With Len Baker
A STUNNING night at the Kilmore Pacing Cup on Saturday saw one of the world’s best pacers continuing its quest to dominate the world, alongside an excellent nine-race card which brought some of Australia’s best trainers and drivers to town.
The main attraction, race six’s Kilmore Pacing Cup, brought one of the harness racing world’s most successful horses to the town, with Leap To Fame looking for its 64th win in its 82nd start.
Starting solo on the second line, trainer/driver Grant Dixon quickly had Leap To Fame away from the markers to be three back in the moving line as War Dan Buddy one of three Emma Stewart stablemates showed brilliant speed from gate five to cross Republican Party (gate two) which momentarily led out.
From there, the two favourites put together a thrilling battle across the final two laps, with Miki To Success also having a crack at trying to keep up with the raging favourite.
To the cheers of the large crowd in attendance, Leap To Fame had the race in his possession baring accidents and led for the remainder of the journey to record an unextended three metre margin in advance of Republican Party along the sprint lane which safely held second. War Dan Buddy (three pegs) was third a metre away after also using the sprint lane.
In quarters of 29.3, 31.4, 27.8 and 27.1 after a lead time of 40.5 seconds, Leap To Fame returned a mile rate of 1.55.2, one second outside the 1.54.2 set by Outlaw Man in 2023 in a none-feature event.
Supplementing the program was the $75,000 (Group 2) MC Labour Kilmore Trotters Cup over 2180 metres taken out by Ecklin South co-trainers Marg & Paddy Lee’s 5Y0 Majestic Son-Shesasundom mare Jilliby Ballerini driven by Jason Lee who gave her backers a scare after breaking in the score up causing a false start.
Jilliby Ballerini made its move as the drivers rounded for home, clearing out by as much as three lengths before easing back with the job done with Jason Lee onboard.
The two races were highlights, with the twilight meeting showcasing some of Australia’s best drivers.
Central Goldfields locals James Herbertson and Luke Dunne battled hard in the opening race of the evening, with Herbertson’s Montana Pride eventually taking victory over Celestial Zodiac in a well-contested race.
Herbertson wasted no time in taking a double after the second race, taking outsider Quirky Character to victory over Mister Blindside, driven by Anthony Butt.
Leading trainer Cardigan’s Emma Stewart was successful with 5YO American Ideal-Unique Desire mare Uniquely Ideal in the 1690 metre Picklebet – Get Your Pickle On’ Pace. With Mark Pitt in the sulky, Uniquely Ideal was strong after going forward three wide from gate five to park outside the pacemaker My Little Bro (gate three). Gaining the upper hand on turning, Uniquely Ideal just lasted by a head to defeat Jilliby Illuminate (one/one from gate four) in a 1.57.9 mile rate. My Little Bro held third 3.3 metres back.
In race four, Golden Tribe, driven by Jordan Leedham, showed it was a night for the favourites with a comfortable win, with The Bride, driven by driver/trainer Alex Ashwood, finishing second.
The time honoured ($30,000) Popular Alm Sprint a Listed Classic Event over 1690 metres went the way of Mount Wallace trainer Kyle Marshall’s in form Kiwi bred 5Y0 Sportswriter/Smoken Su gelding Smoken Ace to give Herbertson a treble on the night. Crossing Louie Lou I (gate five) shortly after the start to assume control, Smoke Ace (gate six) defied all challengers to record a 1.6 metre margin over A Lot Like Louie (gate three – five wide on the final bend) from four pegs. Mach Dan was 2.3 metres away third after racing exposed from outside the front line. The mile rate was 1.52.6.
Leedham took a second win on the night in the eighth race, taking outsider Ata Rangi to victory over Major Art, driven by Tayla French.
Romsey trainer/driver Chris Svanosio’s Captain Treacherous-Glitterazzi gelding Co Captain was a brilliant winner of the Reg Withers 3Y0 Classic to close the meeting. Showing no speed from the pole, Co Captain settled three pegs as Knight Fury Dan (gate four) crossed Vivid Dream from gate two. Coming away from the inside in the last lap to apply pressure to the leader approaching the final bend, Co Captain was ultra impressive to record a 1.8 metre margin over the pacemaker who was no match over the concluding stages. Mister Americano (four pegs) was third 6.8 metres away. Co Captain returned a mile rate of 1.56.1.
