Quick sprint pays off for Stockman Peter in Strathalbyn Trotters Cup
A brilliant sprint saw Stockman Peter proved too quick in the $20,000 2026 Strathalbyn Harness Racing Club Trotters Cup (2230m).
After a good start from his 10-metre handicap, young reinsman Corey Johnson gave Stockman Peter ($5) a good run inside before bringing him into the clear off the back.
Trained in Mount Gambier by David Phillips, the seven-year-old sprinted brilliantly between runners to score by 3-1/2 metres from Meadow Valley Star ($3.30 fav) with Aldebaran Dexta ($16), 4-1/2 metres away third.
Phillips said Johnson had driven the winner to perfection.
“I said to Corey if he could get some cover, he would sprint quickly,” Phillips said.
“At home I work him against the pacers, and he goes past them when we sprint up, so I know he has the talent.
“We purchased him for about $12,000 at the end of 2024 and he won his first three starts for the Lamond family.”
Stockman Peter has now won six of his 14 starts for Phillips.
The trainer said the seven-year-old would likely head to Gawler on Monday, March 30 for the $11,000 Gawler Hambletonian Trotters Cup (2550m).
“I might also have a two-year-old for the Kindergarten Stakes at that meeting.”
Runner-up Meadow Valley Star, also trained in the South-East, came wide over the last lap and was far from disgraced in finishing second off his 30-metre handicap.
A winner of the Kapunda Trotters Cup earlier in the month, he and Stockman Peter are now qualified for the $26,000 Port Pirie Trotters Cup (2530m) on Saturday, April 18.
South Australia’s leading trainer Ryan Hryhorec is also an outstanding reinsman and proved it again on Saturday with a driving double.
In a rare drive for trainer Ray Holberton, Hryhorec led throughout on the sensationally backed Hereforagoodtime in the Strathalbyn Members Pace (1800m).
Backed from as much as $4.40 into $2.20 before firming again to start the $1.95 favourite, Hryhorec had Hereforagoodtime away quickly from gate two to lead easily then recorded a moderate 62.8 second first half of the last 1600 metres before sprinting home in 57.7 seconds.
The six-year-old held on by a head from the fast-finishing Rocknroll Spirit ($7.50) with Magic Captain ($23), 2-1/2 metres away third.
“Because he has such a big team, Ryan is hard to get to drive,” Holberton said.
“I am well served by other drivers such as Wayne and Dani Hill, but when they had other commitments tonight I booked Ryan.
“He is such a great driver at rating horses and in front I knew he would be hard to beat.
“Hereforagoodtime has been a good horse for my stable and tonight was his 13th for us.”
Holberton, who has trained 507 winners during his career, is looking to rebuild his stable.
“I just have the two horses in work now as a few others have left the stable, but it will be good to gather a new group of horses.”
Hryhorec brought up his double on another heavily backed runner, Childers Road in the Bellmoure Park Stud Pace (1800m) for trainer Mel Kittel.
Backed from $2.10 into $1.70 favourite, Childers Road held on to score a short half head win from the fast-finishing Classact ($7) with Hugh Go ($11), 1-1/2 metres away third.
Coming from gate two, Hryhorec tried for the early lead, but Hugh Go, in barrier one, was keen to hold so he dropped in behind the leader.
After an easy run, he angled into the clear and went to the front looking likely for an easy win, but the runner-up sprinted powerfully but failed by the narrowest of margins.
Despite not driving the majority of his own runners, Hryhorec has still driven 25 winners this season to sit second on the SA premiership, four behind Dani Hill whose drives a large number of his starters.
Smart mare Narobi put up a tough performance to lead throughout in the $8000 Barry Forrest Memorial (2230m).
A red hot $1.65 favourite, Narobi, trained by Peter Bain, led from gate one but was pressured for the early lead by Bitofdutchcourage ($34) which had begun quickly from barrier three and a quick lead time of 44.8 seconds was recorded.
Driver Wayne Hill steadied the mare for a 61.9 second first half of the last 1600 metres.
Pressure came off the back, but Narobi answered the challenges and drew away to win by a metre from Maharajah ($16) with Lochinvar Magic ($4.40), 4-1/2 metres away third.
Narobi rated 1:58.8 which was an excellent effort, and she has now won five of her last seven starts.
- story Graham Fischer
- photo Walter Bulyga