Hezrockinroyalty gives Hryhorec the Strathalbyn Cups double
Harness racing enthusiasts Alan and Ngareta Cronin enjoyed their biggest success when talented Hezrockinroyalty finished best to claim the $20,000 2025 Strathalbyn Harness Racing Club Pacing Cup (2230m) at Globe Derby Park.
It was a special victory for the husband-and-wife as it was their ‘hometown’ Cup living in the region and having a strong association with the Strathalbyn township plus Alan is a former club committeeman.
Trained and driven by Two Wells-based Ryan Hryhorec, Hezrockinroyalty ($3.90) scored by 2-1/2 metres from Springfield Affair ($4.20) with Aintsobad ($17), eight metres away third.
Hezrockinroyalty drew gate one and Hryhorec allowed Springfield Affair from gate two to find the lead.
Hryhorec said it had been his game plan, and for once, it paid off.
“I knew Gaita (Pullicino) on Springfield Affair would run along and set a good tempo,” Hryhorec said.
“It suited my bloke to have the trail, and I felt he was good enough to outsprint them over the final 400 metres, and he was.”
For the Cronins, the winner is a story of the ups and downs of harness racing.
Cronin is himself a successful trainer and in 2017 he prepared a two-year-old filly named Our Royal Lady which he believed was the best horse he had trained.
When she won the SA Sapling Stakes at her first start, his judgement appeared correct.
But after only two more starts, the filly broke down never to race again.
“I was distraught,” Cronin said. “The bottom dropped out of my world.
“Our Royal Lady was bred by me with a group of friends heavily involved in the Ballarat Harness Racing Club including former chairman Greg Moy, the late Alan Matthews, his wife Tracey and Robbie Kerr.
“I was really excited about going on a great journey with them, but it was not to be, and she was retired to the breeding barn.
“From that disappointment has come our biggest success and I believe there is a lot more to come.
“Our Royal Lady’s first foal was Royal Watch which has won six races from just 25 starts, then came Hezrockinroyalty which has won 10 from 28.”
On Sunday, Cronin took the next of her progeny, Hez So Royal, to the trials at Globe Derby Park and he was successful indicating a bright future ahead.
The mare has also foaled a colt by King Of Swing to keep the family coming along.
So, after the major disappointment of having Our Royal Lady breaking down, it forced connections to start breeding from the mare and now they are enjoying the success they had anticipated, just eight years later.
Hryhorec believes Hezrockinroyalty is still untapped.
“He is only four and already measuring up in fast class,” Hryhorec said.
“From the time I started driving him for Alan I believed he was a potential star.
“He was still very immature but was able to win and possesses a great sprint.
“Tonight was only his 28th start – I’m sure he will continue to improve with age and racing.”
Next up, will be the $25,000 Port Pirie Pacing Cup (2530m) at Port Pirie on Saturday, the culmination of the SA Country Cups circuit.
The Strathalbyn meeting was huge for Hryhorec who trained a career-best five winners on the 10-race program including the two features.
Apart from Hezrockinroyalty, Aldebaran Dexta won the Strathalbyn Trotting Cup, Lochinvar Jewels took out the Valley Horse Transport Pace, Phoebe Onyx the Mustang Owners Club of SA Trotters Handicap and Beach Hopper the Darren Forrest Horse Float Servicing & Repairs Pace.
Danielle Hill was in the sulky for Lochinvar Jewels and Phoebe Onyx, Hryhorec drove Hezrockinroyalty and Beach Hopper while Mark Norman partnered Aldebaran Dexta.
“We had plenty of runners, so we gave ourselves a chance of multiple wins,” Hryhorec said.
“But it was a great night with the added prizemoney races, and to win the two features was the icing on the cake.
“I was proud of the team and have to thank the staff who helped out during the night.”
- Story: Graham Fischer
- Photo Walter Bulyga