KADINA horseman Tyson Linke still can’t believe it happened.
Linke’s homebred mare Encipher upstaged some of the biggest names in the sport to win the world’s richest harness race, the $2.1mil TAB Eureka, at Menangle on Saturday night.
The four-year-old was bred by Linke, a hobbyist owner, breeder and trainer, from his broodmare Our Cavort and he liked her so much as a youngster he “cold called” Australia’s top trainers, Ballarat-based duo Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin, and asked if they would train her.
“I didn’t know them. I’d never met them, but I wanted to give the filly every chance and they are the best,” Linke recalled. “I was a bit surprised and thrilled when they said they’d take her.
“It was the middle of Covid and I hadn’t even broken here, but sent her across. I’ve still got photos on my phone Clayton sent of him breaking her in.”
Some 27 races and 17 wins later, Encipher ran a world record time and became the first pacer in the world to win a $2.1mil race when she gunned-down Australia’s top pacer, Queensland sensation Leap To Fame, to win the inaugural TAB Eureka.
An emotional Linke said he could barely watch the race.
“I get nervous. I walked away from the crowd, halfway up the home straight to watch by myself. I couldn’t tell if she’d won or not from where I was,” he said.
“Has this really happened? I can’t believe it. I was just thrilled to have her in the race, to be part of the first TAB Eureka.”
Remarkably, Encipher only gained a start when another SA-bred and owned pacer, Cobber, succumbed to injury.
The strongly SA-connected slot owners Aaron Bain Racing & Summit Bloodstock quickly switched to Encipher when they needed a replacement.
“This race has brought the whole country together and, for us, SA having a bit part in it was very important,” Aaron Bain said. “To win it with Tyson and a mare he bred at home (Kadina) and who has won feature races in Adelaide as well … it’s just so special.”
Author: Adam Hamilton