Upset victory brings up century

ALTHOUGH he was confident Truscott Law was ready to win, trainer Luke O’Neill believes another factor led to the mares’ triumph yesterday.

Causing a minor upset in the Victor Harbor Trotters’ Cup, Truscott Law’s win was the result of a masterful drive by premier horsewoman Dani Hill according to O’Neill.

“She put the writing on the wall in the Port Pirie Cup, so I was sure she was ready to win,” O’Neill said. “In the end though, I put it down to Dani’s drive.

“Her stop-start tactics set up the win…she outdrove them.”

Leading throughout from the pole, Truscott Law scored by 10-and-a-half metres from Rocknroll Baby, with Rejuvenation eight metres away third in 2:05.2 over 2660 metres.

“Like I said, she has been racing well and building up to a win, so it is good to get one on the board,” O’Neill said. “I’ll head over the border with her next and see how she can go in the Mildura Trotters’ Cup in a couple of weeks.”

Truscott Law’s success also saw Hill notch her 100^th South Australian win for the season.

Becoming the first SA reinswoman to reach a century in 2009, Hill has five tons to her name.

Capturing the opening event on the card with Saab Magic, Hill finished the evening with a treble, having also secured the Pacing Cup with Our Jericho.

Prepared by Les Harding, Our Jericho accounted for his stablemate, Bettor Party, and Rap Artist in 1:56.1 for the 2160-metre trip.

The son of Tomahawk has had seven starts as a local for five wins and a second, with his victories including the Gawler and Port Pirie Cups.

It should be noted Our Jericho’s unplaced run was an eye-catching fourth in the South Australia Cup.

“Dani is driving like someone who has their confidence right up,” O’Neill said. “To even come back after her accident a number of years ago was a remarkable effort, but to make her way back to the top is inspirational.”