By Len Baker
The running of the 1690-metre Bendigo Bank Lancefield Pacing Cup and the Mustad Australia Lancefield Trotters Cup was the highlight of Kilmore’s harness meeting on Sunday.
Fourteen-year-old Bettors Delight-Tyalla gelding Baccarat, having start 270, was victorious in the Pacing Cup.
Baccarat is one of the large team of Tasmanian Ben Yole currently being trained in Kilmore under the care of Robbie Walters.
Driven by James Herbertson, Baccarat eased wide in the straight from a midfield inside trip to finish all over the top of his rivals and record a 1.1-metre margin from Abbie Lincoln along the sprint lane, which trailed the leader and stablemate Nifty Jolt who held down third. The mile rate 1-59.4.
The 2180-metre Trotters Cup saw heat winner Aldebaran Stevie, driven by Chris Svanosio, lead throughout from the pole to just last by a half head from the other heat winner Buslin Brody in a rate of 2-05.5.
Millee ran on late out wide after breaking mid-race to run third 11.7 metres back. The rate 2-05.5.
Leading was certainly the place to be on the night with several front runners saluting the judge.
Lemnos trainer Nathan Jack snared the quinella in the BRD Excavations 2Y0 and Older Maiden Pace with two-year-old Vincent-Miss Skeeter colt Hammer Dan, raced in partnership by Dominic Martello and Danny Zavitsanos, defeating first starter Chart Topper in a mile rate of 1-57.9.
Last week’s winner, four-year-old Yankee Spider-Bold Invasion gelding Sheetweb Weaver, ran his rivals ragged in the North Western Property Valuers Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.
Trained at Chiltern by Peter Romero and driven once again by Cameron Maggs, Sheetweb Weaver never looked like being caught, scoring by a huge 52.3 metres in advance of Stockman Peter. The mile rate an exceptional 2-00.3 for that grade.
The 2180-metre Quick Fix Services Pace went the way of long odds-on favourite Big Bad Ossie, a four-year-old Life Sign-Trulyawork Of Art trained in partnership by Kialla’s Stephen O’Donoghue and Rebecca Bartley.
Driven by Bec, Big Bad Ossie led all of the way from the pole to greet the judge 1.1 metres ahead of Well Said Harps, with Averio third 5.6 metres back. The mile rate 2-03.1.
Riddell trainer Chris Lang combined with John Caldow aboard seven-year-old gelding Don’t Touch The Duco to lead throughout in the Lancefield Bus Lines Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.
He accounted for Beau Garcon by 1.9 metres in 2-04.1. Downunder Barkers used the sprint lane for third 2.5 metres away.
Bolinda duo Alison and Chris Alford landed the 1690-metre Jet Roofing Pace (2nd Heat) with Maas Betting Again, a four-year-old daughter of Betting Line and Maastricht.
Racing exposed for most of the trip, Maas Betting Again was too tough at the business end of proceedings for Smiling Shandy along the sprint lane by a neck after trailing. Pacemaker Princess Chilla held third 5.1 metres back in a mile rate of 1-57.7.
Merrigum trainer Luke Bryant’s ex-Kiwi four-year-old gelding Franco Novelist was another all the way winner in the Lancefield Light Harness Club Pace over 1690 metres.
With Ellen Tormey in the sulky, Franco Novelist, having his second start in Australia, defied all challengers to score by 7.1 metres from Wingate Guy and Blissful Mind in a mile rate 1-57.5.
Ex-New Zealander four-year-old gelding Jaccka Connor, trained at Strathfieldsaye by Julie Douglas and driven by brother-in-law Daryl Douglas, also led most of the way from gate four to land the Carlton and United Breweries Pace over 1690 metres in 1-59.8, defeating Smooth Techy and Dancing With Flo.
The duo had earlier snared the 1690-metre Worlds Best Hoof Oil Vicbred Pace with six-year-old mare Shaded, who accounted for Magic Storm by three metres and Shes Lush third. The mile rate 1-57.8.
Kilmore’s next harness meeting is on Tuesday, February 28.
