Hill grabs slice of history

Local harness racing favourite Danni Hill grabbed a slice of harness racing history at Globe Derby last night.

Hill guided boom filly Whats Emma Got to an impressive victory in the South Australia Oaks to become just the second reinswoman to capture the Blue Riband.

Kath Gath – or Thompson as she was at the time – was the ground breaker by annexing the 2004 edition with Yada Yada Yada.

The Oaks has been part of the racing calendar since 1956.

As for Hill’s moment in the limelight, it was one of the easiest wins witnessed in the time-honoured event.

Beginning quickly to lead from the pole, Whats Emma Got was allowed to stroll along at an even tempo as her main danger, Looks Like Heaven, awaited the sprint lane.

Kicking clear at the top of the home straight, the daughter of Grinfromeartoear was untroubled on her way to a three-and-a-half metre win from Looks Like Heaven, with Tauto Jane five metres away third.

“From the draw she was always going to be hard to beat, with Looks Like Heaven the biggest threat on our back,” Hill said. “In the end she did it pretty easily and had them all covered a long way out.

“She felt good on the line and could have gone a lot quicker if needed.”

Trained by Glenda Fuller, the three-year-old rated a snail-like 2:05.9 for the 2230 metres, taking her record to an imposing 16 wins and four placings from 20 starts.

Set to enjoy an easy week, Whats Emma Got may be interstate-bound, with connections considering a trip across the border for the Victoria Oaks in April.

While that trip is yet to be confirmed, Whats Emma Got will be given the opportunity to defend her Southern Cross title in August.

• PAUL COURTS