Yarra Valley commenced the week on Monday, May 13, with a neat program in delightful conditions.
Kilmore part-owner, trainer, and driver George Schembri scored a big win with 6-year-old Hurrikane Kingcole-Lace Nation mare Paigethehurrikane in the Ashmores Smash Repairs Lilydale Pace over 1650m. Beginning fast from gate six to head off her polemark and stablemate Springfield Shadow, Paigethehurrikane was allowed to run and that she did, leaving her rivals standing on the final bend to record a 11.7m margin in advance of the heavily supported Treacheroustimes (three wide last lap from near last), with Nothing Sweeter (three pegs) running on late when clear 9.1m back after being held up approaching the home turn. The mile rate 1-58.3.
12-year-old Stonebridge Regal-Lotsasilkari gelding Lotakevi brought up two wins in succession by taking the Yarra Valley Party Hire Pace over 1650m for local Croydon part-owner and trainer John McGillivray in a mile rate of 1-56.9. Driven by Bolinda’s Chris Alford, Lotakevi was sent forward from gate six to cross the poleline leader Terroroan and rated a treat by one of the best in the business, ran out a 1.8m victor over Terroroan which used the sprint lane to no avail. Bus Stop (three pegs) finished fast for third when extricated away from the markers on turning to be a head away third. It was Lotakevi’s 19th success in 202 outings which include 50 placings.
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Bendigo was Tuesday’s venue and Rockbank owner and trainer Emmanuel Portelli’s American Ideal-Garta colt Scherger That was rewarded for consistency by winning the Pryde’s Easifeeds 2-year-olds Colts & Geldings Maiden Pace over 2150m. With Chris Alford in the sulky, Scherger Man began brilliantly from outside the front line to lead but when pressured by the hot favourite Schwarz on debut, elected to hand over the front running and trail. Using the sprint lane, Scherger That did best to prevail by a head and always looked like doing so. Coastal Drive after racing exposed from the bell was third 3.6m back. The mile rate 1-58.2.
Balliang trainer Tyrone Abela’s in-form Centurion Alm-Savoie filly All That Remains was an easy winner of the 2150m Results Financial Services Trotters Handicap over 2150m. Going forward after a fast beginning from 20m for Chris Alford to arrest the lead away from Straight To The Top (barrier three), All That Remains after being given a cosy passage recorded a 1.2m margin over Magic Law along the sprint lane from three pegs, with Straight To The Top hold third 2.4m back. The mile rate a comfortable 2-04.
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Shepparton raced on Wednesday and long-time passionate Kilmore breeder, owner, and trainer Bill Milner landed the Faye Goodman Trotters Mobile over 1690m with Love You-Auravale 6-year-old gelding Astro a winner of four from 66 outings going into the race. Driven by Romsey’s Chris Svanosio, Astro was given a sweet passage one/one from gate two on the second line as stablemate Luna led from the pole. Easing three wide on the final bend, Astro raced clear in the straight to record a 3.1m margin from another stablemate Tetra (one/two) with Christmas Babe holding third a head back after following the leader. The mile rate 2-02.8. It was Auravale’s sixth individual winner, the others being Frosty Vale (Band Of Chips – 2 wins), Wortherly (Yankee Paco – 3), Opia (Lawman – 25), Dellsun (Majestic Son – 14), Dee (Dejarmbro – 1) and Astro (Love You – 4). Bill puts in a lot of time selecting sires for his broodmares.
What a formidable combination Tyrone Abela and Chris Alford are, chalking up another winner after Aldebaran Eagle-El Gelato gelding El Tornado scored in the 1690m Helen Head 2-year-old Trotters Mobile. Starting from the extreme draw, Alford and El Tornado were off and running shortly after the start was effected to cross the leader I Am Hellbound (gate six) racing for the bell. Cruising to the wire 3.6m clear of I Am Hellbound which easily held second in a mile rate of 2-04.8. Majic Valley (three pegs – death seat last lap) was third 3.8m away.
On a night for the square gaiters, Chris Svanosio made it a driving double after Kiwi bred 4-year-old Royal Aspirations-Kiitos gelding Gracias put up a strong performance to take out the 1690m Torben & Kamma Sorensen Trotters Mobile in a rate of 1-58.8. Trained by Chris, Gracias starting outside the front line raced exposed for the entire trip outside the surprise leader Im Bobby (gate four) and after appearing to be struggling running into the final bend, rallied in the straight to gain the day by a half neck from Im Bobby, with Aldebaran Lodge (one/one from gate two) third 3.4m away.
Chris made it three when beautifully bred Majestic Son-Aleppo Midas gelding Hay Jet scored in the 1690 Margaret Kay 3-year-old Maiden Trotters Mobile when making his race debut. Going forward from gate six to park outside Distant Sun (Chris Alford), Hay Jet was strong at the finish, recording a 3.9m margin over the leader, with Aldebaran Marcus third 16.3m away. The mile rate 2-00.8.
Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley was successful with 5-year-old Father Patrick-Hot Pants entire Kyvalley Paint in the Alan & Pam Davis Trotters Mobile over 1690m. Driven by the stable’s Tristan Larsen who is having a ball in Oz, Kyvalley Paint went forward from gate four to park outside the speedy beginner Christmas Babe before gaining cover after Hurricane Jane (gate three) was trapped three wide and went forward to race exposed. Easing three wide running into the final bend, Kyvalley Paint ran home best to prevail by 1.1m from Avant Guard (three pegs – four wide home straight) which flashed late, Christmas Babe held third 3.8m away. The mile rate 2-02.2.
Popular Darraweit/Bolinda part-owner/trainer Alexandra Hurley and sister’s Fran (Adelaide) and El (Canberra) were winners when home bred 5-year-old Peak-Bras Dhonneur gelding Massif Central at start number 21 finally cracked it by taking the 1690m Brian & Mary Stoneham Maiden Trotters Mobile. Driven by James Herbertson, Massif Central was given a beaut trip one/one from the extreme draw as Jack Of All Trades crossed pole marker Sweet Maori Miss with Fremarks Peggy in the open cutting at one another all through the race. Easing three wide on the home turn, Massive Central ran home nicely to register an easy 9.2m margin over Jack Of All Trades who had no answer to his finish. Fremarks Peggy battled on gamely for third 3.1m back. The mile rate 2-03.
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At Geelong on Friday, another winner for Brent Lilley arrived when Muscle Mass-Nice One Kenny 6-year-old gelding Here Come Kyvalley driven by John Caldow landed the Evolution Lodge Trotters Handicap over 2570m. Beginning best from barrier three to lead, before surrendering to Wish Upona Dream which began brilliantly from 10m, Here Come Kyvalley after receiving a cosy passage was eased to the outside on the final bend and raced clear in the straight to score by 2.4m from Wish Upona Dream and Mielicki which followed the pair finishing 6.9m in arrears. The mile rate 2-05.4.
