New Zealand owner Helen Conaghan celebrated her first classic win when Our Jimmie led throughout to win the Group 3 SA BOTRA South Australian Derby (2230m) at Globe Derby Park.
Trainer Brent Lilley supplied the Derby quinella when Our Jimmie ($2.50) scored an easy seven metre win from King Solomon ($1.70 favourite) with Jilliby Road Runner ($12.50), nine metres away third.
“There is not much between them and I knew when Anthony (driver Anthony Butt) was able to lead and dictate he would be the one to beat,” Lilley said.
“Both horses will go home and be set for the Victoria Derby but they have to keep stepping up.
“They have improved since coming from New Zealand but have a big step to take if they are going to be any chance of taking off the Victoria Derby.”
Butt virtually sealed the Derby when he could record 31.6 and 30.2 first quarters which made it near impossible for the three-year-olds back in the field to catch him coming home in 28.3 and 28.
For Ms Conaghan, from Christchurch, she was over the moon.
“I came into harness ownership about nine years ago, with my partner Paul Walton and we purchased the mare Trinity College for about $3000. She had only one start but we mated her with Big Jim and Our Jimmie is the result.
“He showed some ability at home but after talking with a few people we made the decision to send him across to Brent Lilley, himself a New Zealand, and it was a decision we have not regretted.”
Our Jimmie notched his seventh win from eight starts for Lilley with the Derby win.
“The horses seem to happy here,” Ms Conaghan said, “and there are meetings seven days a week.”
King Solomon and Jilliby Road Runner both ran well but found the winner too strong.
The South Australians were basically out of the race as they settled towards the rear of the field but Breach The Beach caught the eye late for trainer-driver Danielle Hill.
