Maryborough in Central Victoria was the venue for Monday harness racing on April 2, when a compact eight event card catering for all classes was held.
Four year old Northern Luck/Kari Rose Lombo mare Rosy Ogrady Lombo broke her maiden status at start number 17, when successful in the 5th Heat of the Eureka Series for C0 class over 2190 metres.
Trained at Bullengarook by Gavin Christiansen, Rosy Ogrady Lombo with Chris Alford in the sulky led out from gate two, before taking a trail on Rainless which was driven forward with aggression from outside the front row.
Enjoying the run of the race, Rosy Ogrady Lombo used the sprint lane to perfection on straightening to record a 1.6 metre victory over the pacemaker in a rate of 2-02.2, with Elsie Lobell (three back the markers – three wide home turn) third.
Kyneton owner/breeder/trainer/driver Linsay Potter pocketed all the spoils in the 104 Days To Seelite Redwood Trotters Handicap for T1 or better class over 2190 metres, when consistent 5-Y-0 Band Of Chips/Sugar Times gelding Time Chip greeted the judge in a rate of 2-05.1.
Settling mid-field in the moving line from the 10 metre mark, with another Kyneton hope Kingofthedesert setting the speed, Time Chip travelled kindly throughout.
Gaining a three wide trail home on the back of both Town Player and Cost Me A Quid in the last lap, Time Chip finished full of running down the centre of the track on turning to overpower Cost Me A Quid in the shadows of the post to score by 2.8 metres in recording his 4th victory (2 this season) in 41 outings.
Strapperama (one/one) finished third after becoming pocketed approaching the home turn.
Daylesford owners Mick Barby (trainer) and partner Anne-Maree Conroy (driver), snared the VSTA Trotters Cup for T0 or better (mares) over 2690 metres with talented Miss Southern Land, a 4-Y-0 daughter of Continentalman and Miss Universe who Anne-Maree drove to victory in many races.
Having her first outing since September last, Miss Southern Land stepped safely from a 20 metre equal backmark to possie three back in the moving line, with Our Flash Girl from the same mark beginning brilliantly for Chris Alford to circle her rivals and take over from the polemarker Em Gee Alm.
Cruising up to the leaders Our Flash Girl and Marita Louise three wide on the final bend, Miss Southern Land ran to the wire strongly to score untouched by 1.7 metres in advance of Knapdale Girl from last, with Bonspiel Delight running on late from mid-field for third. The mile rate 2-10.6.
Shelbourne (Marong) husband and wife Larry and Lynette Eastman almost landed the quinella in the $5,000 Peter Egan Rentravision Pace Final for C1 class over 2190 metres with Johny Rondo and Waterslide, with Johny Rondo being the victor.
Taking a concession for Kilmore’s Monique Burnett, Johny Rondo began with a wing on every foot from outside the front row to cross Waterslide running into the first turn.
Bowling along on a tight rein, Johny Rondo ran his rivals ragged to gain the day in advance of Flaxton Filly (one/one) and Waterslide which came away from the inside on straightening in a rate of 2-02.6. The margins being 1 X 1.9 metres.
Bred and raced by Birchip’s Robin Connelly, Johny Rondo has been a model of consistency of late, chalking up 5 wins and 9 placings from 35 race appearances.