Good list of drives for Hryhorec on Saturday

South Australia’s revamped major race carnival continues at Globe Derby Park on Saturday (Nov 11) with another action packed 10 race harness racing program.

On Veterinary Surgeons Cup night, the meeting will also feature the Lordship and Ladyship Stakes for the two-year-olds, the Oaks and Sires Produce Stakes for the pacing three-year-olds along with SA Trotters Derby.

Three weeks ago, most harness enthusiasts had virtually conceded the Toby Ryan Veterinary Services SA Trotters Derby (2230m) would be won by Aldebaran Stiles, trained and drive by Ryan Hryhorec.

After coming across to South Australia, Aldebaran Stiles strung together five wins, against his own age and even older squaregaiters displaying outstanding speed.

Such was his form, Hryhorec decided to run the three-year-old against the best in a heat of the Trotters Cup and the gelding was more than holding his own and looked a strong chance of qualifying for the final but suddenly galloped.

He got back into a trot but finished sixth and was only an emergency for the final.

Hryhorec decided to take him to the Gawler trials last Sunday to prepare him for the Derby.

He put him up against the pacers over 2070 metres, including his own talented three-year-old Nicely Spoken, which will run in Saturday’s Sires Produce.

Everything was going well with Aldebaran Stiles trotting boldly and running time, when again, inexplicably, he galloped, eventually finishing fifth and last in the trial.

Hryhorec admits to being nervous about Saturday’s Derby.

“I would have preferred not to be coming off the second row,” Hryhorec said.

“Off the front I could have used his speed to lead and keep him out of trouble and hopefully trotting.

“From his draw he is going to be between runners and if he is going to gallop it could be on that turn off the back where he went up at his last start.

“The reason he came to me was because his former trainer Geoff Webster said to Duncan (owner Duncan McPherson), that he and the horse were not getting along because he was galloping in his races.

So this is nothing new, I guess we were lucky when he first came across.”

Hryhorec said Aldebaran Stiles possessed amazing speed and he felt was the best horse in the Derby, but only if he trotted for the whole race.

A big danger could Avenel Eagle, trained by Aaron Bain, and to be driven by Wayne Hill.

Avenel Eagle galloped at race debut for Bain at Gawler and post-race, driver Gaita Pullicino suggested a change of shoes, and with his new hoof wear, the three-year-old trotted perfectly to win at Globe Derby Park.

Trainer-driver Shaun Adams has elected to back up with last week’s Trotters Oaks winner Bullion Girl.

The filly proved much too good for her own sex last week and there is no doubt she will test the boys.

Hryhorec has good drives in all Saturday features.

He will partner the Alan Cronin-trained Hezrockinroyalty in the Prestige Equine Veterinary Lordship Stakes (1800m) for the two-year-old colts & geldings.

From gate three, Hezrockinroyalty looks a possible leader and would be hard to beat.

The two horses by SA-based stallion Major Secret, Star Man and Bay Jim Major will also be well fancied.

Hryhorec drives Artillery for trainer Paul Cavallaro in the Veterinary Surgeons Cup (2230m).

The talented pacer has drawn gate six and it will be interesting to see if Hryhorec attempts to use the gelding’s speed and attempt to lead.

Last week he went back and ran on from last to finish third in quick time to ex-stablemate Wrangler.

Hryhorec partners Starlight Sass for trainer Matt Maguire in the Equus Veterinary Services SA Pacing Oaks (1800m).

The filly has to come from gate 10, and while an improver, faces a tough contr4act.

In the Naracoorte & Penola Veterinary Centres Sires Produce Stakes (2230m), Hryhorec will drive the promising Jamaican Rock, which he trains, while Michael Smith will be in the sulky of stablemate Nicely Spoken.

For all his talent, Jamaican Rock will face a tough contract running down Cheerstolou which looks the leader from barrier one.

Hryhorec’s talented two-year-old filly Miss Idaho has only four rivals in the WD & SJ Harbison Ladyship Stakes (1800m).

Miss Idaho keeps getting better and should add another trophy to her list.

For complete race entries, click here.

From HRSA Media