Another Cup to Dhaulagiri
The Cup collecting of star South-East pacer Dhaulagiri continued at Globe Derby Park on Saturday with a comfortable victory in the 2026 Kevin & Kay Seymour Adelaide Pacing Cup (2230m).
Since joining the stable of trainer Matthew Horsnell, Dhaulagiri has now won six Cups starting with St Arnaud, Boort then Kapunda, Strathalbyn, Port Pirie and Adelaide, the last four in a seven-week burst.
Driver Samantha Hill pushed forward from gate five to eventually find the front after gate release then was able to dictate the tempo for an impressive win.
Dhaulagiri ($1.60 into $1.35 fav) had an easy first half of the last 1600 metres in 60.8 seconds before accelerating for a 56.1 second final 800 metres which ensured he wouldn’t be caught.
The eight-year-old scored by five metres from Heza Punk Rocker ($6) with Lochinvar Magic ($14), two metres away third.
Trainer Matthew Horsnell, from Mount Gambier, said Dhaulagiri had handled the long travel in his stride.
“Last week I had to go to Pirie on Saturday from Mount Gambier, then home again on Sunday,” Horsnell said.
“I was pleasantly surprised how well he took the travel and having a race.
“He was very bright during the week and ate up well.
“Back up again tonight, and I was pleased he had a fairly comfortable race being able to find the front.
“I am not sure where to go with him now. I haven’t had a look at the race programs, that will be a job for this week.
“We will see how he pulls up this week then look ahead but I’m pretty sure there is not anything to suit him up here.
“It was fantastic for the fast class pacers to run in two good money races in a week, and to have won both is a bonus.
“He has picked up in excess of $25,000 for those wins.”
Heza Punk Rocker, a beaten favourite at Port Pirie, ran well in the Adelaide Cup.
Coming from gate one on the second row, Heza Punk Rocker found himself three back on the fence after Dhaulagiri found the front.
The six-year-old only got clear in the home straight and sprinted well up the sprint lane but was never a chance of catching the winner.
- Story Graham Fischer
- photo Walter Bulyga