Brookyinthepaddock loving life on the track

The name says it all for Brookyinthepaddock (Auckland Reactor), a narrow but impressive harness racing winner at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.

Trainer-driver Ryan Hryhorec, from Reeves Plains, said the now seven-year-old has been purchased out of a paddock in the mid-north as an unraced five-year-old.

“One of my good ownership groups, the Five540 Racing Syndicate from Port Pirie found him and were able to pick him up for just $700,” Hryhorec said.

“Early on I knew the horse had some ability, but he was very difficult to train.

“He is a giant of a horse and would pull really hard in trackwork.

“I changed his bit to get him to settle, then all he would do is gallop, and I have to admit I was ready to give up.

“Chris Harvey, the manager of the Five540 syndicate, said to give him a break but I said he would come back with the same attitude.

“I was happy to be proved wrong because after a few weeks off he came back and was a much better horse. I have still been experimenting with his gear, but he keeps stepping up on the track and has a real will to win.”

At Globe Derby Park on Saturday, in the SA Horse Of The Year Pace (1800m), Brookyinthepaddock, a well backed $2.15 favourite, sprinted strongly from well back in the field then had to withstand a late challenge from Honeybun ($4) to win by a short half head.

“When the other horse came up to him, I felt him kick, he just didn’t want to be beaten,” the trainer said.

Brookyinthepaddock, who didn’t start racing until October 2022, now has 10 wins from just 18 starts with four placings collecting in excess of $38,000 in stakes proving a cheap buy.

Hryhorec brought up a training-driving double when Thunder Wing exploded in the home straight to take out the King Of The North USA @Llowalong Farm Trotters Handicap (2230m).

Hryhorec had Thunder Wing away well off her front mark but was happy to settle in behind the leader Wishing Zone during the running.

He was able to take the five-year-old mare into clear space turning for home and she sprinted powerfully to score a two-metre win.

All The Trix, the $3.40 favourite and stablemate of Wishing Zone, both trained by Claire Goble at Wasleys, had settled at the tail of the field off his 20-metre handicap before reinsman Ken Rogers allowed him to trot forward going into the back straight.

Taking the lead turning for home, All The Trix looked to have victory in his sights but had no answer to the dazzling dash of Thunder Wing with the perfectly timed run of Hryhorec.

It gave Hryhorec three wins for the night having taken out the Vale Graeme Johannesen Trotters Mobile on Illawong Moonbeam, trained at Globe Derby Park by Luke O’Neill.

Backed from $6 into $4.20, Illawong Moonbeam settled second trailing the leader Super Angus ($8.50) before dashing up the sprint lane to grab a 4-1/2 metre win.

O’Neill said the six-year-old mare had not been having much luck in her races, but everything went right on Saturday.

He said she would contest the Trotters Cup races over the next few months.

Another trainer-driver at the peak of his powers on Saturday was Anthony Robinson who landed a double.

Most tipsters had Lifeisbutadream either trying to lead or having to sit parked in the Globe Bar & Gaming Pace (1800m) from barrier two.

Robinson said he didn’t think the lead would be up from grabs with Night Spirit, in barrier one, having excellent speed out of the mobile.

“If it was possible, I was going to come out quick then drop to the fence behind Night Spirit,” Robinson said.

It proved a winning move as Lifeisbutadream ($2.15 fav) was able to come along the sprint lane in the home straight to grab a head win from the leader.

Robinson said the four-year-old would likely have one more run before going for a break along with his two New Zealand purchases Cash Affair and Vatican Green.

“Both the New Zealand horses have been racing since coming into the stable in September last year and need a break so all three can go the paddock,” he said.

Cash Affair ($2.50 fav) took out the Ladbrokes Supporting SA Harness Racing Pace (1800m) winning by one metre from My Golden Eagle ($23) with Whoee Johnson ($18), a half-metre away third.

Again, Robinson showed his tactical skill in winning.

He had been desperate to hold the lead with Cash Affair which came out of gate one, but Sam Pascoe, driving My Golden Eagle, was keen to cross from her draw of four and had the speed to find the front after a short tussle.

No sooner had My Golden Eagle taken the lead, Robinson came off her back and dashed around to take control and rate the five-year-old as he liked.

My Golden Eagle made a late challenge, but Cash Affair was too strong in the run to the finish.

Another cheap purchase to win at Globe Derby Park on Saturday was Bernie Macray, which scored in the Swap Meet @ Globe Sunday March 3 Entires & Geldings Pace (1800m).

Owner Pam Hayter was able to pick up Bernie Macray for $4000 from owner Don Lee in October 2022 and he went into the stable of Lane Johnson at Penfield Gardens.

Saturday night was his fourth win for his new connections, more than comfortably repaying his purchase price.

Corey Johnson brought Bernie Macray ($5) with a perfectly timed run to score by 4-1/2 metres from Childers Road ($7) with Sunshine Ray ($4.20 fav) a half head away third.

For complete race results, click here.

From HRSA Media