New “trix” for devoted pacing man

Astute Victorian harness racing trainer Adam Stephens is no stranger to putting the polish on a pacing winner – but last week he bobbed up to break new ground with a square gaiting winner at Stawell (July 25).

“I’m a pacing man, but I’ve always wanted to have a crack with a trotter,” Stephens, of Allendale, near Ballarat, said.

And the horseman was all smiles after four-year-old gelding All The Trix (Trixton) and driver Ryan Duffy were able to overcome a back mark 30-metre handicap to take out the Stawell Gift Hall of Fame Trotters Handicap.

“I was very happy to get that first trotting winner. I did play around with one a few seasons ago in Goodtimedonthesash and he ran a couple of placings, but he had some serious problems,” Stephens said.

He said All The Trix was “very much foolproof” and with a lot of ability.

“The part-owner Claire Goble did a magnificent job with him.  She won a couple in Adelaide late last year and then after a little break this year, he put four wins together in March and April,” he said.

“He’s a real beast of an animal standing at 17 hands high, but he’s just a big, gentle giant. He’s very straightforward and simple – and to be honest I’ve virtually kept him the same as Claire had him. I actually felt privileged that she asked me if I wanted to have a go with him.”

Stephens said Duffy had been terrific in helping get All The Trix right.

“He’s helped me tweak a few bits along the way and after we took him to the trials and he scored by a big margin, I said to Ryan we’d better look for a race.  And Stawell looked ideal, even with the 30-metre handicap.”

After getting away safely, Duffy allowed All The Trix to settle into his rhythm before making a sustained three-wide move and eventually crossing to the lead with 1000 metres to go.  The four-year-old powered home in the straight to put a 10-metre margin on Sonarmi Joh (Jackie Barker) and Night Whisperer (Ashley Ainsworth).

“He wasn’t blowing much afterwards and there’s still more improvement that’s for sure. He’s just perfect for a little trainer like me because I’m only doing seven at the moment,” Stephens said.

“I might look for another standing start race and then the next step will be mobiles. I’m not expecting any worries, but I think the Breeders Crown and some other features are mobile barrier starts. I’d love to see him develop into a country cups horse.”

Stephens said he’d had a few horses from the Goble stable, including Clarenden Scooter, Clarenden Victory and Clarenden Express, the latter winning two of six starts.

“I guess that opened the door for me getting the chance to give All The Trix a go.”

Stephens, who also won at Stawell with Emily Vincent (Vincent), a promising pacer, has trained 105 winners in his career. He now has 19 wins for the season and is certain to eclipse his best – that being last year with 20 victories.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink