Teenage reinswoman Kaela Hryhorec put herself into South Australia’s top 10 drivers with a double at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
Hryhorec, 17, drove Itz Sportz Torque and Jakarras Ace to victory, both trained by her uncle Ryan Hryhorec.
The wins gave the teenager seven wins for the season and propelled her into 10th spot on the SA Drivers premiership.
Hryhorec showed some skill to land each winner.
Itz Sportz Torque ($2.60 fav) scored a 32-1/2 metre win in the Adelaide Plains Equine Clinic Pace (2230m) beating Ingoodnik ($4) with Signs From Above ($9), seven metres away third.
A slight gear malfunction early saw Itz Sportz Torque fire up as Hryhorec took the five-year-old to lead early.
Hryhorec tried to restrain him but the horse was keen to go, so rather than fight him, she let him get into a comfortable rhythm.
Itz Sportz Torque bowled along well clear and showed no signs of stopping and his rivals got sick of chasing.
Trainer Ryan Hryhorec believes the gelding can keep going through his classes.
“He’s a nice horse,” Hryhorec said. “He is a good stayer and loved getting out over a bit of a trip.
“He has been racing well over 1800 metres, but he will be better suited over 2230 metres, we just don’t have enough over that trip.”
Itz Sportz Torque was bred and is owned by Ian Corazzol who lives in Queensland.
“Ian is a great owner and lets me do what I want with the horse and hopefully he’ll be celebrating a few more wins over the next few months.”
Jakarras Ace ($2.40 fav) came from last to win the Toby Ryan Pace (1800m) for the state’s young/concession drivers by a metre from Blue Beach Angel ($6.20, James Clark) with Sallywynda ($15.70, Brodie Webster), six metres away third.
Hryhorec settled at the tail of field with Jakarras Ace before bringing him wide going into the back straight and the four-year-old rounded up his rivals to win well.
Trainer Ryan Hryhorec said the four-year-old was another horse capable of going through the grades.
“Kaela drove him as a sit-sprinter tonight and that is not really his go,” Hryhorec said.
“He did a top job to win but credit to Kaela, she summed up the opposition and got it right.”
Kaela Hryhorec said she had a strong passion for harness racing.
The teenager is doing work placement with Globe Derby Park trainer Ray Holberton and is loving it.
“With Ray hurting his foot about a month ago I have had to step up to help with the training,” Hryhorec said.
“It has been busy and interesting working with young horses as well as the older ones.
“Ray has also been great going through each of my drives and telling me where he thought I had done well, or not, even with the wins.
“He has been fantastic, and I believe my driving is improving.”
