Reinsman keeps his drive behind Myrtle Beach

By Duane Ranger

John Ballin reckons he won’t be on the hunt for a new driver of veteran trotter Myrtle Beach any time soon.

It’s not that the Rosewood horseman chops and changes, or gets grumpy with who steers his Armbro Invasion mare.

Ballin owns, trains, drives, and bred the nine-year-old, who notched up her second career win in 44 starts at Albion Park last Friday.

Ballin sat patiently in the trail throughout the $6,590 Trotters Discretionary Handicap, and then sprinted late along the passing lane to get the decision right on the line.

“I thought I finished third because the others were rushing at us, it was a pleasant surprise,” Ballin said.

“She’s the only horse I’ve got in work and she’s done pretty well considering she never started racing until she was seven,” said Ballin.

The 59-year-old said he had been a hobby trainer for more than 40 years and was delighted that Myrtle Beach had now won her second race.

She also nailed a $13,000 QBRED bonus for winning race seven at Redcliffe on October 29.

“She likes Redcliffe but has really taken to Albion Park lately,” Ballin said.

“She placed here the start before, and it’s just so encouraging to see her do well after the severe drought we experienced.”

“Her mother was a nice pacer, she won four races and placed 23 times.

“Love Shack was actually dual-gaited and won two races trotting and two pacing, but this girl is strictly a trotter.”

Myrtle Beach’s dam was the 1997 Jeremy Lobell mare, Love Shack; she was the first foal out of Ballin’s 1991 Vanston Hanover mare, Love Game.

“Love Game actually left four foals, all of whom won four races or more,” Ballin said.

“Her third baby, the 2001 Jeremy Lobell mare named Cottonwood Valley was actually the best horse I’ve trained or driven.

“She won 12 races (14 placings) between August 2004 and November 2008, I had a lot of time for her and now her daughter’s foal is doing the business.

“I’m not saying Myrtle Beach is as good as Cottonwood Valley, but she’s still got a bit of time to prove herself further.

“She’s rising 10 now and I’ll keep racing her until she tells me she’s had enough, but I can see no reason why she can’t keep going next season.

“My breeding days are behind me, Love Shack is rising 23 and won’t go back to a stallion again - I’m just happy owning, training and driving them now.”

He said his next project was a relation of Myrtle Beach’s, who was foaled in November 2017.

“He’s a Grinfromeartoear yearling out of Cottonwood Valley and seems to be progressing along nicely,” Ballin said.

“I only ever have one or two in work, and I think this fella will be the last one I breed.

Myrtle Beach is a bit of a scatter brain, but Racing Queensland’s bonus scheme made me want to persevere with her and it’s worked wonders.”

Myrtle Beach trotted Friday’s 2,138m stand (off the front) in 2:45.2 (mile rate 2:04.4), with sectionals of 32, 30.6, 30.2, and 30.5.

She will line up again at Albion Park this Thursday, drawing three on the 20 metre handicap in the opening event at 11.37am.