Youngster achieves rare modern-day feat

TALENTED youngster Im Hector achieved a rare modern-day feat at Globe Derby last night.

Completing an upset for astute trainer Claire Goble, Im Hector captured the South Australia Trotters’ Derby.

The classic has been dominated by Victorians during the past two decades, with Im Hector the first local winner since 2012 when Topnotch Jewel scored at $32.10 on the tote.

Before the fillies’ success the previous local to capture the Blue Riband was No No Yankee in 2001.

“I’m thrilled he won,” Goble said. “We don’t have many races like this in South Australia, so it is one we had our hearts set on.

“For him to win is just fantastic.”

Driven by leading reinsman Wayne Hill, Im Hector crossed to the pegs from barrier two but was unable to hold out the favourite, Victorian raider Magical, which led from gate three.

Angled to the outside around the home turn, the son of Quaker Jet sprinted to a five-metre win from Magical, with Ceejay Succes 25 metres away third.

“I knew he was feeling good and expected him to be a big chance,” Goble said. “Wayne drove him perfectly and he finished off as he should with a run like that.”

Rating 2:07.3 over the waterlogged 2230 metres, Im Hector stretched his record to two wins and three second from seven starts.

With no specific targets in mind for the three-year-old, Goble will continue to ease Im Hector through the grades.

“There is not a lot around for his age,” Goble said. “I’ll place him the best I can, but it’s not easy with three-year-olds under the national rating system.”