MOUNT Gambier trainer Peter Hardacre could not have wished for a better birthday present.
The up-coming 40-year-old (next Tuesday), the rising star of the local training ranks, had reason to go into celebration mode when he won his first ever cup at Penola on Thursday.
That was with Tahnee Tiara, who travelled like a winner from the barrier rise and raced clear over the final furlong to beat the Sue Jaensch trained pair of Pass The Glass and Strategic Glass.
“I went a bit early, but I knew I had the horse under me,” apprentice Raquel Clark told Hardacre upon dismounting.
Punters were on the ball too, backing Tahnee Tiara from as much as $8 on race eve to start favourite.
INSTANT SUCCESS
A NEWCOMER to the Travis Doudle stable gave the Adelaide trainer instant success in the opening event.
Red Valentine ($5-$4) previously had four runs in Victoria and was backed with some confidence to win at his South Australian debut.
It was a splendid training feat by Doudle, as the four-year-old gelding was racing first up over 1700 metres since early October.
A patient ride by Dom Tourneur saw Red Valentine circle the field from last before overcoming a battle in the home straight with Spotakova.
CHEERED HOME
IF Mabel Josephine, winner of the 1400-metre maiden plate, needed any encouragement over the final stages, then she had the cheer squad to do it.
Young Strathalbyn trainer Kristi Evans and her entourage were in full voice over the final 300 metres as jockey Justin Potter looked for a clear run.
After sitting in behind the leaders, the gap appeared at the right time and Mabel Josephine broke through at start number four.
The win thwarted plunges on Blame Rodney ($11-$3.60) and Illowa ($151-$34), second and fifth respectively.
TATIARA QUINELLA
BORDERTOWN trainer Jeff Searle ensured plenty of money was made from Persian Honey, winner of the 100-metre maiden.
Searle had the four-year-old mare at her peak for her return to racing from a five-month spell.
It was a Tatiara quinella when Persian Honey wore down the leader Sandhill Galaxy to the delight of punters who backed the winner from $6 to start the 2.20 favourite.
BACK TO HIS BEST
ON his day Montre can be a handy galloper, but can also be the opposite.
Millicent trainer Craig Stewart has found the correct formula with Montre in the past few months.
On the strength of his second at Naracoorte two starts previously, Montre met with heavy support in the 100-metre BM 60 handicap.
Despite racing three wide all the way, Montre ($23-$7.50) ran on strongly to beat the leader Grogans Anvil.
The Other Guy ($4.40-$2.50 fav.) made late ground without ever looking a winning chance.
STILL UNBEATEN
DESPITE being unwanted in the betting ring, the Mount Gambier trained This Kid Rocks proved a class above his rivals in the 1300-metre BM 80 handicap.
At his only other Penola start last year, This Kid Rocks ($2.90-$4) maintained his unbeaten status with the softest of wins.
Jockey Christine Puls was not required to produce the whip as the six-year-old gelding beat fellow Mount Gambier galloper Mista Hollyfield.
YOUTH PREVAILED
LACK of race experience compared to her nine rivals proved no barrier to Disco Rebel in the 1700-metre BM 60 handicap.
The four-year-old mare, a winner on debut last year at Naracoorte, was having only her sixth start and gave trainer Sue Jaensch her ninth winner of the local season.
Disco Rebel ($4.80-$3.80) ran on from back in the field to suggest the mare could have a staying future.
The locals were cheering at the top of the straight when Cosmic Charm dashed clear before tiring for third.
TIGHT FINISH
MOUNT Gambier trainer Richard Wilson was a welcome sight in the winner’s stall after the final event.
Wilson’s small team of gallopers have just come back into work and Shooshkabob saluted at his second run this campaign.
In the closest finish of the day, Shooshkabob had a nostril to spare in what was a Mount Gambier trifecta, with Olatunji and Catch Us filling the placings.
Racing is back at Penola on the Australia Day public holiday on Monday, January 28.
Ride of the day: Raquel Clark (Tahnee Tiara).
Black Booker: Longmire.
