Sunstar wins in the first of a treble for Hryhorec
South Australia’s leading harness trainer Ryan Hryhorec pushed through his own issues to land a treble at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
Hryhorec thought he might have been a scratching himself early in the morning but pushed ahead to win with Sunstar, Thunder Wing and Aldebaran Dexta.
“I work up feeling horrible and said to (wife) Kerri I wasn’t sure of making it to the track,” Hryhorec said.
“We had 10 runners at the meeting and in fairness to the owners I had to push through, and it proved to be a good night.”
Hryhorec kicked off in the opening event, the Globe Derby Members Pace (1800m) with the versatile Sunstar.
A $7 chance, Sunstar sat in the running line midfield before finishing best for a 4-1/2 metre win from Magic Storm ($6) with Euro Beat ($6), a metre away third.
“He is an okay horse,” Hryhorec said.
“He was able to lead and win last week, then tonight came from midfield so he is versatile.”
Hryhorec said Sunstar had arrived in his stables after some business dealings with Victorian owner Sam Golino.
“We bought the trotters Brookies Babe off him, then purchased John Vincent when he came on the market.
“Sunstar is a brother to John Vincent and Sam said he could come across to try and win a few races.
“He is in good form and I’m sure there are more wins in store before he gets too high in the ratings.”
Hryhorec’s second winner was Thunder Wing which came off a 20-metre handicap to win the Kvintet Avenger Fin @ Truscott Lodge Trotters Handicap (2230m).
The winner is owned by the trainer’s stepson Ollie Stauwer-Smith, already firmly entrenched in the harness industry.
“Ollie reckons I don’t drive my horses often enough, so he was happy to point out my winning treble of drives.
“That was the mare’s 10th win since coming into our stable and I’ve driven her in nine and Dani (Hill) was in the sulky the other time.
“Thunder Wing was suited by the early tempo.
“The two leaders (Janes Gem and Our Spitfire) went very quick early, then when the tempo eased I was able to move into one-out, one-back which was perfect.”
Thunder Wing ($3.80 fav) scored by 2-1/2 metres from stablemate Southwind Chloe ($3.90) with Icicle ($8.50), two metres away third.
Hryhorec was very happy with the second of Southwind Chloe.
“She tacked on to the leaders in that early speed burn, then was held up when I went for home, but she finished off the race well.”
Aldebaran Dexta brought up the treble in the final event, the Cardigan Boko Swe @ Bellmoure Park Trotters Handicap (2645m).
The six-year-old began well off his 10-metre and settled second before going for home with 600 metres to travel.
Aldebaran Dexta ($3.60) cruised home 4-1/2 metres clear of stablemate Regal Attire ($2.60 fav) with All The Trix ($4.40), a head away third.
Hryhorec believes the winner is starting to mature.
“His record is very good but last preparation he could do things wrong at different times.
“This time in, his work has been very good, and I sense he has really matured.”
Hryhorec was delighted with the second place of classy stablemate Regal Attire.
“He was resuming from a good spell and started from a 30-metre handicap.
“He also took ground off the winner in a smart last half of the race.
“Regal Attire will continue to improve with racing.”
Adelaide Pacing Cup winner Bellezza Nera chalked up another victory in the Ladbrokes Mates Mode Pace (2230m).
A red hot $1.22 favourite, Bellezza Nera, trained by David Harding and driven by Danielle Hill, found the front and was never tested in a 12-metre win from Coco Mia ($5.50) which chased him throughout with Don Arthur ($21), 3-1/2 metres away third.
The seven-year-old has won four of his last five starts and has proved an excellent purchase from Western Australia by owner Lachie Cormack.
Another horse in great form is Places You Don’t, bred, owned and trained by Toby Ryan at Roseworthy.
The five-year-old mare has won three of her past four starts.
At Globe Derby on Saturday, Places You Don’t ($3.70), driven by Lisa Ryan, dashed up the sprint lane to win the Bianco Reinforcing Pace (2230m) beating John Vincent ($3.30 fav) by three metres with Budding Caesar ($15), two metres away third.
- Story Graham Fischer
- Photo Walter Bulyga