One of the most fitting wins at Globe Derby Park on Ubet Cup night was the flashing victory by Mark Dennis in the 2018 Justice Family Plate (2645m), the race run each year to honour a family with a hugely successful involvement in SA harness racing.
Brothers Lance and John Justice, along with mother Josie, and a host of family members were on course for the Justice Family Plate.
A $27.10 outsider, Mark Dennis came from last, for driver Danielle Hill, to score a 6-1/2 metre win from Maywyns Zephyr ($15.20) with Our Jimmie ($1.30 fav), a metre away third.
The winner is owned by former Sheffield Shield cricketer Paul Nobes in partnership with his wife Judith.
“Mark Dennis was purchased for me by Lance and he trained the horse for the first two years when he came to Australia,” Nobes said.
“Tonight is a special thrill because I certainly didn’t expect the win.
“Lance went over to Mark Purdon’s stable to look at two horses. He was told one wasn’t for sale – Smolda – but the other was – Mark Dennis.
“He has been a wonderful horse and tonight was his 40th win.
“He has given us some special times every campaign and tonight is another chapter.
“I went into the race not expecting too much but with a lap to go, even though he was well back, I started to believe he had some chance, then at the 400 I started to really believe he could win.”
Mark Dennis sprinted strongly to reel in the leaders and win comfortably.
It was a wonderful training performance by Lance Holberton as the nine-year-old was first up over 2645 metres having not raced November 11.
“I had given him plenty of hard work,” Holberton said.
“He is a funny horse to train. When he goes out he is like an old 20-year-old but after he has worked he has the spring and bounce of a yearling. I’m always telling people to give him plenty of room.”
After two Gawler Cup wins, a third would be on the agenda with the race to be held next month, the day before the Allwood SA Yearling Sale.
Nobes and Holberton both praised reinswoman Danielle Hill.
“Dani has an unbelievable record on Mark Dennis,” Nobes said.
“Tonight was her sixth win on him with five seconds and three thirds from 14 drives so she is yet to miss a place.
“Ryan (Hryhorec) has been driving him recently but when he was committed to another runner Lance said to book Dani as quick as I could and fortunately she was available.”
The Nobes family and Holberton combination landed a double when the much-improved Make Mine Joe finished powerfully to win the Allwood Stud Pace (2230m).
It was Make Mine Joe’s fourth win with two seconds from his past six starts.
An $11.70 chance, Make Mine Joe finished strongly out wide for Hryhorec to score a metre win from Artegra ($19.90) with Big Behemoth ($3.60), a similar margin away third.
