Monegeetta trainer/driver David Miles was successful at his home track on Thursday when Art Major-Cyclone Kate’s filly Cyclone Bella greeted the judge in the 2180m TAB 3YO Maiden Pace.
Starting inside the second line as the heavily backed Clara Rocks on debut flew out from gate six to lead, Cyclone Bella had little trouble angling away from the marker to settle three back in the moving line.
There was a chain reaction mid-race when the leader appeared to prop and gallop checking those behind her, but quickly regained her gate.
Setting off solo three wide in the last lap, Cyclone Bella finished her race to register a 1.4m margin over a game death-seating Vincent Grange which fought on courageously, with Clare Rocks holding third 4.7m away. The mile rate 2-02.9.
On a great night’s racing, Tooleen trainer/driver Alby Ashwood landed the opening race—the O’Brien Electrical Pace over 1690m—with Rock N Roll World-Ashi Jetson’s gelding Jetter Son, a 2-year-old racing against his older rivals.
Starting from gate two on the second line, Jetter Son received a great run through the field at the start to settle three back before going forward three wide, approaching the bell to cross the leader Angel Of Anger (gate two), hitting the back straight on the final occasion.
Holding a margin all the way up the running, Jetter Son scored comfortably by 1.9m from Anakin (three wide from mid-field), racing for the bell with Surfsup third 9.1m back after racing exposed. The mile rate 1-55.2.
The 2180m Buds & Branches Florist Pace saw Heathcote owner/trainer Terry French victorious with 6YO Caribbean Blaster-Eternal Love’s mare Muriel.
With Ryan Sanderson in the sulky, Muriel led out from gate three before taking a trail on Self Exclusion (gate four) to enjoy the run of the race.
When stablemates Tex Goes Bang (gate two on the second line), which had moved to race exposed, and Tophat Johny (one/two—three wide last lap) poured on the pressure to the leader (another Ross Graham stablemate) running into the final bend, Muriel was poised to pounce. And that she did along the sprint lane to gain the day by 1.8m in a rate of 2-02.2 from Tophat Johny, with Tex Goes Bang holding third a head away.
Dunnstown’s David Murphy continued his recent run of luck when 4YO American Ideal-The Scream’s gelding Cincinatti led throughout from gate four in the 1690m MC Security 4YO & Older Pace, accounting for Balladoro (one/one at bell) and Trirockin (one/three—outside winner at bell). The margins 1.1m by a half head in a 1-58 mile rate.
Balliang trainer Tyrone Abela does an outstanding job with his trotters, and 5YO Love You-Maoris Got Muscle’s mare Fremarkstilly was impressive in taking the C&M Build Group 0-2 LTW Trotters Mobile over 1690m.
Starting from the extreme draw, Fremarkstilly—with local reinsman Josh Duggan in the sulky—gained a lovely three wide trail home from the rear on the back of Centurian Dream (one/two) in the last lap.
When taken four wide on the final bend, Fremarkstilly finished full of running to defeat Dossier, which raced uncovered from the bell in a 1-59.4 mile rate. Coconut Mickey (five pegs—one/one last lap) used the sprint lane for third 2.9m back.
Elphinstone part-owner/trainer Rob Brown used the services of Bendigo’s Lauren White to land the Jet Roofing Concessional Driver Pace over 1690m aboard 5YO Hurrikane Kingcole-Art For Arts Sake’s gelding Hurrikane Dusty, which after being rated to perfection, led all of the way from gate five to defeat a death-seating Monsieur Flamel by 1.3m and Eye See Amour (one/one —sprint lane on turning) who was a metre back third. The mile rate 1-56.1.
The Carlton & United Breweries Concession Driver Pace saw Allendale breeder/owner/trainer Adem Stephens’ 8YO Union Guy-Alberts Belle’s gelding Wingate Guy chalk up his 26th victory (41 placings) in 185 outings. Driven by Sunraysia’s Charli Masotti, Wingate Guy, after a perfect one/one trip from gate four, angled three wide on the home turn and ran home nicely to prevail by 1.4m from Talknplay, which followed the winner throughout from gate five.
Foregone Conclusion, after racing exposed from gate three, was third 2.5m back. The mile rate 2-00.1.
Ballarat (Mitchell Park) trainer Sam Barker combined with Allan McDonough to snare the 2180m Beraldo Coffee Pace with 3YO Sweet Lou-Roshani’s filly Remi Lou in a 1-59.7 mile rate.
Settling three pegs from gate five as Our Fire And Delight and Taylor Youl led from gate four, McDonough took the opportunity to come away from the inside and go forward to find the lead in a strung out field, shortly after the start.
Heading for home on turning with a handy lead, Remi Lou just lasted by a half head from Twisting By (one/two), which flashed late. Cotchinellie (four pegs—outside winner at the bell) was third 5.6m back.
There was a dramatic finish to the 2180m Broadstead Kilmore Trotters Mobile after 5YO mare Amour Maternal (Mick Barby—Ann-Maree Conroy), second up for two years, was relegated with the race going to Sutton Grange trainer Ross Graham’s 4YO Used To Me-Pink Or Purple’s gelding At The Distance.
Driven by James Herbertson, At The Distance (gate four) did all of the work in the race outside the poleline leader Kyvalley Picasso, but had his measure on turning with Amour Maternal (one/one from gate two) joining in three wide.
In a two-horse battle up the straight, Amour Maternal took a slender lead as the post arrived only to go off stride.
Under the ruling, should a horse gallop, it could be relegated if the margin is narrow—and it was by a neck, giving At The Distance the result, much to the dismay of Amour Maternal’s connections.
Mielicki (gate six) came from the tail, weaving between runners in the last lap, and used the sprint lane on turning for third 5.4m away. The mile rate 2-04.5.
To all of the readers of these summaries throughout the year, I hope you have enjoyed them, and I wish you a wonderful festive season!
Kilmore will race again on Boxing Day, December 26.
