VALLEY DOUBLE TO BEN’S KILMORE STABLE

■ Yarra Valley commenced the week with an interesting even eight event card – the highlight being a double to the Kilmore based Ben Yole stable and ace Lexton reinsman James Herbertson.

Ten-year-old Bettors Delight-Girl In A Million gelding Guys Bettor Bet a winner of 27 from 274 outings with 70 placings was first to arrive taking the restricted class United Petroleum Pace over 2150 metres.

Despite racing uncovered from gate five as Hear The Call inside him led, Guys Bettor Bet after looking to be struggling on the final bend rallied in the straight to record a 1.4 metre margin over the pacemaker returning a mile rate of 2-01.9. Speculator came from the tail for third 6.8 metres away.

■ Stablemate 7Y0 Four Starzzz Shark-Illustrator stallion Image Of Starzzz was victorious in the Yarra Valley Toyota Pace again over 2150 metres for restricted class, leading throughout from the pole to account for Pinnacle Hope (one/ two) which flashed late, with Our True Colours (three wide last lap from the rear to be outside the winner home turn) third. The margins a head by a half head in a thrilling finish with the mile rate 1-59.5.

■ Kilmore trainer Alannah Logie combined with Ellen Tormey to land the 1650 metre Eastern Generator Hire Vicbred Pace with much travelled 11Y0 Bettors Delight-Barogue Pearl gelding Friends in a mile rate of 2-00.3.

Settling at the tail from an inside second line draw, Friends in a daring move was sent three wide racing for the bell to sit parked for the final circuit outside Goodtime Halo (gate three).

Although tackled strongly by The Falcon Prince on turning after following him, Friends defied the challenge to record a nose victory. Williebillie (one/two last lap – three wide home turn) was third 3.9 metres away. The mile rate 2-00.3.

■ Cranbourne based reinsman Kyle Marshall is having a ball in Victoria and chalked up another winner when successful aboard fellow Cranbourne trainer Scott Ewen’s 4Y0 Hes Watching-Cracklin Rosie gelding Hes Olly in the Blonde & Co. Pace over 2150 metres.

Beginning fast from gate five, Hes Olly was able to stride past Best Back Bruce shortly after the start and rated to perfection defied all challengers to greet the judge a half neck clear of Norms Lady (one/two – three wide home turn) in a 1-59.8 mile rate. Helansen (one/one) was third 3 metres away.

Rough night

■ It was a rough night for punters at Shepparton’s Tuesday fixture and very honest 8Y0 Artistic Fella-Madam Narryna mare Roslyn Gaye didn’t help the cause when chalking up her 18th success in 191 outings by taking the 1690 metre Saddleworld Shepparton Pace – first leg of the quaddie at odds of $61.

Bred raced and trained by Tongala’s Gary Merkel who snared all the spoils, Roslyn Gaye with Laura Crossland in the sulky enjoyed a sweet passage from inside the second line following the poleline leader Always Be Chloe another Goulburn Valley trained runner.

Using the sprint lane on turning, Roslyn Gaye dashed home in a 28.2 final quarter to blouse the pacemaker by 1.3 metres, with Tooram Cee Cee off a three wide trail from near last in the final circuit for third 2.2 metres away. The mile rate 1-57.2.

■ Another long priced winner was Echuca trainer Peter Lindberg’s 7Y0 Down Under Muscles-Reba Supreme gelding Star Down Under ($23.00) in the 2190 metre Jims Diggers Trotters Handicap.

Bred and raced by Peter under the banner of Echuca Sulkies Pty Ltd, Star Down Under was bad away from outside the front line as were some of his rivals, but made ground quickly with reinsman James Herbertson lobbing one/one mid-field trailing the hot favourite Van Doren (10m) which raced outside the leader Firengrace (barrier two).

When Van Doren strode to the front on the final bend, the effort of racing exposed told and Star Down Under out wide finished best to prevail by 6.2 metres (his 7th in 53 outings) over Berriesandcherries (barrier three) which trailed

Harness Racing

the judges nod by a head, with American Hammer (one/two – three wide last lap) third 5.3 metres back in third place. The mile rate 1-55.9. Liam Older has only recently joined the Alex Ashwood/Taylah French stable.

■ Cardigan trainer Anton Golino’s Love YouTop Of The Anvils 4Y0 entire Iron Love has returned to racing in dynamic fashion for Pat Driscolls Yabby Dam Farms Pty. Ltd, making it two from two this time in when successful in the 2150 metre Sheahan Plumbing Trotters Mobile.