Kilmore harness racing was held on Thursday, August 1, with an even eight event card taking place.
Followers of top reinsman James Herbertson were right on the ball when 10Y0 Life Sign-Total Truth’s gelding Nomorelying trained at Kialla by Stephen O’Donoghue, coming off an eye-catching third at his home track a week earlier, led throughout from gate three to street his rivals after being backed for bundles in the Buds & Branches Florist Pace over 2180m. Travelling easily, Nomorelying, a winner of six from 58 going into the race, kicked right away on turning to register a 9.2m margin untouched from Well Said Nugget along the sprint lane from four pegs, with Yankee Boot Flat third a nose away after trailing the winner from the pole. The rate 1-59.6.
Bannockburn trainer Geoff Webster and stable reinsman Connor Clarke were successful in taking the 1690m Hip Pocket Workwear 2Y0 Pace with The Villain, who certainly wasn’t on this occasion. Given an easy time three back in the moving line from gate three as Stormy Woods (gate four) crossed first starter Exclusive Hunter (gate two), The Villain (three wide solo last lap) did a good job to hold off G B Brave (one/one) who followed him home by 2.1m in a mile rate of 1-59.3. Exclusive Hustler used the sprint lane for third, finishing a half head away.
Kilmore should be congratulated for supporting the young drivers and 17-year-old Reagan Clarke, who was successful in landing the 2180m Jet Roofing Concessional Drivers Pace aboard in-form 3YO Rock N Roll HeavenIsabelle Delacour’s gelding Monsieur Flamel, trained at Ross Creek (Ballarat) by father Stephen who bred and races him. Fast away from gate five, Monsieur Flamel led throughout to easily account for Treacheroustimes (gate four) which trailed by 8.3m. Platinum Jive (one/three from the extreme draw) came off a three wide trail last lap on the back of Salsboy (one/two) for third 3m away. The mile rate 2-00.9.
Reagan was to also taste victory in the Georgina & Co Concession Drivers Pace with strong 7Y0 Art Major-Askmenow’s gelding Forgone Conclusion. Settling three back in the moving line as Stellar Queen led from gate two, Forgone Conclusion angled three wide at the bell, gradually creeping forward to tackle the leaders. Surging clear on the final bend, Forgone Conclusion raced away to record a 9.3m margin in 2-04.8 from Very Tempting (one/one) which dropped down to the sprint lane on turning. Icanmotor (one/three) after following the winner home was third 2.4m back.
The standing start trotting races are always exciting at Kilmore and the 2150m Beraldo Coffee Trotters Handicap was no exception, on what was a great night for the Clarke family, as both Connor and Reagan landed a double and Stephen three when 4Y0 Angus Hall-Countess Angelina’s gelding Sugar Daddy was victorious. In what was the ‘drive of the night’ by Connor, Sugar Daddy began safely from barrier three to go forward and take the lead away from Tetra shortly after the start, but when challenged by Majestic Connies after a fast beginning from 10m, wisely gave the front running away before pulling around him immediately to once again pilot the field. Given an easy time, Sugar Daddy couldn’t be caught, greeting the judge by 2.4m in advance of Salski (20m one/three – three wide last lap), with Soso Majestic (30m) third a head away. The mile rate 2-05.8.
It was an area victory to the finish of the 1690m O’Brien Electrical Pace when well supported 4Y0 A Rocknroll Dance-Kilfenora’s gelding Pablo Rocks, trained and driven by Romsey’s Chris Svanosio, greeted the judge. Despite racing exposed from gate five outside the well-backed Wayne Potter trained Protagonist (gate six), Pablo Rocks was too strong at the business end, registering a half head margin from Bizzness Class (one/two – three wide last lap) and Marty The Martian which trailed the leader and used the sprint lane for third a half neck back. The mile rate 1-57.3.
The Broadstead Kilmore Trotters Mobile saw another area winner when Riddell trainer/driver Chris Lang’s Bacardi Lindy-Maybelina’s gelding Bacardi Spirit was victorious, settling four back in the moving line from gate four on the second line after Silent Reverie came out running from gate six before handing over to Daley Waters, which was off and running as the start was affected from the extreme draw. When Chris Alford sent Aldebaran Campbell (one/four) forward three wide at the bell, Bacardi Spirit followed him forward and finished best to prevail by 6m in a mile rate of 2-03.2 from Kyvalley Paint (five pegs) which flashed late out wide. Silent Reverie used the sprint lane for third 1m back.
The 2180m MC Security 3Y0 and Older Pace saw heavily backed first starter Chasing Rex successful for the Myrniong team of Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars. A Betting Line-Viva Safari’s gelding bred and raced by the Bajada’s of Better Eclipse fame. Beginning with zest from outside the front line to cross Bet On Aces (gate five), Chasing Rex led for the majority of the journey, but had to fight hard to defy Ruth Shinn’s Anakin (last – three wide to breeze at the bell) also well supported by a head in a thrilling finish. Bet On Aces held third 10.2m away. The mile rate 2-02.4.
At Maryborough the day before, an elated Kilmore trainer/driver George Schembri provided a long shot winner when 13Y0 Real Desire- Ally Luvzit’s gelding Jedi Mind, having start 293 easily, defeated his rivals in the 1690m Peter Egan Bi-Rite Electrical Pace at odds of $34. Taken back to the rear from outside the front line with Mister Rebel (gate four) leading, Jedi Mind a 31-time winner, going into the race made ground out wide in the last lap before storming home down the centre of the track to record an astonishing 1.4m margin from Bettor Than Most (one/one last lap from gate five) in 2-00.1. Peppercorn Barry (one/three – three wide to outside the pacemaker at the bell was third 3.9m away).
Kilmore will race again Thursday, August 15.
