A NEAT eight event card was held at Kilmore on Thursday with mixed results.
Kilmore duo Maryanne Laffan and Steve Matson were successful with Kiwi bred Art Major-Ceebee gelding Conspirator in the Carlton And United Breweries Pace over 1690 metres. Driven by Steve, Conspirator, at odds of $15.00 fixed but only $5.60 on the parimutuel tote, followed through from gate five on the second line to position three back in the running line as Blissful Lilly led from gate five for Kevin Weidenbach. Moving a spot closer mid-race following a shuffle up, Conspirator sprinted brilliantly three wide in the last lap to join the leaders on the final bend continuing the run to reach the wire 4.8 metres in advance of Righteously which followed the winner home, with Joeys Hangover (one/three from gate four second line) three wide last lap switching to the sprint lane on turning for third 3.7 metres back. The mile rate was 2:00.2. It was Conspirator’s eighth victory in 65 outings.
Another semi local winner was Romsey’s Chris Svanosio when Bettors Delight-Gotta Go Hype gelding Sandsting driven by the stable’s Ross Payne landed the Kilmore Mens Shed 3Y0 & Older Maiden Pace over 2180 metres. Leading out from gate four, Sandsting was restrained to allow Talkbabytalk (gate six) to cross him after applying pressure entering the straight on the first occasion. Enjoying a cosy trip for the rest of the journey, Sandsting used the sprint lane to register a head margin over Talkbabytalk which fought on gallantly. Polemarker All Things Spicy (three pegs after easing off the markers in the last lap to gain a three wide trail into the final bend) ran home nicely for third 5.5 metres away. The rate was 2:02.1.
Romsey trainer Brent Lilley’s ex-Kiwi 7Y0 Simon Roydon-Johns Anne gelding John Boy chalked up his fourth victory on Australian soil when taking the MC Security Trotters Handicap over 2150 metres. Driven as usual by Tristan Larsen, john Boy starting from a 20 metre backmark settled at the tail with Roi Duo Soleil beginning best from barrier three to lead before being passed by Luvski (barrier five breezing) in the last lap who was immediately tackled by Champagne Charley (one/one from 10m), with Johns Boy going forward three wide to issue a claim. Kicking clear on turning, Champagne Charley was challenged shortly after by Johns Boy with a good steam up who gained the upper hand in the shadows of the post to score from the heavily backed Constant (four pegs from barrier four) which flashed late to fail by half neck. Champagne Charley held third 4.5 metres back. The mile rate was 2:03.4.
Tooleen trainer/driver and new dad Alex (Alby) Ashwood landed the TAB Pace over 1690 metres with 3Y0 Art Major-The Good Times colt Im All Business returning a slashing mile rate of 1:55.2. Settling three back in the moving line from gate four as Delightful Charm led from gate two before taking a trail on Lils Nightmare which flew away from outside the front line. Commencing a forward three wide move in the last lap, Im All Business sprinted like a gazelle to lead on the home turn, cruising to the wire 24.2 metres in advance of Interpretation (one/three – three wide home turn), with Delightful Charm using the sprint lane third a head away.
Rochester’s Caitlin Guppy and family have enjoyed a terrific season to date and 9Y0 Life Sign-Tinted Rose mare Mynameisruby brought up her tenth success in 130 outings (27 placings) when victorious in the 2180 metre Momentum Gaming Pace. With Jack Laugher in the sulky, Mynameisruby led out from gate three, with Laugher electing to hand over to the well supported Dot Ball (gate three). Making full use of the sprint lane, Mynameisruby dashed clear in the straight to prevail by 5.6 metres over Malava Miss (gate four – one/two), Ruth Shinn’s Archaa (gate six) battled on gamely for third a half head back after racing exposed. The rate was 2:01.5.
Dunnstown’s David Murphy was successful with honest 6Y0 mare Beach Heaven, a daughter of Sunshine Beach and Champagne Heaven in the Jet Roofing Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres. Driven a clever race by son Brent, Beach Heaven led from the pole before being eased to allow Sonnyboy (gate three) to cross after applying plenty of pressure. Coming away from the inside approaching the final bend to lead on turning, Beach Heaven coasted to the wire 6.9 metres clear of Maori Tattoo (three pegs from inside the second line). The consistent Allwatfunjingles (one/two at bell from outside the front line) was third 1.9 metres back. The mile rate was 2:02.1.
The C & M Build Group Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres went the way of 4Y0 What The Hill-Aruna Chicka 4Y0 gelding Ringer Wells. Trained by Andy Gath at Long Forest with wife Kate driving, Ringer Wells (gate four) after being trapped wide let rip in the back straight on the first occasion to stride clear and that’s the last they saw of him as he toyed with his rivals, winning by 9.7 metres in 2:02.4 from polemarker Floating Mountain (three pegs) which raced exposed for the final circuit. Night Sky which flew away from outside the front line before handing over to the winner held third 11.4 metres back.
Carisbrook part-owner/trainer/driver Brett Shipway’s 8Y0 Ships Spur-Earlee Bonus mare Azalea Mae who hadn’t won since December 2023 was a tough victor of the 1690 metre O’Brien Electrical Trotters Mobile. Despite racing exposed throughout from gate four, Azalea May outstayed the leader Massif Central (gate two) which led trying ever so hard under strong driving by Tristan Larsen for Darrawiet trainer Alexandra Hurley going down by a half head in a tricky finish. The favourite Col Du Granon (one/one from gate five) was third 3.3 metres back. The mile rate was 2:03.8.
Kilmore races again on Thursday May 28.
