KILMORE trots last Thursday was an even fixture for the middle grade horses which presented an interesting night’s racing with winners from all around the state.
Local Bolinda reinsman Chris Alford landed the opening race – The Beraldo Coffee Pace on the eight-event card aboard Werribee trainer Jeff Tabone’s 5YO Yankee Rockstar-Modern Society mare City Rockstar.
Leading out from gate two, City Rockstar was given a cosy trip at the head of affairs to score by a half neck over Alta Bayamo (gate four second line – three wide from the bell to battle on tenaciously) in 1.56.9. Divine Tilly (gate four) one/one – three wide home turn) was third 2.9 metres back.
Kialla trainer/driver Rebecca Bartley’s 4YO Volstead-Stealth mare Hody Moke returned to the winners list for the first time since April when victorious in the La Dimora Retirement Resort Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.
Beginning swiftly from gate five to lead, leaving the favourite Charlies Tactic (gate two) in the open, Hody Moke enjoyed a charmed passage to greet the judge by 2.7 metres. Dance Fighter (gate four) which led momentarily as the start was effected held third 7.4 metres away. The mile rate was 2.03.6.
Derrinal trainer Glenn Bull is always worth following whenever his team goes to the races (especially at Kilmore), taking a double on the night – 11YO American Ideal-Rocky Bay Lass gelding Regal Rock taking the 1690 metre JC Windows Concession Drivers Pace and 9YO Danny Bouchea-Biggies mare Taste It the C&M Build Group Mares Pace over 2180 metres.
Regal Rock with Hannah Parish in the sulky raced exposed from gate three early as Four Lonely Nights (gate two) led out before being crossed by speedy beginner Polly Peachum (gate six) with a wing on every foot.
In a race of changes, Kalkadoon Dreaming (Louis Emerson – gate four) which had been trapped in the open until Four Lonely Night came away from the markers at the bell giving Kalkadoon Dreaming one/one cover pushing Regal Rock back a spot.
The runs came quickly in the back straight on the final occasion as Kalkadoon Dreaming went forward with a rush to take over with Regal Rock following only to be left in the breeze. Giving plenty in the straight, Regal Rock did best to prevail by 2.4 metres from Kalkadoon Dreaming, with Bouy (Grace Bilney from inside the second line after a cosy trip using the sprint lane for third 3.5 metres away. The mile rate was 1.58.3.
Taste It, driven by Glenn, starting from the extreme draw – one/one – one/two at the bell moved three wide on the final bend to give chase to the leaders Princess Arna which had led from gate four, with the heavily supported Midnight Mojo sprinting swiftly from the tail to join the leader prior to the bell. In a slugging finish, Taste It did best to score by 1.5 metres over the leader, with Midnight Mojo giving ground to hold third 15.8 metres away. The mile rate was 2.01.3.
Kialla trainer Steven Duffy combined with Nathan Jack to land the O’Briens Electrical 3Y0 Maiden Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres with Classic Connection-Majic Fair gelding Classic Fair on debut.
Leading throughout from gate five in a mile rate of 2.02.2 to register a head margin over Pipalicious (inside second line) which had gone forward from the tail to join the winner for the final circuit. Polemarker Pardray after trailing the winner was third 47.6 metres away.
The 1690 metre MC Labour Pace saw Bunbartha trainer John Newberry using the services of James Herbertson aboard 8YO Rock N Roll Heaven-Universal Alice mare Kia Ora Beauty successful.
In a big victory, Kia Ora Beauty (extreme draw) came from last on turning down the centre of the track score running away by five metres in advance of Hittheroadjack (one/two from gate two second line – three wide last lap) and Galaxy Lass (gate three – one/one – three wide home turn) third 1.3 metres back. The mile rate was 1.57.6.
The 2180 metre Picklebet “Get Your Pickle On” Trotters Mobile went to in-form/much travelled Danny Bouchea-Biggies gelding Piesridingshotgun for Newstead trainer Brad Angove and Jordan Leedham.
A full brother to the earlier winner Taste It, Piesridingshotgun, after showing his usual speed at the start from gate five, led throughout to record a neck margin over Please Layla which trailed from gate four, with Maori Tattoo (gate six – one/one – three wide home turn) third. The mile rate was a leisurely 2.09.4.
Four-year-old Bettors Delight-Rocknroll Baby gelding Stylistik gave ‘Herbie’ a double after winning the 2180 metre Hip Pocket Castlemaine Maiden Pace.
Trained by David Harris at Avenel, Stylistik settled one/one from the pole after Tryx Vixen (gate five) and Hurricane Hooly (gate three) scorched away with Hurricane Hooly crossing leaving Tryx Vixen in the breeze and Normans Girl (gate two) following the pacemaker
Easing three wide on the final bend, Stylistik ran home best to gain the day by a half neck over Normans Girl which had angled three wide on the home turn, with Tryx Vixen third a nose away third after refusing to relent in the straight. The mile rate was 2.02.5.
Kilmore race again next Thursday, January 22.
