Sea Salt proves her worth in Globe Derby Feature

Diminutive grey filly Sea Salt (Downbytheseaside) scored her most important harness racing win at just her fourth race start when she stormed to take out the $25,000 Kevin and Kay Seymour Emerging Stars Pacers Final at Globe Derby on Saturday night.

Following keenly contested heats the week before a top class even field lined. Wayne Hill who had driven Sea Salt in her previous three starts elected to drive the favourite Lizzie Shelby, so Wayne’s sister Danielle took the drive on Sea Salt.

In a furious battle for the early lead, Sea Salt tried but could not hold out Places You Don’t who seemed determined to lead at all costs. The inform Imposter Boy was wide and had no option but to race outside the leader.

From her back draw Lizzie Shelby was back at the rear behind the very well supported Fly The Banner.

SEA SALT REPLAY JUN 28

Given the strong early pace, it was an issue if the leaders could keep going but when Lizzie Shelby and Fly the Banner started to make their runs they were making heavy weather of trying to gather in the leaders.

Places You Don’t had an extra kick on the final bend but Danielle Hill showing patience went for the inside lane and Sea Salt finished too strongly to win by just under two metres with Imposter Boy running a credible third. Sea Salt rated a1.57.9 for the 1800 metre journey.

Raced by her breeder Tara Shae Linke, Sea Salt is trained at Kadina by Tara Shae’s brother Tyson. Tyson also trains the handy pacers Magic Storm and Coco Mia who have more than paid their way in recent starts.

Trainer Tyson Linke explained after the race

“She was going to race last season as a two year old and we took her to the trials. However her companion kicked her continuously in the float and her hock took ages to repair.”

“I didn’t have her right for the Heat. She’s quite a fine and athletic filly and she blew up after last week. We’ve not pushed her hard as once she gets turned on its hard to switch her off.” “She’s still eligible for the VicBred series so we might take her over to Mildura for a Heat.”

“At this stage she’s headed to Victoria for her future. I’ll ask Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin who had Encipher for us to take her.”

Linke also commented on a weanling who is also out of Jet Quick the dam of Sea Salt.

“He’s by Cattlewash and is almost white, so he’s quite a striking presence. We had The Quick Wash who was an elder half brother and won 12 races but he was a bay/brown. So Tara-Shae is delighted that we now have some greys in the stable.”

Certainly Sea Salt she shows a lot of promise at this early stage of her career and is ready to progress to the forthcoming three year old fillies classics.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink