January 23, Goodtime Scout
The ‘We’re Flying’ syndicate celebrated its first victory when Goodtime Scout led throughout to win the North Kapunda Hotel Three-Year-Old Pace (1800m) at Kapunda.
A red-hot $1.30 favourite, Goodtime Scout, trained by Ryan Hryhorec and driven by Anthony Robinson, had to battle hard to score a neck win from Lolasflyingfantasy ($8.40) with Dark Autumn ($13), 9-1/2 metres away third.
The We’re Flying syndicate was formed by Harness Racing South Australia to help promote the sport and its high-profile ambassador is Adelaide Crows footballer Josh Jenkins who has teammates Richard Douglas and Tom Lynch as fellow syndicate members.
John Lewis, the Chief Executive of HRSA, was at Kapunda to enjoy the win.
“It was tremendous for the syndicate to bring up its first win,” Mr Lewis said.
“The Linemaster was our first horse to race and he did well with a third and a fourth, but to see our colours cross the line first with Goodtime Scout was something special, and it was great that a few of the syndicate members were on course.”
Trainer Ryan Hryhorec said the three-year-old filly would derive benefit from the win.
Robinson had Goodtime Scout away quickly from gate two and she led comfortably but had to withstand some early pressure from Lolasflyingfantasy resulting in a 30.1 first quarter.
Robinson was able to back off the tempo with a moderate 33.4 second quarter before the runner up again came alongside to challenge.
Goodtime Scout answered the challenge and although Lolasflyingfantasy got to within as neck, the leader always was in control.
Robinson said the filly could have won easier but had not been all that comfortable around the Kapunda circuit.
“She has always gone straight at home,” Hryhorec said, “so it was a surprise today that she had to be driven on one rein for part of the race but that is an issue we can correct.
“She had been working well at home and today’s race was a good opportunity for her first win and it was achieved.”
Robinson was impressed with Goodtime Scout’s win.
“She has speed and that is a key ingredient for any horse,” Robinson said.
“She has gate speed which will ensure she can take up a good position in her races from the right draw and despite wanting to hang, when I asked her to sprint up in the home straight she found a few metres.”
Robinson said it had been an honour to be part of history.
“When the We’re Flying syndicate becomes very successful I can say I drove their first winner.”
