SA Trots - Harness Racing November 9th

Port Pirie brothers Trent and Ryan Hoare provided the longest priced winner at Globe Derby Park with Odins Black Crow leading throughout in the Jubilee Room Open For Snacks & BBQ Pace (1800m).

Starting at $61 and paying in excess of $100 on a TAB, Odins Black Crow performed like an odds-on favourite never being challenged in an eight-metre win from Lifeisbutadream ($5) with Hezacrocwatcher ($18), five metres away third.

While punters might have been shocked, the Hoare brothers had dared to dream going into the race.

“The aim was to find the front and we know he is best in front,” Trent Hoare said.

“At his previous run in Port Pirie he had no luck when last behind Miss Idaho being held up badly for a run and that was his first run back from a spell.”

Driver Lisa Ryan confirmed that adding he had taken a lot of pulling up post-race.

“He had plenty to offer but just couldn’t get a clear run,” Ryan said.

“Tonight he bowled along nicely in front and really was never challenged. I was waiting for the others to come up, but they never did.”

Hoare said he had purchased a horse from Queensland called Grove Dale when the brothers were starting to train.

“We were looking for another horse and I saw Odins Black Crow for sale online. Because of his unusual name I remembered he had raced against Grove Dale, and we were able to bring him to Pirie for $6000.

“There is no doubt he is at his best when leading and Lisa did a great job tonight.”

Star three-year-old Showsomejoy concluded her racing career with a tough victory in a thrilling Listed 2024 Ladbrokes South Australian Pacing Oaks (1800m) at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.

A hot $1.65 favourite, Showsomejoy, trained by Emma Stewart and driven by Gaita Pullicino, sat parked for most of the classic but drew clear to win by 1-1/2 metres from Elusive ($2.60) with Quick Dip ($41), 4-1/2 metres away third.

The filly is majority owned in South Australia and post-race Aaron Bain, director of Aaron Bain Racing, revealed the filly would be retired and sent to stud.

“The reality is that her future is in the breeding barn and not on the racetrack,” Bain said.

“She retires as a Group One winner of the Vicbred Series, a Listed winner of the SA Oaks and third-placed in the Group One Victoria Oaks and has an outstanding pedigree.

“It makes economic sense to have her producing foals rather than racing around in mares’ grade, even though they have black type appeal.”

Showsomejoy was purchased from New Zealand by Aaron Bain Racing in partnership with Summit Bloodstock after just one unplaced run.

She retires with seven wins, two seconds and a third from 11 starts collecting $134,996 in stakes.

Showsomejoy drew eight, barrier one on the second row, and Pullicino trailed through early on the back of Elusive which led from her draw of one.

Pullicino took the opportunity to come off the inside and sit outside the leader going into the back straight as drivers looked for suitable positions.

Showsomejoy really applied the pressure from the 800-metre mark and the leaders reeled off a 27.8 second third quarter coming home in 29.6 seconds for an overall mile rate of 1:56.4.

Elusive, owned and bred by the Buckland Park Homestead of David Battye, refused to give in without a fight and the pair drew clear of their rivals over the final 600 metres.

The front pair came together several times but over the final 100 metres, the strength and toughness of Showsomejoy came to the fore and she drew clear to win well.

“It was a gamble to sit parked, but I wanted to drive her like she was the best horse,” Pullicino said.

“Driving for Emma (Stewart), you know their horses are tough and the filly’s form suggested she would be good enough, and she was.”

Pullicino said it had been a thrill to win an SA Oaks as a 69-year-old.

“At my age it is very special to be driving and winning such features,” Pullicino said.

“I won a few country Oaks many years ago before my time away from the sport but to be now competing in major races, and driving for trainers such as Emma Stewart, is a career highlight.”

South Australia’s star two-year-old Lambro Mach had little more than a training run in taking out the 2024 Seymour Group Lordship Stakes (1800m).

Driver Gaita Pullicino didn’t have to pull the ear plugs on the gelding for an extra effort as Lambro Mach ($1.12 fav) cruised to a 4-1/2 metre win from Splash Of Paynt ($8) with Rockin Bull ($31), 10 metres away third.

The win brought up a feature double for Pullicino who won the Oaks on Showsomejoy.

Mount Gambier trainer David Phillips said he was likely to give the two-year-old a break before readying him for a return late in the year.

“He is still learning about racing,” Phillips said.

“There is no doubt there is improvement every run, but I believe there is a lot more to come.

Phillips said due to an oversight Lambro Mach was not eligible for the upcoming Southern Cross Series and that helped with the decision to give him a short break.

“We are looking forward to what he can do as a three-year-old next year.”

The Lamond family, who own and bred the gelding, purchased his dam Machabella several years ago and have a Sweet Lou yearling coming along and she is now in foal to Always B Miki.

Another week, another feature win for the Penfield training partnership of Jill Neilson and Katie Wilson.

Following Reoffender’s Parker Classic win a week earlier, Kittycat Cutie delivered as win in the 2024 Kevin & Kay Seymour Ladyship Stakes (1800m) on Saturday.

Kittycat Cutie ($12) lasted to win the time-honoured two-year-old fillies’ event by a half head from the fast-finishing Shirley Not ($7.50) with Machete Roulette ($3.10), a head away third in a thrilling finish.

“Luck and a fantastic drive by Wayne Hill were the factors in that win,” Neilson said.

“Never in my wildest dreams could I believe that Kittycat Cutie could lead from barrier nine, gate two on the second row.”

Torque Intheusa ($2 fav) led from gate one with early pressure from Machete Roulette which had begun quickly from gate three.

Hill had Kittycat Cutie away quickly and was able to cross down behind the favourite but going into the back straight, Torque Intheusa galloped and drifted up the track allowing Hill to push through and grab the lead on his filly.

Once in control, he was able to dictate the tempo, and despite being challenged strongly over the final stages, Kittycat Cutie prevailed in an exciting finish.

Bay Jim Major, arguably South Australia’s best three-year-old, landed his second feature with a dominant victory in the 2024 Hygain Sires Produce Stakes (2230m).

Backed from $1.35 into $1.28 favourite, the Les Harding-trained Bay Jim Major was allowed to stride to the lead early on and driver Danielle Hill gave nothing else a chance as the gelding raced away to win by 21-1/2 metres from Tonkawaikon ($4.80) with Resurrects ($19), 19 metres away third.

The son of SA-based stallion Major Secret won the SA Sires Stakes Classic as a two-year-old but as a two and three had finished second in the Sapling Stakes, Golden Nursey, Lordship Stakes and SA Derby with a third placing in the Southern Cross Final.

Bay Jim Major now has eight wins and 10 placings from just 20 starts picking up $59,291 in stakes for owners Michael Ceravolo, Greg Moore and Daniella Madalinski who have had such good success with the gelding, they have purchased his younger brother from Kapunda breeder Stephen Norman.