An entertaining night of harness racing was held at Kilmore on Thursday November 28 with well-supported runners winning most of the eight events on the program and Bendigo based Ellen Tormey landing three.
Woodvale part-owner/trainer Brett Cole’s 7Y0 Somebeachsomewhere-Bring Her Back’s gelding Nai Harn Bay, who has been in great form since joining the stable last June, was victorious in the O’Brien Electrical Pace over 2180m. Driven by Ellen Tormey, Nai Harn Bay began fast, only to be caught in the open from gate five outside Surfsup (gate four) before pressing forward to assume control.
Rated to perfection, Nai Harn Bay defied all challengers to record a head margin in a slugging finish over Michen Roy which raced outside him from gate seven, with Surfsup holding third 4.2m away. The mile rate 1-58.6. It was Nai Harn Bay’s 13th success in 84 outings.
Popular Junortoun trainer Bruce Morgan’s speedy 7Y0 Four Starzzz Shark-Ruby Slippers’s mare Polly Peachum loves the short trips and chalked up her 14thvictory at start 133 when successful in the 1690m Buds and Branches Pace returning a mile rate of 1-59.8. Raced by Bruce in partnership with driver Tony Vlaeminck (also a Bendigo local), Polly Peachum, showing her usual gate speed, led all of the way from gate four to greet the judge 1.7m in advance of Hesaa Lister (gate three) which trailed using the sprint lane. Bettorsweetvictory (one/one from gate two) was third a half neck back.
Charlton duo Tori Hutchins (owner/trainer) and Luke Dunne (driver) were successful with 7Y0 A Rocknroll Dance-Rocky Bay Lass’s mare Itzok To Rock in the 2180m MC Security Pace. Flying away from gate four to lead, Itzok To Rock ran her rivals ragged after opening up a big lead through the middle stages, accounting for Final Bow (gate six) from last by 18.1m in 1-59.4. Illawong Phoenix battled on well for third from gate two on the second line after racing exposed, finishing 4.5m away.
Kialla owner/trainer Casey Leijen’s 5Y0 Guaranteed-Shamica’s gelding Karuma Kev gave Ellen Tormey a double after winning the C&M Group Build Pace over 2180m. Taken back from outside the front line as the start was affected to settle at the rear and as old timer Hair Razor crossed Celestial Daybreak (gate two), a 56 race winner which had led out. Going forward three wide solo in the last lap to join Celestial Daybreak which gained a freak inside passage prior to the home turn, the pair drew away from their rivals with Karuma Kev doing best to prevail by 4.2m. Tophut Johny, after going forward from the extreme draw to race in the open, held third 14.8m away. The mile rate 2-00.7.
The 2180m Carlton and United Breweries Pace saw Ellen Tormey bring up a driving treble after astute Kyabram trainer Mick Blackmore’s Betterthancheddar-Phirey Philtra’s 3Y0 gelding Hoorah Philtra registered his fourth success in 20 outings. Lobbing one/one from gate four trailing a hard pulling Rocco Americano (gate seven) which crossed the leader Blazing Shannon (gate three) at the bell, Hoorah Philtra raced exposed for the last lap, proving too tough for his rivals to register a 1.8m victory from polemarker Carramar Olam four wide home straight from four pegs, with Rocco Americano holding down third 1.6m back. The mile rate 2-00.2.
Riddell trainer Freddy Spiteri, who loves the square gaiters, combined with Bendigo’s Jack Laugher to snare the 1690m Jet Roofing Maiden Trotters Mobile with lightly raced Aldebarean Eagle-Biggies’s 4Y0 mare Arena Rock. Raced and bred by long time participant Stuart Ashby, Arena Rock, making his third race appearance, led throughout from gate four to score by a neck from Melbreh (one/one from the extreme draw), with Kyvalley Jenny (gate three) third 2.1m away third after following the runner up all of the way. The mile rate 2-03.
Bannockburn trainer Geoff Webster landed the TAB 2Y0 0-1 LTW Pace over 1690m with The Villain who was far from that, returning a mile rate of 1-59.3. Driven by Nathan Jack, The Villain, raced by Buckland Park Homestead, came out running from gate five to lead throughout, defeating Indi Party Mood (one/one from gate three) by 1.2m. G B Brave ran on late from five back in the running line for third 6.8m away. The raging hot favourite Ollies Medal raced rough at the start from gate two and again shortly after before settling outside the winner, but was a spent force in the back straight on the final occasion.
Bolinda’s Alison and Chris Alford sent punters home on a winning note when the well-supported 4Y0 Southwind Frank-Excellent Boko’s mare Aldebaran Brooke scored in the 1690m Beraldfo Coffee Trotters Mobile. Enjoying a cosy trip from gate four trailing Mojito Madness (gate three) which led, Aldebaran Brooke, bred and raced by Duncan McPherson’s Aldebaran Lodge Pty Ltd, angled away from his back on the final bend before running home stylishly to win by 11.4m untouched in a mile rate of 2-00.7 from Mojito Madness and Bitta Irish Luck from six pegs which ran on late to be a neck away third.
Kilmore will race again on December 12.
