Dont Tell Alice but hes a winner
Don’t Tell Alice completed what many thought unthinkable when he won his third consecutive race at Globe Derby Park on Monday.
It has taken more than 230 starts for Don’t Tell Alice to achieve a feat normally reserved to the stars of harness racing.
Owners Jamie Braidwood and Ingrid Smith couldn’t stop smiling after the 10-year-old stormed down the outside to grab victory in the Hygain Release Pace (2230m).
The gelding, trained by Ingrid Smith, has had different drivers for his hat-trick of wins with David Smith, husband of the trainer, in the sulky for the first win, then son Michael Smith with Corey Johnson driving on Monday.
Don’t Tell Alice ($4.40 into $3.90) finished best to win by a neck from Golden Jaylet ($9.50) with Major Mad ($6) a metre away third.
“He has been a great horse for us,” David Smith said.
“He will always have a home when he eventually finishes racing.
“We bought him for just $2300, and today’s win took his stakes to nearly $107,000.
“But it you told me he would win three races in a row I would have had you locked up.
“We have changed his training a little bit recently giving him more sprint work and it seems to have worked.
“We have been holding him up early and letting him finish off and it suits him in these classes.”
Braidwood said when Don’t Tell Alice had arrived in the Smith stable in July 2019 it had been suggested he needed a spell.
“When David worked him for a first time he reported that the horse didn’t show much at all, but we kept going and he won his first two starts for us at Mildura which enabled us to collect his Vicbred bonus.
“His wins have been spaced since until the past three weeks.
“He only won one race last season but ran 12 placings, but this season now has five wins and eight placings.”
Reinsman Corey Johnson picked up the drive on Don’t Tell Alice because David Smith was to drive Ikigai which didn’t obtain a start while Michael Smith is the regular partner of Trigger for trainer Mark Russo which finished fifth.
Johnson repeated the fast finishing burst on Whata Optimist for trainer Ray Holberton in the following race, the Bianco Reinforcing Pace (1800m).
Coming from last, Whata Optimist ($12) sprinted quickly to grab a 1-1/2 metre win from Antiguas Be Be ($19) with Night Spirit ($9.50), four metres away third.
Holberton joined in to complete a race-to-race double when Splash Of Paynt ($3.50) led throughout in the SAHRC Members Pace (1800m).
Driven by Gaita Pullicino, Splash Of Paynt scored by 2-1/2 metres from Feisty Jane ($3.30 fav) with Vatican Green ($15), 3-1/2 metres away third.
Pullicino’s son Tony, celebrated his own success at the meeting with Budding Caesar, which he trains and drove, in The Globe Bar & Gaming Pace (1800m).
Budding Caesar, an 11-year-old, only recently joined the Pullicino stable at Mallala.
The gelding, a $14 chance, put in a long sprint to score by three metres from Rocky Monaloo ($8.50) with Crookwell Jake ($13), a half-metre away third.
“It took us a few runs to learn about him,” Pullicino said.
“He has been a very good horse to everyone during his career, and I want to thank Chris (Buttigieg) and the owners for giving me the chance to train him.
“It was a tough run today and I’m hoping he can keep up the winning form.”
Veteran trainer Peter Borrelli, from Lewiston, is having good success with promising trotter Tranquill Bill.
Backed from $7.50 into $3.40, Tranquill Bill was given a perfect run by reinsman Michael Smith drawing clear to win by 1-1/2 metres from Hayoak ($6.50) with Buckles ($12), six metres away third.
Borrelli, 84, said it was a team effort with the six-year-old.
“My neighbour, Graham Goldsworthy, comes across to help me out around the stables,” Borrelli said.
“Graham had great success with trotters when he was training and suggested last year than the horse might be a good buy.
“Tranquill Bill has now won six races for us, and we believe he is still on the improve.
“But he has a mind of his own and doesn’t mind taking a nip if you are not paying attention. Also, you can’t put the bike on him in the stable, you have to lead him down to the track, tie him up then put it on.
“I have pretty much trained pacers for most of my life but there is something special about winning with a trotter.”
Angle Vale trainer Dean Girardi is another who loves the squaregaiters.
Cyclone S Adams won for him on Monday in the Fast As The Wind USA @ Wingate Farm Trotters Mobile (2230m).
Driven by Bernadette Page, Cyclone S Adams ($9.50) came from last to win by 1-1/2 metres from Janes Gem ($8) with Thunder Wing ($1.80 fav), two metres away third.
“He has been a great horse for us, and my wife Ali loves him,” Girardi said.
“When he reached his mark and was struggling I thought about moving him on, but Ali put her foot down.
“His last few runs have been good and Bernadette drove him perfectly today.
“Part-owner Tony Calabria also has mentioned about sending him back because he has a friend who would love to do equestrian work with him.
“But I think that is still a way off.”
- Story Graham Fischer
- Photo Walter Bulyga