Graham Fischer, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

The victory of Omnia at Globe Derby Park on Saturday, December 21, justified owner Tara-Shae Linke’s bold decision to pair her mare Consica with the American stallion Volstead.

Trained by Tara-Shae’s brother, Tyson Linke, and driven by Michael Smith, Omnia led throughout to win the Listed 2025 $20,000 Aldebaran Park 2YO Trotters Southern Cross Final (1800 metres). The filly won by two metres from Helpisfaraway, with Magical Madge a neck away in third.

The win marked the first of a feature double for the Linke family from Kadina. Later in the evening, Tara-Shae’s Coco Mia took out the 2025 $9999 Cobbitty Equine Farm 4YO & Older Mares Southern Cross Final (2230 metres).

Trained by Tyson Linke and well driven by Wayne Hill, Coco Mia sprinted strongly to win by four metres from Delightfull Tammy, with Laylas Princess finishing two metres back in third.

But it was Omnia’s win that sparked laughter among the Linke family.

Tyson Linke — who bred renowned champion mare Encipher — is known for his diligence in selecting stallions for the family’s broodmares.

He spent hours reviewing pedigrees before it was agreed that Consica would go to a French stallion.

However, at the last minute, Tara-Shae surprised her brother by sending Consica to Volstead instead.

By the time Tyson found out, it was too late.

The move proved inspired.

At the time, Volstead was an unproven sire standing at $3000.

Since then, he has delivered outstanding results from his first few crops and now stands for $16,500.

Saturday’s win came in just Omnia’s third career start.

Trainer Tyson Linke admitted it had been a tight turnaround to prepare her for the Southern Cross series.

“I felt we were about a week or two behind her rivals,” Linke said.

“She was a bit fat when she had her first run, and her fitness has steadily improved.

“She has never led in anything, even trackwork, so tonight was a bit different when Michael (Smith) was able to find the lead.

“She did everything right and was able to win.”

Linke said most of Omnia’s rivals were expected to return to Globe Derby Park this Saturday night for the $9999 2025 Parker Classic (1800 metres) for 2-year-old trotters.

Meanwhile, Coco Mia — bred and owned by Tara-Shae Linke — recorded her 14th win from 33 starts.

After starting from barrier six, driver Wayne Hill settled the 6-year-old mare towards the tail of the field.

He made a mid-race move to sit parked, before Delightfull Tammy went forward to take the position, giving Coco Mia a perfect trail.

She sprinted sharply over the final 400 metres to claim a strong win.

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 23 December 2025.