Gawler Cup preview
South Australia’s premier trainer-driver Ryan Hryhorec believes talented pacer Hezrockinroyalty is capable of winning Monday’s 2025 $13,000 D F & E Kemp and Son Gawler Gold Pacing Cup (2550m).
However, he admits he is not completely confident about the gelding stepping away at his first standing start race.
“He can be a naughty boy,” Hryhorec said.
“He is not a fan of circling around at the starts, even in mobiles, and is the last horse to score up.
“I’m hoping being out of the draw and having the outside fence as a guide might help him.
“If he goes away I would be hoping to find the front and I think he would be hard to beat.
“His run in the Victor Harbor Cup was off the charts and he ran the quickest last half of the race.”
Hryhorec also has Victor Harbor Cup winner Lord Zarias coming off a 20-metre handicap in the Cup.
“He ran second last year getting run down by Artillery in the last 50 metres.
“I’m really happy with the way he has improved since Victor, but the handicap is going to make it tough.
“He is not a quick beginner but pretty safe and I’m sure he will be competitive.
“I felt I had to drive Hezrockinroyalty because he can be tricky at the start, and I believe he is good enough to win.
“Rodney (Petroff) was coming across to drive Used To Be A Maid in the trot, so he was perfect to drive Lord Zarias.”
Hryhorec said the newly-installed sprint lane at Gawler added another factor to racing at the track.
“I think Gawler was perfect for a sprint lane with the long straight.
“I think it will create different racing, and it gives one more horse a winning chance in each race.
“It surprised me a sprint lane was not installed when the track was built but I’m glad it has been added.”
Hryhorec will also be strongly represented in the 2025 $11,000 Podiatry Care Gawler Hambletonian Trotters Cup (2550m).
He has five acceptors in the 13-horse field with his trotter Aldebaran Dexta being the first emergency.
Hryhorec has Used To Be A Maid (Rodney Petroff) off the front, Rakero Blaze which he will drive off 10 metres, while Regal Attire (Danielle Hill) and Tweedledee (Gaita Pullicino) are both coming from the 30-metre handicap.
“It is hard to split them,” Hryhorec said.
“I think any can win with the right run, but I do think the handicaps make it really tough for Regal Attire and Tweedledee.
“Used To Be A Maid won well at her first run for the stable, but it is a big step up in class – maybe she can handle it.
“Rakero Blaze is working well and has done a good job but is having his first start since the end of December, so it is a big ask first up.
“The Hambletonian is always an excellent race and tough to win, and this year is no exception.”
The Gawler Cup meeting features 10 races with the first race at 12.59pm SA time.
Story: Graham Fischer