By ‘Pegs’
Punters who back favourites were shy of the mark at Kilmore Racing Club’s turf meeting on Friday when not one public-elect greeted the judge on the eight-race card at Kilmore.
Kyneton trainer Liam Howley carried the flag for the district stables, saddling-up Highland Harley, $4.60, for a narrow win in the MC Labour Maiden Plate over 1607 metres.
After finishing a luckless third at Yarra Valley at his first run this month, the three-year-old gelded son of Highland Reel and Lady Of Sorrento got the judge’s nod in a photo to defeat the $3.70 favourite Monomakh by a short-half-head with Zasceed, $4.60, a further one and a quarter lengths away third.
The win was the first leg of a riding double for the in-form Blaike McDougall, who was also successful aboard the Lyn Tolson and Leonie Proctor-trained Tea Master, $5.
Highland Harley was a $100,000 purchase by Howley at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. The gelding is raced by the trainer in partnership with stable clients.
The gelding has had two minor placings prior to Friday’s win from his eight starts.
Have saddle will travel
Former Kilmore apprentice Blake Shinn is riding in career-best form at present.
It’s been a big nine days for the Melbourne Cup-winning hoop.
At Moonee Valley on Friday last week, he rode a winning double and backed-up with another winning double at Flemington the following day.
He flew to Launceston for the cup on Wednesday, and came a gallant third aboard the Annabel Neasham-trained Spirit Ridge. Shinn was successful on the program with the Adam Trinder-trained Jaguar Stone.
The following day he rode a winning double at Pakenham, and back at The Valley on Friday night – another double for Nick Ryan, and Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
On Saturday, he was at his best aboard Alligator Blood at Sandown Lakeside for the latter training duo in the Group 1 $752,000 Futurity Stakes defeating Mr Brightside and I’m Thunderstruck.
Following Saturday’s success, the Scobie Breasley Medallist flew back to Hong Kong, where he was based for three years. He rode at Sha Tin on Sunday, and was again victorious with a brilliant ride aboard the Casper Fownes-trained Straight Arrow, defeating the Jamie Kah mount Natural Storm.
Meetings coming up
Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club will host a meeting at bet365 Park Kyneton on Thursday. Kilmore will host a turf meeting the following Friday, March 10.
