Strathalbyn Trotters Cup winner Aldebaran Dexta
Trainer Ryan Hryhorec’s domination of the Strathalbyn Harness Racing Trotters Cup continued at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
The win by Aldebaran Dexta in the $20,000 2025 version over 2230 metres, gives Hryhorec his fourth consecutive win in the race.
In 2022 at Strathalbyn, the trainer prepared the Cup trifecta with Mass Destruction defeating Aldebaran Alissa with C K Spur third.
The following year Mangana Joe took out the Cup, the final run at the now defunct track.
Regal Attire took out the 2024 version which was at Globe Derby Park.
On Saturday, Aldebaran Dexta scored a 3-1/2 metre win from Tweedledee giving Hryhorec the race quinella. He also had Rakero Blaze (seventh) and Regal Attire (ninth).
Driven by Mark Norman, Aldebaran Dexta ($9) settled second before taking the lead hallway down the back straight on the final lap then holding off Tweedledee ($21) with Kyvalley Heist ($51), 7-1/2 metres away third.
Hryhorec said he had been unaware of his string of victories in the Strathalbyn Trotters Cup.
“As a trainer you are always setting horses for feature races in South Australia,” he said.
“I have been fortunate to have a very good team of trotters in my stable for the past five years.
“I am pleased Aldebaran Dexta got the win this year, he deserved it.
His owner-breeder Duncan McPherson has been a wonderful supporter of my stable, and trotting in South Australia, so it was great to get the win for him.
“Aldebaran Dexta is a good trotter. He can be a bit of a risk at standing starts but once he gets trotting is normally bomb proof.
“I have to admit I was surprised when he went to the front at Kapunda at his previous run then galloped.”
Mark Norman, who drove him at Kapunda, then again in the Strathalbyn Cup, said he had been shocked at Kapunda.
“He got away nicely and when I asked him to go around and find the front felt confident he could win,” Norman said.
“Then, soon after we came into the straight, I was thinking he would take beating, and he galloped for no reason.
“Tonight, he got away well again and took a trail on Wishing Star which set a good tempo.
“It suited my bloke, and he trotted really well.
“When I sensed the leader starting to tire I came off going into the back and he was strong through the line.”
Hryhorec said his four trotters would all head to Port Pirie for the $20,000 Port Pirie Trotters Cup (2530m) next Saturday.
He believes the extra distance will suit both Rakero Blaze and Regal Attire.
“The quick tempo made it hard to get into the race over the 2230 metres on Saturday from their 20 and 40 metre handicaps.
“The extra distance gives them a chance to make up their handicaps with a more moderate lead time.”
Roseworthy husband and wife Toby and Lisa Ryan combined to win the $9999 Ladbrokes Pace Final (1800m) with Two In The Bin.
Bred and trained by Toby, Two In The Bin ($4.40) found the lead from gate four and was perfectly rated by reinswoman Lisa to score a one metre win from Luna Rocks ($6) with Girlsgotcurls ($19), three metres away third.
Veteran trainer Les Harding prepared Beaudiene Rocknroll ($9) to take out the NC Equine Pace (1800m).
The five-year-old was one of three winners for star SA reinswoman Danielle Hill.
She won the opening two races for trainer Ryan Hryhorec on Lochinvar Jewells and Phoebe Onyx.
Beaudiene Rocknroll came three wide with a lap to go and outstayed his rivals to win by 2-1/2 metres from Boulder City ($9.50) with That’s Art ($2.60 fav) a short half head away third.
- Story Graham Fischer
- Photo Walter Bulyga