Woorinen’s David Wills returned to the winner’s list as a trainer after a long time off the scene when eight-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Lombo Sleek Streak gelding Santa Casa Beach snared the 1700m Oringi Protection Wear Pace at Horsham on Monday.
First-up since December 2021 after breaking a pedal bone and being sidelined for a considerable time, Santa Casa Beach, formerly trained by Russell Jack for Swan Hill owner/breeders Todd and Wendy Rivett, was driven by Western District freelancer Lochie Cook and speared away from gate five to lead.
Travelling kindly throughout, Santa Casa Beach, a winner of 10 races with six placings from 32 outings (his last being at Melton on June 19th, 2021), led on turning but looked beaten when polemarker Hes All Torque used the sprint last to take a slender lead as the post approached.
Coming again under hard driving in the straight when angled off the back of Hes All Torque, Santa Casa Beach gained the lead in the shadows of the post to prevail by a half head from Young Bluey, who sprouted wings when clear over the final stages. Hes All Torque was a half-head away third in a thrilling finish.
The result was a tremendous one for the 64-year-old trainer.
Wills was a newcomer to the sport when he joined the Yarra Valley stable of magnificent conditioner Trevor Spry (Kings Mead, Roman Chapel and Apollo Shining to name just a few) and was successful aboard Paradeon, Marcelino (his best – 10 wins) Sea Charm and Astute Paul after shifting to the Swan Hill district where he purchased a fruit block and was very much involved in local footy.
His lifetime ambition has been to win a metropolitan race at harness headquarters Melton, and maybe Santa Casa Beach will be the horse to do it.
