The Kilmore harness program scheduled for Thursday was transferred to Melton due to ongoing lighting problems at Kilmore.
A 10-event card took place with Kilmore duo Rita Burnett and daughter Monique winners when four-year-old Well Said-Mitzi M Hanover mare Mitzi Said was successful.
The raging $1.40 favourite, driven by Monique, won in the 1690-metre MC Security Pace.
Starting from gate three on the second line, Mitzi Said settled at the tail of the field as Direct Command led from gate four.
Going forward three-wide solo in the last lap, Mitzi Said sustained a long run to nose out the pacemaker right on the wire, with Lancefield hope Im Territorial using the sprint lane off the back of the leader to run third, 1.3 metres away. The mile rate 1-55.6.
The duo made it a double when six-year-old Shadow Play-Dancingwithjodi mare Shania Tee, raced by Patrick Mifsud, scored in the Jet Roofing Pace over 2180 metres.
Starting from the extreme draw, Shania Tee went forward three wide from three back in the last lap, similar to her stablemate, to lead on the final bend and register a strong nine-metre victory.
She ran home in advance of Emrites and Choose Reactor, which raced exposed finishing a nose away, third. The mile rate 1-58.1.
The Hip Pocket Workwear Maiden Trotters Mobile opened the program with Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley and neighbour Chis Alford victorious aboard four-year-old PegasusSpur-Happy Maori mare Maori Duchess – much to the delight of high profile owner/breeder Fred Crews.
She was taken back from outside the front line to possie one out, four back, as Tara Tuff led.
Trailing Heza Gunslinger three wide ahead of her in the last lap, Maori Duchess just got there by a half head to defeat Velvetnlace, which trailed the pacemaker easing three wide on the final bend.
Brookies Babe, after racing in the open and hitting the front on the home turn, was third 2.1 metres away. The mile rate 2-02.1.
Veteran octogenarian Graeme Whittle, trainer/driver of Amunet, an honest six-year-old daughter of Majestic Son and Melpark Sunrise, landed the Buds and Branches Florist Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres in a rate of 2-02.8.
Amunet led throughout to register a neck margin over stablemates Reigning Lillies, off a three-wide trail from three back last lap, with Whats The Tea flying home out wide for third a half neck back after trailing the stablemate home. It was Amunet’s sixth success in 64 outings.
Myrniong’s team Sugars – Jess and Greg – were successful with Darcys Fireball in the Carlton and United Breweries 3Y0 Maiden Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.
Other winners on the night were Carisbrook trainer Brett Shipway’s mare Black And Gold, having start number 145, and snaring an exciting 2180-metre C and M Build Group Trotters Mobile; short-priced favourite Sydneysider Tardelli, trained by Rickie Alchin at Menangle and driven by Abbey Sanderson, taking out the 2180-metre TAB Pace; and American Ideal-Indigenous filly Ynobe Dakota who easily won the 2180-metre Broadstead Kilmore 3Y0 Fillies Pace in 2-00.7.
Sutton Grange trainer Ross Graham, who had been in the money during the night with numerous placings, finally cracked it for a win when Used To Me-Pink Or Purple colt At The Distance was impressive in taking the O’Brien Electrical 3Y0 Maiden Trotters Mobile.
With Alford in the sulky, At The Distance, bred by Ross’ brother Leigh and raced by Emily Holmes, raced to the front on straightening to win by 2.5 metres from first starter That’s Dudley, with Southwind Chloe third 2.6 metres back. The rate 2-04.7.
The Georgina and Co Maiden Pace over 2180 metres closed the night out, with victory going to Nagambie trainer Danny Ferris’ four-year-old Art Major-Village Spy gelding Major Suspect, driven by Heathcote’s Sean O’Sullivan.
All roads lead to Kilmore on Friday for the long-standing $75,000 Kilmore Pacing Cup.
