$41 ODDS BRING DISBELIEF AT YARRA VALLEY

■ The week commencing Monday June 5 was held at picturesque Yarra Valley with some interesting racing taking place.

Veteran Lancefield trainer Leon Conway had punters scratching their heads in disbelief after 5Y0 Four Starzzz Shark-Gabbys Sweetheart mare Four Ever A Star at odds of $41.00 proved she was according to connections, when taking the Barry Plant Croydon Pace over 1650 metres.

Raced by Leon and partner Lisia Horton, Four Ever A Star driven by James Herbertson settled three back in the moving line from gate five as Alcatraz Girl began very fast from outside the front line to lead from polemarker My Lady Sarah which immediately came away from her back to race exposed.

Going forward three wide solo in the last lap, Forever A Star outstayed her rivals to score a 3.4 metre margin over Judes Law which trailed the winner home from near last, with Alcatraz Girl two metres away in third place after galloping over the line.

A winner of three from eighteen, Forever A Star returned a mile rate of 1-58.2.

■ Kurunjang training duo Maree and John Caldow landed the 2150 metre AGPower 3Y0 & Older Maiden Trotters Mobile with beautifully bred What The Hii-Cloud Chaser filly The Sky Is The Limit in a mile rate of 2-03.9. Making her third race appearance, The Sky Is The Limit driven by John went forward from gate four to cross the leader Whirlwind Wilbur (gate three) which had taken over from polemarker Macho Maori shortly after the start.

Rated to perfection, The Sky Is The Limit defied all challengers to record a half neck margin over Wyldcat (three pegs from inside the second line – one/one – outside winner home turn) which galloped at the finish when trying to wear down the winner. Dutch Teacher (one/two) was third 10.9 metres away.

■ Lemnos trainer Russel Jack combined with Leigh Sutton aboard Wendys Wish, a 4Y0 daughter of Somebeachsomewhere and Lombo Sleek Streak to capture the $10,000 Alabar Vicbred Platinum Mares Sprint Championshp (Heat 5) over 1650 metres.

Settling three back in the moving line from the extreme draw, Wendys Wish was off and running once the speed slowed to park outside the pacemaker Dancing With Flo (gate four). Content to dictate terms for the final circuit, Wendys Wish was given full rein on the final bend and in a thrilling finish, prevailed by a head from Classic Angelina (one/one – three wide on turning) in a mile rate of 1-57.7. Dancing With Flo held third a half head away.

■ Romsey’s Chris Svanosio is absolutely airborne at present and chalked up a stable with two three year olds - Father Patrick-Mason Magic filly Aldebaran Miley taking the Blonde & Co. Trotters Mobile over 2150 metres and 4Y0 Pet Rock-Shes A Killer gelding Better Brother the 1650 metre Yarra Valley Toyota Pace. Aldebaran Miley bred and raced by Aldebaran Lodge Pty Ltd, Peter Svanosio and Elizabeth Maclean was tough after racing going forward to race exposed from an inside second line draw before striding clear on the home turn to register an easy 14.8 metre victory in advance of former Sydneysider Gardena Ronda which led in 2-00.7, with Bacardi Wood (one/one) third 8 metres back.

Better Brother bred and raced Alan Flanders went forward from gate five to lead throughout in defeating a game Sir Chow (one/two – three wide to outside the winner) by 2.1 metres. New Yorker (death – one/one) was third 1.5 metres away. The mile rate 1-57.2.

■ Andy and Kate Gath also snared a double with 5Y0 Pet Rock-Karalta Impulsive gelding Impulsive George leading all of the way from the pole in the Revive2Survive Pace over 2150 metres to just last by a nose from Diegos Diamond along the sprint lane after trailing in 201.1. Nifty Jolt (one/one – three wide last lap) was third 2.1 metres back, while Art Major-Blissful Night gelding Cool Night in what was the ‘drive of the day’ by Kate landed the Yarra Glen Bakehouse 3Y0 Pace over 1650 metres.

Taken back from gate five to settle at the tail as Whos Watching Lily led from gate five, Cool Night never left the peg line, finishing hard along the sprint lane on turning to record an easy 6.3 metre margin over the leader, with Inexorable

Harness Racing

third. Chedalayo starting outside the front line and going forward crossed the leader Keayang Speak (gate five) on the first turn and was untroubled to score by 4.2 metres from Keayang Speak, with Emjaybee (one/two – three wide at bell) third 5.3 metres back. The mile rate 201.4.

■ Ecklin South Trainer Mattie Craven and stable assistant Rory Coverdale snared the Acacia Caravan Park Pace over 2195 metres with 6Y0 A Rocknroll Dance-Miss Toolern Vale mare Ona Merry Dance. Going forward from gate six to race outside the favourite Sugoi Alto which led easily from gate two before gaining cover when Alpha Crucis was set alight at the bell to join the leader.

with Len Baker

len-baker@ bigpond.com

3.9 metres away third after trailing the runner up. The mile rate 1-56.3.

