Lord Zarias takes out the Minor Derby Free For all
Star reinsman Ryan Hryhorec again demonstrated his brilliance in the sulky to land Lord Zarias a victor in the $14,000 2025 Minor Derby Free-For-All (2230m) at Globe Derby Park.
Coming from a potentially awkward draw of gate four on the front row, Hryhorec magically was able to settle second on the fence behind the heavily backed favourite Hezrockinroyalty ($3.50 into $1.55) which had led up from gate one.
Lord Zarias ($4.40) was then in a stalking position on the leader and used the sprint lane to dash through and claim a 1-1/2 metre win from Hezrockinroyalty with Artillery ($31), a tough third, 4-1/2 metres away.
Hryhorec, who now has 102 driving winners this season, said he was very proud of Lord Zarias which he also trains.
“He has been so good for my stable,” Hryhorec said.
“He came to us at the start of last year and has now 11 races and picked up more than $90,000 in stakes, winning several feature races..
“Lord Zarias is versatile – he can do it tough but also has a brilliant sprint.
“Last week he came from last to win, tonight, he was able to sit on the leader.”
Hryhorec said Lord Zarias had earnt a break but was wary to ease off when the horse was racing in such great form.
Trainer Alan Cronin said he was proud of Hezrockinroyalty which has strung together six consecutive minor placings, including a third in the SA Cup.
“I was pleased he came up with a decent draw tonight, but when your lead there is always a chance a rival can dive bomb you late,” Cronin said.
“We had to take advantage of gate one, but I do believe my horse is better as a sit-sprinter.”
Cronin revealed there consideration was being given to sending him to a Sydney trainer.
“I am sure he would love the spacious Menangle track and could peel off a strong sprint. It would give him the chance to go to another level.
“But, for the present, he will race here up to Christmas.”
After ruining Cronin’s Minor Derby race, Hryhorec teamed up with the trainer to win the feature $9999 Ladbrokes Lordship Stakes (1800m) for two colts & geldings with Hez So Royal.
An unbackable $1.05 favourite, Hez So Royal led throughout from gate two, racing away in the home straight to score by 14 metres from Gym Junky ($26) with Just Jimmy ($21), 8-1/2 metres away third.
The win gave Cronin his second training success in the feature having won with Hezrockinroyalty, a half-brother to this year’s victor, in 2023.
For Hryhorec, it was his third Lordship win in the past four years winning previously on Jamaican Rock (2022), which he also trained, and Hezrockinroyalty.
Cronin said Hez So Royal, a winner of the Golden Nursery at his previous run, would now be aimed at the Southern Cross series.
Trainer Ray Holberton brought up a significant career milestone when Splash Of Paynt led throughout in the Bargain Steel Centre Pace (1800m).
The victory was Holberton’s 500th training success.
Driven by Gaita Pullicino, Splash Of Paynt ($4.40) scored by 9-1/2 metres from Captain Barnato ($6) with Places You Don’t ($10), a neck away third.
“I am very proud to reach 500,” said Holberton, a son of training legend Alby.
“I have been training for a long time but never have had really big teams like Dad.
“We have been able to get around 20 winners a season and my strike rate is a creditable 23%.
“Splash Of Paynt has a lot of talent but can be his own worst enemy wanting to do everything at 100 miles per hour, but I think we are starting to win the battle.
“He was a lot more tractable tonight and is coming good just in time for the Southern Cross series.”
Pullicino brought up a driving double repeating an all-the-way win, this time on True Blue Rose, trained by her husband Frank, in the Jojubi Saddlery Pace (2230m).
Pullicino drove aggressively from gate six and after a short tussle, found the lead and then rated the mare to perfection.
True Blue Rose ($7.50) scored by 3-1/2 metres from Shireen ($8.50) with Amys Baby Angel ($9.50) a similar margin away third.
Improved six-year-old Twin Connection got punters away to a good start in the opening event, the Ray White Commercial Adelaide Pace (1800m).
Backed from $2.20 into $1.45 favourite, Twin Connection found the front from barrier two for trainer-driver Darren Billinger and scored comfortably by eight metres from Captains Dream ($11) with Love To Deal ($23) a half-head away third.
- Story Graham Fischer
- Photo Walter Bulyga