It was Kilmore’s first meeting since November on Thursday, December 11 with the club conducting an eight-race program of even races.
Racing commenced with the Arcadia Group Pace over 1690 metres and it was Meltonian Arthur Wood victorious with 9YO Alta Christiano-Miss Feelgood gelding Aveiro.
Having start number 111 (28 placings), Aveiro who is never far away in any race he contests led out from gate two for Huntly reinswoman Lauren White, before electing to take a trail on Glenn Bull’s bold front runner Regal Rock (gate five).
Crossed in the last lap by Tupelo Beach (gate two second line) which went forward with a rush from mid-field in the running line to push Aveiro back a spot, Lauren was not perturbed and Aviero using the sprint lane ran home best to prevail by a nose in a tricky finish over Midnight Mojo (which went forward to race exposed from outside the front line). Tupelo Beach held third 1.9 metres away. The mile rate was 1.57.5. It was Aveiro’s 10th success.
It was another close finish to the 1690 metre OKRFM Vicbred Voucher Trotters Mobile with honest 8YO Skyvalley-Kyvalley Drive gelding Floating Mountain bringing up two wins in succession and eleven in all.
Trained at Coimadai by veteran Graeme Whittle for owner/driver son Matthew, Floating Mountain led virtually throughout from gate five after crossing polemarker Montana Cheval.
Settle The Bill after racing exposed from gate six fought on gamely for second a half neck away, with Amour Maternal (gate four second line – one/one racing for the bell) third 4.1 metres back.
Montana Cheval looked poised to use the sprint lane coming to the home turn only to go off stride putting an end to her chances. The mile rate was 2.01.7.
Ross Creek owner/trainer Stephen Clarke is making a habit of snaring the quinella in several races that he has runners and did it again in the La Dimora Retirement Resort Concessions Drivers Pace over 2180 metres with 4YO Rock N Roll Heaven-Isabelle Delacour gelding Monsieur Flamel defeating his half-brother Are Weasley (by Betting line) by 1.3 metres.
Driven by local reinsman Nick Beale, Monsieur Flamel settled at the tail from the extreme draw as Fake Collection (gate five) led. Gaining a three wide trail home in the last lap on the back of Are Weasley ahead of him, both horses swamped the leaders on turning, with Monsieur Flamel the victor. Feel The Reign (five pegs last lap from gate six) flashed home late when clear to be a neck away third.
New Gisborne father and son Darren and Riley Pace landed the O’Briens Electrical Pace over 1690 metres with Blazin By, a 3Y0 gelded son of Betting Line and Dreams In Heaven.
Part-owned by Darren, Blazin By settled three back in the moving line from gate six with polemarker Our Angels Envy retaining the front running.
Moving forward three wide solo in the last lap, Blazin By well supported sustained the run to register a head margin over Caties Son (inside second line) along the sprint lane off the back of the pacemaker, with Our Angels Envy holding third 1.5 metres back. The mile rate was 1.59.1.
Much travelled 8YO Danny Bouchea-Biggies gelding Piesridingshotgun trained at Newstead by Brad Angove led throughout from gate five to capture the 2180 metre Picklebet ‘Get Your Pickle On’ Trotters Mobile.
Driven by Jordy Leedham, Piesridingshotgun was rated to perfection before kicking clear on turning to greet the judge by 11 metres in advance of With Aplomb (gate three – one/two – three wide last lap) and At The Distance (gate two) which raced exposed. The mile rate was 2.04.7.
The trotters took pride of place at the meeting and the MC Labour 4YO and Older Maiden Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres saw sixty one year old Toolern Vale owner/breeder/trainer/driver Michael Azzopardi the happiest person on course when his 5YO Father Patrick-Whosinthenest mare Tas Suffarell at start number two gain a last stride victory in a 2.06.6 mile rate.
Taken back at the start from outside the front line to settle a mile off the leader Apachevalley (gate four), Tas Suffarellwas still a clear last as the field headed into the last lap with Mi Bow (one/two from a solo second line draw) joining Apachevalley and drawing clear appearing to have the race in her keeping when Tas Suffarell after making the final bend five wide sprouted wings on turning to register a half head margin in another tricky finish. Imaboganboy (three pegs from gate three) after easing away from the markers was third 2.9 metres away.
What a night it was for the Pace family when Harkness trainer Vic Pace and son William combined to land the 2180 metre C&M Build Group Pace with the heavily supported 5YO Rock N Roll Heaven-Dyed Blonde mare Platinum Jive raced by a large group of family and friends.
Trapped three wide from gate four Platinum Jive was unable to get in resulting in him being taken back to the rear as polemarker Wazowski and Alby Ashwood applied plenty of pressure to the leader Rakarompa (gate three) with Darren Pace going for a double.
Moving to be one/two in the back straight on the final occasion and three wide on the final bend, Platinum Jive justified the betting move to draw clear and win by 5.6 metres from Direct Command (inside the second line solo) which gave chase to no avail. Fiano (gate five one/one) was third 2.8 metres back after having every chance. The mile rate was 1.58.6.
The Coulter Legal 4YO and Older Maiden Pace over 1690 metres concluded the meeting with 16 start 5YO Four Starzzz Shark-Pocketsizedelta mare Delta Starz leading throughout from gate two for Mount Cottrell part-owner/trainer Mathew Falzon.
Driven by Ewa Justice, Delta Starz pounced on the lead as the gate pulled away and given an easy time, scored easily by 6.6 metres from Itsallgee (gate three) which trailed returning a 2.00.9 mile rate. Lone Sailor (gate six) after racing uncovered for the trip was third a nose away.
Kilmore races again this Thursday.