AN even seven-event program of harness racing was held on Wednesday with favourites taking out five of them.
Strathfieldsaye trainer Julie Douglas drew first blood when two-year-old filly Ozzie Diamond defeated her older rivals in the OKRFM Pace over 1890 metres. Driven by Shepparton’s Tasmyn Potter, Ozzie Diamond began fast from gate three but couldn’t cross Treacherous Times (gate five) and after racing roughly and mixing her gear on the first turn settled three back along the markers after poleliner Blue Canon behind Treacherous Times galloped wildly.
When local Miki Mark (gate two) which had raced exposed got the better of the leader in the straight appearing to win, Ozzie Diamond ($1.80) flashed home along the sprint lane to gain the day by a head, with Favouritehighlight (gate six – one/one – three wide on turning) third a half neck back third. The mile rate was 1.58.4.
Tooleen trainer Alex Ashwood and partner Tayla French combined to land the 1690 metre Broadstead Kilmore 4YO & Older Maiden Pace with Sheer Me, a 4YO Art Major-Sheer Magnifique mare.
Caught in the open from gate three, Sheer Me pushed on to cross the leader Mystic Motivater (gate two) and given an easy time, greeted the judge by 3.4 metres in a 1.57.6 mile rate to account for Mystic Motiver and Dyganali (gate six – one/two) who was a head away third.
Very honest 4YO Soho Tribeca-Meghan Suits Her mare Soho Playgirl now trained at Tatura by Craig Turnbull, following the recent passing of former trainer and part-owner Ted Jepson, scored a big victory in the JC Windows Pace over 2180 metres.
Taken back to the rear from outside the front line by Abbey Turnbull, Soho Playgirl ($1.80) was set alight prior to the bell with a rush to cross the poleline pacemaker Hurrikane Dusty at the winning post and lead for the final circuit. Although Popcornfriday (extreme draw) three pegs and four pegs on the final bend finished fast, Soho Playgirl had too big a break and hit the wire 7.4 metres in advance of Popcornfriday. Anakin (gate three – one/two) after switching to the sprint lane was third 2.4 metres back. The mile rate was an even 1.57.
Very heavily supported two-year-old Always B Miki-Shes Magnetic filly Melican, who boasted a victory in Hobart on July 12 at her first race start, snared the 2180 metre O’Briens Electrical Mares Pace.
Trained by Bec Bartley at Kialla, Melican ($1.35) driven by former Tasmanian Liam Older led from gate three as the starter released the field before being restrained to allow Ozzie Tart outside her to assume control momentarily before easing around her to again pilot the field. Given full rein on turning, Melican coasted to the wire recording a 19.7 metre margin over Ozzie Tart, with polemarker Fourever A Star (three pegs) holding third albeit 16.9 metres back. The mile rate was 1.56.6.
The C&M Build Group Trotter Mobile over 2180 metres saw Avenel part-owner/trainer/driver Juanita Breen victorious with smart Skyvalley-Golden Spurs 4YO mare Little Miss Morgan in a 2.04 mile rate.
Dropping back in grade after competing in the APG Super Series, Little Miss Morgan ($1.50) began quickly from gate two joining the speedy Straight To Thetop (gate four) which began like a rocket as he usually does before striding clear shortly after. Always in control, Little Miss Morgan wasn’t pushed out to record a soft 4.4 metre margin over Straight To Thetop which easily held second with Abbie (outside the front line) one/four-one three – three wide last lap) third 4.1 metres away third.
The 2180-metre MC Labour Trotters Mobile went the way of Kyabram owner/trainer/driver Paul Railton’s 6YO Cardigan Boko-Soh Filthy Rich gelding Money Talks. Taken back at the start from outside the front row to settle at the rear as Charlie Walker (gate six) crossed Betsy Anne (gate four), Money Talks ($2.40) set off three-wide solo in the last lap before racing clear running into the final bend.
Sonnyboy (solo second line) which followed him home tried hard in the straight, but Money Talks held him at bay to record a strong 8.7 metre margin, with Betsy Anne third after being held up prior to the home turn using the sprint lane for third 1.2 metres away. The mile rate was 2.04.7.
Myrniong based trainer Denis Grieve returned to the winners list when ex-Queenslander Ahundredplus, a 5YO Centurion Atm-Our Maple Tart mare scored in the Picklebet ‘Get Your Pickle On’ Mares Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.
With Blake Pace in the sulky, Ahundredplus settle five back along the markers as expected leader Silent Reverie did so from gate five. After a shuffle up Ahundredplus ($7.00) had moved be one/two at the bell and despite being four-wide on the final bend, finished off her race well to gain a last stride decision by a nose over the pacemaker in a finish which tricked many. Im Miss Royalty (six wide home turn) from the rear was third 7.7 metres away. The mile rate was 2.04.
Kilmore’s next meeting will be on Thursday.
