A mixed night of harness racing was held at Kilmore on Thursday, November 14, with fast times the order of the night.
Toolern Vale trainer Andy Gath combined with Chris Alford to land the opening race of the evening—the 1690m C&M Build Pace with ex-Kiwi Nakula, a 3Y0 daughter of Bettors Delight and Nicky’s Last, leading throughout from the pole to score by 3.1m in advance of Interpretation, which trailed from the pole with Pablo Rocks (one/four—three wide last lap) third 3.8m back. The mile rate 1-57.2.
The Pastor Stephen Standing at Llowalong Farms Pace over 1690m saw Ross Creek trainer Stephen Clarke combine with son Connor aboard tough 7Y0 Art Major-Askmenow’s gelding Forgone Conclusion in a mile rate of 1-58.6. Settling three back in the moving line from gate two, Forgone Conclusion was eased three wide in the last lap sustaining a long run to prevail by a neck from Atomic Glory (one/one from gate four), with Final Bow third off a three wide trail on the back of the winner 3.1m away.
Sutton Grange trainer Ross Graham snared the quinella in the 1690m C&M Group Pace with much travelled 8Y0 Bettors Delight-Eastern Lookout’s gelding Tex Goes Bang defeating Hair Razor in a thrilling finish. Driven by Chris Alford, Tex Goes Bang moved forward from mid-field to race outside the pacemaker Fake Collection (gate seven), racing for the bell. In a punishing finish, Tex Goes Bang just lasted from Hair Razor (one/three—three wide trail last lap) by a head, with Royal Ezard (one/two—three wide last lap) third a nose away. The rate 2-00.3.
Popular Darraweit part-owner/trainer Alexandra Hurley and partners were victorious with Alta Christiano-Tourbillon Dargent’s gelding Altius in the 1690m Downbytheseaside Standing at Woodlands Stud 3Y0 Maiden Pace. Driven by neighbour Tristan Larsen, Altius, narrowly beaten at his only start on October 10, did it tough but did it well after racing exposed from gate three, kicking away on turning to register a strong 3.2m margin from Maxi Bomber (four pegs) which ran on late when taken into the clear. Another Puddin (gate six) was third 4.5m away after crossing to lead at the bell. The mile rate 2-00.9.
Bendigo listed Michael Laugher combined with Murchison based Abby Sanderson to capture the 1690m O’Brien Electrical Pace with 9Y0 Mr Feelgood-Viking Beachgirl’s gelding Feel The Reign returning a mile rate of 1-57.5. Settling one/one from gate three, Feel The Reign ran home with a wet sail to blouse Lisa Miles’ Ninedolla Toastie (one/two—three wide home turn) which led shortly after by 2.1m. Michen Roy (gate seven), after racing uncovered, was third 5.2m back.
The Jet Roofing Pace over 2180m saw Wallan’s Ruth Shinn successful with heavily-backed homebred Downbytheseaside-Alina’s 3Y0 gelding Anakin in a mile rate of 2-01.7. Driven on this occasion by James Herbertson, Anakin led all of the way from gate four to run out an easy 6.9m victory over Bronski Royal (one/two—three wide last lap), to join him on the home turn. Lorimermajor ran his usual honest race for third after trailing the leader a half neck away.
Bolinda trainer/driver Lisa Miles’ 5Y0 Bacardi Lindy-Meridth Castle’s gelding Destrier was a convincing winner of the 2180m Standardbreds For Breast Cancer 0-2 LTW Trotters Mobile. Given every opportunity one/one after easing away from the inside of the second line, Destrier sprinted sharply three wide in the last lap to lead on the final bend and score by 16.9m in a 2-03 mile rate from Brent Lilley’s Prohibited Bid (one/two—three wide home turn) and You Got Me Good (gate four) which led finishing 6.5m back.
Tooleen trainer/driver Alby Ashwood’s 4Y0 Major In Art-Special Ball’s gelding Likable Rouge brought up four wins in succession when greeting the judge by 5.5m in the TAB Pace over 2180m.
Suited by the slick tempo when polemarker Montana Pride was challenged relentlessly by Regal Rock (gate seven) who eventually crossed, Likable Rogue trailed Hurrikane Dusty ahead of him forward in the last lap before sweeping to the front in the straight to win as he pleased. Hurrikane Dusty was a game second, with Montana Pride using the sprint lane for third 5.5m away. The mile rate 2-00.3.
The Buds & Branches Florist 4Y0 & Older Maiden Pace over 2180m concluded the night with Alby Ashwood chalking up a double after La Frank swamped his rivals from last. Starting solo on the second line, La Frank possied three pegs in a slowly run affair, with no option but to be restrained to the rear of the field to get a crack at the leaders Miss Magik (gate four) and Sweet Face (gate six). Checked when going in between runners halfway along the back straight, La Frank’s chances looked forlorn on turning, but rattled home at 100 miles an hour out wide to prevail by 2.3m running away from Imagunnarestandgo (four wide last lap from the tail). Miss Magik held third 5.7m back. The rate 2-05.5.
Kilmore will race again on November 28.
