AN exciting meeting of harness racing was held at Kilmore on Thursday, October 9 with eight terrific races. Unfortunately for the club, two races were shafted to Sky 2, irritating viewers.
Glen Park (Ballarat) trainer Connor Ronan and reinsman son Ronan took the honors for the night after 5YO Captaintreacherous-Golden Flyin gelding Admiralofthefleet scored in the 1690-metre Momentum Gaming Pace and 4YO Rock N Roll Heaven-Helens In Paradise mare Good Heavens the Picklebet Vicbred Voucher 4YO and Older Maiden Pace.
Admiralofthefleet, after settling five back in the moving line from gate four on the second line, was sent forward three wide solo in the last lap, sustaining the effort to record a 2.6 metre margin over Major Holiday, which followed the winner all of the way from gate five on the second line. Glenline (gate three second line) ran on late from the tail for third 2.2 metres away. The mile rate was 1.58.2.
Good Heavens, starting from gate four on debut, showed plenty of speed to lead out before electing to take a trail on the well supported Heavens Love Story (gate three) to enjoy a lovely trail. Using the sprint lane, Good Heavens drew clear to score by 3.7 metres. Rocknlena (gate two second line) battled on gamely for third 2.5 metres away after racing exposed. The mile rate was 2.00.2.
Charlton trainer Tori Hutchins combined with fellow Charltonian Luke Dunne to land the 2180 metre Arcadia Group Pace with Lester, a 7YO Hes Watching-Desiring Bella gelding formally with Lindsay Rogers in Snake Valley (Ballarat). Beginning fast from gate four to cross the leader Muriel (gate three) which had crossed polemarker Atomic Glory, Lester coasted all of the way to register an easy 7.2 metre victory over Muriel returning a mile rate of 2.00.1. Joeys Hangover after settling at the tail of the field from the extreme draw trailed Lilnova (one/one) forward to race exposed prior to the bell when third four metres away.
Ballan based mother and daughter Dianne Giles and Lelani Justice snared the Standardbreds For Breast Cancer Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres with ex-Kiwi 6YO Imperial Count-Princess Janie gelding Noble Count, leading throughout from the pole. Rated to perfection, Noble Count kept on giving to just last by a nose from Bullapark Beno (gate four – one/one – three wide home turn). Everybodylovesme after trailing the winner from gate two used the sprint lane to no avail for third 3.5 metres back. The mile rate was 2.01.3.
The O’Briens Electrical Pace over 1690 metres saw Bannockburn trainer Geoff Webster successful with the Mount Gambier owned 3YO Captain Crunch-Digital Art gelding Major Crunch in a 1.57 mile rate. Driven by James Herbertson, Major Crunch began very fast from gate six to lead and with the result never in doubt, scored easily by 5.9 metres in advance of local Highview Hammer (gate two) which trailed for Corey Bell, Flying Sparks (one/two from gate five) was third 8.2 metres back.
The Coulter Legal 2YO Pace over 2180 metres was a ripper with Captaintreacherous-Elita filly Pre Eminant ultra impressive for owner/breeder Angelica Attard. Having her first outing for the Emma Stewart camp, Pre Eminant (gate six) driven by Ryan Sanderson, raced outside the favourite River Storm (gate three) for the entire trip, applying pressure all of the way as the pair cleared right away from the rest of the field. Gaining the upper hand on turning, Pre Eminant raced clear to record a 10.6 metre margin over River Storm, with Secret Service Agent after being restrained to the rear from outside the front line, running on late for third 5.9 metres back. The mile rate was 1.57.9.
Wallan owner/breeders Noel and Ruth Shinn were in the winners stall when Downbytheseaside-Alina 4YO gelding Anakin landed the 1690-metre MC Labour Pace. With James Herbertson in the sulky, Anakin began fast from gate two but couldn’t muster speed to hold out quick beginner Asmileandawinx (gate five) before crossing her shortly after. When the favourite Ollies The Boss, starting solo on the second line, came with a rush off a three wide trail racing for the bell to obtain the lead, he immediately became the one to beat, however with Anakin easing outside him on turning, the pair had a battle with Anakin proving too strong at the finish, registering a head margin, with Asmileandawinx holding third 3.5 metres back. The mile rate was 1.56.1.
Kilmore trainer Billy Milner used the services of Bendigo reinsman Jack Laugher to snare the C&M Build Group Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres with much travelled 6YO Angus Hall-Spirit Of Smooth gelding Xiaobo in a 2.04.4 mile rate. Settling four pegs from a solo second line draw as speedy mare Christmas Babe as usual led from gate four. Angling away from the inside racing for the bell, Xiaobo moved on terms with the leader for the final circuit before striding clear on turning to gain the day by 5.4 metres (his first since November 2023), defeating The Vicars Girl (gate two – five pegs – one/one at the bell). Christmas Babe held third 4.1 metres away.
Kilmore race again on October 23.
