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Experienced form analysts knew it was only a matter of time before Dark Glitter won another city race. The five year old mare needs a genuine speed and a few favours in her races, but some of her stakes level performances suggested she was well placed in Saturday’s Ranvet Hcp ( BM88) at Rosehill. The win provided the perfect tonic for trainer Mike Van Gestel who’s been battling health issues of late.

The patient Anna Roper “clicked” perfectly with the rangy mare, allowing her to balance up towards the tail of the field. Her decision to save ground on the fence around the turn was the winning move. She didn’t even think about peeling out until well in the straight. At the 300m Roper had Dark Glitter in clear air and building momentum. The mare fairly exploded off a fast pace and clearly demonstrated why she’d been placed four times at stakes level. Trainer Mike Van Gestel takes us through the fascinating Dark Glitter story.

Between two young daughters, a team of twenty horses to train and a commercial stable to run Grafton’s Samantha McGuren is one busy little lady. Sam turned to training in 2020 following a brief but successful career as a jockey on the NSW Northern Rivers.

Her training strike rate has subsequently maintained a healthy level with many of her winners being ridden by husband Matt McGuren who’s currently taking a short break from the rigours of the sweat box. Maclean born Samantha has been around horses from early childhood and has no plans to change that situation. The 35 year old joins us on the podcast to talk about her multiple roles as jockey, trainer, wife and mother.

We pay a belated tribute this week to legendary jockey and trainer Pat Hyland who passed away in early March after a lengthy illness. I spent a pleasant few hours with Pat and his wife Maree on their Cranbourne training property way back in 2000. Perhaps the fact that this interview is 26 years old might explain why we had to turn the Sky archives upside down to find it. Click “Racing History” on the main web page, and then click “Inside Racing” to find the interview.

Tappy

(Banner image courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.)