Tuesday: Bendigo
Kilmore trainer and driver Monique Burnett was another to utilise the sprint lane when taking the Gold Central Victoria Pace over 1650m aboard Alta Christiano-Queenofbroadway’s filly Itz Normas Last. Raced by Shepparton’s Wayne Potter, Itz Normas Last was best to begin from the pole before handing over to Terror The Christian (gate four) with Hameldaeme (gate five) going forward to lead up the outside division. Using the sprint lane as the leader shifted ground, Itz Normas Last scored by 2.9m in a rate of 1-56.5 from Emily Vincent (one/two – four wide home turn) and Hameldaeme who fought on courageously for third 4.7m back.
Wednesday: Melton
Romsey’s Chris Svanosio combined with Taylor Youl to capture the 2240m Centre State Printing Maiden Trotters Mobile with Sebastian K-Hush Your Majesty’s filly Daley Waters, much to the delight of Sunraysia’s Geoff Lucas and partners. Going forward three wide from gate two on the second line, Daley Waters first up since December last, had little trouble in taking the lead away from polemarker Mysterious Prince and scored easily by 11.9m from a death-seating Hillwinsome and Ultimate Tess (one/two) who was 2.6m away third. The mile rate 2-01.8.
Thursday: Melton
Riddell co-trainers Chris Lang and Sonia Mahar landed the Need For Speed Noms Now Open Trotters Mobile over 1720m with Majestic Son-Delightful Poppin’s 4Y0 gelding Majestic Mover. Driven by Chris, Majestic Mover, starting from the extreme draw, settled with most of the field ahead of him as Basilica (gate six) crossed Highpoint (gate four) on the first turn who had crossed Desert Assassin (gate five). Setting solo three wide in the last lap, Majestic Mover was tough at the finish, defeating Imperial Whiz who followed him home by a half neck. Highpoint held third a nose away. The mile rate 1-58.7.
Romsey part-owner and trainer Neil Rowley pulled off a hefty plunge when 5Y0 Kvintet Avenger-Atego Lilly’s mare Atego Dawn was a tough winner of the Melton City Council Trotters Mobile over 1720m. Driven by Lancefield’s Rod Petroff, Atego Dawn, after a slow beginning from gate three, was sent forward when balanced to park outsider the leader Ivar (gate five). With Petroff setting the tempo to suit, Atego Dawn ($8.00 in the morning line to start a $2.90 favourite) outstayed her rivals to score by 1.7m from Against The Bridle (one/three – three wide last lap) and Kellybush along the sprint lane from behind the weakening pacemaker to be 4.9m away third. The mile rate 2-02.
Bolinda trainer Vince Vallelonga made a welcome return to the winners list after 3Y0 Southwind Frank-Naked Majesty’s gelding Aldebaran Marcus (Ellen Tormey) led throughout from gate three in the Mimosa Homes Trotters Mobile again over 1720m. Allowed to bowl, Aldebaran Marcus never looked like being caught, greeting the judge 6.4m clear of Chris Svanosio’s Aldebaran Marshall from mid-field giving Duncan McPherson’s Aldebaran Lodge the quinella. Joey Bee was third at 2.9m back after trailing the winner. The mile rate 2-02.1.
Neighbour Brent Lilley snared the 1720m Allied Express Trotters Maiden with 3Y0 Skyvalley-Kyvalley Café’s filly Kyvalley Misty in a 2-01.5 mile rate. Driven by Chris Alford, Kyvalley Misty, after being trapped wide from outside the front line, was able to drop to the back of the leader Kaotic Flair (gate three) entering the straight for the bell after Alabama Delta galloped on the first turn. Relegated to three back as Rouge Queen showed a brilliant turn of speed to take over heading into the back straight, Alford came away from the markers to join the leader and raced clear shortly after to prevail by a half head from Kaotic Flair along the sprint lane who sprouted wings over the concluding stages. Co Du Granon was third at 7m back after racing wide.
Friday: Mildura
Vince Vallelonga, formerly from Sunraysia, made the trip home on Friday to contest the 2190m Signs And Print Pace with 4Y0 Always B Miki-Golden Showgirl’s gelding Always The Showman and came home happy after being victorious. Driven by Ellen Tormey, Always The Showman was wide from gate six being restrained to the rear before going forward to take over from Champagne Stride (gate two) with two laps to travel, and after an easy time had too much in the locker for Le Spartacus (five pegs) and Go Joe (three pegs) in a 1-59.7 mile rate. The margins 21.1 by 2m.
Friday: Shepparton
Bolinda’s Alison Alford combined with husband Chris to land a double with 4Y0 Southwind Frank-Excellent Boko’s mare Aldebaran Brooke in the Your Sold Real Estate Mares mobile over 1690m and Skyvalley-Starcus’ filly Link In Bio the JDC Contractors 3Y0 Trotters Mobile over the same distance. Aldebaran Brooke starting from the extreme draw was off and running to cross Christmas Babe racing for the bell to score by 3.8m from Belle Neige (one/two) who moved swiftly to join her running into the final bend. Black And Gold, after spending most of the race exposed, battled on gamely for third 8.3m back. The mile rate two minutes even. Link In Bio (gate five) began fast to cross polemarker Magic Law and lead throughout, accounting for Sky Lindy (three pegs) who finished fast. Magic Law held third 1.7m away. The mile rate 2-02.1.
Melton: Saturday
The Lilley/Alford combination were successful with Bonny NZ raced and bred 4Y0 Creatine-Gina’s mare Virginia Clowers in the Logical Staffing Solutions Trotters Handicap over the long 2760m trip. Starting from 20m Virginia Clowers stepped cleanly to be mid-field and when noted sit/sprinter Zarem (10m) ahead of her went forward to take the lead away from Son Of A Sun (barrier five), Alford immediately was off and running to assume control. Travelling beautifully, Virginia Clowers cruised to the wire 8.3m in advance of Zarem, with Son Of A Sun 1.2m back in third place. The mile rate 2-03.1.
