Emotions run high following Bay Jim Majors success
Emotions ran high when hot favourite Bay Jim Major won the Vale Allan Fuller Pace (1800m) at Globe Derby Park on Sunday.
Bay Jim Major’s driver Danielle Hill wore the Fuller family colours and was proud to land them a winner.
Fuller was a longtime harness participant and passed away a week ago.
His son Clinton took over the training in 2010 when Allan was forced into retirement. but he still retained his involvement as an owner and breeder.
Clinton Fuller approached Hill and trainer Les Harding about honouring his father by wearing his colours and they were happy to oblige.
Harding said it was not unusual to see Fuller rushing around in his wheelchair in recent years heading across to Globe Derby Park.
Hill said she had driven occasionally for him and remembered partnering the talented Sir Lucas in a race at Mildura for the family.
“Bay Jim Major has been brought along well by Les,” Hill said.
“He gave him a good break and there is no doubt he has taken the step up from his three-year-old days.
“He wasn’t disgraced when running against the open pacers three starts back and now has won two in a row.
Bay Jim Major ($1.30 fav) came three wide over the last lap to score a one metre win in the Vale Allan Fuller Pace beating Coco Mia ($12) with John Vincent ($6), two metres away third.
Post-race Clinton Fuller came down to the stables and gave Hill a hug to thank her for wearing the colours and Harding for allowing the colours to be used.
Bay Jim Major, which has now won three of his last four starts, will now head to the $9999 Southern Cross 4YO Entires & Geldings Final (2230m) at Globe Derby Park on Saturday, December 20.
In that race, he will renew his rivalry with Star Man which returned to winning form on Sunday in the Ray White Commercial Adelaide Pace (2230m).
The pair have had memorable clashes as two and three-year-olds and the Southern Cross gives them the chance to square up again.
On Sunday, Star Man ($7.50) came from last to score an impressive five-metre win from Amys Baby Angel ($17) with Miss Out ($5), four metres away third.
The four-year-old is owned and trained by 89-year-old John Conry who admitted to being a little surprised by the win.
“He had gate 10 and I thought he might have the job ahead,” Conry said.
“The way the race developed David (driver David Smith) was able to get a good trail up to the leaders and he proved too strong.”
Smith said he was also a little surprised.
“I didn’t think he had been running a strong 2230 (metres) recently but tonight he charged into the race and was really strong through the line,” Smith said.
The driver later brought up a winning double when Feng Shui Star took out the Kevin & Kay Seymour Pace (2230m).
The win was a boost for trainer Ingrid Smith who has an arm injury following a stable accident last week.
Feng Shui Star, owned by Jamie Braidwood and Chris Dix, scored his first win for them.
A $23 outsider, Feng Shui Star obtained a perfect run from his draw of gate six with early speed and action enabling Smith to settle one-out, one-back.
The five-year-old dashed clear in the home straight to win by 4-1/2 metres from the fast-finishing Shireen ($3) with Whata Optimist ($17) a half-metre away third.
Danielle Hill won the first three races on Sunday driving Trailblazer and Last Tango In Heaven for trainer Ryan Hryhorec before the win on Bay Jim Major.
Trailblazer is owned and was bred by former Gawler Harness Racing Club chair Kaye Halliday.
“It is very special to see a horse you bred win a race,” Halliday said.
“He was a bit of a handful as a yearling and Ryan has done a wonderful job with him.
“Tonight was his eighth win and Ryan believes he is still improving.”
Last Tango In Heaven ($3.30) was given a perfect run by Hill to win the Southern Cross Finals Night December 20 Pace (2230m).
Coming from gate five, Hill settled one-out, one-back with Artillery finding the front and Lord Zarias coming around to sit parked.
Last Tango In Heaven won by three metres from Hezrockinroyalty ($8) which ran home strongly with Loird Zarias ($3 fav) holding third a head away.
Hryhorec said the winner would continue to chase wins through to the new year.
- Graham Fischer
- Photo Walter Bulyga