Pullicino tips Deuce Coupe to measure up in fast class

It pays to listen when a person of Gaita Pullicino’s experience speaks.

Pullicino, 71, believes Saturday’s Globe Derby Park winner Deuce Coupe can win through to, and measure up in, fast class events in South Australia.

The veteran driver has landed 1023 winners during her career at an impressive strike rate of 15% and knows her standardbreds.

“This horse has a really good sprint coming from off speed,” Pullicino said.

“But he does have very good gate speed and from gate two tonight, there was no option but to lead.”

Backed from $4.40 into $2.50 favourite Deuce Coupe found the front easily in the Happy 40^th Bek Rogers Pace (1800m) and cruised home 6-1/2 metres clear of Vatican Green ($5) with Don Capitano ($23), three metres away third.

In front, the winner does tend to race keenly, as was indicated by his four sub-30 second quarters and a smart mile rate of 1:56.0.

“In front, he wants to get on with the job and can over race,” Pullicino said.

“I was pleased tonight that he didn’t want to go as quick as he can in front.

I think he is starting to fit into our training operation as he only came to us in March from Victoria.

“Tonight is his third win for us but I am sure he can keep improving.

“Interestingly, if he settles back in the field he doesn’t over race and is a lot more tractable. He has a really quick sprint and that will stand him in good stead as he goes through the grades.”

Pullicino didn’t have a comfortable in the previous race, the Hygain Pace (2230m), on Sunstar for trainer Ryan Hryhorec.

Sunstar, a $26, came from gate seven, the outside of the front row, and galloped as the mobile was heading to the starting point.

He quickly got back into his gait, but his back legs were hitting the sulky giving him a scare and he wanted to charge.

Sunstar quickly moved around to sit outside the leader, his stablemate Lochinvar Magic ($2.15), which was driven by Danielle Hill.

Pullicino was able to take hold, but Sunstar was still racing very keenly. The effort eventually told and he faded over the final stages to finish ninth.

Despite the attention from Sunstar, Lochinvar Magic drew clear to win by four metres from the fast-finishing Clarenden Express ($12) with Hasty Bid ($101 into $61), a metre away third.

Trainer Ryan Hryhorec lamented the current handicapping system in South Australia.

“He is a really nice horse but tonight was only his ninth career win and now he has to take on the big boys,” Hryhorec said.

“He is a really tough horse but I’m not sure he has the speed needed in the open grade.

“It wasn’t ideal when Sunstar came around and was racing keenly, but I knew Lochinvar Magic had the ability to win when he led.

“He had to run four sub-30 second quarters but won easily. He only does what he needs to do and having the other horse outside kept him focused.”

In-form trotter The Vicars Girl stepped up in grade to take out the SA Square Trotters Association Trotters Handicap (2230m).

Reinsperson Tiana McMahon is proving a capable replacement in the sulky for trainer Kevin Weidenbach who is currently sidelined through suspension.

McMahon now has wins on consecutive Saturdays on The Vicars Girl which now has 11 wins and eight seconds from 28 starts in 2026.

Having her first start taking on the “big boys,” despite her impressive record, The Vicars Girl started at $5.50 and held on to grab a half head win from My Bad Habits ($11) with All The Trix ($3.30), 8-1/2 metres away third.

Favourite Regal Attire ($1.90) found the task of coming off a 40-metre handicap a shade too tough and was fourth, 12-1/2 metres away fourth.

After a sound start, McMahon took The Vicars Girl from midfield to take the lead with a lap and a half to go, and it proved a winning move.

A tough winner on Saturday was Just Mocha in the Bargain Steel Centre Pace (1800m).

Caught wide for the last lap, Just Mocha ($10) finished powerfully to score a half head win from Resurrects ($6.50) with The Reginator ($1.95 fav), a half neck away third.

The winner was driven by Katie Wilson, who co-trains the five-year-old mare with Jill Neilson.