Local winners at Kilmore Trots
Kilmore Harness Racing nine-card event was held last Thursday with most events even and open.
In the MC Security Pace over 1690 metres, Nanneella breeder and owners Col and Michelle Godden, were successful with 5Y0 Changeover-Starlit Orion gelding Epic Orion. Trained by Godden and driven by Kialla based Tasmyn Potter, Epic Orion began best from the pole to lead throughout, and kicking clear on the final bend to register a 2.9 metre winning margin over Burning Tickets who ran from gate two along the sprint lane from three pegs. Littleblabbermouth ran from gate three to place 4.7 metres after trailing the winner. The mile rate, 1-57.9.
In the 2180 metre O’Brien Electrical Pace, Potter ran up a double after driving the Julie Douglas (Strathfieldsaye) trained 4Y0 Betting Line-Picobello gelding Ozzie Punter to a tough victory, and racing exposed for most of the trip from the extreme draw, Ozzie Punter outstayed his rivals to prevail by 1.6 metres in 2-00.4. Coming second, Rocco Americano, running from gate three first up since January 2022 led after moving around City Rockstar. He ran from gate five shortly after the start, and he finished third, 3 metres back.
In the Happy Birthday Shelly Wicks Pace returning event, 7YO Sportswriter-Perfect Katie mare Hand Writer, snared the 1690 metres with a mile rate of 2-00.8 with Bendigo Driver Liam Older. Hand Writer started from gate two on the second line and settled mid-field in the moving line as Marianna Bromac led from the pole. Following up the well supported Friends (one/two) three wide in the last lap, Hand Writer was lucky to avoid trouble when Amber Alert in the breeze locked wheels with Friends outside him prior to the home turn causing a chain reaction to those following. Finishing best, Hand Writer scored by 3.6 metres over Marianna Bromac and Self Exclusion which followed the winner home from the tail a head away. The mile rate, 2-00.8.
In the TAB Pace over 1690 metres, Heathcote trainer Jim O’Sullivan combined with son Sean aboard 6Y0 Auckland Reactor-More Glory gelding Atomic Glory and ran home first. Beginning fast to lead from gate two, Atomic Glory was eased to allow Olly Odd Potts who ran out of gate four to take over giving him the run of the race. Using the sprint lane, Atomic Glory was too slick at the finish to record a 1.7 metre victory over Olly Odd Potts and Royal Edard raced exposed from outside the front line battling away for a 1.9 metre third place. The mile rate, 1-59.8.
The Kilmore Men’s Shed 3Y0 Maiden Pace over 1690 metres was a blow out for punters when Yankee Babe at odds of $26.00 defeated $81.00 chance Altius in a mile rate of 1-59.3, in a race that changed complexion in the last lap after Watching Over Us who ran from gate six after racing uncovered, raced past the front runner My Uptown Girl who ran from gate five which had crossed Lombook who ran from gate two. Yankee Babe came with a strong burst along the sprint lane from the tail on turning to blouse Altius (three pegs) along the sprint lane by a half head only in a thrilling finale, with Lilstrepo also coming from the rear to be third 2.2 metres away. A daughter of Yankee Rockstar and Mary Mon trained at Henty (NSW) by Brooke McPherson and driven by partner Tom Gilligan. Yankee Babe returned a mile rate of 1-59.3.
In the C + M Build Group 4YO and Older Maiden Pace-1690 metres, Wallan mother and son Ruth (trainer) and Chris Shinn (driver) scored a well overdue victory with 4Y0 Sweet Lou-Elenora gelding Alamo Bred and raced by husband Noel, Alamo at start number 21 after going forward from gate five was able to cross polemarker Waltzing With Nana shortly after the start before leading throughout to greet the judge by a half neck in a rate of 1-59.9 from Goodtime Mae which raced outside him from gate six and wouldn’t relent. Waltzing With Nana held third 2.5 metres back.
In the 2180 metre Jet Roofing 0-2 LTW Pace, Goornong’s Peter Salathiel was successful with Always B Miki-Foxy gelding Kitsune in a mile rate of 1-59. Going forward from gate four to lob outside the leader Shazza Love who ran from gate three. Kitsune ended up three back in the moving line as both Vince Lombardi who ran from gate five and Lenie who ran from gate seven went forward to take turns in occupying the position outside the pacemaker. Easing four-wide on the final bend, Kitsuni ran home stylishly to register a 1.1 metre margin over Leniu which took over prior to the home turn and fought on bravely. Half Price Bride (four pegs from the extreme draw) used the sprint lane for third 4.9 metres back in a mile rate of 1-59. Peter received all of the spoils in the race as he bred, races, trains and drives the winner.
In the Buds and Branches Florist Pace, heavily supported Sweet Lou-Sapphire Lil filly Bubby To Base despite racing exposed from gate five outside the short priced poleline leader Pete Mitchell, was too tough at the finish. Trained by Tayla Nicholson and driven by husband Zac Phillips they have only recently moved into the Kialla training base. Bubby To Base travelled beautifully, recording an easy 6.8 metre margin over the pacemaker. Sports Narrator- three pegs from gate six, was third a half head away after flashing late along the sprint lane. The mile rate, 2-00.5.
In the evening’s final race, the 2180 metre Broadstead Kilmore Pace, 10Y0 free legged Art Major-Markleigh Princess mare Markleigh Caz proved too good for her rivals in a mile rate of 2-02. Trained at Charlton by Michael Gadsden and driven by James Herbertson, (who had to wait for the last event to notch up a winner), Markleigh Caz was taken back at the start from outside the front line to settle at the rear with last start Shepparton winner Fremont Street leading from gate two. Moving four wide on the final bend, Markleigh Caz swamped her rivals as the post drew close, winning easily by 8.4 metres from Favouritehighlight, one/one and a three wide home turn, with Japanese Miki a game third 2.7 metres away after racing uncovered from gate three.
Kilmore harness races will return on November, 14.