MYRNIONG trainer Jess Tubbs combined with James Herbertson to pull off a big plunge in the first of eight races at Kilmore last Thursday February 26 when 4YO Lennytheshark-Pembrook Caesar entire Ronnie The Hammer scored in the 2180 metre OKRFM Community Radio Pace.
Starting from gate four, Ronnie The Hammer began fast from gate four only to be trapped wide as Martyr (gate five) showed great speed to lead.
Gradually working forward to race outside the pacemaker, Ronnie The Hammer was given a breather when polemarker Michen Roy came away from the back of the leader to race in the open giving Ronnie The Hammer one/one cover as the in-form Lilstrepo after being restrained to mid-field in the running line from outside the front line commenced a three wide surge forward racing for the bell only to be trapped wide for the remainder of the trip.
Easing three-wide in the straight with the winning post looming, Ronnie The Hammer, backed into $1.60, got the judge’s nod by a head from Martyr which shifted ground on turning allowing Hittheroadjack (three pegs from gate two second line – behind leader last lap) to use the sprint lane to dead-heat for second in a thrilling finish. The mile rate was 1.57.6.
The sprint lane was the place to be during the evening. Six-year-old Stonebridge Regal-Really Rona gelding Really Smartie was also a sprint lane victor of the 2180 metre Annabelle Cleeland Pace.
Trained at Sunbury by Freddy Taiba and driven by Ewa Justice, Really Smartie enjoyed a cosy passage from inside the second line following the polemarker Lord Verde which fought hard to retain the front running.
Running home stylishly along the inside on turning, Really Smartie raced by the Campbell family had 2.3 metres to spare on the wire from Shaq (gate two – three pegs) which also used the sprint lane, with Lord Verde holding third 4.2 metres back. The mile rate was 1.59.8.
Pipers Creek (Kyneton) trainer Tony Xiriha combined with Kyneton’s Joe Attard to land the 2180 metre Picklebet ‘Get Your Pickle On’ Trotters Mobile with 11YO Red Samurai-Spinster Clare gelding Buslin Brody returning a 2.02.7 mile rate.
Starting from the extreme draw, Buslin Brodie settled four back in the moving line as poleline Massif Central was challenged strongly by Tubs Now Slim (gate two) which began equally as well but couldn’t cross settling one/one after April Sun (gate four) went forward from three back to join Massif Central who was given no peace.
While all this was going on, Buslin Brody, after switching to the markers, received inside runs to trail the leader. Held up when April Sun got the better of Massif Central and kicked clear, Buslin Brody was able to follow Midnite Muscle (one/two – outside April Sun on the final bend) after extricating from the inside and ran home best to prevail easily by 9.4 metres from a game April Sun, with Midnite Muscle 4.6 metres away third. The mile rate was 2.02.7. It was Buslin Brody’s 15th success in 129 outings.
Seventy-three-year-old Acadia trainer John McLean, who has been involved in harness racing since a youngster, was victorious in the Broadstead Kilmore Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres with 4Y0 Majestic Son-Sunday Service gelding Bumper Service, much to the delight of long time participant Terry Woodyard who races him.
Driven by Chris Alford, Bumper Service led from gate five before allowing Spanish Rizardo (three wide to outside the leader from outside the front line) to take over mid-race.
Using the sprint lane, Bumper Service finished best to record a 1.9 metre victory over Spanish Rizardo, which showed a win isn’t too far away. Money Talks (gate two – four pegs – one/two last lap – three wide home turn) was third 4.4 metres away and also looks to be a coming winner. The mile rate was 2.03.2.
It was great to see Huntly trainer Barry Quigley in the winners’ stall following the victory of 8YO Heston Blue Chip-Birds Of A Feather mare Outa The Blue in the Coulter Legal Pace over 2180 metres.
Raced by a large syndication, Outa The Blu driven by Taylor Youl was given an easy time from gate two following the pacemaker Alcatraz Girl (gate four) and after using the sprint lane, just held on from a death-seating Our Mystery Bet returning a mile rate of 2.02.4.
Janiebquick starting from the extreme draw came from near last off a three wide double trail last lap for third. The margins a neck by 1.1 metres. It was Outa The Blu’s first success since July 2021.
Yet another sprint lane winner was 4YO Bling It On-Miss Nickels mare Normans Girl in the 1690 metre MC Labour Pace for Long Forest dup Andy and Kate Gath.
Trailing the poleline pacemaker Whirily Maurz, Normans Girl dashed home along the inside to score by 1.4 metres from the leader in a 1.59.8 mile rate, Im The Reason (gate three) was third 1.7 metres back after racing exposed.
The C&M Build Group Pace over 1690 metres saw Moolerr (St Arnaud) part-owner/trainer Denis McIntyre combine with Michael Bellman aboard honest ex-Kiwi 5YO gelding Shudaboughtaboat.
Caught three wide from gate four with Sweet Face (gate three) leading, Shudaboughtaboat crossed to the front prior to the bell and although inclined to hang and run about, reached the wire 3.2 metres clear of Sweet Face and Rennie Tin Tin (gate six) which went forward to race exposed for the last lap third 2.3 metres away. The winner, unbackable at $1.10, saved punters from that sinking feeling hitting the wire.
Racing concluded with the 2180 metre La Dimora Retirement Resort Pace – the winner 9YO Bettor’s Delight-Misty Miller gelding Isolation for Harkness part-owner Patrick Tomkinson and “Herbie” who bookended the meeting.
Coming away quickly from gate three, Isolation led virtually throughout to account for Popcornfriday (gate five one/one) and Scherger That (gate two which trailed the winner. The margins 18.1 by 6.6 metres in a mile rate of 1.58.7.
Kilmore next race Thursday, March 12.