Hez So Royal salutes for locals in the Alabar SA Botra Golden Nursery
Murray Bridge trainer Alan Cronin was quietly confident Hez So Royal could turn the tables on boom filly One Millie in Saturday’s Listed $25,000 Alabar SA BOTRA Golden Nursery (1800m) at Globe Derby Park.
He was proved correct when Hez So Royal ($7) sprinted hard in the home straight to claim the classic by 2-1/2 metres from One Millie ($2.25 into $1.25 fav) with Just Jimmy ($23) a game third,6-1/2 metres away.
Cronin said he had great respect for One Millie but knew his two-year-old had improved from his heat seven days earlier.
“We had a few issues leading up to the heats, but everything was better for his run last week,” Cronin said.
“I knew he would be fitter for last week and although he wasn’t favoured by the draw I honestly believe he would finish no worse than second.”
Hez So Royal was driven by Ryan Hryhorec who has driven an incredible five winners of the Golden Nursery.
His first winner was Oztreos for Jon Kingston-Mayne in 2006 followed by Grinera in 2012 for his late father Jon. Hryhorec then trained and drove Flagbearer (2013) and Miss Idaho (2023) before victory on Hez So Royal.
One Millie, trained by Peter Bain and driven by Wayne Hill created all the hype running a brilliant 26.9 second quarter in the heats beating Hez So Royal in a photo.
On Saturday, the filly found the front from gate four and Hill was able to rate the race as he liked while Hryhorec had Hez So Royal three back in the running line.
Hill asked One Millie to extend 400 metres from home, and she drew clear and looked the likely winner.
Hryhorec brought Hez So Royal three wide and he moved up to second but was still giving a good start to the filly but in the home straight Hez So Royal charged and grabbed victory.
“I thought we were too far back turning for home,” Hryhorec said.
“But the horse saw the filly, pinned his ears back and wanted to win, he was outstanding.”
An emotional Cronin said he was very proud of Hez So Royal and elated for the ownership group of Greg Moy, Tracy Matthews, Rob Kerr and Bill Moy and the late Alan Matthews.
“We have been friends for many years and one of our first horses was a two-year-old filly called Our Royal Lady which we thought could be a real racetrack star.
“She won a Sapling Stakes at her first start but after only three runs had to be retired due to injury.
“She has had three foals Royal Watch, Hezrockinroyalty and Hez So Royal – they have all won and Hezrockinroyalty ran third tonight in the SA Cup.
“There are more to come as she has a King Of Swing yearling and has been mated with For A Reason.
“I have to give thanks for my wife Ngareta for her wonderful support, she is the backbone of the operation.”
Victorian trainer-driver Aaron Dunn had faith in his three-year-old Forty Love, and it proved justified in the Listed 2025 $30,000 Kevin & Kay Seymour SA Pacing Derby (2230m).
Dunn drove Forty Love ($2.90 fav) tough and the colt lasted for a half head win from My Ultimate Jimmy ($13) with Major Crunch ($34), 25 metres away third.
“It might not have been the prettiest drive, but we got the win,” Dunn said.
“When he drew barrier 11 I made my mind up to go around the field early and try to outstay them.
“I got pushed four wide when trying to go forward but eventually got the spot outside the leader then went for home down the back straight.
“The runner up came up to challenge, but my bloke kept giving to get the win.”
Dunn said Forty Love was a big horse that thrived on hard work.
“He had the trip across and back last week, but I still gave him a solid hit out on Thursday before coming back for the Derby.”
The trainer explained he gave stable names to his horses such as Rafa, Roger, Joker and Barty with tennis being the common denominator.
Forty Love is Rafa, hence the name.
- Graham Fischer
- Walter Bulyga