Angel shines on Don Capitano
All is well that ends well and such was the case for trainer-driver Dean Girardi who is having his best season.
Don Capitano’s win at Globe Derby Park on Saturday equalled Girardi’s best training season giving him his 18th winner, and with seven months left in the season, he seems certain to set impressive new figures.
Driven by Wayne Hill, Don Capitano, backed from $2.25 into $1.85 favourite, sprinted strongly in the home straight to score a head win in the Piranha Media Pace (2230m) beating Rocknroll Yankee ($5) with Whata Optimist ($6.50), seven metres away third.
Girardi began his training career in the 2018/19 season and in his second year grabbed 18 wins which has been his best to 2026, but he is really building a successful stable as he looks to move from Angle Vale to a new property at Two Wells later this year.
The trainer said he had had a bad week leading up to Saturday’s meeting.
“We had the funeral for my Nonna during the week which was pretty emotional,” Girardi said.
“Things were a bit different this week and I wasn’t able to focus as much on the training, so tonight’s win was a bonus.
“We farewelled Mum’s (Dina) mum this week.”
He was referring to Clorinda Antolini who passed away late last month, aged 96.
“She had a great life, but it is always really tough.”
Don Capitano was the start of a far better weekend for Girardi who was able to celebrate his own birthday as well as Mother’s Day with his own Mum, Dina, and with his children Toby and Grace ensuring wife Ali had a fabulous day.
Girardi’s results in 2026 had seen him sitting second on the trainer’s premiership until Kevin Weidenbach went past him.
“It was great to be so high on the table, but, really, I just hope to be able to finish in the top 10 at the end of the year.
“I don’t have a big stable in work, and horses eventually find their mark, but our team is enjoying the ride.”
Girardi has done a wonderful job with Don Capitano which came to him during the middle of last year as a three-year-old with a few issues, but which now has five wins from just 13 starts.
Reinsman Wayne Hill, who was having his first drive on the four-year-old, said he was definitely “a quirky horse.”
“At the start he basically took himself up to the mobile barrier,” Hill said.
“Coming from one on the second row, he was able to go through and trail Rocknroll Yankee which led from the inside draw on the front.
“When the leader picked up the tempo during the final lap he was a bit one-paced but turning for home I was confident he would sprint strongly.
“He went quickly but as soon as he got alongside he switched off. He was always going to win but didn’t want to really put him away. He is quirky.”
Hill drove a treble at Globe Derby Park, the third of his winners was Classic Line for trainer Reece Moore in the Bargain Steel Centre Pace (1800m).
Heavily backed from $2.10 into $1.65 favourite, Classic Line came from gate five and was caught wide early before Hill opted to push ahead and find the lead.
Once in front, Hill rated Classic Line beautifully and the six-year-old won comfortably by 3-1/2 metres from Classic Choice ($26) with Kathys Free ($12) a long neck away third.
It was the six-year-old’s third win for the season and continues Moore’s good season which has him seventh on the SA premiership with nine wins.
Father and son Lane and Corey Johnson combined to win with Paradigm in the Kevin & Kay Seymour Pace (1800m).
A well backed $2.10 favourite, Paradigm led throughout to win by two metres from Love To Deal ($41) with Oakhay ($2.40), 1-1/2 metres away third.
Lane Johnson, who trains the five-year-old mare, said she had ability but needed things to go her way.
“She likes the tempo on, and doesn’t appreciate slow speeds,” Johnson said.
“She also can gallop in her races, so it was a bit heart in mouth early as Corey was pushing through to lead.”
Paradigm started her career with the late Greg Sugars and wife Jess Tubbs before heading to Blake Fitzpatrick in Sydney.
Owners Pam Hayter, Trent Noble and Jared Tosetti picked the mare up from an online sale and Saturday was her first win this season.
For Tosetti, it continued a 24-year ownership involvement in harness racing with the Johnson stable.
This Saturday’s Globe Derby Park meeting is scheduled to have the $11,000 Two-Year-Old Classic (1800m) as the feature event.
- story Graham Fischer
- photo Walter Bulyga