Kilmore harness racing last Thursday, November 13 presented a thrilling night featuring heats of the Victorian Sires Stakes for four year old entries, geldings and mares.
Bannockburn trainer Geoff Webster combined with Anthony Butt to snare the APG – A Horse For Everyone S-S (first heat) over 2180 metres with Muscle Mass-Betty Hall gelding Mister Blindside, leading most of the way after going forward from outside the front line to record a 1.2 metre margin in advance of Ringer Wells (gate three) which led out before taking a trail. Polemarker Jack Sprat used the sprint lane for third 5.1 metres back after following the pair. The mile rate was 2.03.2.
Heat two saw What The Hill-Glenferrie Unixa gelding Hilltop Hugh trained at Riddell by Chris Lang and Sonia Mahar lead all of the way from the pole with Chris Alford aboard, accounting for Kyvalley Maven (gate two) which raced outside him by 5.2 metres, with Heza Gun (gate five – one/one) a stablemate of the winner third a nose away after switching down to the sprint lane on turning. The mile rate was 2.02.6.
The first heat for mares went the way of outstanding Volstead-Keayang Yankee mare Keayang Zahara trained at Ecklin South by Marg and Paddy Lee with Glen Craven in the sulky. Going forward from gate three, Keayang Zahara had nothing more than a stroll in the park, cruising to the wire 14.3 metres in advance of polemarker Maoris Mac (three pegs) in a 2.00.5 mile rate. Preferred Love (gate four) which trailed the winner after leading out finished 3.1 metres back in third place.
Heat four went the way of Volstead-Needle mare Pinnie for Long Forest duo Andy and Kate Gath, leading throughout from the pole to blitz her rivals by 9.2 metres from Keayang Lavita (gate five) which raced exposed. Mega Spur (gate four) after trailing the winner was third 5 metres back. The mile rate was 2.02.4.
Byrneside trainer Damian Wilson landed the Hip Pocket Castlemaine Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres with much improved Danny Bouchea-No Dispute 8YO mare Settle The Bill. Driven by wife Laura, Settle The Bill starting from gate two on the second line settled three pegs enjoying a cosy passage as polemarker Midnight Muscle led. Extricated three wide running into the final bend, Settle The Bill finished her race off well to score by 4.8 metres from the pacemaker, with Sky Lindy (gate two) using the sprint lane off the back of the leader third 3.7 metres back. The mile rate was 1.59.8.
Daylesford duo Mick Barby and Anne-Maree Conroy’s honest 6YO Betting Line-Glenlyon Glad gelding Glenline raced by a large syndication was victorious in the 2180 metre Kilmore Ford Pace. Trailing Watching Over Us (gate two), Glenline used the sprint lane to perfection to greet the judge by 5.6 metres from a death-seating Flying Sparks (gate four), with Watching Over Us holding third 1.4 metres away. The mile rate was 2.00.6.
Bolinda part-owner/trainer Vince Vallelonga provided 5YO Always B Miki-Golden Showgirl gelding Always The Showmanl to outstay his rivals in the JC Windows Pace over 1690 metres after going forward to race exposed from gate two on the second line. Driven by Tasmyn Potter, Always The Showman was equal to the task, recording a 1.8 metre margin in 1.57.3 over Evileye (gate three – one/two – three wide last lap) and Chirripo (gate five – one/one) which switched down to the sprint lane on turning to be 2.1 metres away in third place.
MNelton trainer Michael Breen snared the Picklebet “Get Your Pickle On” Vicbred Voucher 2YO Maiden Pace over 1690 metres with Banjo Star, a gelded son of The Storm Inside and Panorama Star bred by the Dodd’s. Driven by Heathcote’s Sean O’Sullivan, Banjo Star led throughout from the pole to register a 1.6 metre margin over Siargao Island (gate two second line) which was sent forward to race uncovered. Storm Vendetta (gate two – three pegs) was third 4.7 metres back. The mile rate was 1.59.1.
The MC Labour Vicbred Voucher 2YO Pace over 1690 metres was taken out by Avenel trainer David Harris’ Vincent-Cowgirlsnlace filly Bay La Ville in a 1.58.1 mile rate. Driven by Charlton based Luke Dunne, Bay La Ville after a slow beginning from inside the second line angled to be four back in the running line before flashing home late with an electrifying finish to score by 2.7 metres over the leader from the bell Swaywithsierra (gate five). Dusty Philtra (one/two) after racing roughly at the start from the pole was third 1.1 metres back.
Kilmore races again on Thursday December 11.
