she is not forced to race outside the leader in the Derby.”
Bain said his business Aaron Bain Racing, and partner Summit Bloodstock, had purchased the filly from Victorian trainer Michael Stanley after seeing her advertised online.
“I’m sure she has a good career ahead on the track, plus also has residual value as a broodmare.”
The most interesting runner is Delightfull Tammy, owned by Adam, Ben and Terry Cormack.
The filly comes into Sunday’s race as a last-start winner of the $20,000 Super Series Silver for three-year-old fillies at Bendigo on Friday, September 15.
Coming from gate one, Delightfull Tammy rated a smart 1:56.6 with a quick final 800 metres of 56.5 seconds.
The filly’s Victorian form is good, and she looks well placed in the Derby.
Standing up for the boys will be Nicely Spoken from barrier one.
He won four races in a row before a creditable second to Eastbro Adele last week at Globe Derby Park in smart time.
If Nicely Spoken is able to hold the lead he will be the one to beat.
The barrier draw was also crucial for the other feature, the Hygain Sapling Stakes (1800m).
Star Man, trained by octogenarian trainer John Conry, has come up with gate one and driver David Smith will be keen to take full advantage.
The two-year-old came from gate six last week when second to the smart Bay Jim Major which had barrier one.
On Sunday, Star Man draws the inside and should have the speed to lead, while Bay Jim Major will come from gate three.
Already the winner of the Silver Salver this year, the son of Allenby Lodge stallion Major Secret, can add the time-honoured Sapling Stakes to his resume.
But it won’t be easy as Bay Jim Major, also by Major Secret, is building a good record, while Hezrockinroyalty and Tembie are also talented.
For trainer Alan Cronin, he would love a victory as Our Royal Lady, the dam of Hezrockinroyalty, won the 2015 version of the Sapling Stakes.
Tembie, trained and driven by Dale Afford, has a win over Star Man to his credit and also has two good seconds to that pacer.
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