Changeover/Nifty Franco filly Whitney H made a successful Australian debut by winning the Jet Roofing 3-Y-0 Pace over 1690 metres at the harness racing meeting at Kilmore on Tuesday July 7.
Unplaced in three outings in her homeland, Whitney H raced by former Bendigo HRC President Dennis Byce and wife Brenda, trained by the Melton combination of Maree and John Caldow with John in the sulky, led throughout from gate three, accounting for Carmens Spirit (three back the markers) along the sprint lane by 2.9 metres, with first starter Whatelsugot also using the sprint lane to finish third after trailing the winner.
The mile rate was 1-58.3.
Avenel concessional reinsman Mark Pitt possibly landed his first winner as a trainer when Sportswriter/Bonwarra filly Missy Deyo greeted the judge when making her first race appearance in the Weekend Breakfast @ Trackside From 9am 2-Y-0 Pace over 2180 metres.
Raced in partnership with “boss” Wayne Potter, Missy Deyo bred in the Goulburn Valley by Benstud Standardbreds was restrained from gate six to possie three back along the markers, with Bold Comment Lombo immediately inside her leading.
Coming away from the inside to be one/one approaching the final bend, Missy Deyo finished full of running on straightening to record an impressive 2.1 metre victory over the hot favourite Our Odette which faced the breeze from the bell, with Bold Comment Lombo holding down third.
The mile rate was 2-01.5.
Wallan’s Shinn stable snared the Sentimental Journey Xmas In July–23 July 3-Y-0 Pace over 1690 metres with home bred Four Starzzz Shark/Adelong filly Machli in a mile rate of 1-59.
Bred and raced by Noel and trainer Ruth, Machli driven by Chris was tough in victory as she raced in the open after going forward from gate four.
Striding clear halfway up the running, Machli had 1.5 metres up her sleeve on reaching the wire from Bee Bee Elle which followed her all of the way.
Miss Sixties weakened to finish third after leading for Cameron Maggs.
Daylesford octogenarian Bob Conroy almost trained the quinella in the Seniors Meal Deal Trotters Handicap for T0 or better class over 2150 metres when Girls Go First and Miss Cosmos were split by Kadabra Dynasty.
Driven by son Glenn, Girls Go First a 4-Y-0 daughter of Bacardi Lindy and Lucy Lastic bred by wife Pat, was driven a patient race mid-field in the moving line from 10 metres, with Miss Cosmos leading from the pole.
Trailing up Kadabra Dynasty three wide in the last lap, Girls Go First ran home best to score by a head from Kadabra Dynasty in a rate of 2-07.7, with Miss Cosmos (Anne-Maree Conroy) 3.5 metres away in third place.
Bathurst concessional reinsman Mitch Turnbull is having a ball in Victoria, chalking up another winner courtesy of 6-Y-0 Bettors Delight/Georgia Rose gelding Bettor Atom in the Trackside Advantage Loyalty Program Pace for C1 class over 1690 metres.
Trained at Bolinda by Paul Males for parents Peter and Yvonne, Bettor Aton taking a lift led out from gate two, before handing over to the speedy Royal Shootout racing for the bell.
Using the sprint lane, Bettor Atom fended off a challenge by Miss Metro Glen out wide in the shadows of the post who appeared to have him covered by 1.1 metres. Rowdy Rocket was 1.7 metres away in third place after following Miss Metro Glen home.
The mile rate was 1-58.6.
Not to be outdone, sister Amanda Turnbull combined with Doreen based aunt Bec Cartwright to land the Mitre 10 Kilmore Pace for C3 & C4 class over 2180 metres with smart Modern Art/Miss Superb mare Pressplay in a rate of 2-00.9.
Bred and raced by Bec, Pressplay safely held the lead from the pole as the mobile gate pulled away, before surrendering to Just Knew at the bell.
Making full use of the sprint lane, Pressplay bloused Just Knew by a half head in a thrilling finish, with Givemeaspell rushing home late out wide a half head away in third place after being extricated from three back the markers.
Ararat trainer Michael Bellman and partner Emma Hamblin were successful with Kiwi bred 5-Y-0 Holmes Hanover/Divine Lustre gelding Our Bold Lustre in the New Winter Menu @ Trackside Pacers Handicap for C1 or better class over 2150 metres, paying Supertab odds of $17.20.
Taking a concession for Emma, Our Bold Lustre starting from 10 metres settled beautifully one/one to receive the run of the race, with the hot favourite C C Chevron going forward from 20 metres to gain the lead within a lap without spending too much petrol.
Easing four wide running into the final bend, Our Bold Lustre was much too strong over the concluding stages, winning by 1.6 metres in advance of the local hope Hollys Miss Molly (three back the markers) and Rogue Assassin which raced without cover from barrier three.
The mile rate was 2-05.
On what was a great night for the Turnbull’s, Amanda handed the reins to partner Nathan Jack aboard 5-Y-0 Mach Three/The Perfect Paua mare Perfect Trouble to capture the Phoenix Designs Pace for C0 class over 2180 metres in 2-02.5.
Staring from the extreme draw, Perfect Trouble was set alight three wide from mid-field to cross the poleline leader Rockn Ruby and assume control at the bell.
Although runs were coming from all directions on straightening, Perfect Trouble a $1.30 favourite, was punched to the wire to score by 1.5 metres over Feel The Rhythm (one/three last lap) and Premier Rose (three back the markers).
Len Baker