Donovan Cooper and horse Hello Hayley on their way to winning the $120,000 ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas on Saturday. Photo: MONICA TORETTO

By John Langford

Winton trainer Sophie Price experienced her career highlight when Hello Hayley won the $120,000 ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas on Saturday.

Hello Hayley came from last to chase down the second favourite Luna Capella (Anna Furlong) and claim victory in the feature race. Princess Reign finished third for Jason Coutts.

Sophie had added the blinkers to the Hello Youmzain filly’s gear-list in the hope of further sharpening her up.

Hello Hayley jumped out smartly from barrier nine before apprentice jockey Donovan Cooper eased her to the back of the 14 horse field.

Hello Hayley was a clear last at the 400m and Cooper had no choice but to hope for an inside run.

Cooper had also dropped his whip but Hello Hayley required no encouragement and showed her natural will to win.

Winning trainer Sophie Price.

She first showed her freakish finishing ability when winning on ‘Party Day’ at Ascot Park on December 13.

Sophie was having her first day back in her regular role of ‘Clerk of the Course’ today alongside fellow Winton rider Sarah Beck.

Sarah has been riding Hello Hayley in track-work this year while Sophie has been nursing a ruptured calf muscle.

Hello Hayley had one race up north as a 2yr-old for Lance Noble before Peter Forde arranged to have her sent down for Price to train in Winton. Forde set up a syndicate to race Hello Hayley on a two year lease from Cambridge Stud.

Smooth Operator won the $80,000 Olphert Contracting Invercargill Gold Cup for Timaru trainer Stephanie Faulkner and the horses’ band of owners.

The 6yr-old Turn Me Loose gelding finished third in this 2600m race last year behind Noble Knight.

Smooth Operator hadn’t been performing to the standard he was at last season but Faulkner was confident he had a big chance today with Tina Comignaghi on board from the ace barrier draw (1).

Tina did her part by slotting into an economical position soon after the start but Smooth Operator wasn’t comfortable behind the slow pace being set by Caffeinated.

Noble Knight took over the lead at the 400m but once Smooth Operator got a gap he cruised away to win by over six lengths.

Noble Knight (S Cunningham) was second ahead of Par Tee (L Beck) and the pacemaker Caffeinated (E Turner).