One of South Australia’s quiet harness racing achievers David Smith had a good weekend at Globe Derby Park.
Smith came away with three driving winners, two courtesy of injured trainer/driver Peter Borrelli, and the other for himself. Borrelli hurt his back and had to forego weekend drives on Fine Artist on Saturday and Grinfaron on Sunday with Smith the beneficiary.
Fine Artist’s betting price was incredible.
For fixed odds betting agencies, Fine Artist was between $9 and $11 when the mobile drew away to start the Trotguide.Com.Au Pace (1800m) but one punter had a sizeable win bet on the three-year-old on the pari-mutuel pool which meant he won and paid just $2.80 for the win, but $5 for the place.
Coming from midfield, Fine Artist scored a head win from Reddy Major ($4.20) with Sinartra ($6.30) a neck away third in an exciting finish.
Smith had looked set for a more comfortable win midway up the straight but John Lee, on Sinartra, saw a gap between the winner and runner-up and tried to push through which resulted in the trio racing at tight quarters over the final 50 metres. On the line, Fine Artist was able to win but Smith was driving for safety as much as for victory.
On Sunday, Smith also had a good run midfield on Grinfaron ($9.30) in the UBET Pace (1800m) and the four-year-old finished strongly to score a one metre win from High Class Lady ($4.60) with Missy Murdock ($21.50), a similar margin away third.
Borrelli’s back pain was such that he had to seek out fellow trainer Shane Loone to drive him to the track on Saturday night and harness up Fine Artist.
“I was in a bit of pain on Saturday, but the win was good,” Borrelli said.
“I took some pain killers and felt a bit better on Sunday but still had to get partner Karen Slape to bring me to the track and harness up.” Borrelli said he had good hopes for Fine Artist as a two-year-old but the gelding had not progressed into his three-year-old year.
“Hopefully now he is starting to show the form I was hoping for.”
Grinfaron was resuming from a break on Sunday and Borrelli believes he can continue to improve.
“He is getting better with age and racing.”
Smith’s own winner was Drinktous Wroxton in the Congratulations Gillian Aldridge Trotters Discretionary (2230m) on Saturday.
Drinktous Wroxton ($7.30) just lasted to score a short half head win from the fat-finishing Bold Law ($5.30) with Truscott Law ($3.50 fav), 13 metres away third.
“He is a good honest trotter but now looks to be on his mark,” Smith said.
“He is a good beginner with a bit of pace but will find it tough against the better class trotters.”
Bold Law, trained by Marcus Hearl and resuming from a spell, was driven by Smith’s son Michael.
The six-year-old trotted home strongly finishing fast up the sprint lane and looks one to follow.
