Different Cup, same result!
LAST week we made a suggestion to Strathalbyn's committee, which turned out to be right on the mark.
Following the Kapunda Trotters' Cup, and before the Strathalbyn fields had been released, it was noted the club could save time by engraving the winning trainer's name on its Trotters' Cup.
Fast forward to last night's Strathalbyn meeting at Globe Derby and the result was as predicted.
Just as he has for the past few season's Hryhorec continued his domination of the squaregaiting features by securing the $20,000 event - this time with Aldebaran Dexta.
In 2022 Hryhorec became the first trainer in the nation to complete a clean sweep of a state's Trotters' Cups before being a regular on the dais in 2023.
Hryhorec then won four Cups in 2024, and now thanks to Aldebaran Dexta, the leading horsman has won five in 2025, including the Fred Jones, Kadina, Gawler Hambletonian and Kapunda Trotters' Cups.
"I've been fortunate to have had a bit of success in the Cups in recent years," Hryhorec said. "It helps when you've got the stock.
"This year we are having another great run and hopefully that can continue when he heads to the Port Pirie Final next weekend."
Driven by Mark Norman, Aldebaran Dexta began well from the pole to be settled behind Wishing Star, which dashed to the lead from three.
Enjoying the run of the race behind the front runner, the son of Aldebaran Eagle was angled away from the pegs to reach the lead along the back straight.
Proving too strong during the concluding stages, Aldebaran Dexta scored by three-and-a-half metres from his stablemate, Tweedledee, with Kyvalley Heist seven metres away third.
Rating 2:03.6 for the 2230-metre stand, Aldebaran Dexta provided Hryhorec with a Cup double after Hezrockinroyalty won the pacers' edition less than an hour earlier.
With Hryhorec holding the reins, Hezrockinroyalty rated 1:56.7 over 2230 metres as Springfield Affair and Aintsobad filled the placings.
"He got the right run and made the most of it," Hryhorec said. "He'll also go to Port Pirie next."
