Kilmore trots were last Thursday April 24 – a night that remembered past local participants on the club’s annual honor night with seven races programmed.
Racing commenced with the Ken ‘Snowy’ Chapman Pace over 1690 metres taken out by the Ian Caruana (Bullengarook) raced and trained 6Y0 Somebeachsomewhere-Amarillen gelding Ima Terminator. Driven by John Caldow, Ima Terminator settled three back in the moving line from gate two with Major Manbar (Lian Older) a winner of sixteen races spearing across the field from outside the front line to lead. Going forward three wide racing for the bell to race parked for the final circuit, Ima Terminator showed plenty of heart to record a most impressive 1.1 metre margin over ex-Kiwi gelding Perun first up in Oz since December which flashed home from near last after starting from the extreme draw. Major Manbar held third 1.9 metres back. The rate was a slick 1:54.6.
The 1690 metre Bob Knight Memorial Pace went the way of Elphinstone part-owner/trainer Rob Brown’s 6Y0 Hurrikane Kingcole-Art For Art Sake gelding Hurrikane Dusty chalk up his seventh victory in 56 outings. Driven by Dunnstown’s Brent Murphy, Hurrikane Dusty began fast from gate four to park outside the leader Calypso Princess (gate three) which kicked up inside him. Gaining the upper hand in the straight on the final occasion, Hurrikane Dusty was tough in reaching the wire by a head from Majors Creek (one/two) starting outside the front line and 11 year old Budd Sidewinder (one/three after starting from gate two on the second line) a neck back third in a thrilling finish. The mile rate 1:56.9.
The Bob Cain Memorial 4Y0 and Older Maiden Pace over 1690 metres saw former Kilmore trainer Paul Weidenbach now based at Wahring in the Goulburn Valley victorious with 4Y0 Betting Line-Our Apachee Miss gelding Dashing Cowboy in a 1:58.6 rate. Driven by Murchison South’s Abby Sanderson, Dashing Cowboy enjoyed a sweet passage from gate four following Peppercorn Barry (gate two) which led, with David Miles sending Rollwithharty (gate two second line) forward from midfield in the running line to race outside the leader at the bell. Using the sprint lane, Dashing Cowboy raced clear over the concluding stages to score by 5.1 metres from Peppercorn Friday, with Rollwitharty holding down third 1.4 metres back.
The 2180 metre Vin Knight Memorial Pace was taken out by the Julie Anderson (Strathfieldsaye) trained 3Y0 gelding Ozzie Corka, a home bred son of Rock N Roll Heaven and Smooth Felicity raced by her parents Eric and Heather Anderson. Driven by Alby Ashwood, Ozzie Corka starting from the extreme draw slotted in beautifully one/one receiving the run of the race after stablemate Lou Will (Jack Laugher) exploded away from gate six to cross over. Pressured strongly by General Lincoln outside him approaching the bell, Lou Will eased for a breather allowing General Lincoln to take control. Angling three wide on the final bend, Ozzie Corka dashed away on turning to prevail by an easy 7.3 metres from Wichita Kansas (three pegs from gate two) along the sprint lane, with Lou Will using the sprint lane for third 5.8 metres away third. The mile rate 1:58.5.
The Leli & Mary Mifsud Memorial Pace over 1690 metres was a most popular victory for 5Y0 Flight Path-Makeitworthitjo mare Blackmirra giving Gippsland a winner. Part-owned and trained by Geoff Clout from Tyabb, Black Mirra (gate three) was given every opportunity by Greg Sugars trailing the pacemaker Cheys Angel which flew way from gate five. Angling off her back on turning, Blackmirra in a ding-dong duel all the way up the running received the judges nod by a nose in a tricky finish. Lady In Line starting outside the front line was third 12.4 metres away after going forward to race outside the leader. The mile rate 1:56.2.
Alby Ashwood brought up a double after driving one time ‘boss’ Long Forest trainer Andy Gath’s Betting Line-Ezee Duzit Lombo gelding Kyoretsu to victory in the Don Logie Memorial 3Y0 Maiden Pace over 1690 metres, leading throughout from the pole to score by 8.2 metres from stablemate Pistol Pearce (gate two one/one) and Whiskydrinkingbill (gate three) which galloped away ran home nicely from mid-field for third 2.8 metres back. The mile rate 1:58.3.
Racing concluded with the Roger Reeves Memorial 3Y0 Maiden Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres with the victor being Southwind Frank-Tiara Hall filly Tiara Gail for Marong trainer David Van Ryn returning a 2:06.7 mile rate. With Ellen Tormey in the sulky, Tiara Gail possied one/one from the pole as Pique scorched away from gate six to lead easily. Travelling strongly approaching the final bend, Pique went off stride allowing Princess Du Fer (gate three) which had moved to sit in the open for the last lap to dash clear with Tiara Gail (one/one) ready to issue a strong challenge which she did to blouse the leader by a head right on the wire. Amartey (one/two) after angling three wide on straightening was 2.9 metres away third.
*** Kilmore races again this Thursday.
