Weekend wrap up with Graham Fischer

Exciting three-year-old Sea Salt gave age and experience to the majority of her rivals to place herself in the spotlight of South Australia’s best pacers at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.

The grey filly lived up to the name of the race when she finished best to win the $25,000 Kevin & Kay Seymour Emerging Stars Pacers Series Final (1800m).

Bred and owned by Tara-Shae Linke, and trained by her brother Tyson in Kadina, Sea Salt was having just her fourth start on Saturday and now has three wins and a creditable second to stamps herself as a filly of undoubted potential.

Driven by Danielle Hill, Sea Salt ($3.70) sprinted up the sprint lane to win the rich final by two metres from Places You Don’t ($6) with Imposter Boy ($11), the other three-year-old in the race, a gallant third, 3-1/2 metres away third.

Trainer Tyson Linke revealed the filly had only been a 50/50 chance of running on Saturday early in the morning.

“She must have rolled and hurt her back overnight on Friday,” Linke said.

“She was a bit tender on Saturday morning and Dad (Ross) worked on her for quite some time to make sure she was right to race.”

Owner-breeder Tara-Shae Linke said she was “extremely proud of my girl.”

The Linke family has been in harness racing for many years, but it was around 2020 that Tara-Shae stepped up here involvement.

“I was having issues with my eyes and needed a corneal graft and Mum (Pauleen) and Dad said I need something to look forward to.

“So I took up on the breeding side which was a long process from the time of mating, foaling and having the foal ready to race.

“I cannot thank my family enough for their advice and daily help – tonight’s win is a complete family success.”

Trainer Tyson Linke said he had known from the time Sea Salt had been broken in that she was a filly of potential.

“There have just been a few issues along the way which prevented her from racing until May.

“She is still learning about racing, and I know there is a lot of improvement to come.”

On Saturday, Sea Salt began well from gate three, but Places You Don’t, from barrier four, had just enough speed to cross and lead.

Driver Danielle Hill said the grey had been a bit keen trailing the leader, and despite using the sprint lane for a first time, had handled it like a veteran.

“She sprinted really well and won comfortably – she is an emerging star,” Hill said.

Linke said he was likely to give the filly a few easy days before looking to head to Mildura seeking a breeding bonus.

Saint Sebastian was close to being sacked by trainer Samantha Hill but completed the ultimate reversal taking out the $14,000 SAHRC Emerging Stars Trotters Series Final (2230m).

Racing outside the leader throughout, Saint Sebastian ($1.60 fav), driven by the trainer’s husband, Wayne, finished best to grab a head win from pacemaker Majestic Summer ($12) with Bishop George ($4), 8-1/2 metres away third.

Hill said she had picked up the six-year-old from former SA harness chair Mark Carey, who is one of the state’s top breeders.

“He had been with fellow trainer Michael Norman but he was reducing his numbers so Mark asked if I would like him,” Hill said.

“One day I took him to Gawler to work, and his first heat was very good but his second was terrible and I discussed with Mum (Mandy Pascoe) whether we should keep him.

“We decided to take him to the races, and he won at Port Pirie, and since then has just kept improving.

“I thought he would have to sit parked tonight and he was very tough.”

Saint Sebastian was the first leg of consecutive winning treble for reinsman Wayne Hill.

He then brought No Notthebuttons ($1.20 fav) from last tov win the Northside Trophies Pace (2230m).

No Notthebuttons showed excellent speed from the 600-metre mark to win by five metres from Sky Fawkes ($12) with Rocknroll Spirit ($34), 1-1/2 metres away third.

Hill then led throughout on Alby Two Chains ($2.15 fav) to take out the Hilltop Fresh Flowers Pace (1800m).

Having his first start for Gawler trainer Mal Bagnato, Alby Two Chains was perfectly rated by Hill to score by 9-1/2 metres from Lochinvar Camaro ($5) with Lynryd Skynryd ($14), a half-metre away third.

South Australia’s leading trainer Ryan Hryhorec had another good night at the office and was also successful in the sulky.

Hryhorec trained Cadence Lane which was driven by Danielle Hill to lead throughout in the NC Equine Trotters Handicap (2230m).

Well rated by Hill, Cadence Lane, heavily backed as the $2.70 favourite, won by 3-1/2 metres from So Vogue ($5) with Our Spitfire ($8.50), four metres away third.

Hryhorec then drove Blacktop Rock ($4.80) for owner-trainer Chris Puccini to take out the Paceway Restaurant For Race Day Dining Pace (1800m).

In the final event, the Crestline Meats Trotters Handicap (2645m), one of the most interesting races of the night, Hryhorec trained and drove Almighty Fear ($8) to victory scoring by 2-1/2 metres from All The Trix ($8) with the winner’s stablemate Doff Your Cap ($1.33 fav), eight metres away third.

Pre-race, the talk had been whether Doff Your Cap, a winner of his past five races, would be able to come off a 50-metre handicap to beat his rivals.

The task proved a handicap too far on Saturday.

Trainer Symon Kittel brought up a personal milestone 50^th training win when Clarenden Tribute ($2.60) led throughout in the Ladbrokes Fast Payouts Pace (2230m).

Driven by son Jason, Clarenden Tribute won his fifth races from just 13 starts beating Repetitive ($2.10 fav) by two metres with Pre Nup ($10), 3-1/2 metres away third.

Kittel never has a big team in work but has had an excellent season courtesy of Saturday’s winner and the squaregaiter Spotlight.

• GRAHAM FISCHER

• Photo Walter Bulyga