Trainer-driver Danielle Hill landed a double in consecutive races with front running wins on Lis Tureen and Cheap Tint.
Lis Tureen ($2.60 fav) scored an easy 10-metre win in the PFD Food Services Pace (1800m) beating Blurred Lines ($5.40) with Zalta ($3.70), 11-1/2 metres away third.
Cheap Tint ($2.10) also worked to the front in the Schweppes Australia Claiming Pace (2230m) and had a two-metre winning margin from Big Gorilla ($8.90) with Sonic Classic ($5.20), four metres away third.
Post-race, respected South Australian form student Dennis Lyle put on Twitter that, “when she leads, Lis Tureen is the best horse in South Australia.”
Danielle Hill would almost certainly agree.
“I wasn’t sure she could lead tonight from gate six and thought I would have to sit parked,” Hill said.
“But when the mobile drew clear, she said ‘let’s go’ and was able to cross easily.
“The thing I love about her is that even when pushed to lead, she comes back to you once in front and cruises until it is time to go again.”
After leading, Lis Tureen set a slow pace with a 32.3 first quarter before increasing the tempo coming home with 30.9, 28.8 and 27.7 final quarters to win easily.
Post-race, Hill said she felt Lis Tureen was approaching the status of her favourite mare Whats Emma Got, currently sidelined by injury.
“I have been reluctant to compare the two because Whats Emma Got has been there and done it while Lis Tureen was working her way through the classes.
“After tonight I believe you can start to talk of them in the same breath – they are both wonderful mares.”
Hill said she was looking forward to now testing Lis Tureen against the best pacers in South Australia.
“I’m sure she can be competitive because she can run very quick quarters. Also, even though she has been leading, she doesn’t have to and I’m sure can be just as effective after taking a sit.
“If I can get time I would like to take her to Melbourne for a suitable race.”
Cheap Tint copied his stablemate coming across from gate five to cross and lead Big Gorilla which had gone forward from gate four.
Once in front, Cheap Tint also settled well and ran a nice tempo throughout to win comfortably rating 2:00.1.
“He has matured with age and racing,” Hill said.
“Early on he was a bit of a handful but he has really matured and even Brooke (daughter) can hose him down without any problems.
“Tonight he relaxed once in front and really was never in doubt.”
Cheap Tint has now won six races straight, the last five in claiming races. On Saturday night, his claiming price was $8000.
“I’m really pleased no-one has claimed him but if they had he would have recouped his price.
“I thought he might have gone to Queensland or the West but I’m happy he is still with me.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
