IT was a wet and wild night last Thursday, March 26 when Kilmore harness took place in wintery conditions, however the track was prepared beautifully with good times in most races.
The JC Windows Pace over 1690 metres opened the eight-event card which went the way of local Darraweit Guim trainer/driver Lisa Miles’ 6YO Art Major-Classic Malibu gelding Percession.
Raced by a huge syndication including members of the Susan Murray Racing Group No. 2, Full Count Group and CBW Racing Group, plus dozens of others, Percession enjoyed a sweet passage from the pole trailing Return Serve (gate two) before running home best along the sprint lane to record a 1.8 metre margin over My Ultimate Luigi, also along the sprint lane from four pegs after starting from inside the second line, with Indi Party Mood (gate three second line – one three) holding on bravely for third a neck away after going forward to race exposed from the bell. The mile rate was 1.59.8.
The Kilmore Ford Maiden Pace over the long distance of 2690 metres saw Cardigan trainer Sam Barker combine with Allan McDonough aboard lightly raced 10YO Village Jasper-Sheer Magnifique gelding Lazenby when having start number 18.
Given a lovely trail from gate four on the back of the leader Son Of A Broad (gate three), Lazenby gained a ‘flukey’ inside passage prior to the home turn to lead on turning, accounting for Son Of A Broad which came again in the straight to go down by a head. Whirily Maurz (three pegs from gate three on the second line) was third 11.6 metres away. The mile rate was 2.06.3.
Newstead area breeder/owner/trainer Brad Angove snared the 1690 metre Hip Pocket Castlemaine Maiden Trotters Mobile with a filly by the name of Beau Truscott, a daughter of Sundons Courage and Yankees Avenger returning a mile rate of 2.04.8.
Driven by Jordy Leedham, Beau Truscott (gate two) after crossing the poleline leader One More Move led for most of the journey to just last by a head from a death-seating Woman To Love and Miss Holly Red (three pegs from inside the second line) who was third 3.7 metres away after using the sprint lane.
The Broadstead Kilmore Pace over 1690 metres was a ‘stroll in the park’ for Sutton Grange trainer Ross Graham and James Herbertson.
Raced by Ross’ partner Emily Holmes, Top Hat Johny led throughout from gate two, winning in a breeze by 9.1 metres from Precious Bell (outside front line – last at the bell which flashed home late. Atomic Glory (gate six) after being given every opportunity (one/three – three wide trail last lap) by Sean O’Sullivan was third a half head back. The mile rate was 1.59.6. It was Tophat Johny’s 29th victory in 237 race appearances.
Lexton trainer Ashleigh Herbertson landed the 1690 mere O’Briens Electrical Pace with 5YO Vincent-Allgood Babe gelding Allgood Vinnie.
With son James (Australia’s leading reinsman) in the sulk, Allgood Vinnie enjoyed a cosy trip one/one from the extreme draw as polemarker Archaa led. Sprinting sharply approaching the home turn to lead into the straight, Allgood Vinnie recorded a three-metre margin in 1.58.6 from Glenline (gate five – one/two) which ran on late with Archaa holding down third 4.6 metres back.
The MC Labour Pace over 2180 metres was taken out by Woodvale trainer Brett Cole’s 7YO Metropolitan-Franciselizabeth gelding Metro Memory who’s last victory had been at Kilmore on November 11 last year.
Driven by George Chamouras, Metro Melody was given a perfect passage from gate two following the pacemaker Hez Harrywho which exploded away from outside the front line. Using the sprint lane to perfection, Metro Memory reached the wire 5.8 metres clear of Hez Harrywho and Regal Rock (one/one from a solo second line draw) recording a mile rate of 2.00.9.
“Herbie” Herbertson was to chalk up a treble after guiding Balliang trainer Tyrone Abela’s 4YO Skyvalley-Dreamscape Aurora mare Kiss At Midnight to land the 2180 metre C&M Build Group Trotters Mobile.
Raced by the family’s Evolution Lodge Pty Ltd, Kiss At Midnight (gate five) was given every chance after trailing the leader Bumper Service (outside front line) momentarily before moving around him to coast to the wire 12.7 metres in advance of Alabama May (three pegs from gate two) which ran home late after being inconvenienced when Bumper Service dropped out sharply. Attracted (gate four – one/one at bell) after galloping away as the start was effected was third 1.4 metres back. The mile rate was 2.04.1.
Racing concluded with the 1690 metre Picklebet ‘Get Your Pickle On’ Trotters Mobile which saw speedy 6YO Kvintet Avenger-Ourlittlelil gelding Patnwill in a mile rate of 2.05.2.
Trained at Heathcote by Michael Mannix and driven by Ashley Manton, Patnwill began fast as usual from gate five to lead throughout and score by 4.9 metres from Mista Walker (gate six – one/three – three wide last lap) and Kalarney Prince (gate three – one/one) who was 5.1 metres back in third place.
Kilmore race again on Thursday.
Champion Bolinda reinsman Chris Alford is recovering at home from back surgery and will be off the scene for almost six weeks – best wishes for a speedy recovery are extended.