Interdominion contender takes on the Kadina Trotters Cup

You don’t normally expect to see an Inter Dominion harness racing contender going around at Port Pirie . . . even on a Saturday night.

Yet that may be part of the plans for handy six-year-old Powderkeg (Muscle Hill), who’ll need to be on his best behaviour tonight if connections intend to push on with proposed plans for the gelding.

Ace reinsman Ryan Hryhorec may need to be at his brilliant best to get Powderkeg home in Saturday nights 2530m Minlaton Hotel Kadina Trotters Cup.

That’s because the last-start Globe Derby winner will need to overcome a 40m handicap if he is to outlast his eight rivals over the longer journey.

Hryhorec is looking for a big night and will steer favourite in both tonight’s SA features, Powderkeg ($2.70) in the Trotters Cup and Tango Tara ($1.40) in the 2530m Ardrossan Hotel Kadina Pacing Cup.

Gun trainer Andy Gath is showing his support for the Port Pirie meeting, sending one of his prolific winners, Tango Tara across for their feature and Hryhorec should be able to take advantage of the seven-year-old’s gate speed and get the job done.

Hryhorec doesn’t keep records and isn’t sure what his best season is.

But he’s already landed more than 100 winners this season.

“The last couple of months things have improved, probably the misfortune of Dani Hill pulling the pin has meant I have picked up a few extra drives,” he said.

“I have driven for Andy three or four times, at the most, and probably won one race for him.

“Tango Tara does look to be dropping in grade and certainly this looks like it’s his race to lose.”

Powderkeg has become a regular drive for Hryhorec, who has won two of his past four on the son of Muscle Hill.

“I remember his first start was at Port Pirie as a two-year-old, I had a winner that day on another horse but saw him race.

“There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since then but he’s proven himself he’s a quality horse.

“They’re talking about sending him to the Inter Dominion in Queensland.

“If he trots and behaves and goes like he has been going then he would have to be the one to beat.

“They‘d probably send him up to someone else up there, providing he’s still racing well enough.”

Hryhorec has an excellent book of drives and could be in for a big night at ‘Port’.

“I haven’t had much to do with Wemen Bella (Race 1) but would probably need a few things to go right to get the money,” he said.

“Premonition (Race 3) is going well and Kaela will drive him and if he has a little bit of luck, he won’t be far away.

“He never runs a bad race.”

His drive in Race 4, Im Reggie is going well but he admits luck will again be needed if he is to beat the class runner in the race, Fletch Maguire.

“You can see from his form, he’s never far away and from that good draw should be running a place.”

Then he will also partner Lincolns Dream ($5) in Race 8.

“He copped a flat tyre at Mildura and was pulled up.

“I’ve had a bit to do with him and I think he would be a top three chance in that race, The Ladybird and Rocknroosta will be hard to beat in that one.”

Hryhorec says Port Pirie is a track that appears to be big and spacious and open.

“But it seems to be tricky to make ground from out wide; so, if you are up there it certainly helps,” he said.

“We’re not greedy but to come home with one or two winners would be lovely,” he said.

For complete race entries, click here.

From HRSA Media