Dhaulagiri adds another trophy with Strathalbyn Cup success

Well travelled stayer Dhaulagiri (American Ideal) is having a new lease of life as shown by his fighting harness racing win in the $20,000 Strathalbyn Harness Racing Club Pacing Cup at Globe Derby on Saturday night.

Dhaulagiri had put the writing on the wall with a strong win in the Kapunda Cup two starts back, and then last week in the Mount Gambier Cup he over raced in finishing 4^th. Well back into favouritism Dhaulagiri was confidently driven by Wayne Hill.

DHAULIGIRI 21 MAR REPLAY

Tembie who was well supported fought his way to the early lead and Hill took off with Dhaulagiri with just over two laps to go and critically didn’t have to do a great deal of work to get around the field. Bellezza Nera who was three wide with a lap left to travel set out after Dhaulagiri but once he shook off Tembie he powered away and the issue was never really in doubt as he strolled to an eight metre win over Bellezza Nera and Peace of Heaven who finished on for third without looking likely to trouble the winner.

Dhaulagiri rated 1.57.6 for the 2230 metre trip.

Dhaulagiri early in his career was prepared by Julie Douglas and he was a consistent performer

There really weren’t many excuses for the remainder of the field.

In October 2024 trainer Matthew Horsnall took over Dhaulagiri for a new set of owners which included himself. Since then the nine year old gelding has raced regularly and Horsnall has had his fair share of success with him.

Horsnall has targeted some of the country cups and recently has taken out the St Arnaud and Boort Pacing Cups adding to his record.

But credit is due to Hill who drove a superb race ensuring that Dhaulagiri had the race won a fair way from home.

Hill just missed out on the big double when his trotter Meadow Valley Star coming off 30 metres just went down to Mount Gambier trotter Stockman Peter (Used To Me) who snatched victory in the $20,000 Strathalbyn Harness Club Trotters Cup later that evening.

Patiently driven by Corey Johnson Stockman Peter who came off 10 metres was one out and two back at the bell with Meadow Valley Star right behind him but three wide.

STOCKMAN PETER 21 MAR REPLAY

Outsider Cyclone S Adams tried to lead all the way but Aldebaran Dexta made a sustained run along the back straight to charge to the lead. But he could not hold off firstly Meadow Valley Star and then Stockman Peter who drove through in the centre to record a well deserved win.

Stockman Peter is trained by David Philips and the seven year old rig has proved to be a model of consistency since joining Phillips stable in January 2025. Even so he’s been relatively lightly raced having made only made 27 race appearances for eight wins and nine placings.

For complete Menangle race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink