JILLIBY KUNG FU Photo by Stuart McCormick
AUSTRALIAN Pacing Gold purchase Jilliby Kung Fu has been named Victorian Horse of the Year.
Following an interrupted, yet highly-successful, 2017/18 season, Jilliby Kung Fu was bestowed the honour by Harness Racing Victoria last night.
Trained by Marg Lee, the five-year-old won five of his eight starts for the term, with two seconds and earnings of $332,790 also to his credit.
Triumphant in a pair of Group Ones – Chariots Of Fire and Four-Year-Old Bonanza - Jilliby Kung Fu also finished second in the Miracle Mile and Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series.
Jilliby Kung Fu was also an obvious choice for Four-Year-Old Entire/Gelding of the Year.
To connections’ dismay, the son of Four Starzzz Shark was sidelined with tendon issues last August, which will see him out of action until 2019.
Jilliby Kung Fu is one of four APG graduates among the award winners, with Carlas Pixel crowned the premier four-year-old pacing mare.
Carlas Pixel was also recently judged Australian Mare of the Year.
Dual Group One winner Centenario added to his national title by being named Victorian Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt/Gelding of the Year.
Successful in the 2018 APG Final, Centenario was award the Australian Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt/Gelding of the Year title.
Like Carlas Pixel and Centenario, Shez All Rock added to her Australian throne by being declared the Victorian Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year.
The daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven is in fact a triple title holder, having also been recognised as the New Zealand Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year.
