Bold drive by Smith on All The Trix
A bold move by reinsman David Smith paved the way for All The Trix to win the $25,000 Kevin & Kay Seymour Trotters Cup (2645m) at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
Smith made a decision to make his six other rivals have to chase hard if they were to win over the staying trip – and they couldn’t.
Trained, bred and owned at Wasleys by Claire Goble, All The Trix ($6) lasted by a long head to beat Regal Attire ($2.70 fav) with Ebonys Avenger ($9.50), 11-1/2 metres away third.
All The Trix rated a quick 2:02.1 which was only 0:8 outside the track record held by Aldebaran Dexta, set in December 2023.
Smith said when he saw the acceptances on Wednesday he made the decision to try and find the lead on the five-year-old.
“I thought if he began quick enough off his 10-metre handicap I would try to find the front,” Smith said.
“There were only two horses off the front mark and felt it was good option to go forward.
“I must admit I was a little surprised and thought what I have done when Bernadette (Page) on My Bad Habits kicked up for a short while but eventually I was able to find the front.
“Once in control I made sure All The Trix trotted along at a genuine pace to make it hard for the backmarkers.”
The tactic work as his rivals struggled to put themselves into the race – except for the favourite Regal Attire.
Driver Danielle Hill attempted to come around the field before making a decision to switch back inside turning for home.
Regal Attire found a burst and sprinted hard, but All The Trix kept running to win.
Successful Buchfelde breeder Val Bain has had a long association with harness racing and picked up her third Ladyships Stakes.
Bain, 86, had a first win in 1992 with Motoring Bye, trained and driven by Alan Smith.
Her second win was in 2015 with Hilltop Rose, trained by her son Peter and driven by her grandson Aaron.
On Saturday, Hilltop Star brought up the hat-trick in the $9999 2025 Ladbrokes Ladyship Stakes (1800m) with Bernadette Page in the sulky giving Peter Bain his second training success.
Backed from as much as $11 into $3.70, Hilltop Star found the front after 300 metres, and although challenged over the final 300 metres, drew away to win by 1-1/2 metres from Grumpypants Gracie ($10) with Open The Gates ($1.40 fav), a stablemate of the winner, 3-1/2 metres away third.
Page, who works for Aaron Bain Racing, has driven the filly in trackwork and loved the chance to drive her in a feature race.
“Once she found the front I knew she would be hard to beat,” Page said.
“She is still new to racing and was happy to run alongside the others until I asked her to extend turning for home.
“She came home in a quick 28.9 seconds for the last 400 metres, and I know she could have gone quicker.”
Trainer Peter Bain said consideration would be giving to sending Hilltop Star across to Victorian trainer Emma Stewart.
Former stablemate Hilltop Blossom, now across with Stewart, ran fourth in a semi-final of the Vicbred Super Series for two-year-old fillies at Melton on Saturday to qualify for this week’s Group 2 $100,000 final.
Another impressive winner at Globe Derby Park on Saturday was Im All Business, trained and driven by Kevin Weidenbach.
The three-year-old took on older horses again in winning the Northside Trophies Pace (2230m).
The colt made it five wins in a row sitting parked for much of the race then dashing away.
Im All Business ($1.25 fav) scored by 3-1/2 metres from Rocknroll Spirit ($8.50) with Big Black Betty ($23) a similar margin away third.
Weidenbach said Im All Business was continuing to improve.
“We missed the Vicbred Super Series back in Victoria and he is not eligible for the Southern Cross here in Adelaide so I am not sure where he will go,” Weidenbach said.
“Tonight’s field was very good so to sit parked and win as easily as he did was outstanding and he rated a very good 1:57.5.”
Weidenbach brought up a driving double when Georgy Girl, trained by Ella Brechin, scored in the Bianco Reinforcing Trotters Mobile (1800m).
After sitting parked, Georgy Girl ($2.20 fav) drew away to win by two metres from King Of Love ($7.50) with Hayoak ($10), four metres away third.
Reinsman Michael Smith was shattered to finish second in the Minor Derby Free For All on Hezrockinroyalty but gained a consolation win on Alimonie for Virginia trainer Mark Russo in the Hahn Super Dry Pace (1800m).
Smith did a great job to settle one-out, one-back on Alimonie ($17) from barrier nine before coming with a strong run to score by two metres from the heavily backed Kuhio Crest with Nanna Helen, four metres away third.
- Story Graham Fischer
- Photo Walter Bulyga