KILMORE raced again last Wednesday with a highly interesting program – the highlight coming in the opening race, the highly-emotional, adrenalin-filled OKRFM Vicbred Voucher Pace over 1690 metres taken out by 9Y0 Four Starzzz Shark-Gabbys Sweetheart mare Four Ever A Star. Raced by Lisa Horton, Four Ever A Star trained by Rita Burnett carrying the colours of Lisa’s late partner Leon Conway and driven by James Herbertson began fast to lead from gate three before being eased to take a trail on Our Mystery Bet (gate five) to enjoy the run of the race. Using the sprint lane on turning, Four Ever A Star certainly was on the night as she charged home to gain the day by a head from Our Mystery Bet in a 1-59.9 mile rate. Sterling Gigi – three wide from outside the front line to race exposed was third 3.2 metres back. Even though Rita is the registered trainer, Lisa can take all the accolades as she is with the mare every day of the week and has been rewarded for her attention.
Competent Balliang trainer Tyrone Abela combined with Mount Wallace reinsman Kyle Marshall to land the Next Payments Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres with 4Y0 Skyvalley-Peggyhall mare Shes Sky High which paid another big dividend of $18.00. Beginning swiftly from gate three to lead, Shes Sky High was rated a treat and couldn’t be caught in a close finish, scoring by a neck from Little Miss Valley one/one – three wide home turn from gate two second line), with Distant Sun (one/two from inside the second line) third a head away after angling wide in the straight. The mile rate 1-59.4.
Echuca part-owner/trainer Wayne Lear has 9Y0 Mach Three-Vertigal mare Wheres Wood Wood going great guns at present and brought up her 16th success in 122 outings by taking the 2180 metre JC Windows Pace in a 2-01.6 mile rate. Driven by Leigh Sutton, Wheres Wood Wood starting inside the second line was given every opportunity three back in the running line as local hope Miki Mark (gate six) after being trapped three wide was sent forward by Josh Duggan to cross the leader Financial Burden (gate three) shortly after the start. Going forward three wide solo in the last lap, Wheres Wood Wood joined the leader on turning with the pair drawing away to fight out the finish with Wheres Wood Wood proving a little too strong at the finish to register a 4 metre victory in a 2-01.6 mile rate over Miki Mark, with Gozo Major (gate five – one/one) third 14.3 metres back.
Popular Kyabram owner/trainer Graham Lyon used the services of Nathan Jack to guide 5Y0 Majestic Son-Sheza Amason gelding Majestic Monarch to victory in the Coulter Legal Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres. Caught exposed from gate four as noted speedster Piesridingshotgun (gate three) led. Majestic Monarch gained a one/one sit when the well supported Abbie (gate six) caught three wide made a forward move to race exposed giving Majestic Monarch one/one cover. Easing three wide on the final bend, Majestic Monarch ran home best to record a 5.2 metre margin over Piesridingshotgun which fought on gamely, with polemarker Floating Mountain (three pegs – four wide home turn) third 2 metres back. The mile rate 2-02.8.
The Broadstead Kilmore Vicbred Voucher Trotters Mobile went the way of 4Y0 Volstead-Keayang Majestic mare Keayang Minnesota for South Ecklin co-trainer Marg and Paddy Lee who are also the owners. Slowly out from the extreme draw , Keayang Minnesota was set alight by Jason Lee racing for the bell to park outside the pacemaker Moonshine Louie (gate three) which had worked to cross last start Kilmore winner Patnwill (gate two). Although Moonshine Louie tried hard, Keayang Minnesota was too tough at the business end, scoring by 5.5 metres in a 2-01.5 mile rate. Polemarker Sabihalil (three pegs) was third 9.3 metres away.
The Lees made it a double when Always B Miki-Keayang Goddess filly Keayang Maricruz bred and raced by Marg scored in the 1690 metre Kilmore Ford 3Y0 Maiden Pace. Again with Jason in the sulky, Keayang Maricruz was sent forward from gate five to take the lead away from polemarker Sew Hopefull and defied all challengers to record a 2.5 metre victory over Sew Hopefull which had moved outside her on the home turn. Rockinthekasba (extreme draw – one/one last lap was third a head back after switching to the sprint lane on turning. The mile rate 1-58.1.
Kialla trainer Bec Bartley landed the MC Labour Pace over 2180 metres with My Mate Ace a 4Y0 For A Reason-Lucilla Franco entire who chalked up victory number three at start number 10. Driven by Liam Older who is driving in great form, My Mate Ace starting inside the second line pushed through to follow the poleline leader Tryx Vixen enjoying the run of the race. Using the sprint lane on turning, My Mate Ace finished best to register a 1.2 metre margin in two minutes even over the pacemaker, with Lou Will Nz after racing uncovered from outside the front row third 5.6 metres back.
The C&M Build Group 4Y0 & Older Maiden Trotters Maiden over 1690 metres saw Aldebaran Eagle-Maybelina mare First In Flight successful on debut for Balliang trainer/driver Jason Hackett. Settling three back in the running line from gate six as Dance With Roxy led from gate three, First In Flight after moving to be one/one approaching the final bend finished her race off in fine style out wide to greet the judge by 3.1 metres in a 2-03.7 mile rate from Dance With Roxy (Tyrone Abella/Kyle Marshall) to give Balliang the quinella. Synrax Error (extreme draw – one/one) was third a half neck back.
The Picklebet ‘Get Your Pickle On’ Pace over 1690 metres brought together a fine field despite there being only six starters – the victor being the raging hot $1.55 favourite Dembe, a three year old colt by Lochinvar Art from Somedaylady trained at Kialla by Isabel Walsh who brought up four wins in succession. Driven by James Herbertson, Dembe (gate two) was eased at the start as both polemarker Hellovatime and Maas Betting Again (gate three) engaged in the speed battle with Hellovatime winning out and Maas Betting Again easing to trail and Dembe three pegs. Coming away from the inside to race in the open at the bell, Dembe asserted his authority on the home turn to race away on turning and score by 2.7 metres in a 1-56.2 mile rate from Tooram Magic (outside front line) from the tail, with local hope Mitzi Said (three pegs at bell) using the sprint lane for third.
Kilmore races again on Thursday.
