Graham Fischer
LOCAL harness racing participants were honoured at the annual Harness Racing South Australia awards on the weekend.
Ryan Hryhorec, a trainer-driver based at Two Wells, was named winner of the prestigious Jim Hurley Medal for the second time in three years.
The medal is awarded to a participant who performs consistently at a high level during a season.
Hryhorec was also named driver of the year in the SA Square Trotters Association awards.
In the SA Breeders, Owners, Trainers and Reinsperson’s Association (SA BOTRA) awards, Claire Goble of Wasleys was named owner of the year, Gawler’s Aaron Bain took trainer of the year, while Roseworthy-based veterinarian and trainer Toby Ryan was recognized for his service to SA BOTRA and the harness racing industry.
Top square gaiter Millys Magic was named Three-Year-Old Trotter of the Year in both the SA Square Trotters Association and SA BOTRA awards.
Kitsilano, trained by Greg Rogers, was the SA BOTRA winner for Four-Year-Old and older Mares award.
Joes A Character, owned and trained by Yvette Zitterbart at Willaston, won the SA Harness Racing Club and HRSA Leading state horse awards.
Rounding out the awards, In Shoobees Shoes, trained at Angle Vale by Dean Girardi, took out the HRSA Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year title.
Goble then kept her winning run going at Globe Derby Park on Saturday night.
During the week, she said she had considered retirement for eight-year-old Smackwater Jack, but the horse responded by returning to the winning list.
Starting at the huge odds of $101, Smackwater Jack, driven by Michael Smith, sprinted home strongly out wide to score a one-metre win in the Just Wrecking Toyotas Pace over 1800m.
Notching his 17th career win, the gelding recorded a brilliant mile rating of 1:57.2.
“The leaders went very quick, which suited him,” Goble said.
“He was able to settle back then sprint home strongly when they got tired up front.
“This horse is a real gentleman and I use him to help educate the younger horses as they come into training.
“I’ve worked out that I don’t need to work him hard, and he has more than repaid his $2500 purchase price.”