Ryan Hryhorec’s patience wins the Strathalbyn Pacers Cup

Leading South Australia trainer driver Ryan Hryhorec’s patience was the key factor when he guided Hezarockinroyalty (Rock N Roll Heaven) to success in the $20,000 Strathalbyn Harness Racing Club Pacing Cup at Globe Derby on Saturday night.

Drawn the pole, Hezarockinroyalty went to the lead early only to surrender it when Gaita Pullicino on Springfield Affair was determined to lead at all costs.

HEZAROCKINROYALTY APR 5 REPLAY STRATHALBYN PACING CUP

Classic Line was caught outside the leader but then Lisa Ryan on Delightful Tammy went around the field to race outside the leader.

In a daring move Pullicino attempted to break up the field with her front running tactics on Springfield Affair and at various stages she had distance between herself and the opposition. In the back straight she cleared away again and most of the field seemed to be struggling.

STRATHALBYN CUP PRESENTATION APR 5

But Hezarockinroyalty was still chasing and on the final bend started to slowly gather in the leader. The four year old gelding maintainted his run to score by just under 3 metres from Springfield Affair who’s run was full of merit with Aintsobad having enjoyed a rails run throughout filling in third placing.

Hezarockinroyalty’s mile rate of 1.56.7 for the 2230 metres was mainly due to the tearaway tactics of runner up Springfield Affair.

Artillery whose form had been indifferent of late showed a glimpse of his old self in fourth placing and he could be returning to the form that he has shown in the past.

Favourite Bellezza Nera was restrained back to the rear by her driver Danielle Hill and she was three wide at the bell. However she failed to make any ground and finished last.

Hryhorec only took over the training of Hezarockinroyalty less than one month ago but had driven him for most of his previous career.

Hryhorec commented after the event

“The owner Alan Cronin bred him with a few mates. Alan also trained him but was of the opinion that he couldn’t take him to the next level. And that’s how he found his way to me.” “I’ll keep him going and we’ll enter him for next week’s Port Pirie Cup.”

The Strathalbyn club has been in limbo since the sale of the complex for a significant sum some time back. Enterprising Club President Max Beasley explained that the dream is to get a track similar to the Melton complex with state of the art facilities and currently they are working the local council with plans.

“In the meantime we decided to put in some money for our meeting” explaining the excellent prize money on offer for both the Pacers and Trotters Cups.

As an initiative of thinking about connections the meeting offered the connections of each last placed runner a bottle of wine, a very worthy consideration for those owners involved in harness racing.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink