IT was back to Kilmore again on Thursday, September 3 with an even ten-event card.
Wedderburn trainer Nick Youngston, who has enjoyed a profitable season to date added another winner to his tally when heavily supported 5YO Million Dollar Cam-Team Spirit mare Esperanza was successful in the 1690 metre Tellurian Wines Pace.
Driven by the unstoppable James Herbertson, Esperanza starting from gate two on the second line settled beautifully one/one as Atomic Lady led. Going forward to join the pacemaker on the home turn, Esmeralda was too tough at the business end, scoring by 2.2 metres from Atomic Glory which battled on gamely, with polemarker Dancin With Elvis third 7.6 metres away third after trailing the runner up. The mile rate was 2.00.3.
Honest 4YO Rock N Roll Heaven-Torridon gelding Owen The Saints, bred and raced by Swan Hill’s Noel Watson landed the 1690 metre Next Payments Pace.
Trained at John Tormey’s Junortoun base by daughter Ellen and Jack Laugher, Owen The Saints driven by Jack settled three back in the running line from the extreme draw before gaining a lovely three wide trail into the final bend courtesy of Ninedolla Toastie(gate five) which had vacated the one/one spot.
Running home hard on turning, Owen The Saints finished fast to record a head margin over the poleline leader Feel The Reign which gave a sight. Ninedolla Toastie held third 2 metres back in a 1.56.7 mile rate.
Sutton Grange trainer Ross Graham has a way with these old claimers and 11YO Tophut Johny a gelded son of Mr Feelgood and Jesse Grant snared the 2180 metre Broadstead Kilmore Pace in a 2.01.3 mile rate.
Driven by Liam Older who rarely does anything wrong, Tophut Johny led throughout from gate three to record his 31st success in 259 outings, accounting for Glenline which flashed home late six-wide from the rear to go down by 2 metres. Goodtime Mae (gate two) was third 1.8 metres back after trailing the winner and using the sprint lane.
Four-year-old Volstead-Aldebaran Deebee gelding Aldebaran Denbay, having his first start for Henty trainer Brooke McPherson was victorious in the 2180 metre JC Windows Trotters Mobile at the juicy odds of $18.90.
With Ryan Sanderson in the sulky, Aldebaran Denbay starting solo on the second line settled three pegs as Flyin Time led from gate three. Going forward three-wide from the rear on turning, Aldebaran Denbay motored to the wire, recording a 1.5 metre margin in advance of the pacemaker and polemarker Kalarney Prince which had followed the leader finishing third 1.7 metres back. The mile rate was 2.03.
Ross Creek trainer Steven Clarke’s Charlton stable headed by son Connor provided the quinella in the Coulter Legal Vicbred Voucher Concession Pace over 2180 metres with tough 9YO Art Major-Askmenow gelding Foregone Conclusion defeating Monsieur Flamel in a 2.01.2 mile rate.
Driven by competent Goulburn Valley reinswoman Grace Bilney, Foregone Conclusion went forward from gate six to lead most of the way, while Monsieur Flamel (solo second line) extricating from four pegs ran home strongly. Divine Tilly (one/one from gate five) was third. The margins being 1.2 by 2.9 metres.
Balliang/Bacchus Marsh owner/trainer/driver Robert Young has done a wonderful job with former Dunnstown Danny Bouchea-Kilmainham 7YO gelding Scar who notched up his 18th success (16 for Robert) from 94 outings by taking the 2180 metre La Dimora Retirement Resort Trotters Mobile.
Quickly away from gate five to park outside the speedy Fremarks Peggy (gate two), Scar was caught exposed for most of the race. When Fremarks Peggy kicked clear on turning, she looked to have the race in her keeping, however Scar was relentless and kept on giving to record a great neck margin on the wire over Amour Maternal along the sprint lane after trailing the leader and using the sprint lane. Fremarks Peggy was a head away third in a thrilling finish. The mile rate was 2.04.2.
It was a semi local victory in the 2180 metre Kilmore Ford Pace when Wallan trainer Ruth Shinn’s very much in-form 7YO A Rocknroll Dance-Shes Pinkalicious gelding Archaa chalked up his 12th success in 108 outings.
Raced and bred by Ruth’s husband Noel and Carl O’Dwyer, Archaa driven by son Chris was trapped four-wide from gate seven as Smoking Shannon led from gate for Acadia’s Jamie Egan with Nathan Jack aboard. Continuing a forward move, Archaa was able to assume control and once there was rated to perfection, accounting for Smoking Shannon by 3.3 metres, with Kutani (gate two – three pegs) third a head back. The mile rate was two minutes even.
Myrniong trainer Jess Tubbs combined with Ryan Sanderson aboard Bettors Delight-Elysees Crest colt Le Gaston to land the MC Labour 3YO Maiden Pace over 1690 metres.
Beginning swiftly from gate six, Le Gaston had his rivals off the bit and chasing a long way out before reaching the wire by a half neck in a 2.01.2 mile rate over polemarker Captain Milo along the sprint lane. Donttellnanna was third 5.9 metres away after going forward three-wide to join the winner at the bell.
Six-year-old Used To Me-Eringa Belle gelding Avant Guard who is never far away in his races was victorious in the 2180 metre C&M Build Group Trotters Mobile.
Trained by Ross Graham and driven by Liam Older, Avant Guard raced without cover throughout, proving too tough for outsider Champagne Charley (gate six – one/two – three wide last lap) and trier Dels Destiny (one/one) from gate three. The margins a neck by a half head in a 2.04.5 mile rate.
The Picklebet ‘Get Your Pickle On’ Maiden Trotters Mobile saw Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley combine with local reinsman Josh Duggan to score with 2Y0 Muscle Hill-Cash Lover filly Queen Of The Summit in a 2.06.8 mile rate.
Despite racing uncovered from gate five, Queen Of The Summit was too strong for her rivals to greet the judge 1.5 metres clear of first starter Global Elite (one/one from gate three) which sprouted wings on turning. Poleline leader Big Rain held third 2 metres away.
Kilmore race again this Thursday.
