Hryhorec holds the key to Kadina Cup’s showdown at Port Pirie

The Yorke Peninsula Harness Racing Club (Kadina) will stage its traditional annual Cups meeting at Port Pirie Harness Racing Club on Sunday evening, continuing a proud regional tradition.

Harness racing in Kadina dates back to meetings at the Showgrounds from 1922 before the club shifted to a new 650-metre track in 1946. Racing was conducted under the Yorke Peninsula Trotting Club banner until operations at Kadina ceased on 21 March 2004, with the club’s feature events now carried on at Port Pirie.

The Kadina Pacing Cup has consistently attracted quality fields, with several outstanding performers adding their names to the honour roll in recent years. Among them are Timeless Era, country cups stalwart Some Kinda Tactics (2016 winner), dual champion Bettor Party (back-to-back victories in 2017 and 2018), talented mare Arco (2022), Victorian star Tango Tara, who scored for former Port Pirie reinswoman Kate Gath, and last year’s winner Bellezza Nera.

This year’s edition shapes as an open affair. Peace Of Heaven has struck top form since joining the Ryan Hryhorec stable, winning seven of nine starts and drawing the pole position. Hasty Bid (gate two) and Place You Dont (gate three) are also favourably drawn and expected to press forward early, while the 2023 Nullarbor winner Betterzipit faces a tougher task from the outside of the front line.

The Kadina Trotters Cup boasts its own rich history, with past winners including Chuck Wagon (2014), former South Australian Horse of the Year Rocknroll Baby, and last year’s victor Regal Attire.

Ryan Hryhorec holds the key to this year’s Trotters Cup with the three backmarkers Aldebaran Dexta, Is That A Bid and Phoebe Onyx all coming from his yard.

Newcomer Is That A Bid has made an immediate impression in South Australia with an eye-catching win at Globe Derby Park and has opened as the pre-post favourite, although he will need to overcome a 30-metre handicap.

The seven-event program gets underway at 5:57pm and will be broadcast live on Sky 1.

by Gary Newton for Harnesslink