It is often said you don’t need big fields for exciting harness racing and such was the case at Globe Derby Park on Saturday night.
There were only five acceptors for the Just Wrecking Toyota’s 2YO Pace (1800m) but the field was down to four by race time with the morning scratching of One Of My People, but the remaining runners had already shown they were among of the best of their age in SA.
Punter pinned their faith in the Golden Nursery winner Don’t Tell William, trained by Toby Ryan and driven by his wife Lisa, and the gelding firmed from $1.90 in $1.30 favourite, expecting him to lead and be too good for his rivals.
The Kevin Brough-trained Bayview Harbour, a winner of the Kindergarten Stakes in February, and to be driven by Danielle Hill, eased from $2.10 to $3.90 with the support for the Ryan runner.
The main other hope appeared to be the Alan Cronin-trained, Ken Rogers-driven Our Royal Lady, a winner of the SA Sapling Stakes at her first start, but she also eased from $4.60 to start $7.
The Scott Ewen-trained Gotta React, a winner at Kilmore, at his first start completed the field as a $31.70.
When the mobile drew away, the race developed as many punters expected with Don’t Tell Linda leading, Our Royal Lady dropping onto his back, Bayview Harbour crossing to third and Gotta React at the tail of the field.
Lisa Ryan took advantage of no early pressure to record a pedestrian 33.3 for the first quarter of the last mile on Don’t Tell William, speeding up to 31.8 for the second quarter.
Punters who backed the favourite would have been happy with those sectionals, and Danielle Hill, knowing she had to put Bayview Harbour into the race, moved up alongside down the back to put interest into the race.
This played into the hands of Rogers on Our Royal Lady giving him the chance to sprint lane the leaders in the home straight.
A third quarter of 28.5 put the pressure on and favourite punters would have been dismayed when Bayview Harbour went clear from Don’t Tell Linda as the field straightened and it was left to Our Royal Lady to come along the sprint lane which she did.
At the finish, Bayview Harbour held sway by a half head from Our Royal Lady with Don’t Tell Linda battling on well to be 1-1/2 metres away third.
Bec East, representing her partner Kevin Brough, was delighted with the win.
“He’s my favourite,” East said. “He tries his heart out and is getting better with racing.
“He is one we will be looking to bring back for the Southern Cross series later in the year. I’m not sure he will be ready for the Vicbred series but I’m sure he will be suited back here in Adelaide.”
Driver Danielle Hill was suitably impressed.
“He’s a real racehorse,” Hill said.
“When he was alongside Don’t Tell William he wanted to race but once he put him away wanted to ease off a bit, thinking his job was done.
“He couldn’t see the filly coming along the inside but I did and made sure he kept running and once he saw her he was ready to go again.”
Graham Fischer