Kilmore’s biggest feature of the year, the $75,000 (Group 2) Jet Roofing Kilmore Pacing Cup over 2690m was held last Friday which attracted a very strong field, the victor being ace NSW (Menangle) trainer Jason Grimson’s Victorian owned and bred 6Y0 Art Major-Macy Lila entire Major Moth.
Driven by stable reinsman Cameron Hart, Major Moth (gate five) raced four wide as the start was effected as polemarker Bulletproof Boy momentarily held the front running before allowing District Attorney a stablemate of the winner outside him from gate three to take control.
Not revved up to go forward, Major Moth had little trouble arresting the lead away from District Attorney entering the front straight on the first occasion. Off the track from outside the front line, Better Eclipse gradually worked forward to park in the open with two laps to travel. With no moves coming through the middle stages, it was Major Moth, District Attorney, Bulletproof Boy, Jilliby Jacksparrow, Helluva and Exotic Bushranger on the markers, with Better Eclipse occupying the ‘death-seat’, being trailed by Tango Tara (one/one), Triple Eight, Like A Wildfire, and Perfect Stride at the tail.
It was easily seen that the up front runners were going to control the race prior to the bell as District Attorney came away from the inside approaching the final bend to issue a challenge to his stablemate, Tango Tara struggling and Trip Eight, easing wide with Bulletproof Boy coming away from the markers on turning and Like A Wildfire easing wide.
Kicking clear on the home turn, Major Moth in sectionals of 30.2, 30.7, 27.8 and 27.5 for the final mile coasted to the wire 8.8 metres in advance of District Attorney, with Better Eclipse refusing to lie down a neck away third 1.9m back a metre ahead of Like A Wildfire in a mile rate of 1-58.3 which was .5 seconds faster than Better Eclipse’s 1-58.8 last year.
Raced by Maryborough’s Len and Irene Parker who have been involved in the sport for an eternity, Major Moth is now likely to contest the New Zealand Cup on November 12 while maybe the Victoria Cup next month.
It was a huge night for the Parkers as they also combined with Emma Stewart and Mark Pitt to land the 2180m Reg Withers Classic with home bred American Ideal-Flying Moth’s colt Meteor Moth ($3.70), flying away from outside the front line to lead and was never headed, accounting for Our Luciano (one/one from inside the second line) and the hot favourite Hes From Heaven which raced exposed from the extreme draw. The margins 2.2 by 2m in a mile rate of 1-57.6.
The standing start $25,000 MC Labour Kilmore Trotters Cup over the marathon journey of 3150m saw French bred Trixton-Gilly LB entire Callmethebreeze produce a brilliant performance to score. Trained by Andy Gath and driven by wife Kate, Callmethebreeze having his first ever standing start stepped beautifully from an equal 30m backmark as did Arcee Phoenix next door with both going forward and Arcee Phoenix tackling the leader Hatchback (barrier four) for the leading role and succeeding without a fight in the back straight on the first occasion. Callmethebreeze was then left uncovered for almost the entire trip being trailed by Parisian Artiste (20m), One Over All (30m) and Mufasa Metro (30m) with the roughies Blue Coman and Dels Destiny on the markers.
Rated well with no challengers throughout the race, Arcee Phoenix was tackled strongly by Callmethebreeze on the final bend which drew clear on turning to record a magnificent 9.6m margin over One Over All (one/two) who ran on well out wide, with Parisian Artiste (one/one) a grand third a neck away. Arcee Phoenix was fourth 3.3m back with Keayang Chucky (20m) after a bad beginning doing a lot of chasing for fifth a further 3m away.
Raced by Pat Driscoll Manager of Haras Des Trotteurs and Yabby Dam Farms, Callmethebreeze in quarters for the last mile of 31.3, 30.4, 28.1 and 28.7 following a lead time of 123.7 seconds returned a mile rate of 2-02.6 and is also likely to head for New Zealand to contest the Dominion Handicap on Cup Day.
Smart 4Y0 Rock N Roll Heaven-Ruby Slippers entire Layden ($6) was victorious in the C&M Build Group Pace over 2180m to open the meeting. Raced and trained by 88-year-old Charlie Attard, Layden, driven by James Herbertson, enjoyed the run of the race from the pole trailing Wendys Wish which began very fast from gate four to lead easily. Using the sprint lane on straightening, Layden put the race beyond doubt when registering a 4.3m margin over Rocknroll Walla (one/three –three wide last lap), with Wendys Wish third a half head away. The mile rate 1-58.3.
The J & A Mazzetti NMW Pace over 2180m went the way of local trainer Vince Vallelonga’s part-owned and trained 4Y0 Always B Miki-Golden Showfirl’s gelding Always The Showman at odds of $21.00. Driven by John Caldow, Always The Showman led throughout from gate four, defeating Animado which trailed from the pole by 2.9m in a two minute even mile rate. Terror Eyes (three pegs) also used the sprint lane for third a half neck away after locking wheels with the runner up.
Ecklin South trainer Paddy Lee combined with cousin Glen Craven to capture the TAB Trotters Mobile over 2180m with Keayang Gucci, a 4Y0 daughter of What The Hill and Showmethemaori who was ultra impressive. Slowly away from the pole to settle five back along the markers as locally trained Grumpy (gate six) began best to lead from another local Hephaestus Phoenix (gate four) with Dichotomy (gate two) going forward from just off the speed to move past the pair. Coming away from the markers racing for the bell to be four back in the moving line for the last lap, Keayang Gucci ($3.70) still well back on turning when taken wide to gain the day, reeled off a brilliant turn of speed to record a runaway 2.5m margin over Grumpy which held second, with Hephaestus Phoenix a metre back third. The mile rate 2-01.2.
Highly exciting 4Y0 Captain Treacherous-Keayang Secret’s gelding Keayang Tokyo a short priced $1.40 favourite trained by Marg Lee at Eckin South over 2180m justified the quote when winning the 7- Eleven Cup over 2180m with Lochie Cook in the sulky. Trapped wide from outside the front line as Roarforroscoe and Juanita Breen led from gate five, Keayang Tokyo was able to settle outside the leader looking vulnerable coming to the home turn with the leader travelling well. Showing what a good horse he is, Keayang Tokyo, giving plenty scored by a neck, with Bettor Isolate (four pegs) third after coming away from the inside in the last lap and angling very wide in the straight, rushing home for third a nose away in a thrilling finish. The mile rate 1-59.4.
Mitchellstown trainer Kylie Sugars used the services of brother Greg to land the 2180m O’Brien Electrical Trotters Mobile with honest 3Y0 filly Ikigai ($4.00). Beginning best from the pole, Ikigai was relentlessly pressured throughout by El Resamo (gate seven), but was meritorious to prevail by a half head from Aldebaran Acrux (one/one) which would have won in one more stride. Favourite Hes A Hammer three wide last lap from mid-field was third 2.7m away. The mile rate a respectable 2-00.6.
Kilmore will race again Thursday, October 10.
