Veteran horseman winds back the clock

VETERAN horseman Darren Billinger wound the clock back 15 years at Globe Derby yesterday.

Heading to the troubled venue with four solid chances, Billinger left with a winning treble.

Successful with Chloe Ann, Hesa Bit Different and Steinman, Billinger registered his first training treble since 2006 when he prepared Hear Rear, Neron and High Chapparel to score at Globe Derby.

Michael Laird drove Neron.

As for Billinger’s previous treble as a reinsman, that was just over a decade ago.

Along with training and driving Virgin Eyre and Come On Frank, Billinger partnered the Terry Arbon-trained Layabout to an upset victory in Port Pirie in February 2011.

“I couldn’t tell you the last time I drove or trained three winners at a meeting,” Billinger said. “I’d say it’s been a while.

“These days I don’t have multiple runners at a meeting very often.”

Bouncing back from a string of unplaced performances, Chloe Ann rated 2:00.6 over 1800 metres to account for Maddie Rose and React To Beauty.

“That was a drop back in class and she was able to make the most of it,” Billinger said. “That said, her runs have been better than they look on paper.”

Billinger was then triumphant with consistent pacer Hesa Bit Different which outstayed his rivals in 2:00 over 1800 metres.

“He’s had to do it tough and still proved too good,” Billinger said. “That’s his second win, with three placings from his last six starts, so he’s going along quite nicely.”

Steinman rounded out the afternoon when he upstaged Rosiano and This Is Bill in 1:58.9 over 1800 metres.

“He’s another which has been very consistent of late,” Billinger said. “That’s three wins, three seconds and a third from his last eight starts.