SPORT: Harness Racing with Len Baker
• The week kicked off with a double night meeting on Tuesday April 22 with both Mildura and the regular Shepparton fixture taking place.
What a night it was for local Birdwoodton trainer Naomi Kerr at Mildura winning the first three races on the seven event card including the $7,000 Robinvale Pacing Cup over 1790 metres with 5Y0 Hes Watching-Just Look At Me gelding Eye See Philtra.
Settling three back along the markers from inside the second line as the favourite Dallas Miki led from gate four with Ros Rolf in the sulky.
Eye See Philtra with Western District reinsman Lochie Cook was able to extricate in the back straight on the final occasion to make the final bend three wide and finish best to gain the day by 3.6 metres in a mile rate of 1-58.2 from Letsgo Big Girl (gate three second line) off a three wide trail. Dallas Miki held third 1.6 metres away.
• Lochie had earlier landed the 1790 metre Park Douglas Printing Pace Final with 8Y0 Shadow Bay-Autographed mare Mariahs Shadow returning a mile rate of 2-00.4.
Following through from gate three on the second line, Mariahs Shadow settled one/one after Brent Murphy drove Love To Deal (gate four) forward to lead.
Set alight three wide racing for the bell, Mariahs Shadow applied plenty of pressure to the pacemaker before striding clear on turning to score by 3.5 metres from Cavalry from near last after starting from the extreme draw. Partyatthebeach (outside the front line) angled to be one/one after easing from the breeze at the bell to finish third 7.1 metres back.
• Six year old Modern Art-Thegingerbreadgirl gelding Modern Ginger was able to cross Quartside (gate three – Connor Clarke) the 2190 metre McDonalds Irymple and Mildura Pace shortly after the start in the opening race of the program and once there was never headed, greeting the judge 8.4 metres in advance of I Bet You (one/two from gate two second line) three wide last lap, with polemarker Keayang Moroccan (three pegs) third 3.5 metres away. The mile rate 1-58.7.
• What a remarkable job thirteen year old Dawn Ofa New Day-Celestial Gift gelding Celestial Daybreak has been for South Australian breeder/owners Steven and Michael Byrne, winning his 60th race in 444 outings (104 placings) when successful in the Mildura Lawn Bowls Carnival April 28 to May 4th Pace over 1790 metres. Trained at Charlton by Tori Hutchins and driven by partner Luke Dunne, Celestial Daybreak had little difficulty in leading on a tight reign and given every chance, kicked clear on turning to record a 2-01.3 mile rate over Ronzel Micky (one/two from outside the front line) which ran on late. Mustang Daisy after trailing the winner from gate two was third 2.4 metres back.
• The feature at Shepparton was the 2190 metre Hygain Pace which saw three year old Vincent-Telern Pepper gelding Telern Lofty victorious for Monegeetta trainer/driver David Miles. Bred by the late Terry Wait from Lancefield who’s life evolved around ‘The Trots’ until his sudden departure over 12 months back, Telern Lofty – ‘Lofty’ being Terry’s nickname, raced by his close friends Tony Eley, John Suffern, Jim Grant and Bob Adamson along with Terry’s estate, began brilliantly to lead and rated to perfection by David, defied all challengers, scoring by 5.2 metres in a mile rate of 2-02.2 over Owen The Saints (one/two – starting solo on the second line – three wide last lap ) and Royle Blood from the tail after being restrained from outside the front line who was a head back after following Royle Blood home finishing a head away.
• Six year old Racing Hill-Hannas Delight gelding Big Sledge Hammer raced and trained by Mount Duneed’s Ricky DeBono, was successful in the 1690 metre Pacing For Pink Sunday May 4th Pace.
Driven by Allan McDonough, Big Sledge Hammer led out from gate four before being restrained to allow Lochiel Lad (gate six) to cross. After a cosy trip, Big Sledge Hammer used the sprint lane to gain the decision by 2.9 metres from Arnies Army from the extreme draw which went forward to race outside the leader. Lochiel Lad held third 3.3 metres back. The mile rate 1-56.6.
n Former Riverina trainer David Harris now based at Avenel landed the Welcome J and A Mazzetti Painting New SHRC Sponsor Pace over 1690 metres with Direct Command, a 6Y0 gelded son of Hes Watching and Swift Belle. Driven by Ellen Tormey, Direct Command began fast from gate four to lead throughout, accounting for Jacksboy (one/one) and Chogi (one/one). The margins 4.4 by 1.6 metres in a mile rate of 1-56.2.
