THE local area provided three winners at Kilmore trots last Thursday January 22 with Alexandra Hurley (Darraweit/Bolinda), Billy Milner (Kilmore) and Brent Lilley (Bolinda) all successful in their respective races.
Alexandra started the ball rolling when the family owned 7YO Peak-Bras Dhonneur gelding Massive Central scored in the Beraldo Coffee Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres.
With neighbour Tristan Larsen in the sulky, Massive Central at start 50 who’s latest success had been at Shepparton back on May 5th 2024, began swiftly from gate four but had to spend some petrol to clear those on his inside.
Given a sweet passage until the final bend when Whats The Tea after racing exposed from outside the front line issued a strong challenge, with polemarker Louieville Lass using the sprint lane, Massive Central fought on courageously to gain the day by a half neck over Whats The Tea, with Louieville Lass a half neck away third. The mile rate was 2.02.2.
Home bred five-year-old Used To Me-Auravalley gelding Wallis (James Herbertson for Billy Milner) also led throughout from gate five in the 1690 metre Coulter Legal Trotters Mobile.
Travelling kindly, Wallis couldn’t be caught, reaching the wire 3.9 metres in advance of a death-seating Scar (gate six), with honest 8YO entire Mielicki (14 wins – gate two second line) coming from the tail three wide last lap third 8.6 metres back when having start number 133. The mile rate was 2.01.8.
Four-year-old My High Expectations-Dollys Law gelding In High Places raced by Brent Lilley was a surprise victor of the 1690 metre Kilmore Ford 4YO & Older Maiden Trotters Mobile giving Tristan Larsen a double, paying odds of $16.10.
Settling three pegs from a solo second line draw as Rita Burnett’s Aldebaran Sahara flew away from gate six to open a space on her rivals, In High Places making full use of the sprint lane to reach the judge 2.1 metres in advance of a death-seating Bettor Man recording a mile rate of 2.03.7. Aldebaran Sahara held third 1.1 metres back.
The Broadstead Kilmore Mares Pace over 1690 metres saw 7YO Well Said-Fun On The Run mare Interpretation at start number 161 register her 17th success.
Trained at Heathcote by Terry French and driven by daughter Tayla, Interpretation settled mid-field in the running line from the extreme draw as Vincheska led from gate six.
Gaining a three wide trail home on the back of Wazowski (one/one from gate two on the second line), Interpretation ran home best to score by 1.1 metres from Wazowski, with Divine Tilly (gate five following the winner home) third 2.8 metres away. The mile rate was 1.58.
Parwan owner/trainer Daniel Zammit combined with Taylor Ford to snare the 1690 metre MC Labour Pace with 6YO Tell All-Missrubyjoy gelding Riddelmethis in a mile rate of 1.59.
Trapped three wide from gate five as Archaa (gate two), Tyabb Wonder (gate three) and Atomic Glory (gate four) all kicked up under him, Riddlemethis was restrained before going forward when the pace slackened to race outside Archaa at the bell.
Dropping to follow the pacemaker in the last lap, Riddlemethis used the sprint lane on turning to record a half head margin over Lively Rascal (gate two second line – one/three) which had made a lightning burst of speed to lead on the final bend looking the winner. Regal Rock (one/two from inside the second line) was third a head away in a thrilling finish.
Nine-year-old Heston Blue Chip-Illawong Philomena mare Illawong Phoenix was a tough victor of the 1690 metre C&M Build Group Pace for Werribee part-owner/trainer Jeff Tabone.
Driven by Chris Alford, Illawong Phoenix settled four back along the markers from inside the second line before angling to race exposed racing for the bell.
Surging to the front on the final bend, Illawaong Phoenix had 2.6 metres to spare on the wire, accounting for Precious Belle (gate five – four pegs) which used the sprint lane, with Ears The Boss (gate six – three wide – led – behind leader Delta Starz (gate four) third 2.3 meres away third. The mile rate was 1.59.1.
It would be rare for Sutton Grange trainer Ross Graham not to win a race at Kilmore and 5YO Great Success-Sonoko gelding Quirky Character snared the 2180 metre Picklebet ‘Get Your Pickle On’ Trotters Mobile.
Given cosy passage one/two from the extreme draw by James Herbertson, Quirky Character after easing three wide on the final bend finished best to score by 1.2 metres in a mile rate of 2.01.2 from Kyvalley Jetstream (gate four – three wide last lap from the rear).
Polemarker Dels Destiny after trailing the leader Noble Count (gate two) used the sprint lane for third 15.9 metres away.
The big night of the year, the Kilmore Pacing Cup Night, when the stars will be shining bright, is on Saturday, February 7 so don’t miss out.
