Victoria continues to lead the way day in – day out and held another two meetings on Thursday February 13 – Kilmore at Tabcorp Park Melton in the afternoon and Bendigo at night.
Some interesting racing was held at both venues.
Popular Stanhope owner/breeder Malcolm (Mac) Poole would have been delighted when his highly promising Majestic Son/Front And Square filly Majestic Grace greeted the judge in the CUB 3-Y-0 Trotters Mobile over 2240 metres at Melton.
Trained at Kyabram by Mick Blackmore and driven by Chris Alford, Majestic Grace trotted to perfection mid-field after starting from gate three on the second line, before letting rip with a rush to assume control at the bell.
Although tackled by Peter Hornsby’s Wah Keen prior to the home turn, Majestic Grace bounded away on straightening to record an easy 12.4 metre victory at start number four over Wah Keen in a rate of 2-02.2. The well supported Dieu De Lamour was a further 13 metres away in third place.
Bolinda based owner/trainer Lisa Justice snared the Jet Roofing Pace for R0 class over 1720 metres with home bred It Is I/Wholelota Rosie 5-Y-0 gelding It Is Ike in a rate of 1-58.7.
Driven by Corey Bell, It Is Ike was given every chance from inside the second line trailing the polemark leader Solace, before using the sprint lane to score by 2.6 metres, with Sophie Gorgeous third from mid-field.
Another Bolinda winner on the day at Melton was 4-Y-0 Grinfromeartoear/Peregian mare Khaleesi for Chris Alford in the Trackside Courtesy Bus – Book Now Pace for R1 class over 1720 metres, much to the delight of owner/breeders Phil and Lyn Walshe.
Beginning with a rush from gate five, Khaleesi led throughout in easily accounting for Tipperary Seelster (gate two) which trailed, with Beau Romulus (one/one at bell) third. The mile rate 1-57.7.
At Lord’s Raceway Bendigo, Bagshot trainer/driver Warren Cochrane landed the BendigoBank Pace Final forC0 class over 1650 metres with much improved 4-Y-0 Mach Three/Executive Lady gelding Uroc Mman in a rate of 1-57.6.
A winner of his heat at Maryborough a week earlier, Uroc Mman repeated the dose by leading throughout from the pole to account for the favourite Lotsa Life which raced outside him, with Die Tryin (one/one at bell) third.
Astute Invergordon trainer Ian Ward produced a smart type by the name of Shark Port to land the Gallagher Bassett Workers Compensation 2-Y-0 Pace over 1650 metres on debut.
Backed as if there was no stopping him, the gelded son of Four Starzzz Shark and Kateleens Passport came out running from outside the front line with Gavin Lang in the sulky to lead his rivals a merry dance, coasting to the wire 4.9 metres in advance of Jodan (three back the markers – three wide home turn) also making his first race appearance, as was the third placegetter Kamwood Caesar (four back the markers) in a rate of 2-01.8.
Melton’s Ian Hunter has his Ponder/Classy Dream colt The Gingerbreadman racing in great form at present, bringing up two wins in succession by taking the Grant Thornton 3-Y-0 Pace over 2150 metres at Bendigo.
Driven as usual by John Justice, The Gingerbreadman after starting from the extreme draw was sent forward mid-race to park in the open for the final circuit, before dashing away on the home turn.
Although the effort told over the closing stages, The Gingerbreadman held on to score by a head over Stunning Grin (one/one last lap) and the well supported Admiral Joy off a three wide trail approaching the final bend. The mile rate 2-00.8.