• Kialla based Rebecca Bartley trained and reined 4Y0 Alta Christiano-Shake It Up Baby gelding Rowdy Christian to capture the Neatline Homes 4Y0 & Older Pace over 1690 metres. Given an easy time one/one from gate three, Rowdy Christian after easing three wide on the final bend ran home best to prevail by 3.3 metres in advance of a death-seating Cee Cee Lou who would have given David Harris a double. Our Princess Di (three pegs from outside the front line) was third 1.2 metres back. The mile rate 1-58.5.
Double header
• Another double header on Wednesday with Charlton in the afternoon and Bendigo at night.
Charlton was a super day for Ballan based mother and daughter Dianne Giles and Leilani Justice who added another stable double to their CV with both Chinski and Best Back Bruce successful.
Most reliable Kiwi bred 8Y0 Peak-Barsukova gelding Chinski returned to the winners list after taking the 1609 metre Charlton Welcomes Djaara People Trotters Mobile.
Beginning brilliantly from gate four, Chinski had no trouble leading and after being driven a treat, ran out an easy 5.7 metre victor, his 16th in 159 outings (42 placings), accounting for Love Who (gate five) which trailed by 5.7 metres, with Dona Amalia (one/three from outside the front line) third 1.9 metres away. The mile rate 2-00.2.
• Nine year old Lis Mara-Tactical Dream Maker gelding Best Back Bruce a winner at Ballarat six days earlier repeated the dose in the Lalgambuk (Mt Franklin) Pace over 2100 metres.
Enjoying a sweet one/one passage from gate five as polemarker Wichita Dance led, Best Back Bruce after easing three wide prior to the home turn took a slender lead on turning to score by 1.2 metres in a rate of 1-59.1 from Im Stuck Man starting inside the second line which was badly held up on the back of the weakening leader before gaining a late split.
Presidental Change (gate three) ran on late after following the winner throughout for third 4.9 metres away.
• Charlton’s Sebastian Steenhuis has found Charlton to be a happy hunting ground since shifting there, bringing up two wins in a row with 4Y0 Roll With Joe-Rinjani mare Lombok in the Ngarri (My Egbert) Mares Pace over 1609 metres which had been a winner at Kilmore on April 10.
Driven by Luke Dunne, Lombrok after leading most of the way from gate five ran out an easy 6.1 metre margin from both Tap To Pay (gate three) which led out before taking a trail and using the sprint lane to no avail and Sassyola who after starting outside the front line and racing uncovered battled on well to dead-heat for second. The mile rate a slick 1-55.6.
• Ross Creek’s Jennifer Douglas combined with Kerryn Manning to snare the 2100 metre Aunty Fay Carter Pace with 5Y0 Sweet Lou-Glenferrie Alexis gelding Muselet.
Driven by Kerryn Manning, Muselet starting solo on the second line, Muselet was quickly away from inside the second line to settle two back in the moving lane as Heston Cash (gate six) went forward to cross Reeko Reactor (gate three).
Easing three wide on the final bend, Muselet was too strong over the concluding stages for Heston Cash and Reeko Reactor which used the sprint lane for third. The margins 2.6 by 6.3 metres in a mile rate of 2-01.6.
• It was Bendigo Trotters Cup night, a $20,000 (Listed Classic) event over 2650 metres which went the way of Cardigan trainer Emma Stewart’s in-form 7Y0 Kiwi import Harold Smith, a gelded son of Andover Hall and Miss Lovalot driven by Mark Pitt.
Stepping safely from 20 metres, Harold Smith a winner of the Geelong Trotters Cup two starts back before again winning at Melton possied one/one on the back of Im Bobby (20 metres) momentarily as runners sorted themselves out after both Black And Gold (front) and Sundons Courage (10 metres) went to the inside with the leader Wish Upona Dream (barrier three) handing over to Im Bobby.
When Black And Gold came away from the inside to give Harold Smith cover mid-race, Harold Smith was sent forward with a rush racing for the bell to join the leader and appeared to be travelling easily except for racing roughly for a stride or two prior.
With the two front runners drawing away approaching the home turn, Harold Smith raced clear shortly after to greet the judge 8 metres in advance of the 30 metre backmarker Parisian Artiste which ran on solidly from last. Brandlo Prince (barrier four one/two after a bad beginning) and three wide last lap ran a great race for third albeit 9.9 metres back. The mile rate 2-01.
n The Nutrien AG Solutions Trotters Mobile saw 7Y0 Love You-Sundons Pride mare Tictok on her best behavior to brilliantly score in 1-59.1.
Trained at Longlea by Paul Morrissey and driven by Michael Bellman, Tictok did everything right from the extreme draw settling five back in the moving line as hot favourite Locksley Lover (gate five) was gifted the lead by Greg Sugars aboard McGee (gate three).
