The re-structuring of the SA Cup and Country Cups circuit for 2022 by HRSA in an endeavour to see more prizemoney stay in SA and reward local participants, is also a chance for connections to invest in the industry and raise the horse population by quality and volume.
This has already been proven by one local trainer who has selected a perfect candidate for the various Cups circuit to purchase in Somewhere Secret.
With a vision towards the earning capacity of a locally trained horse during this series, a syndicate – led by prominent trainer Ryan Hryhorec – purchased Somewhere Secret in preparation for the Cups.
Noting the change in conditions as the reason for the purchase, Hryhorec stated the son of Somebeachsomewhere was a higher priced buy than usual.
“HRSA making the Cups just for horses trained here is the reason we bought him,” Hryhorec said. “He’s a pretty nice horse which is capable of earning good money during the Cup carnival.
“He’s not the kind of horse we’d normally buy, but the new structure here encourages such a purchase.
“If other stables did the same, all of a sudden our open class horses are stronger, which also encourages wagering and then better returns for the industry.
“There is more to it than just the trainers and owners too.
“The feed store gets more business, the farrier, the vet and so on…it’s all relevant.”
Although he has already run and won for his news owners Somewhere Secret will make his Globe Derby debut as a local on Saturday night.
Somewhere Secret’s previous outing at the venue saw him finished third in the 2020 SA Cup when prepared by Emma Stewart.
“We bought him before his win in Cranbourne, then he had his first start for me in Mildura just after Christmas, which he also won, so he has already proven to be a good buy,” Hryhorec said.
As for his pending assignment, Somewhere Secret has drawn the outside of the front row over 1800 metres.
“It’s not the ideal draw over the short trip, but he’s going to be hard to beat,” Hryhorec said. “All he has to do is bring his Victorian form here and he’ll be too good.”
