BENDIGO reinsman Daryl Douglas pulled the right rein after electing to drive Devilish Smile to an historic victory in the $25,000 Greggs Electrical Ouyen Pacing Cup.
He scored the win in front of a big crowd at the return to racing at Blackburn Park on Sunday.
Douglas had to talk his way out of driving for his brother Glenn who had two runners in the cup – Jukebox Music and Our Hillview Gold.
His judgment was proven correct after Devilish Smile recorded an impressive 10-metre victory.
Devilish Smile enjoyed a good trail in the running line one-out-two-back and Douglas utilised the four-year-old’s speed by making a three-wide run at the 600-metre mark and quickly joined the leaders.
He opened up a race winning break on the home turn to race away for a comfortable win.
The top two leading drivers in the state finished first and second in the cup.
Chris Alford drove Mickey Mac into second place after leading. The Emma Stewart trained nine-year-old battled on strongly to be the runner-up, while the favorite Ohoka Nevada also fought on strongly to run third after working hard during the race outside the leader.
Douglas has now won three of the past six Ouyen Pacing Cups. His previous wins were with Bel Cardo Master (2007) and last year’s winner Our Hillview Gold.
“It is good to be back racing at the Ouyen track as it does suit some horses and gives them a chance to win a race and it is good to win the cup at the return to racing here,” Douglas said.
“He (Devilish Smile) is a very nice horse.”
Devilish Smile is trained at Smythes Creek by Peter Tonkin who won the previous cup held at the Ouyen circuit back in 2005 with Manwarra Maker.
Devilish Smile has added another feature race win to his 19 career victories which include last year’s $100,000 Vicbred Final, the Mt Gambier Cup and the 2010 Tatlow Final for prominent owners Pam and Russell Hockham.
The well-bred son of Grinfromeartoear out of the former classic winning mare and successful broodmare Counterfeit Girl has now taken his earnings to $268,816 and has been a top purchase for the Hockham’s who bought the pacer at the Premium Gold sale for $42,500.
“We did try to buy Mr Sheedy at the sale, but he went for too much and we ended up buying him (Devilish Smile) as he looked sensational in the sale ring,” Pam Hockham said.
“His half-brother is in this year’s yearling sale by the stallion Art Major so we will definitely be having a look at him.”
The Hockhams were thrilled with the win and happy that they decided to make the long trek from their Brighton residence.
“I was surprised when Daryl decided to drive for us instead of one of Glenn’s horses so that gave us a lot more confidence,” Pam Hockham said.
“The Hamilton Cup last week was the first time he had taken on the big guns and he went sensational and it was fantastic to win the Ouyen Cup especially with the way he did it against a quality field.”
Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp and Victorian Racing Minister Denis Napthine were thrilled with the success of the return to racing at Ouyen.
The cup was held in front of more than 1000 patrons.
There were four marquees set up on the day which is the first time they have been erected at an Ouyen meeting.
“It is great for the club that they have had a great day for their return to racing at Ouyen and it was a terrific crowd who came out to support the club,” Mr Crisp said.
Dr Napthine was also full of praise for the club and was excited to see the first of six country harness racing club’s return to racing at its home circuit.
“It was a great crowd and (Harness Racing Victoria board member) Geoff Kay and Peter Crisp have done a top job to get the meeting back for the Ouyen community,” Dr Napthine said.
“The challenge is for the club to continue to have a successful meeting over the next few years and if they continue to get big crowds attending it would certainly help them obtain more meetings a year.”
Ouyen trainer Jim Geary and Manangatang driver Bill Carroll were the previous winners of the final race held at Blackburn Park back in 2005 when successful with Maninky Flight.
But that record was abolished after the first race on Sunday which was taken out by Miley Miss for Red Cliffs trainer Bruce Rose and Merbein South reinsman Luke Watson.
Rose enjoyed the return of racing at Ouyen as he teamed up with Watson to achieve a winning double.
They were also successful with Bremansa who achieved her first Victorian race win. Her previous victory was at Orange in New South Wales in May last year.
It was a top meeting for the northern region-trained pacers.
The other race winners on the program were Eastwood Ember for trainer Terry Gange, Beaudiene Riviera from the Eddie Sparkes and Kylie Hughes stable and the Bendigo trained Saint Flash which is owned by Noel Watson of Swan Hill.
This article appeared in Tuesday’s Sunraysia Daily 24/01/2012.
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