The lure of the $20,000 2024 Port Pirie Trotters Cup (2530m) will keep Saturday’s Globe Derby Park winner Aldebaran Dexta going for one more week.
Trainer-driver Ryan Hryhorec, from Reeves Plains, said the Pirie race next Saturday was a tempting “carrot” to keep Aldebaran Dexta going for one more week.
On Saturday, coming off a 20-metre handicap, and a small early gallop, the five-year-old proved strong for his rivals in the Bianco Reinforcing Trotters Handicap (22130m).
Aldebaran Dexta ($2.50 fav) came wide over the final lap to score a long neck win from the fast-finishing Uncle Louis ($4.80) with Lovelorn ($10), one metre away third.
“That was a tough effort,” Hryhorec said.
“He is still a work in progress but is getting better.
“His first run this preparation was back in August. He had a short break in January but has had a solid campaign.
“His galloping has hindered his record and tonight was his first win since December.
“I’m sure he is ready for a break, but the Port Pirie Cup is too good to miss – you don’t get $20,000 races too often.”
Hryhorec will also have the multiple Cups winner Regal Attire engaged at Port Pirie.
He confirmed he would drive Aldebaran Dexta while Gaita Pullicino would have the sit on Regal Attire.
Naracoorte trainer Greg Scholefield came to Globe Derby Park with three horses but went home with only two.
Bold front runner Hanging Fire won his 16th race in just 15 months for Scholefield leading throughout in the Port Pirie Cups Night April 13 Pace (2230m).
Backed from as much as $2.80 into $1.33 favourite, the five-year-old speared to the front from gate five and scored by 4-1/2 metres from Van Mara ($15) with Maharajah ($10), two metres away third.
Post-race, Scholefield revealed Hanging Fire had been purchased by Gaita Pullicino who has been the regular driver of the gelding in Adelaide.
“He has been a wonderful horse for me but, in reality, he is a horse that needs to race in the city on a regular basis and it would be very tough coming to Adelaide every week,” Scholefield said.
“Gaita drives him beautifully and knows him so well, it made sense for her to take him into her stable.”
Pullicino said Hanging Fire was a very talented pacer with exceptional gate speed and looked forward to continuing the association.
She said there was every chance Hanging Fire would line up in next Saturday’s $25,000 Port Pirie Pacing Cup (2530m).
“He is at his best at shorter trips but has qualified for a start and it is a $25,000 race,” Pullicino said.
“Early on he would race very keenly, but with racing, he does settle much better now so he will most likely go around.”
Scholefield and Pullicino combined again in the Hygain Release Pace (1800m) to win with Mikicool.
Well backed from $2.10 into $1.60 favourite, Mikicool sat parked before sprinting clear to win by two metres from Honeybun ($5) with Told You Twice ($13), 5-1/2 metres away third.
The four-year-old rated a very impressive 1:56.3.
“He is getting better each run,” Scholefield said.
“We were able to buy him for a fair price and he has now won five races for us.
“It was a tough win tonight so I will give him a fortnight before starting again.”
Shortly after Mikicool’s win there was a power surge in the Globe Derby Park area and three light towers in the home straight were affected with the lights going out.
The dark area in the home straight forced the stewards to abandon the last six races of the meeting.
Harness Racing South Australia officials were quick to act and reprogrammed those six races for Monday afternoon.
