Sulky Snippets with Len Baker – October 28, 2025

IT was Kilmore trots on Thursday with a good eight race card taking place, punters looked to be behind the eight-ball following the first two races which were rough results, however things improved as the night progressed.

Popular Darraweit/Bolinda part-owner/trainer Alex Hurley snared the opening race the Coulter Legal Pace over 1690 metres with 4YO Alta Christiano-Tourbillon Dargent gelding Altius much to the delight of the large syndicate who race him.

Driven by neighbour Tristan Larsen, Altius was driven with aggression from the pole, but couldn’t hold out 12Y0 gelding Iamawingate (gate four) which began with great speed and enjoyed a good trail on his back. Using the sprint lane, Altius ran home along the sprint lane to just get there by a nose over a death-seating Caruso Star (one/two last lap) returning a slick mile rate of 1.55.6.

The well supported Maxbeca (one/three from the extreme draw – three wide at the bell) dropped into the one/one for a short breather in the last lap before easing three wide on turning to finish third 4.8 metres away.

Ali could easily have brought up a double when stablemate Spun Silver (extreme draw) finished third in the 1690-metre Picklebet “Get Your Pickle On” Pace taken out by local trainer Tom Parnell’s 4YO Always B Miki-Dolly Jasper gelding Miki Mark who’s latest and only victory had been at the same track in October 2024.

Driven by Rita Burnett, Miki Mark settled four back in the moving line as polemarker Atomic Glory led before handing over to Self Exclusion (gate six) which had been trapped wide. Going forward three wide in the last lap and five wide on straightening, Miki Mark charged home down the outside fence to prevail by 1.3 metres in a rate of 1.58.4 from Atomic Glory along the sprint lane, with Spun Silver driven brilliantly saving every inch of ground from well back to save every inch of ground along the inside in the last lap using the sprint lane for third 2.4 metres back.

Raging hot favourite Rocklena, a 4YO daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven and Our Mackalena trained by John Justice at Toolern Vale, raced by partner Kasia Sas and driven by daughter Ewa Justice led throughout from gate five to comfortably land the Kilmore Ford 4YO and Older Maiden Pace over 2180 metres.

Always in control, Rocklena greeted the judge by 2.3 metres ahead of Riddlemethis (gate three second line – one/three – three wide to join the winner at the bell) which fought on bravely. Cool Story (gate four) one/three mid-race gained a late split in the straight for third 33 metres back. The mile rate was 2.00.8.

New Gisborne part-owner/trainer/driver Darren Pace led throughout aboard Kiwi bred American Ideal-Rakarata filly Rakarompa from gate four in the 1690 metre Styles Construction Pace to register a nice victory.

Never looking in any danger, Rakarompa coasted to the wire 14.2 metres in advance of a death-seating Bella Louise from outside the front line, with Wallan hope Anakin (four pegs from inside the second line running on late for third 1.7 metres back. The rate was 1.57.4.

The 2189 metre Broadstead Kilmore Trotters Mobile saw Rockbank owner/trainer Freddy Spiteri land a spectacular plunge when 7YO Love You-I Am Majestic gelding Te Amo backed from around $13 in the morning quote to run favourite at $3.30.

Driven by Bendigo’s Jack Laugher, Te Amo, first up since May, began fast from outside the front line to lead all of the way, accounting for Kyvalley Mariachi (gate 6) which galloped away before going forward at the bell to drop to the back of the winner for the last lap. The Italian Dream (one/one from inside the second line) was third 1.7 metres back. The mile rate was 2.05.

Prohibitive $1.15 American Ideal-Abbreviated colt Snippet bred and raced by long time harness participant Russell Maisner, trained by the Stewart/Tonkin stable at Cardigan made it two from two at Kilmore when easily taking the 2180 metre MC Labour Pace 2YO Pace.

Driven by Ryan Sanderson, Snippet led throughout from gate three to greet the judge 8.8 metres clear of Secret Service Agent (gate three which trailed) and Razor Horizon (three pegs from a solo second line draw) who ran on well in the straight for third a half neck away. The mile rate was 1.58.3.

The C&M Build Group Concession Drivers Pace over 1690 metres went the way of Derrinal (Heathcote) trainer Glenn Bull’s 7YO Sunshine Beach-Dilinger Girl gelding Animado in a mile rate of 1.57.3.

Driven by Huntly’s Lauren White, Animado was taken back to the rear from outside the front line as local hope Highview Hammer led from gate four with Nick Beale in the sulky. Giving the leaders a tidy start in the last lap, Animado gradually made ground in the last lap and despite making the final bend five wide, sprouted wings to record a runaway 1.5 metre victory over Highview Hammer which had no answer to his finishing burst. Feel The Reign (gate six) after racing exposed held on for third 1.5 metres back.

Locksley trainer John Nissen’s very smart Love You-Im Lady Angus 4YO gelding Locksley Cavalier first up since April was victorious in the 2180 metre Beraldo Trotters Mobile.

Raced by John in partnership with driver Bec Bartley, Locksley Cavalier received a sweet passage from gate two on the back of the leader roughie Midnight Eagle with the favourite Hilltop Hugh (gate four) having to race exposed. Slightly checked coming to the home turn when the leader gave ground, Locksley Cavalier straightened one/one as Hilltop Hugh kicked away. Switching to the sprint lane in the straight, Locksley Cavalier finished full of running to blouse the favourite by a half neck in a mile rate of 2.03.2.

Dossier (one/one from a solo second line draw) was third 4.6 metres back. The well supported Bitta Irish Luck looked a big chance when easing four wide on the final bend only to go off stride.

Kilmore races again on Thursday November 6 during the afternoon which is Oaks Day during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.