16 September, 2003
A cavalcade of stars were on display at the Kilmore
trials this afternoon as the sport's biggest names prepare for their imminent
racetrack returns.
Rejuvenated topliner and Kilmore Cup aspirant Franco
Heir (pictured) was a narrow winner in the 2180 metre C8 or better
mobile trial over Sassy Sarah, Manifold Bay and Lombo Skyrider.
The Martin Herbert trained, John Caldow driven pacer rated
2:03.4, last half mile in 58.4sec and last quarter in 29.6sec. Sassy Sarah
(Mario Azzopardi) was a head away in second with Manifold Bay (Gavin Lang) a
metre back in third.
The Mark Peace-trained Castle Rock finished fourth
with Lombo Skyrider (Simone Walker) coming in fifth, six metres from the
winner.
The connections of all the major contenders were happy
with the way they finished off their workout after outsiders Count Roberto and
Itz Magic In Newyork set up a fast clip early on the rain-soaked Kilmore track.
Franco Heir is now poised to resume at Ballarat on AFL
Grand Final night, 27 September, in a $7000 C9 or better Free For All. Lombo
Skyrider is a likely contender at Ballarat too. Sassy Sarah may yet trial
again, while Manifold Bay will clash with Sokyola and Lagoon Lady in a
spectacular $15,000 Navy Cup at Moonee Valley on Thursday night, 25 September.
In the standing start discretionary, Maree Caldow
unveiled her stable stars Nolarama and Harry Moreau for the first time this
campaign.
In a small field of three, lone frontmarker Almarco
won the 2150 metre standing start trial by two metres from Nolarama (20
metres), with Harry Moreau (10 metres) a head away.
The winner only rated 2:07.6, but produced the
quickest closing fractions of the day with the last mile in 2:03.3, last 800m
in 58.2sec and the last 400m in 29.1sec.
Prepared last season by Robert Walters, Almarco, a C5
M0 pacer, has recently returned to the care of former trainer and owner Graeme
Wilson.
Nolarama, arguably Australia's best racemare, is
headed towards Sydney's Group 1 Ladyship Mile on 21 November. Her stablemate
and Group 1 winner Harry Moreau is on the comeback trail after injuring a
suspensory 12 months ago.
John Caldow confirmed that both stable runners will
trial again before making a return to racing.
