Local success at Kilmore trots

KILMORE harness racing was held Thursday, July 31, with a compact seven event card taking place although the treatment they got from Sky Channel was deplorable with four races shafted to Sky 2.

Champion Bolinda reinsman Chris Alford took the honors with a driving double during the evening, saluting aboard Illawong Phoenix in the Picklebet Same Race Multi Pace over 1690 metres and and Amarty in the 2180 metre Momentum Gaming Maiden Trotters Mobile.

Six year old Heston Blue Chip-Illawong Philomena mare Illawong Phoenix trained at Ingliston by Luke Tabone settled three back in the moving line from gate five as Alcatraz Girl (gate four) took up her usual spot at the head of affairs. Going forward racing to the bell to park outside the leader for the final circuit, Illawong Phoenix after getting the better of the leader in the straight, scored by 5.4 metres in advance of Rolling Remona along the sprint lane from three pegs.

Kidwithagrin (gate six) ran home late from a long way back for third 3.3 metres back. The mile rate 1-58.2. Three year old Amarty, a gelded son of Up And Quick from Mia Mosca trained by wife Alison led throughout from gate two, blitzing his rivals to register a huge 16.7 metres ahead of solo second liner Aldebaran Sariah (four pegs- three wide home turn) and Lady Of Tiavon from the tail after a bad beginning from gate five. The mile rate 2-09.

Bolinda trainer Paul Males was in the winners stall after 9Y0 Majestic Son-Charlotte Galleon mare Royal Charlotte at odds of $71.00 parimutual and $53.80 on the tote registered her 15th success in 149 outings (22 placings) by taking the Coulter Legal Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres. Driven by local Josh Duggan, Royal Charlotte (gate three) was given the run of the race following Sovereign Tiger (gate five) which had anticipated the start to a nicety. Using the sprint lane, Royal Charlotte was too slick at the finish for Sovereign Tiger greeting the judge by 5.6 metres in a mile rate of 2-02.8. The Sky Is The Limit (gate four) used the sprint lane for third 2.3 metres back after following the pair. The trifecta paying $2707.40 with the quinella $317.50 much to the delight of stable followers.

Heavily supported Tiger Tara-Rosie Khan 3Y0 colt Billys Tiger Khan ($1-70) was tough in winning the 2180 metre O’Brien Electrical Pace. Trained at the Cardigan stable of Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin by driver Allan McDonough, Billys Tiger Khan (gate five) was sent forward from gate five to make an unsuccessful bid to cross the pacemaker Shaq (gate four) which had crossed the polemarker Pappa Leo hitting the back straight on the first occasion. Driven desperately on turning Billys Tiger Khan bloused Shaq by a head right on the wire, with Pappa Leo third a half neck away after using the sprint lane. The mile rate 1-58.3.

Tooleen trainer/driver Alby Ashwood led throughout from gate six aboard 5Y0 Sunshine Beach-Bylonga Art mare Ellava Pacer in the 2180 metre Tellurian Wines Pace. Rated to perfection, Ellava Pacer scored by 2.9 metres from Blue Ocean (gate five) which trailed returning a mile rate of 2-02.1. Old timer Lotakevi (one/one from gate three) who loves Kilmore was third 8.9 metres back.

Lemnos trainer Russell Jack combined with son Nathan back from a lengthy stint on the sidelines to capture the 1690 metre Jet Roofing 2Y0 Maiden Trotters Mobile with a lovely Classic Connection-One Star Lib filly by the name of Afternoon Breeze on debut. Showing perfect manners and a beautiful stride, Afternoon Breeze (gate five) led all of the way to greet the judge by 17.2 metres in a rate of 2-03.8, accounting for What A Serve (gate two) which trailed and Cooper Kai (three pegs) who was 4.2 metres away third.

The JC Windows Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres saw smart Father Patrick-Glenferrie Dash colt Fritsch trained by Andy Gath in Long Forest and driven by wife Kate victorious. Restrained from outside the front line as Myheartbeatstrue (gate four) led before handing over to him, Fritsch although a little green in the straight and shifting wide, scored by a head only in a rate of 2-03.8 from Ox Knox (gate three) three pegs – one/one last lap – three wide home turn), with Rarity Rock holding down third after racing exposed from gate five.

Kilmore races again Thursday August 14.