Treble time for teenage trainer Ella Brechin
Rookie teenage trainer Ella Brechin was the highlight on a night of feature harness racing at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
Brechin, 19, who only took out her trainer’s licence just over a month ago, produced a treble including one of the prestigious events.
Supporting her was reinsman Kevin Weidenbach who drove all three winners.
Her winning run started in race two, the Prestige Equine Veterinary Trotters Mobile (2230m) when her stable favourite Georgy Girl was successful.
Two races later, in the Equus Veterinary Services Pace (1800m), Bitofdutchcourage led all the way to prove an upset result for most punters as he started at $61.
Brechin’s treble came up with the most important win in her short training career when Kyvalley Heist led throughout in the time-honoured $9999 2025 Ladbrokes SA Square Trotters Association Gramel Trotters Cup (2645m).
“I felt Kyvalley Heist was capable of winning a feature race but to actually have it happen is unbelievable,” Brechin said.
“When he began so well and found the front I knew he had a chance.
“But it was such a strong field I was always looking for something to emerge and challenge him, but Kevin rated him perfectly.”
Kyvalley Heist ($4) held on to score a neck win from the fast-finishing All The Trix ($6) with Regal Attire ($3.60 fav), three metres away third.
A bonus from the win is that Kyvalley Heist is now guaranteed a start in the $40,000 South Australian Trotters Cup (2645m) on Saturday, October 25.
Georgy Girl was Brechin’s first training winner on September 20 and made it two-in-a-row on Saturday courtesy of an excellent drive by Weidenbach.
Starting from the inside of the second row, Weidenbach was able to angle the mare into a one-out, one-back spot in the run before launching a sprint for victory.
Georgy Girl ($#5.50) finished strongly to score by 4-1/2 metres from the leader Cadence Lane ($9) with third-placed Janes Gem ($16), a distant 17-1/2 metres away.
Brechin said the winner was her favourite.
“Georgy Girl came to South Australia from Victoria early last year so I could learn to drive in races,” Brechin said.
“I race her on lease and just love her, so to have her as my first training winner and now win two in a row is absolutely fantastic..”
Another horse with special affection is Bitofdutchcourage, the upset result of the night.
“My family bought him from Perth as my 18th birthday present,” she said.
“I drove him in a race at Gawler in October last year and he broke a pedal bone.
“It was upsetting, and it had been a long process to get him back to the track.
“He raced too keen when resuming two weeks ago and having to settle back in the field but tonight loved it when he was able to find the front.”
While Bitofdutchcourage might be popular with the Brechin family he is not with punters as his other SA win was at Port Pirie when he started at $151.
On Saturday he was $61 in leading throughout for a 23-1/2 metre win from Hasty Bid ($2.10 fav) with Duke Of Dundee ($151), 6-1/2 metres away third.
Despite her tender years, Brechin is recognised by industry participants as a very hard worker.
“My first involvement with horses was in the equestrian area when I was 12,” Brechin said.
“About three years ago I started working in harness racing and I love working with the horses. I decided I would like to eventually train on my own, but circumstances resulted in obtaining my licence last month.
“I have six horses in work and hopefully can establish myself and this is a great way to start my career.”
Brechin starts her day with her own horses before heading off to the Penfield stables of Jill Neilson and Katie Wilson to work for them then returns to her Globe Derby Park horses to complete their work.
SA’s top trainer Ryan Hryhorec felt justified when Lochinvar Magic turned in a last-to-first performance to win the $9999 2025 SAHRC Derby (2230m).
Driven by Danielle Hill, Lochinvar Magic ($15) upset the red-hot $1.10 favourite Hungry Hippo winning by two metres with Imposter Boy ($26), 8-1/2 metres away third.
“I’ve always liked him,” Hryhorec said.
“Things didn’t go right two starts back then he pulled up a bit off colour after his last run.
“I was just hoping to see him get back to form tonight, and the win was a bonus.
“I believe he is an out-and-out stayer and look forward now to go to the heats of the SA Derby in two weeks.”
Coming from gate six, Lochinvar Magic was eased to the back of the field and allowed to balance up.
Rockin Bull ($34) led then withstood a challenge from Hungry Hippo to keep control.
The long odds-on favourite went to the lead coming off the back and looked a possible winner but had no answer to the strong finish by Lochinvar Magic.
Victorian trainer Emma Stewart took out two of the other feature races.
Impressive four-year-old Sir Jimmy ($1.65 fav) settled last early in the $9999 2025 Ladbrokes Veterinary Surgeons Cup (2230m).
Diver Wayne Hill made a midrace move to come around and sit parked before drawing clear for a 4-1/2 metre win from Hezrockinroyalty ($9.50) with Bellezza Nera ($3.80) a short half head away third.
The win qualified Sir Jimmy for a start in the $60,000 South Australian Pacing Cup (2645m) at Globe Derby Park on Saturday, October 25.
Stewart’s other success was with Shoreline Dream in the $9999 Hygain Sapling Stakes (1800m) for two-year-olds.
She is a regular raider of SA races but perhaps surprisingly that was her first Sapling Stakes success.
Shoreline Dream, which was driven by Wayne Hill, has a strong SA ownership group headed by Aaron Bain Racing.
The two-year-old rated a smart 1:57.7 in scoring by six metres from Centrefold Star ($12) with Steam Machine ($26), 10-1/2 metres away third.
Shoreline Dream was impressive in victory but will not be eligible for the upcoming SA Golden Nursery as he is not trained in South Australia.
This week’s Globe Derby Park meeting will feature the $9999 Encipher Stakes (1800m) for three-year-old fillies.
- Story Graham Fischer
- Photo Walter Bulyga