South Australia’s 2023 Horse Of The Year Miss Idaho returned to racing with a stunning all-the-way win at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
A red hot $1.25 favourite, Miss Idaho led throughout in the 2024 3YO Pacing For Pink Classic (1800m) winning by 10 metres from Fly The Banner ($41) with Priddy Loaded ($81), four metres away third.
Trained and driven at Reeves Plains by Ryan Hryhorec, the filly rated a quick 1:58.6.
Hryhorec allowed to cruise over the first 800 metres of the last 1600 metres in 64 seconds before letting her slide over the last half in 56.7 seconds.
“That race will improve her no end,” Hryhorec said.
“You can only get horses to a certain level of fitness with trials and trackwork, races certainly tighten them up.
“Tonight is actually the first time I have driven her this preparation as she has her normal trackwork driver.
“She felt good and really was not at her top at any stage.”
It will be the last time South Australians will see Miss Idaho locally, at least in the short term.
Owner Frank Borg revealed the filly will be going to the stables of Andy Gath in Victoria.
“There are races at Melton for her on June 8 and another later in the month,” Borg said.
“She is already a winner at Melton, when driven by Kate Gath, and has definitely earned her opportunity to campaign in Victoria.”
After a first up defeat in Mildura, Miss Idaho has now won her next eight races.
Hryhorec came away with another driving treble on Saturday.
He scored in the opening race on Hezrockinroyalty, which he now trains, then scored on Feisty Jane later in the night for Globe Derby Park trainer Kaycee Carey.
Owned by Alan and Ngareta Cronin, Hezrockinroyalty ($1.10 fav) had to driven hard early to find the lead from barrier four in the BT Media Pace (1800m), then controlled the tempo eventually winning by seven metres from Letsgo Matilda ($12) with Bruzer ($71), a half-metre away third.
Hryhorec said he appreciated the Cronins transferring the three-year-old to his stable while they enjoyed a European vacation.
But they were still following the gelding’s campaign and were on social media minutes after Hezrockinroyalty won before he had been unharnessed.
Feisty Jane was backed from $5.50 into $3.40 in the Hygain Regain Pace (1800m) and her supporters would been happy when Hryhorec was able to settle her one-out, one-back from her draw of gate three on the second row.
Also, speed maps were out of the window when expected leader Rocking With Charm ($2.50 fav) was trapped wide early, couldn’t lead, and was eased back to the tail of the field.
Hryhorec was making a winning run coming off the back straight when the leader Miss Lily May broke, and eventually fell, and caused interference to Honolulu Lulu and then Rocking With Charm which also fell.
Wayne Hill (Miss Lily May) was okay and fulfilled his drives in the final two races, but Samantha Pascoe (Rocking With Charm) was a little sore and gave up her drives which included the winning steer on Georgy Girl.
Victorian reinsman Ryan Backhouse, who won earlier in the night on Ultimate Rocker ($4.40 into $2.90 fav) for trainer Naomi Kerr, picked up the drive on Georgy Girl for trainer Luke O’Neill in the Les Sumner @ Globe Sunday May 26 Trotters Handicap (2230m).
After beginning well, Backhouse opted to take a trail on Georgy Girl ($21) before using the sprint lane to dash through and win by two metres from Savvy Kyvalley ($7) with Buckles ($14), six metres away third.
Top reinsman Wayne Hill had as busy night.
Apart from his tumble, her also drove a double and had five seconds.
Hill’s first winner was on top square gaiter My Used To Be ($2.40 fav) for co-trainers Jill Neilson and Katie Wilson in the Ladbrokes Easy Form Trotters Mobile (2230m).
My Used To Be held off the fast-finishing Xebec ($4.20) to win by a metre with Cyclone S Adams ($10), 6-1/2 metres away third.
He then partnered Magic Grove ($2.50 fav) for Kadina trainer Tyson Linke to take out the Ladbrokes It! Pace (1800m).
The six-year-old mare is unbeaten since joining Linke’s stable winning three races at Port Pirie before Saturday night’s success.
She rated a smart 1:57.6 in winning easily by 6-1/2 metres.