Going forward three wide in the last lap with an electrifying burst of speed to lead prior to the home turn, Tictok bounded away to record probably her best performance in defeating McGee along the sprint lane by 8.9 metres, with Watch And Act (one/two from gate three on the second line) third a half neck away. It was Tictok’s 12th success in 50 outings.
• Kialla’s Bec Bartley was again a winner when lightly raced 6Y0 Bacardi Lindy-Sunshine Annie mare Betsy Anne scored in the Bendigo Locksmiths Maiden Trotters Mobile over 1650 metres.
Taken back from outside the front line as Nedza Thriller led from gate two, Betsy Anne making her 6th race appearance trailed Milly Meter (gate four) which had been trapped wide from the outset which was eased taking her back through the field to settle five back in the running line.
Again moving three wide to follow Muscle Memory at the bell, Betsy Anne had no luck whatsoever as Ragna Thor (one/one) from gate two on the second line came out to follow Muscle Memory which claimed the leader only to gallop shortly after allowing Ragna Thor to sweep bye.
Despite the tough passage, Betsy Anne was relentless and ran on best in a fine performance to register a 14.8 metre victory from Lillys Tiger who was shuffled back when the leader rapidly gave ground before running home strongly when clear. Ragna Thor was third 4.2 metres back. The mile rate 2-01.6.
Locals honoured
• Kilmore trots were last Thursday April 24 – a night that remembered past local participants on the club’s annual honoUr night with seven races programmed.
n Racing commenced with the Ken ‘Snowy’ Chapman Pace over 1690 metres taken out by the Ian Caruana (Bullengarook) raced and trained 6Y0 Somebeachsomewhere-Amarillen gelding Ima Terminator.
Driven by John Caldow, Ima Terminator settled three back in the moving line from gate two with Major Manbar (Lian Older) a winner of sixteen races spearing across the field from outside the front line to lead.
Going forward three wide racing for the bell to race parked for the final circuit, Ima Terminator showed plenty of heart to record a most impressive 1.1 metre margin over ex-Kiwi gelding Perun first up in Oz since December which flashed home from near last after starting from the extreme draw. Major Manbar held third 1.9 metres back. The rate a slick 1-54.6.
• The Bob Cain Memorial 4Y0 AND Older Maiden Pace over 1690 metres saw former Kilmore trainer Paul Weidenbach now based at Wahring in the Goulburn Valley victorious with 4Y0 Betting Line-Our Apachee Miss gelding Dashing Cowboy in a 1-58.6 rate.
Driven by Murchison South’s Abby Sanderson, Dashing Cowboy enjoyed a sweet passage from gate four following Peppercorn Barry (gate two) which led, with David Miles sending Rollwithharty (gate two second line) forward from midfield in the running line to race outside the leader at the bell.
Using the sprint lane, Dashing Cowboy raced clear over the concluding stages to score by 5.1 metres from Peppercorn Friday, with Rollwitharty holding down third 1.4 metres back.
n The Leli AND Mary Mifsud Memorial Pace over 1690 metres was a most popular victory for 5Y0 Flight Path-Makeitworthitjo mare Blackmirra giving Gippsland a winner. Part-owned and trained by Geoff Clout from Tyabb, Black Mirra (gate three) was given every opportunity by Greg Sugars trailing the pacemaker Cheys Angel which flew way from gate five. Angling off her back on turning, Blackmirra in a ding-dong duel all the way up the running received the judges nod by a nose in a tricky finish. Lady In Line starting outside the front line was third 12.4 metres away after going forward to race outside the leader. The mile rate 1-56.2.
At Melton
• At Melton on Friday, Maryborough breeder/owner Len and Irene Parker’s most special broodmare Flying Moth provided her third individual winner when Rock N Roll Heaven filly Quatro Moth on debut scored in the Benstud Standardbreds 2Y0 Maiden Pace over 1720 metres.
Trained at Cardigan by Emma Stewart and driven by Mark Pitt, Quatro Moth led throughout from the pole to easily account for Eyeneedthat (gate two) which trailed by 3.3 metres returning a mile rate of 1-55.7.
Dusty Philtra (gate three) after following the pair was third 6.3 metres away. A 10 race winner herself, Flying Moth (Art Major-Moody Moth by Classic Garry) has also produced Meteor Moth (American Ideal), Ideal Moth (American Ideal) and has a filly foal on the ground by Captain Treacherous.
This Week’s Meetings
Monday – Terang, Tuesday – Shepparton, Wednesday – Bendigo, Thursday – Kilmore, Friday – Mildura/Geelong, Saturday – Melton, Sunday – Shepparton/Cranbourne.
Len Baker