First to arrive

■ Shepparton raced on Tuesday and the night belonged to local Girgarre duo Lisa (trainer) and Mark (driver) Pitt who provided a treble during the evening. Rock N Roll Heaven-Krisney Girl colt Specta (gate two) was first to arrive when using the sprint lane off the back of the leader My Four Sisters (gate three) in the Alabar 2Y0 and 3Y0 Pace over 1690 metres accounting for Lennys Angel (one/one) from gate five and My Four Sisters (gate three) which led in a tight finish. The margins a head by a head in a mile rate of 1-58.8.

■ Next to arrive was Downbytheseaside-A Few Dollars More filly Ivana Bytheseaside in the Saddleworld Shepparton 3Y0 Pace, leading throughout from the pole to register a head margin over a death-seating Ozzie Punta, with Edward Grange (one/one) flashing late for third a half head away in another thrilling finish. The mile rate 1-58.5.

■ Former NSW trained 4Y0 Love You-Chew The Fat gelding Van Doren first up in Victoria chalked up his 3rd success in 24 outings when taking the 2190 metre Jims Diggers Trotters Handicap in a rate of 2-02.9. Settling three pegs from barrier three, Van Doren came away from the markers at the bell to race exposed for final circuit.

Taking over on the home turn, Van Doren had to pull out all stops to record another head margin from Partytime (three wide home turn from one/three), with Baxter (five pegs – one/ one at bell) third 4.2 metres away. Patch

■ Former Western District breeder/part-owner/ trainer David Sweatman now based at Benalla, brought off a giant plunge when 6Y0 RestrepoChabachon gelding Prickle Patch scored in the JDC Contractors Pace over 2190 metres.

Driven by Ararat’s Michael Bellman, Prickle Patch had no difficulty in leading from the pole before being eased to allow Secret Wish (gate seven) to assume control.

Enjoying a lovely passage, Prickle Patch used the sprint lane to gain the day by a half neck over a death-seating Rocks Can Roll returning a mile rate of 1-59. Lils Nightmare (one/one at bell) was third 1.3 metres back. Pickle Patch last saluted the judge at Melton back in July 2021.

Returned to sport

■ A rather wet night at Ararat on Wednesday saw some interesting results including a double to Brown Hill trainer Zac Steenhuis who has only recently returned to the sport after a lengthy suspension. Eight year old American Ideal-Cole’s Secret mare Lady Lagertha led throughout in the 2195 metres Pace Hotondo Homes – Ararat Pace and handy 4Y0 Betterthancheddar-Im Tondelayo mare Chedalayo did almost similar in the Pre Mix King Ararat Pace over the same trip, both horses driven by champion reinsman Chris Alford.

Lady Lagertha after beginning fast from gate three coasted at the head of affairs, running out a 9.1 metre victor in 2-03.4 ahead of ten year old Kempseys Delight (three pegs – three wide home turn) and Swiss Lightning which raced exposed from the bell finishing 2.4 metres away

Producing a lightning burst of speed to lead on the home turn off a three wide trail, Flaming Lucky swept clear on the final bend appearing to have the race at his mercy with Ona Merry Dance angling three wide on the final bend to give chase. Finishing at 100 miles an hour out wide, Ona Merry Dance bloused Flaming Lucky by a head, with Sugoi Alto holding down third 7.6 metres back. The mile rate 2-03.4.

■ Kooreh co-trainers Shaun and Jason McNaulty’s 5Y0 Betterthancheddar-Rocky Ohoulihan mare Redbank Molly, a former Queenslander snared the Ararat Rural City Pace over 2195 metres in a 2-03.8 mile rate.

Driven by Kerryn Manning, Redbank Molly was eased from gate two at the start to settle three back in the moving line as Gozo Courage flew away from gate five to lead easily before kicking away on the home turn with what looked to be a winning margin.

Giving chase on turning, Redbank Molly finished best to overhaul the leader by a half neck, with Dancin With Elvis 6.9 metres back in third place after racing uncovered from the bell.

■ Seven year old Kiwi bred Bettors DelightGinnie Moon mare Lottie Moon trained in partnership by AJ and Beau Tindale at Berringa was successful in the Ararat Advocate Pace over 1790 metres.

Given a cosy passage three back in the moving line from gate two on the second line by Jordan Leedham as Morvah (gate two) led, Lottie Moon moved up stylishly three wide on the final bend and raced away over the closing stages to record a 8.2 metre margin from Pesci which followed her throughout from the extreme draw, Tic Tact (one/one) was third a further 8.2 metres away. The mile rate 1-57.7.

■ Local trainer/driver Michael Bellman’s 8Y0 Majestic Son-Fleetwood Blue mare Majestic Pride is good when she puts it all together and that occurred in the Newton Equine Trotters Mobile over 2195 metres much to the delight of the Hull’s who race and bred her.

Beginning safely from the extreme draw, Majestic Pride was off and running shortly after the start to effortlessly cross Glengarriff (gate five) which after being three wide took over from Lady Madge Lewis.

