Len Baker’s Sulky Snippets – June 23, 2026

AN interesting night of harness racing was conducted at Kilmore last Thursday, with rain tumbling down for the first race.

The Hip Pocket Castlemaine Trotters Mobile was run over 2180 metres, however the weather gods were kind and the precipitation cleared – the winner being Carlsruhe part-owner/trainer/driver Jack Sullivan’s 8YO Majestic Son-Sullanders Pride gelding Sonnyboy who chalked up his 10th success in 96 outings.

Beginning safely from gate four, Sonny Boy settled one/one as Starlight Red led from gate three before being crossed by Just Abit Dusty at the bell which had made a long run from the rear.  

Travelling kindly throughout, Sonnyboy became snookered momentarily in the last lap when Allwatfunjingles and Sioux Warrior trailing pressed forward but was able to angle three wide on the final bend to challenge and finished best to prevail by 3.3 metres from Sioux Warrior and Starlight Red which ran home late 7.4 metres back after Just Abit Dusty stopped badly taking her back through the field. The mile rate was 2.05.

Romsey trainer Chris Svanosio landed the Kilmore Ford Maiden Pace over 1690 metres with first starter Sweet Gem, a 3YO daughter of Sweet Lou and La Cabeza Gem driven by the stable’s Taylor Youl.

Given an easy time trailing the poleline leader Takao, Sweet Gem angled outside him on the home turn with the pair drawing clear from the rest of the field. Doing best over the concluding stages, Sweet Gem scored by 1.4 metres from Tekao which fought on bravely with Sew Hopefull (four pegs from gate five) using the sprint lane for third 8 metres away. The mile rate was 1.59.9.

Wallan trainer Ruth Shinn’s 7YO A Rocknroll Dance-Shes Pinkalicious gelding Archaa proved that his victory at the last meeting was no fluke by taking the 2180 metre Beraldo Coffee Vicbred Voucher Pace in a 2.00.3 mile rate.

Driven by son Chris, Archaa began brilliantly from gate six to lead and never looked like stopping, greeting the judge by 11.5 metres in advance of Are Weasley (gate three) which raced in the open. Miki Mark (gate four) was third a neck back after following the runner up all the way.

The MC Labour Vicbred Voucher Pace over 2180 metres saw polemarker Freak Out provide a well-deserved victory.

Trained at Ballan by Dianne Giles and driven by daughter Leilani Justice, Freak Out, a 5YO Devilish Smile-Atom Bomb Belle entire, was rated to perfection at the head of affairs to record a 2.5 metre margin over Foregone Conclusion (gate six) – outside the leader – one/one– three wide last lap, with Our Mystery Bet (outside front line) third 1.2 metres away after going forward to race exposed . The mile rate was 2.01.9.

Another Ballan winner was Father Patrick-Peregrin Phoenix gelding Reverand Bob for trainer Philip Chircop in the C&M Build Group Maiden Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres.

Raced by John Dorrington’s Dorro Downs Pty Ltd, Reverand Bob starting outside the front line and driven by James Herbertson after a battle with Musclem (gate three) finally crossed to lead and rated a treat, held too many guns for Miss Kommunication (gate five) which raced uncovered. Big Rain (gate six – three pegs) was third. The margins 1 by 20 metres in a mile rate of 2.02.6.

Punters willing to back short-priced favourites got their rewards with the last three ‘shorties’ all winning. Two-year-old Poster Boy-Bella Enobrac colt Crippa bred, raced and trained by Axedale’s Mick Carbone scored in the Picklebet ‘Get Your Pickle On’ Maiden Pace over 1690 metres.

Driven by Jack Laugher, Crippa ($1.50) starting solo from the second line settled four pegs but quickly accelerated to move outside the poleline leader Villavos to race exposed. Dashing away on the home turn, Crippa coasted to the wire 7.6 metres clear of Gozo Sweet (gate four – one/one) returning a 2.00.4 mile rate. Heavenly Nikky (three pegs from gate two) was third 5.5 metres back.

Cardigan trainer Allan McDonough’s American Ideal-Pistol Abbey filly Ideal Frankie toyed with her rivals in the 1690 metre Australian Pacing Gold 2YO Fillies (Prelude) over 1690 metres at an almost unbackable ($1.04) price.

Driven by Mark Pitt, Ideal Frankie was sent forward from outside the front line to take over and after giving her rivals the slip prior to the final bend, recorded a huge 46.9 metre victory over Grandiosa (one/one from gate three) and first starter Sweetsuccess which had led out from gate three) before trailing finishing 9.8 metres in arrears of the runner up. The mile rate was 1.57.9.

The APG Colts & Geldings Prelude over 1690 metres saw the Emma Stewart (Cardigan) trained and Mark Pitt driven Ultimate Sniper-Pastels colt Cardigan Sniper lead throughout from the pole at odds of $1.10.

Always in control, Cardigan Sniper although looking vulnrerable on turning, gave plenty in the straight to greet the judge by 4.3 metres from first starter Clayton which raced outside him from outside the front line. South Australian Seabreeze Lad (three pegs from gate three) was third 4.8 metres back. The mile rate was 2.00.4.

Kilmore race again Thursday July 2 (Memorial Night).