Chasing second inaugural slot race victory

NO STRANGERS to winning inaugural editions of slot races, astute horseman Tyson Linke and media man Gareth Hall are hoping to enjoy the thrill once again this weekend.

In 2023, Linke held The Eureka trophy aloft as the breeder-owner of outstanding mare Encipher, which caused an upset in the world’s richest pacing event at Club Menangle.

Encipher was trained by Emma Stewart and driven by Luke McCarthy for the $1.5million major.

Last March, Hall and his syndicate – Giddy Up With Gareth Hall – were the toast of Birchip after Wicked Confession captured Victoria’s first slot race, Running of the Bulls.

Fast forward to tomorrow night’s Port Pirie meeting and Linke and Hall will combine in a bid to secure The Radiant.

South Australia’s first slot race, the $100,000 feature is named in honour of Radiant Venture, which became the state’s maiden Inter Dominion champion in 1957.

Purchased for £300 – the equivalent of five month’s wage – for Port Pirie owner Max Stephens, Radiant Venture was driven by Frank Connor to secure the prestigious series at Gloucester Park.

As for the Linke/Hall combination, they will rely on Insider Trading, which has drawn barrier seven – the inside of the second row – in the opening heat.

Fifth at both his starts since joining Linke’s stable, the son of The Storm Inside has to finish in the top five to qualify for the Final later on the card.

“We’re going to need a bit of prayer from that draw,” Linke said. “I’ve had to sort out a couple of things with him in the last few weeks, but he is going as well as I could hope.

“I took him to Pirie a couple of weeks ago and tried a few things on him, which worked, and he was really happy on the track.

“For Gareth and everyone involved to pick my horse is an awesome opportunity and hopefully things can go our way.

“He is the right horse to be able to race twice in one night as he has done it before and handled it just fine…now we’re just relying on that luck!”