Allowed to bowl along at her leisure, Majestic Son toyed with her rivals to score untouched by 8.3 metres from Wish Upon A Dream from the rear. With Glengarrif holding down third 2.2 metres back. The mile rate 2-02.3. It was Majestic Pride’s 10th success at start number 62.

Took honours

■ Champion Bolinda reinsman Chris Alford took the honours at the Kilmore meeting transferred to Melton on Thursday June 8 due to heavy rain the night before with a winning treble. First to arrive was wife Alison trained 4Y0 Betting Line-Maastricht mare Maas Betting Again in the MC Security Pace over 1690 metres.

Taken back from gate six to settle four back in the moving line, Maas Betting Again cut lose three wide approaching the bell to park outside the leader Jay Bee for the final circuit.

Dashing to the front on the home turn, Maars Betting Again held a margin to the wire to score by 5.5 metres from Merry Dancer (one/three –three wide last lap), with Shania Tee running home late from the rear for third 6.1 metres away. The mile rate 1-57.

■ Four year old Love You-Right Interest gelding Speedy Lover trained at Avenel by David Aiken brought up win number two by taking the 2180 metre Tellurian Wines Trotters Mobile.

Sulky Snippets Sulky Snippets

This Week

■ Wednesday – Ararat, Thursday – Ballarat, Friday – Mildura/Shepparton, Saturday –Melton, Monday – Charlton, Tuesday –Kilmore.

Starting solo on the second line, Speedy Lover settled at the tail as Stockman Peter (gate seven) was able to cross Sonny Brooke (gate four). Making ground to be one/one in a strung out field, Speedy Lover angled three wide to race exposed at the bell and did best to register a 3.4 metre margin from Stockman Peter which showed plenty of heart. Polemarker Constant (four pegs – one/three at bell – four wide home turn) was third 1.4 metres back. The mile rate 2-01.

■ Joining forces with neighbour Brent Lilley aboard 4Y0 Love You-Chevron Express gelding Kyvalley Picasso in the Buds & Branches Florist Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres, Alford after giving the horse a lovely trip (one/one –three wide to outside the leader Im Bobby at the bell) from gate five, raced to the front on turning to register a 2.7 metre margin in 2-02.9 from Night Whisperer (one/two at bell – three wide home turn), with rank outsider Star Down Under out wide third 4.8 metres back after spending most of the race at the rear.

■ On a night of multiple victories, eighty four year old Bet Bet part-owner/trainer Ray Cross combined with Anthony Butt to land the Momentum Gaming Trotters Mobile with 6Y0 Imperial Count-Kumbya mare Countess Chiron and the Georgina & Co Trotters Mobile with 4Y0 Yankee Spider-Ima Thrill Seeker gelding Alfie Always, both horses home bred products. Countess Chiron lobbed three back in the moving line from the extreme draw and after moving three wide in the last lap, raced clear on the home turn to win in a breeze 13.7 metres ahead of Reigning Lillies (one/one) and Silent Reverie (three pegs) who was 3.1 metres away after being held up slightly approaching the final bend. The mile rate 1-58.8.

Alfie Always led throughout from gate four to easily account for Montana Chevelle (four pegs – death seat last lap) by 16.5 metres in 159.6. Savvy Kyvalley which trailed the leader was third 6.9 metres away.

Friday events

■ Two meetings on Friday – Mildura in the day and Ballarat at night. The feature race at Mildura the $10,00 Park Douglas Printing Pace over 2190 metres going to to the Julie Douglas (Strathfieldsaye) trained ex-Kiwi 7Y0 Art Major-Fleets Pocket gelding Mighty Flying Art raced by staunch stable client Steve Warren and driven by Charlton reinswoman Abby Sanderson who celebrated her birthday in style.

Beginning fast from gate four, Mighty Flying Art rated a treat led throughout to account for the favourite Lip Reader (one/one from gate three on the second line) which eased three wide running into the final bend, with Bernie Winkle third after training the runner up.

The margins 2.7 by 2.4 metres in a mile rate of 1-59.6. Abby finished the day with a double after driving Boris Devcic’s 5Y0 A Rocknroll Dance-Shake It Up Baby gelding Danceforme to land the McDonalds Irymple & Mildura Pace over 2190 metres. Doubles were also recorded by Luke Dunne (Jay Miller for Scott Garraway and & Gracie Cullen for Aaron Coad) and Jack Laugher (Rojenbye for Reece Moore and Son Of Zodiac for Andrew Vozlic).

■ At Ballarat, Mitchell Park trainer Kelvin Barker’s Majestic Son-Imitating filly Sequence was a good winner of the Durham Park 3Y0 Trotters Mobile over 2200 metres. Driven by Jason Lee, Sequence starting from the extreme draw raced exposed before crossing the leader Oopzee Daizee for the last lap in defeating her by 8.9 metres in a rate of 2-02.2.Maori Franklin was third 10 metres back off a mid-field trip.

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