Mixed emotions with the victory of Summerdays
The dashing win of Summerdays at Globe Derby Park on Saturday had mixed emotions.
Delight that Summerdays notched her 17th win since joining the stables of Penfield trainer Ingrid Smith, but there was an overriding sadness following the passing of part-owner-breeder Greg Caldwell on race morning.
The popular 78-year-old harness enthusiast from Kyabram in Victoria, passed when going out to feed up his horses on Saturday morning.
“Greg and his son Rod have had a fantastic association with our stable,” said David Smith, husband of the trainer.
“It started when one of our owners Jamie Braidwood purchased Don’t Tell Alice from the Caldwells back in 2019.
“They were happy what we did with him so sent us Summerdays, Ten Lil Fonzies and Pre Nup which have been wonderful additions.
“We were so sad to learn of his passing.”
Summerdays ($5.50 into $3.10 fav) settled second trailing the leader Rocking With Charm inv the early stages.
Reinsman Michael Smith, son of the trainer, eased the eight-year-old mare away from the inside turning for home and she sprinted powerfully to win the Ladbrokes Odds Surge Pace (1800m) by seven metres.
Amys Baby Angel ($41) came late to grab second, 2-1/2 metres in front of Buzz Bomb ($3.60) in a mile rate of 1:57.8.
“She loves the speed on and got that today,” Michael Smith said.
“Everything worked out well and I was able to get off the inside and sprinted quickly.”
South Australia’s leading trainer Ryan Hryhorec had a good night with a treble taking his season tally to 117 as he continues to build a new record tally.
Included was yet another training trifecta in the Happy 30th Birthday Black Venom Trotters Handicap (2230m).
Ebonys Aveger ($11), aggressively driven by Mark Norman, scored a 1-1/2 metre win from Regal Attire ($3.60) with SA Trotters Cup winner Phoebe Onyx ($10), a similar margin away third to complete the Hryhorec-training trifecta.
Hryhorec drove the well backed $2.90 favourite Aldebaran Dexta which blotted his copybook by galloping at the start and coming home in last place.
Phoebe Onyx came off a 20-metre handicap with Gaita Pullicino in the sulky and began so quickly found himself in front within 300 metres inv the field of eight.
Ebonys Avenger, which began safely off a 10-metre handicap, was in the running line and Norman went forward to find the front-and he was then able to dictate.
The master trainer, who prepares his team at Two Wells, has a handful of star trotters in his stable.
“I wasn’t surprised by the win of Ebonys Avenger,” Hryhorec said.
“There really is not a lot between them, and it is handicaps and luck in running which results in which one wins.
“Ebony’s Avenger ran well in as heat of the Trotters Cup then lost all chance by galloping in the final. She has been a star mare during her career.”
They likely will all clash again this Saturday in the $25,000 Trotters Cup (2645m), a standing start race, only for South Australian-trained squaregaiters.
In the following race, the Remembrance Day Pace (1800m), star pacer Lord Zarias ($3.80) turned in as last-to-first effort to score s half neck win for reinsperson Danielle Hill.
Delightfull Tammy ($3.60 fav), which had led finished second, one metre clear of Hezrockinroyalty ($4.60).
The fast class pacers are also likely to clash again this Saturday in the $14,000 Minor Derby Free-For-All (2230m), again a race for SA-trained pacers.
Hryhorec’s treble came up with John Vincent ($2.70) putting in a tough performance to win the Ladbrokes Quick Multi Pace (1800m).
Bringing up a driving double for Danielle Hill, John Vincent sat parked but was able to score by a head from fast-finishing Clarenden Express ($3.70) with Per Ardua Ad Astra ($3.10), two metres away third.
The five-year-old has been a good purchase from Victoria by Port Pirie’s Chris Harvey and Mick Athanasiou.
It was his 10th win since coming into the Hryhorec stable in January this year.
- Story Graham Fischer
- Photo Walter Bulyga