Smooth Delight leads the way

Owner Gary McGinty proved he was not as bad luck omen when Smooth Delight led throughout to win a Globe Derby Park.

McGinty, from Apsley in Victoria, made one previous trip to watch Smooth Delight and he was beaten.

“He’d won four in a row earlier this year so I came to watch him and he galloped,” McGinty said.

“I thought I might have been bad luck but tonight shows I’m not a jinx.”

Driven by young gun Jayden Brewin, for trainer Heather Stevens, Smooth Delight ($3.80) cruised across from gate five to lead and win the PDF Food Services Pace (1800m).

Oliver Jack ($4) tried hard but finished second beaten three metres, with Hardly A Grin ($3.70 fav), five metres away third.

McGinty has formed a winning association with Globe Derby Park trainer Heather Stevens over a decade.

“I actually rang Danielle Hill to take a horse but she was full up and recommended Heather and so the partnership was made.

“We’ve won a host of races with Our Mischievious Miss, Cyclone Mach, I Wanna Rocknroll and Bettohavetime, and of course, Smooth Delight.”

McGinty revealed Our Mischievious Miss was due to have her first foal in the next few weeks.

“Normally I like to buy horses from New Zealand as breeding is a long process to get horses to the track but I do have a few on my property.”

The owner revealed he had been in love with harness racing for around 50 years.

“My brother Bob owned The Rattler which was trained for him by our good friend Terry Kelly before coming up to Adelaide to join Jim Hurley.

“The Rattler was a marvellous horse and won two heats of an Inter Dominion along with a consolation and won 42 races during his career. He actually lived to his mid-30s and only died a few years ago.”

Stevens said Brewin had built a good record on Smooth Delight.

“Jayden has had five drives on him for four wins, and the only defeat was when he galloped when Gary came up to watch him.”