Kilmore held an interesting nine race card on Thursday, January 9, with mixed results throughout the night.
Riddell co-trainers Chris Lang and Sonia Mahar were successful with 4YO Majestic Son-Gloriadon’s gelding Heza Gun in the 2180m Buds & Branches Florist 0-1 LTW Trotters Mobile.
Raced by a big syndicate headed by Sonia, Heza Gun, driven by Chris, was first up since May and starting from gate two, led throughout to comfortably score by 5.9m in a rate of 2-01.5 from Coconut Mickey (gate six) which stuck on well after racing exposed for the last lap. Watts Up Raptor (gate four) was third 2.1m back from three pegs.
Parwan trainer Jodi Quinlan snared the quinella in the TAB Pace over 1690m when 6YO Betting Line-Parfait Amour’s gelding Eye See Amour defeated stablemate Lady In Line by a nose in a tricky finish.
Driven by Taylor Ford, Eye See Amour, a winner at the previous Kilmore meeting in December, settled four back in the moving line from the extreme draw with Lady In Line trailing the poleline leader, and Wallan hope Aberdene from gate two on the second line.
Using the sprint lane, Lady In Line with Jodi in the sulky dashed clear as the post came up, looking all over a winner with Eye See Amour angling wide and flashing late to prevail. Aberdeen held down third 3.7m back. The mile rate 1-55.6.
The 1690m MC Security Pace saw Ross Creek trainer Stephen Clarke and daughter Reagan gain the prize after tough-staying 8YO Art Major-Askmenow’s gelding Foregone Conclusion greeted the judge in a 1-59.7 mile rate.
Despite racing uncovered from gate three, Foregone Conclusion was much too strong at the finish, scoring by 1.8m over Hand Writer (one/one) and John Vincent which led finishing 2m away. It was Foregone Conclusion’s 15th victory at start number 132.
Ultra consistent 9YO Bettors Delight-Eastern Lookout’s gelding Tex Goes Bang did exactly that in the 1690m C&M Build Group Pace.
Driven by James Herbertson, Tex Goes Bang at start 101 (7 wins) enjoyed a cosy trip three back in the moving line from the extreme draw, and after easing three wide on the final bend, ran home to record a 3.7m victory over Shezabluechip (one/one) and Favourite Highlight (one/four) three wide last lap who was third 2.6m back. The mile rate 1-57.9.
The large Strathfieldsaye stable of Julie Anderson is always hard to hold out in any race they contest, and 5YO Always B Miki-Sonnie Mahoney’s gelding Miki Mahoney snared the Jet Roofing NMW Pace over 2180m.
Driven by Ellen Tormey, Miki Mahoney (one/one) from gate two was shuffled back a spot mid-race as David Miles vacated a one/two position mid-race to go forward three wide and join the pacemaker Illustrious (gate four) prior to the bell.
Although three wide in the last lap, Miki Mahoney outstayed his rivals and scored by a half head in a rate of 1-58.8 from Most Triumphant after a head-to-head battle all the way up the running.
Cotchenellie (one/three) from gate six was third 1.8m back after following the winner home.
The 2180m O’Brien Electrical Pace went the way of Parwan owner/trainer Paul Parsons’ 7YO For A Reason-Esthers Light’s mare our Bella Lucia, giving Herbie a double.
Given every opportunity one/one from gate two as I’m Wesley inside her led, Bella Lucia, angling three wide and appearing to be under pressure on the home turn, rallied in the straight to register a head margin over Edwarde Grange along the sprint lane after trailing from a solo second line draw which looked likely to score as the post loomed. Im Wesley held third 1.3m away. The mile rate 1-59.5.
It would be unthinkable for Bolinda’s Chris Alford to go home from a Kilmore meeting without a winner, and the ice broke when Brent Lilley’s Frosty Girl, a 5YO daughter of Royal Aspirations and Makarewa Jill landed the Momentum Gaming Trotters Mobile over 2180m.
Settling four back in the moving line from a solo second line draw, Frosty Girl bided her time as Mont Sally flew out from gate six to lead.
Set alight in the last lap to join the leader, Frosty Girl raced clear on the final bend with Dossier after following in pursuit, but couldn’t make up the leeway to go down by 6.7m. Gil Favor (one/two) was third for local Aussie Mifsud 14.8m away. The mile rate 2-02.4.
Long Forest trainer Andy Gath’s Art Major-Blissful Night’s colt Imperial Night was the easiest winner of the night when victorious in the 1690m Beraldo Coffee 3YO Maiden Pace, leading throughout from the pole with wife Kate in the sulky.
Given an easy time, Imperial Night, raced by long time stable client Norm Jenkin, cruised to the wire 3.6m in advance of Miss Joplin (gate four) which trailed for Lancefield’s Rod Petroff. Loubell (gate five), after a rough beginning, made up plenty of ground from last for Wallan duo Ruth and Chris Shinn to finish third 7.3m away. The mile rate 1-58.8.
The Carlton & United Breweries 4YO & Older Maiden Pace over 2180m saw Bunbartha trainer John Newberry combine with son Matt to land the cash with Alta Christiano-Enerjetic 4YO’s mare Altatude in 1-59.9.
Enjoying a lovely trail from the pole following the long odds-on favourite Watching Over Us which led from gate two, Altatude, bred and raced by John and wife Maree, used the sprint lane to perfection, winning by 2.8m from Obsydian (four pegs–three wide home straight) and La Betty one/one last lap from the rear who was 2.7m back.
Kilmore will race again on Thursday, January 23.
