Kilmore’s second night of paying homage to past district competitors was held last Thursday, with the races named after JP (Jack) McKay, Jack Knight, Dick Barber, Allan Knight, Charles Bell and Don Dove on a six-race program where times were quick.
The JP McKay Memorial Pace commenced the program with Plumpton trainer/driver Paul Grech’s 6YO Camlach-Christmas Cleo gelding Popcorn Friday the victor. Settling near last from gate three on the second line, Popcorn Friday who had six wins to his credit followed Hittheroadjack (gate four second line) forward from four back in the last lap to make the home turn very wide, before flashing down the extreme outside of the track on turning to record a nose decision over Olivia Rose (gate two) along the sprint lane after trailing the poleline pacemaker Hurrikane Dusty. Hittheroadjack was third a head away after trailing the well backed Handler from well back forward prior to the home turn. In a thriiling finish Hittheroadjack was third a head away. The mile rate was 1:55.8.
The Jack Knight Memorial Cranbourne 7000 Pace (first heat) over 1690 metres was another close finish with Coimadai trainer Anthony Spiteri combining with Adrian Pace aboard 7Y0 Falcon Seelster-Lorimerjane gelding Caruso Star in a mile rate of 1:57.5. Taken back from outside the front line to settle five back in the moving line as Highview Hammer led from gate five, Caruso Star who had eight wins to his credit gained a lovely three wide trail home on the back of last week’s Kilmore winner Blackmirra which had made a long run from the tail. Sweeping on the leaders out wide on turning, Caruso Star bloused a sprint laning Isolation (three pegs) from inside the second line to gain the decision by a head. Yankee Mojoh was third 6.9 metres back after racing exposed from gate three.
Elliminyt (Western District) part-owner/trainer Julie Brimacombe landed the 2180 metre Dick Barber Memorial Pace with 6YO Tintin In America-Hula Gold mare Ittakesluv giving Dunnstown’s Brent Murphy another winner for the week. Beginning best to lead from gate three, Ittakesluv defied all challengers to just last by a head from Onecrowdedhour (one/two from inside the second line which ran on strongly out wide on turning. Littheblabbermouth (gate four) was third a head back after racing to the front on the final bend after facing the breeze. The mile rate was 2:01.7.
Nine-year-old Bettors Delight-Eastern Lookout gelding Tex Goes Bang trained at Sutton Grange by Ross Graham chalked up his 10th success at start 114 when greeting the judge in the 2180 metre Allan Knight Memorial Pace in a 2:02.5 mile rate. With Bendigo’s Liam Older in the sulky, Tex Goes Bang (gate two second line) angled four wide from one/two on turning to rush home and score by 4.3 metres from Joeys Hangover (four pegs from inside the second line—to follow the winner home), with Park Run (gate two—one/one) third 1.3 metres back.
The Charles Bel Memorial over 2180 metres saw 3YO Stonebridge Regal-Lotasilkari gelding Lotakevi return to the winners list for the first time since September last year. Driven by Ross Payne, Lotakevi was given the run of the race from gate two following Favouritehighlight which had gone forward when trapped wide from gate four to lead. Appearing to have the race in his keeping on turning with a handy lead, Lotakevi trained by John McGillivray at Croydon rallied along the sprint lane to score by 2.2 metres in a mile rate of 2:03. Micton Mouse starting inside the second line quickly angled into the running line four back before making a long run three wide in the last lap to finish third 2.8 metres back.
The Don Dove Memorial Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres went to 6YO Bacardi Lindy-Always Treasure mare Dona Amalia for Charlton’s John Tormey with Jack Laugher in the sulky. Starting from the pole which was not much value to her, Dona Amalia was crossed by Kalarney Prince (gate four) which surrendered to Perfect Peak (gate six) putting her four pegs racing for the bell after Stick With Me (gate two) assumed control. Extricated into the clear on straightening, Don Amalia rounded up her rivals with ease halfway up the running to register a 1.3 metre victory (her seventh in 37 race appearances) over solo second liner Rymes (one/two – three wide last lap after a slow beginning). Stick With Me held third 6.5 metres back. The mile rate was 2:04.1.
Kilmore races again on Thursday May 15.
