SA Trotters Cup goes to Phoebe Onyx

In a race generally dominated by Victorians, the state’s leading trainer Ryan Hryhorec supplied the quinella in the Group 3 2025 $40,000 Ladbrokes South Australian Trotters Cup (2645m) at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.

Phoebe Onyx ($10), driven by Gaita Pullicino, came up the sprint lane to beat stablemate Aldebaran Dexta ($4.40 eq fav) by a metre with All The Trix ($4.40 eq fav), five metres away third for an all-South Australian finish.

It was the second SA Trotters Cup training success for Hryhorec who previously won with C K Spur in 2022. He drove C K Spur to victory and had a previous

“I am very proud of this horse,” Hryhorec said.

“Tonight was only his second run back from a spell and I have to admit I wasn’t sure he would be able to run in the Cup series.

“We have been having little issues with him but credit to Phoebe Onyx he stood up and proved to be the best on the night.

“Congratulations to Gaita, I like using her for my horses as she is a light weight and horses run for her. Her enthusiasm is catching.”

Pullicino, who recently turned 70, had Phoebe Onyx away well from gate three to lead but handed up when Hryhorec came in search of the front on Aldebaran Dexta.

It was a repeat of the Cup heat seven days earlier. In that race Aldebaran Dexta proved too good but on Saturday, Phoebe Onyx, with last week’s run under her belt, was able to dash up the sprint lane to claim the feature.

Hryhorec said he was not completely surprised Phoebe Onyx had been able to run him down.

“Last week he was hitting his cart and got over racing which meant he didn’t have a sprint but tonight he settled much better and just had too much zip.”

It was Phoebe Onyx’s fifth win for Hryhorec since coming into his stable two years ago.

Aldebaran Dexta gave a bold sight and ran up to his heat win while third-placed All The Trix was a little unlucky not to have finished closer.

Trained by Claire Goble and driven by David Smith, All The Trix only started to get clear in the home straight and was running strongly through the line.

The handicap runners including last year’s winner Jazspur, found their marks too tough with Hryhorec recording sectionals which made it near impossible to be caught.

Grey pacer Frugal Fare ($5) proved tough with his victory in the 2025 Justice Family Plate (2230m).

Despite sitting parked for much of the race, Frugal Fare outstayed Last Tango In Heaven ($8) to win by 1-1/2 metres with Prioritise ($12), a similar margin away third.

The winner is trained in Victoria by Stephen O’Donoghue and was driven aggressively by Jack Laugher. The grey was bred by South Australian breeder Deborah Sharpe.

O’Donoghue’s son Corey said things had not gone right in his Cup heat a week previous when sixth to Miki To Success.

“He was all the better for last week and is a tough stayer,” O’Donoghue said.

“Jack drove him like he was the best horse and so it proved.”

• Graham Fischer
• Walter Bulyga