Dhaulagiri - too strong in Strathalbyn Pacing Cup
It was a case of contrasts as Dhaulagiri landed his second Cup win during the 2026 Festival of Cups in South Australia.
On March 8, Dhaulagiri, trained at Kongorong by Matt Horsnell, led throughout from gate one at Kapunda to take out the club’s feature event.
On Saturday at Globe Derby Park, the nine-year-old came from an awkward draw of six to win the $20,000 Strathalbyn Harness Racing Club Pacing Cup (2230m).
Driver Wayne Hill opted to go back early on Dhaulagiri ($2.50 fav) before coming wide with just over a lap to go and sit parked over the final 1000 metres.
Hill urged his drive to take control coming off the back and the gelding drew clear to win comfortably from Bellezza Nera ($4.60) with Peace Of Heaven ($7), 2-1/2 metres away third.
“He was outstanding,” Hill said.
“That was a brilliant performance, and he was just too good.
“I decided to go back early but once the tempo up front wasn’t too quick I made the move to go around and sit parked to control the speed.
“He put them away off the back and was strong through the line.”
Trainer Matt Horsnell said after the Kapunda win, he had given Dhaulagiri an easy time.
“Last week at Mount Gambier he was probably a bit too fresh,” Horsnell said.
“He pulled hard and that is not his style. Tonight, with that run under his belt, he was a lot better and I thought he won well.”
Horsnell said he was most unlikely to back up the winner on Monday, March 30 in the Gawler Pacing Cup (2550m).
“He has qualified for the rich final at Port Pirie on April 18, so we don’t have to run.
“Gawler is a standing start race, and he is not a brilliant beginner from a stand.
“I can keep him right at home and find a race in Victoria to keep his fitness right.”
His versatility will ensure Dhaulagiri will be hard to beat in the $26,000 Port Pirie Pacing Cup (2530m).
Runner up Bellezza Nera was three wide over the last lap and battled on strongly while Peace Of Heaven had a soft run but dashed up the sprint lane nicely late.
Perhaps the most emotional win on the Strathalbyn Cup meeting at Globe Derby Park was by Uptown Miss in the $10,000 NC Equipro Pace Final (1800m).
The winner is trained by Strathalbyn Harness Racing Club president Max Beasley and was driven by the club vice-president Mario Borg.
Coming from barrier six, Borg gave a 10/10 steer to land Uptown Miss ($34), a 5-1/2 metre winner from Waitpinga Storm ($8) with Stay Angry ($11), a half-head away third.
Borg came out aggressively from the wide gate but a horse inside galloped allowing him to cross into a one-wide line, then another galloper saw him cross down to trail the leader Waitpinga Storm.
The mare travelled beautifully, then sprinted sharply when Borg steered her to the sprint lane to grab a comfortable win.
“Yeah, that was a bit special,” Beasley said.
“It was an outstanding drive by Mario, and the mare did the rest.
“Tonight was only her 20th start because she has had issues during her career.
“After only four starts she had a throat problem and had a year off.
“We got her back, then she had a leg injury. Once again we got her going and she caught a virus but is back in good form now.”
Beasley has great respect for driver Angela Chapman who had driven Uptown Miss in every run before Saturday because she was committed to Waitpinga Storm which she trains.
“Ange is an amazing horse woman, and I value her advice for my horses.”
Beasley said one of his other talented pacers, Dee Jays Miss, a half-sister to Uptown Miss, was close to returning after becoming ill in December.
Co-trainers Jill Neilson and Katie Wilson had good success with Cyclone Brenda in the $7000 Dawn Armstrong Memorial Mares Pace (1800m).
Driven by Danielle Hill, Cyclone Brenda ($6) sat outside the lead before dashing clear to win by 1-3/4 metres from Sweet Arpeggio ($8.50) with Rolling Remona ($4.40), 11-1/2 metres away third.
- story Graham Fischer
- photo Walter Bulyga