IT was a mixed bag so far as results went at last Thursday’s Kilmore Trots program.
Veteran Bendigo trainer Bruce Morgan probably had the largest priced winner of his long career when speedy 8YO Four Starzzz Shark-Ruby Slippers, at odds of $51, led throughout in the Buds & Branches Florist Pace over 1690m. Driven by Liam Older, Polly Peacham, raced in partnership by Bruce and Tony Vlaeminck, began with her usual speed from gate six to lead throughout, just lasting by a head from Our True Colours (gate three on the second line), with polemarker Hurrikane Dusty using the sprint lane from three pegs, finishing third a nose away in a thrilling finish. The mile rate 1-56.7.
When your luck’s in, anything can happen, and Sutton Grange trainer Ross Graham can testify to this after winning a double with 5YO Used To Me-Sonoko mare Dossier taking the 2180m C & M Build Group Trotters Mobile, and 5YO Sweet Lou-Bettor Downunder mare Bettorsweetvictory securing the 1690m MC Security Pace. Bred and raced by twin brother Leigh with Ellen Tormey in the sulky, Dossier, after being trapped wide from gate three on the second line, went forward to be one/one at the bell as Charlie Walker (gate four) led. Easing three wide for the last lap, Dossier ran home stylishly to prevail by 1.2m from Manda Kyvalley which raced exposed, with Charlie Walker battling on gamely for third after having pressure applied approaching the final bend. The mile rate 2-05.
Bettorsweetvictory, backed as if there was no settling to run at $1.40, was sent forward from gate five by Josh Duggan after being trapped wide to lead from the bell, scoring by 7.4m from the early leader Alcatraz Girl (gate two), with polemarker Taste It, using the sprint lane from three pegs in the last lap, third 4.9m away. Raced by a large syndication, Bettorsweetvictory certainly was for connections returning a mile rate of 1-58.4.
Seven-year-old Auckland Reactor-Village Guest gelding Playnice backed in from $10 in the morning line to run at $2, justified the heavy support when successful in the Jet Roofing Pace over 1690m. Trained at Heathcote by Terry French, Playnice, driven by Murchison’s Ryan Sanderson, led throughout from gate four to win as he pleased by 18m in advance of a death-seating Tex Goes Bang (gate six) and Kimchi from last which rattled home for third 1.2m away. The mile rate 1-58.1.
Six-year-old Sunshine Beach-Sterita gelding Sunstar was rewarded for consistency when winning the Momentum Gaming Pace over 1690m. Trained at Pipers Creek (Kyneton) by Tony Xiriha and driven by son Ben, Sunstar, after beginning fast from gate four led throughout, just lasting by a half head from the raging hot favourite Poppy Wah Wah (three wide last lap from the tail). Black Cameo, which trailed the winner from the pole, was third 1.3m away. The mile rate 1-56.8.
The Carlton & United Breweries Pace over 1690m saw 8YO Stonebridge Regal-Maisie Mouse gelding Micton Mouse lead throughout for Burrumbeet trainer David Barbetti and reinsman Michael Bellman. Rated to perfection, Micton Mouse registered his 15th victory in 126 outings (29 placings), defeating Celestial Daybreak, which moved to race outside him at the bell by 1.8m in a mile rate of 1-59.3. Time After Time (one/three – three wide last lap) was third 4.1m back after starting from the extreme draw.
Melton trainer Mario Magri loves the trotters, and Volstead-Abbeys Idol filly Volsteadsdelight was successful in the 2180m TAB Trotters Mobile. Driven by John Caldow, Volsteadsdelight, at start number five, enjoyed a cosy trip from gate two following the leader Pique inside her before using the sprint lane to greet the judge 1.6m ahead of the most consistent Coconut Mickey (gate four), which raced uncovered. Hillwinsome ran home well off a three wide trail, on the back of the favourite Ringer Wells in the last lap from mid-field in the running line for third a head away. The mile rate 2-03.1.
Ross Creek trainer Stephen Clarke has been having a great run with his small but select team of late, and snared the Beraldo Coffee Trotters Mobile over 1690m with Love Who, a 7YO gelded son of Love You and Total Affirmation raced by dad Jim. Driven by daughter Reagan, who has done extremely well, Love Who from the pole trailed the pacemaker Christmas Babe (gate three), making full use of the sprint lane to gain the day by a head from Prohibited Grace out wide off a three wide trail from a mile back in the last lap, with Straight To The Top (three pegs from gate five) third a head away in another exciting finish. The mile rate 1-59.6.
The 1690m O’Brien Electrical 2YO Pace saw unbackable Sweet Lou-Our Little Artist colt Loucasso victorious when making his race debut. Driven by James Herbertson for the Stewart/Tonkin stable, Loucasso, after a three peg passage, moved to race in the open at the bell outside the leader Theyaskaboutkenny, which had flown away from outside the front line, before blitzing his rivals by 6.2m from Theyaskaboutkenny which didn’t shirk the issue. Usyk, starting solo on the second line, switched to the sprint lane on turning after racing two back in the moving line for third 26.8m back. The mile rate 1-57.4.
The Broadstead Kilmore Maiden Pace over 1690m went the way of American Ideal-Courageous Affair filly Ideal Affair. Trained and driven by Bannockburn’s Geoff Webster, Ideal Affair was eased to the tail from outside the front line as stablemate Major Crunch led from gate three, with the unbackable favourite Tuivasa on debut in the open from gate four. Giving chase in the last lap, Ideal Affair stretched out beautifully on straightening to blouse the favourite by 2m, returning a mile rate of 1-56.4. Major Crunch held third 13.2m away.
Kilmore will race again on Thursday, March 13.
