A MOST entertaining eight race program of harness racing was held at Kilmore trots last Thursday, with the highlight being the victory of 3YO Rock N Roll Heaven-Gallifrey Mystique gelding Assigned in the 2180 metre Momentum Gaming 3YO and Older Maiden Pace over 2180 metres.
Trained at Junortoun by 66 year old Larry Walls, Assigned, one of two for the night for James Herbertson, a prohibitive $1.40 favourite coming off a first up second at Bendigo a week earlier when again favourite, led from gate two before easily accounting for the roughie Gallico (gate three – one/three – four wide last lap) by 7.3 metres returning a mile rate of 2.02.5. Bouy (gate four – exposed early – one/one – three wide last lap) was third 2.2 metres back.
Racing commenced with the 2180 metre Styles Construction Trotters Final taken out by ever reliable 6YO Majestic Son-Aldebaran Ella mare Faith Full trained at Arcadia South by Jamie Egan for himself and partner Bek Dudley.
Driven a treat by ‘’Herbie’, Faith Full settled three pegs from inside the second line with Macho Maori (gate six) spearing away to lead. Coming away from the inside prior to the home turn to be three wide on the final bend with Military Merit (one/one from gate three) which had gone forward three wide in the last lap from one/one to join the pacemaker on the home turn, Faith Full joined Macho Maori on turning with the pair going head and head to the wire. Coaxed to the wire, Faith Full received the judge’s decision by a head with Macho Maori refusing to give in. Military Merit was third 12.7 metres back, The mile rate was 2.04.5.
Long Forest trainer Andy Gath and wife Kate snared a double on the night with 3YO The Storm Inside-Red Hot Roxy colt Ollies The Boss greeting the judge in the 1690 metre Jet Roofing Pace and 4YO What The Hill-Aruna Chicka gelding Ringer Wells the 2180 metre JC Windows Trotters Mobile.
Ollies The Boss began fast from outside the front line to lead all of the way defeating Indi Party Mood (gate three) which raced outside him by 3.9 metres in 1.56.7. Strapping Red (gate two second line) ran on late from three back in the running line for a nose third. Ringer Wells (gate five) did the same, leading most of the way to account for polemarker Prohibited Grace which led out before taking a trail by 12.7 metres in a rate of 2.03.4. Constant (three pegs from a solo second line draw) was third 2.4 metres back.
Bruce Morgan and Tony Vlaeminck’s honest 8YO Four Starzzz Shark-Ruby Slippers recorded her seventeenth victory at start 154 (44 placings) by taking the 1690 metre Picklebet Same Race Multi Concession Drivers Pace.
Trained by Bruce and driven by Monegeeta based Nick Beale, Polly Peacham began best from gate four to take up her favourite front running roll and rated to perfection couldn’t be caught, scoring by 2.2 metres in a rate of 2.00.7 from Talknplay (gate five coming from near last to be four wide in the last lap). Treacheroustimes after trailing the winner from gate two was third a half head away after using the sprint lane.
Ardmona trainer Donna Castles, still on the sidelines recovering from a tumble a few weeks back, provided speedy 8YO Rock N Roll Heaven-Soho Joplin gelding Arraps to land the 2180 O’Brien Electrical Pace Final over 2180 metres.
Driven by partner Doc Wilson, Arraps led most of the way from gate four to defeat Kimchi (gate two) by 8.4 metres which followed him making no impression in the run to the judge. Dot Ball (one/three – gate two second line) was third 4 metres back after making the home turn wide. The mile rate was 2.01.1. It was Arraps’ ninth success in 75 outings which include 13 placings.
It wouldn’t be a Kilmore meeting without Derrinal trainer Glenn Bull winning a race and 6YO Pet Rock-Golden Valour mare Alcatraz Girl driven by Glenn Led throughout from gate four to snare the 1690 metre Coulter Legal Pace from Illawong Danny (gate two – exposed early), then one/one as Archaa (gate five) went forward to race uncovered from the bell holding down third 5.6 metres back. The mile rate was 1.58.8.
Volstead-Aldebaran Daisy gelding Giggle Water trained at Longlea by Clinton McSwain was successful in the 2180 metre Tellurian Wines 3YO Maiden Trotters Mobile.
Driven by local reinsman Josh Duggan, Giggle Water received a sweet trip from gate four trailing the leader Aldebaran Axl (gate six) before using the sprint lane to gain the day by 3.5 metres from Lillys Tiger (one/one from a solo second line draw). Aldebaran Axl was third a nose away in a mile rate of 2.07.1.
Kilmore races again on Thursday, September 11.
