Nathan Jack.
AVENEL trainer Wayne Potter and Shepparton reinsman Nathan Jack snared a double at Kilmore on Tuesday, former Kiwi Just Leave taking the Trotters Handicap over 2150 metres and Sketch Me the Reg C5 & C6 pace over 1690m.
Just Leave, an impressive Monarchy/Rob The Nest gelding raced by veteran former Kilmore trucking magnate Jack Knight, chalked up his second victory from three Australian outings (the other being a second placing) by leading virtually throughout from barrier four to score from Slancio, which trailed, and Sammy Charles, who galloped shortly after the start, coming from last at the bell to race in the open for the final circuit. The mile rate for the winner was 2:09.8.
Four-year-old Modern Art/Yeronga Ecila entire Sketch Me, raced by the Northern Facia Racing Syndicate, settled four back along the markers from gate five, angling into the moving line in the last lap and when extricated into the clear on straightening charged home to blouse Loong Nien by a head in a slick mile rate of 1:55.5.
Caroline Springs trainer/driver Julian Attard, who stables in the Rockbank area, was successful with Franco in the Jet Roofing 2Y0 Pace over 1690 metres.
A gelded son of Jeremes Jet and Lavish Franco, who had shown up in each of his three starts to date, Franco showed speed from gate two as the mobile pulled away to lead throughout, scoring by 2.5 metres in advance of Fairest Felle, which trailed, and Bold Comment Lombo, which faced the open for the last lap after moving forward three-wide from last at the bell. The mile rate was 2:00.2.
Riddell trainer Nicole Molander’s recent stable addition, Master Hugh, was victorious in the Kilmore Mitre 10 Vicbred Platinum Country Series I for T0 class Trotters over 2180 metres.
Having his first outing since August, Master Hugh with Chris Alford in the sulky settled three back in the moving line from gate two on the second line and after going forward three-wide at the bell to park outside the pacemaker Defence Got Jumped for the final circuit, was too strong at the finish for No Trumps No Glory (three-wide last lap) and Highland Hart, returning a mile rate of 2:05.3.
A four-year-old gelding by Dream Vacation from Lucky Invasion, Master Hugh is raced by breeders Richard and Pauline Matthews.
Four-year-old Art Major/Nellirama gelding Artarama was a strong winner of the Trevor Spry Memorial Pace over 1690 metres for Monegeetta trainer/driver David Miles.
Starting from gate three on the second row, Artarama spent most of the race midfield, with Major Charge crossing to lead at the bell.
Commencing a forward move three-wide solo in the last lap, Artarama sustained a long run to register a head victory over Graceful Affair off a three-wide double trail in the final circuit, with Hellfire Angel third. The mile rate was 1:57.9.
Other winners on the program were Field Major (Ahmed Taiba – Sunbury and Troy McDonald) in the Morning Melodies @ Trackside Pace, Gee Mae (Gaita Pullicino – Rockbank) the Harness Breeders (Vic) Pace and Lanista (Beau Tindale – Melton and Rod Petroff) the Weekend Breakfast @ Trackside 21 & 22 March Breeders Crown 3Y0 Pace.