Local trainers won six of the eight races at Port Pirie Harness Racing Club’s meeting on Tuesday, December 27.
In addition, five winners were also driven club members.
A big crowd of more than 800 turned out to the night, on which four of the eight favourites won their races.
The Proclamation Day public holiday meant there was plenty of people on hand from race one – the Applyte Gel Pace over 2050m, despite the early 5.39pm start time.
SandyIsMyName was an easy winner for Pirie owner-driver-trainer Paul Fidge, lengths out in front of the nearest runners.
Second was Cleve nine-year-old gelding Thrills Ahead, trained by Belinda Harris, with John Phillipps on board, and owned by the Harris family.
Leah Harvey drove third-placed Be Watching for Globe Derby trainer Glenda Fuller, with LayAbout picking up the last of the prize money for Crystal Brook trainer Terry Arbon, with Darren Billinger the driver.
Greg Rogers drove Have A Swig to win race two for trainer Andrew Smith.
The seven-year-old gelding won the RB Paste Pace in front of a group of local horses, with Leo Gebert-trained RiskIt, driven by his son Andrew, second in front of Lyndon Hall-trained Salsa Blue, driven by Dale Afford.
Fourth was Mick Darling-trained and driven Bee Jay’s Wisdom.
Port Pirie trainer John Lines was in Adelaide and missed seeing his nine-year-old bay mare Wymeera Lady win race three, the Troy Laboraties Pace over 1609m.
The nine-year-old gelding was driven by Andrew Gebert of Napperby, with his father Leo preparing the horse on the night.
Second went to Pirie trainer Lindsay Piper’s Jasper Dunbar, driven by David Smith.
Third placed-Lively Mist was unsuccessful in a protest against the winner, by owner, trainer and driver Cheryl Herman.
Fourth was IM P D Bromac, trained by Chris Harrison and driven by Michael Smith.
Race four, the Kalmtex Paste pace over 1609m, was won by the favourite Zuccharino.
The seven-year-old bay gelding was owned, trained and driven by Port Pirie member Leah Harvey.
Finishing second was Candice Robinson-trained CamKenzie Boy, driven by Andrew Kearney, in front of Heza A Good Looking Guy, trained and driven by John Phillipps, and Cullyndal, trained and owned by Lyndon Hall and driven by Dale Afford.
Pirie farrier Wade Knight trained and drove Jonnynfry to the win race five for his partner Lee-Anne Ferguson.
Second was Rodney Wise-trained Tommy TheGun (driver Byron Hornhardt); third John Slok-trained Jin Sling (driver Michael Smith) and fourth the Gebert’s Star Legacy.
Race six, heat one of the Cooling Gel Pace over 2050m, was won by Pink Artiste for Lewiston trainer Shane Young with Gina Bell the driver.
Triple Dream Power, trained by Robinson, driven by Kearney and owned by AJ Tapp was second.
Local club members combined to bring home Tirano Bliss, with Stephen Papps the trainer and co-owner and Harvey the driver.
Short odds favourite Hilltop raider won race seven, the Hopkins Saddlery three-year-old pace over 1609 metres.
It was a family affair with Val Bain’s bay gelding trained by her son Peter and driven by her grandson Aaron Bain.
Port Broughton trainer Greg Sims trained second placed KatieSeelster, with Bradley Sims the driver, for the Lang family.
Third was Roll On Aces, trained and driven by Clinton Fuller for A J Fuller; with fourth going to Sallywynda, trained and driven by Knight, and owned by himself and his partner Lee-Anne Ferguson.
The final race on the card was won by Amberlu Me Me, trained by another Pirie club member, Andrew Linke, with Darren Billinger the driver.
Second was Young-trained Eleven Oh Seven (driver Bell); third Just Between Us, with Shance Osborn the co-owner as well as the trainer and driver; and fourth LetLoose Lombo for Pirie trainer Dominic Tattoli (driver W Knight).
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