KILMORE harness was conducted at Kilmore in very wet conditions last Thursday, June 4 with most races open affairs.
Rushworth trainer Don Cross’s back in form 8YO Imperial Count-Im Rite Or Wrong mare Jessicas Story registered her 16th victory in 187 outings when successful in the 2180 metre Next Payments Trotters Mobile.
Driven by Abby Sanderson, Jessicas Sory began safely from the pole to follow Bettor Man (gate four) enjoying the run of the race. Making full use of the sprint lane, Jessicas Story raced clear over the final stages to record a 4.1 metre margin over Bettor Man, with At The Distance (gate four – one/one) third 2.1 metres back after being left in the open prior to the home turn when Pro Hibition (gate five) galloped. The mile rate was 2.06.5.
The 2180 metre Tellurian Wines 3YO Maiden Pace was similar to the previous race when Sweet Lou-Shes Norma Jean gelding Rom Baro at start number two scored in a 2.02.3 mile rate.
Bred, raced and trained by former Kilmore resident Charlene Gusman, now based at Kialla, Rom Baro driven by Liam Older starting inside the second line trailed the poleline pacemaker Bungy and after easing away from the markers on turning, ran home strongly to score easily by 11.1 metres in advance of Bungy, with Heavenly Flyer (gate three – one/one third) a nose away.
It was an unforgettable night for Charlene after stable favourite Clives Girl (Nick Beale) snared the 1690 metre MC Labour Concession Drivers Pace.
Restrained at the start from gate five to angle to the back of the poleline leader Fake Cullection, Clives Girl dashed through along the sprint lane on turning to record a 1.2 metre victory in a rate of 2.01.8 over a death-seating Miss Hermes (gate four) which fought on gamely. Quick Crunch one/one from outside the front line was third 1.9 metres back.
The 1690 metre OKRFM Trotters Mobile was a rough result for punters after Riddell owner/trainer/driver Freddy Spiteri’s handy 8YO Love You-I Am Majestic gelding Te Amo at odds of $19.00 got the cash.
Settling four back along the markers from gate five as Piesridingshotgun beginning with his usual gate speed from outside the front line led, Te Amo after extricating wide on turning finished with a wet sail out wide to record a 2.1 metre victory over Dee Jay Dex (extreme draw – taken back to the tail – three wide to lead at the bell). Gatesys Mate (one/one from inside the second line) was third a nose away after being slightly held up on the final bend. The mile rate was 2.04.1.
The Shinn name is synonymous with Kilmore and Wallan trainer Ruth Shinn would have been jumping for joy when 7YO A Rocknroll Dance-Shes Pinkalicious gelding Archaa cracked it for his first win since August 2024 by taking the Broadstead Kilmore Pace over 2180 metres in a mile rate of 2.01.9.
Raced by Noel Shinn and veteran Kilmore local Carl O’Dwyer, Archaa driven by Chris Shinn at start 100 led throughout at odds of $41.00 and couldn’t be caught, scoring easily by 7.8 metres from Major Maurie (gate two second line – one/one) which switched to the sprint lane on turning, with the heavily supported Tobys Shout one/two from the extreme draw third a half neck back.
Ten-year-old Great Success-Majestic Eclipse gelding Allwatfunjingles, having his third start in seven days and 122 overall landed the Coulter Legal Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres in a 2.03.6 mile rate.
Raced and trained by Melton’s Steve Alexandrou and driven by Blake Pace, Allwatfunjingles in the ‘drive of the night’ was taken back to the rear from outside the front line as Bet Bet Hotshot (gate four) led. Set alight racing for the bell with a withering burst of speed on the rain-soaked track, Allwatfunjingles crossed to lead for the last lap defying all challengers to record a 3.5 metre margin in advance of a death-seating Madge Egan (gate five) and Lavengers Boy (gate two – one/one). It was Allwatfunjingles’ 12th success.
The C&M Build Group Pace over 1690 metres saw 3YO Wishing Stone-Elloallaylola filly Ijustcantseeit successful for Longlea owners Paul and Rebecca Morrissey.
Trained by Rebecca and driven by Michael Bellman, Ijustcantseeit led throughout from gate three to run out a convincing 14.6 metre victor from Kennys Son (gate four) which raced outside her before breaking on the home turn throwing away all chance but got going again in the straight to flash home and blouse Karakajack (four pegs from outside the front line) using inside runs for third a nose away. The mile rate a slick 2.00.9 in the conditions.
In-form 4YO Sweet Lou-Aunty Daph gelding Theroux made it three from three this time in by taking the Picklebet ‘Get Your Pickle On’ Concession Drivers Pace over 2180 metres.
Raced and trained at Smythes Creek by Nathan Cahir, Theroux, driven by former Queenslander Luke Sutherland, was taken back from gate four to settle three back in the moving line as Jindalea Jack led from gate three. Gaining a three wide trail home in the last lap on the back of Talisker Skipper (gate six – one/one) which had raced past the leader on the home turn, Theroux swamped him in the straight to register a 6.7 metre margin. Master Miki (outside front line) ran on late from the rear for third a half neck back. The mile rate was 2.01.8.
Bolinda trainer Kari Males’ Pastor Stephen-Maidstone Miss filly Miss Holly Red broke her maiden status at start fifteen when winning the 1690 metre Annabelle Cleeland 3YO Maiden Trotters Mobile in a rate of 2.07.4.
Driven by Toolern Vale’s Ewa Justice, Miss Holly Red was rated to perfection from gate three to greet the judge 1.6 metres clear of Reverand Bob (gate five – one/one – outside winner last lap) giving Pastor Stephen the quinella. Kyvalley Reeva (four pegs from gate six) was third 3.3 metres away.
Kilmore races again on Thursday June 18.
