JUST MERCY [Biography/Crime/Drama

■ Another interesting night’s racing was held at Kilmore on Wednesday, with Monegeetta trainer/driver David Miles, Bolinda reinsman Chris Alford and Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley all posting doubles during the evening.

David Miles who has been having a ball due to regional area racing landed the Jet Roofing 2Y0 & 3Y0 Pace over 1690 metres with Holi Starzzz and the 1690 metre Fiberprotect From Hygain Pace with Enchanted Stride.

Holi Starzzz a daughter of Four Starzzz Shark and Paintball led throughout from the pole, easily accounting for stablemate Quick Dan (one/ one) by 15.4 metres, with Constantina third 2 metres away after trailing the winner. The mile rate 2-00.2. ■ Four year old Bettors Delight-Lenola Stride mare Enchanted Stride made a meal of her rivals by doing the same thing. Scorching away from outside the front line to lead on her ear, Enchanted Stride ran her rivals ragged to register a 7.6 metre margin in advance of Rocking Bugatti which trailed in a rate of 1-56.5. Blissful Mind was third a neck back after following the pair. ■ Chris Alford partnered What A Pleasure for Seymour’s John Green in the MC Labour Pace over 2180 metres and Brent Lilley’s Son Of A Whiz in the 2150 metre Momemtum Gaming Trotters Handicap.

What a Pleasure a 4Y0 All Speed HanoverDebutante mare began brilliantly from outside the front line to lead throughout, defeating Little Safari (three wide last lap from the tail) by a half neck in 2-03.4. Greshar was third 3.8 metres back after trailing the winner. ■ Three year old Son Of A Whiz, a gelded son of Majestic Son and Minnie Wisdom was given a sweet passage one/one from 20 metres and after easing three wide prior to the home turn, finished strongly to score by 3.9 metres from Kyvalley Shaunie from last, with Tam Oshanter weaving in-between runners on turning from the tail for third. The mile rate 2-05.8. ■ Lilley’s other winner was 7Y0 Bacardi LindyCloud Chaser gelding Cruisin Around in the O.K.R – 98.3 FM Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.

Driven by Ross Payne, Cruisin Around was trapped three wide from gate six before easing back to possie one/one and receive the run of the race.

In what was the “drive of the night” Cruisin Around switched down to the sprint lane on turning and finished well to blouse the pacemaker Anywhere Hugo by 1.4 metres. Paul Males’ Royal Charlotte was third 4.8 metres away after giving ground on the back of the leader approaching the final bend before rallying in the straight. The mile rate 2-03.6. It was Cruisin Around’s 18th victory at start number 67. ■ Pipers Creek (Kyneton) trainer Tony Xiriha combined with Lancefields Rod Petroff aboard 6Y0 Art Major-Awesome Powers mare Major Powers to land the Kilmore Trackside Pace over 2180 metres in a mile rate of 2-04.8, leading all of the way from the pole to score by a nose in a tricky finish from Shesalwaysdreaming along the sprint lane after trailing, with Fiesty Phoebe rushing home from last along the sprint lane for third 2.7 metres away. ■ A Rocknroll Dance-Narree Rose filly Dancing With Flo trained at Cranbourne by part-owner Rick Cashman was an impressive victor of the 1690 metre TAB Long Way We Play 3Y0 Pace. With Bolinda’s Lisa Miles taking the reins, Dancing With Flo was quickly away from an inside second line draw to settle with most of the field ahead of her as local hope Alte led from gate three.

Going forward three wide solo in the final circuit, Dancing With Flo sustained a long run to greet the judge by 4.1 metres in advance of Alte which battled on well in a rate of 1-58.4. Atlantas was third 6.1 metres away after racing exposed. ■ Riddell trainer/driver Chris Lang is making a habit of winning at most Kilmore meetings and 9Y0 Sundon-Annesmenan gelding Redwood Invasion brought up two wins in succession by taking the North Central Review Trotters Handicap over 2150 metres.

Beginning swiftly from 10 metres to trail the poleline leader Michaels Mename, Redwood Invasion moved into the moving line three back

Harness Racing

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hitting the back straight on the final occasion and coasted to the wire on straightening 9.2 metres clear of Shadow Justice (one/one at bell) returning a mile rate of 2-06.6.

Michaels Mename after being crossed mid race by Van Sank, was third 28.2 metres back after avoiding several gallopers on turning.

Saturday trots ■ Many were sceptical when HRV announced that during COVID-19 an experimental three week program of early morning trots at Tabcorp Park Melton would be held during the month of May.

This was to assist many participants, while at the same time, the races would be beamed to the USA allowing betting in the Northern Hemisphere commencing around 6-30pm on a Friday night to take place for which we would receive a product fee and a possibly a percentage of investments.

As it turns out, by all reports this has become quite popular and after receiving a message showing the promotion that took place over there, a great deal of interest was created. It has also been well received by Australians and while the pools havn't been great, they have been respectable.

Racing commenced at the usual time of 8- 30am with the running of the DNR Logistics 2Y0 Pace over 1720 metres and the state's leading trainer Emma Stewart provided the quinella with Bettors Delight-Bollinger Baby filly Platinum Sparkle defeating the more favoured stablemate Act Now in a mile rate of 1-54.8. Driven by Jodi Quinlan, Platinum Sparkle led throughout from gate five, just lasting by a half head from Act Now which trailed before moving off her back in the straight. Somomentsomwhere was third 9 metres away after a one/one trip.

Popular Rockbank trainer Freddy Spiteri combined with Kate Gath aboard impressive last start winner Electrojet to bring up two wins in a row by taking the 1720 metre Aldebaran Park 3Y0 Trotters Mobile in a rate of 1-59.3. Beginning speedily from gate five, Electrojet a daughter of Quaker Jet and Sassy Pinevale bred by Yabby Dam Farms, led throughout to register an easy 1.3 metre victory over Kraze which battled on gamely after trailing. First starter Mariachi a stablemate of the winner ran home nicely from back in the field for an eye catching third 16.6 metres back.

Speedy 6Y0 Bettors Delight-Karamea Amour mare Joy Mac bred by John (Blue) McHugh well known for his role as a track attendant at Melton was successful in the Garrards Pace over 1720 metres.

Trained and driven by Darby McQuigan who is based at Gordon, Joy Mac was caught three wide out of gate five before going forward to arrest the lead away from Warpie entering the front straight for the final circuit. Coasting at the head of affairs, Joy Mac bounded away approaching the home turn to record a huge 18.8 metre margin over Mended from near last, returning a mile rate of 1-57.8. Warpie held down third 7 metres away.

The Woodlands Stud 3Y0 Pace over 2240 metres saw the Jess Tubbs trained and John Caldow driven Bona Khan victorious in a mile rate of 1-59.7. Given a perfect passage from

This Week ■ Wednesday - Stawell/Shepparton, Thursday - Mildura/Bendigo, Friday - Kilmore/ Shepparton, Saturday - Melton (morning & night), Sunday - Terang, Monday - Bendigo, Tuesday - Ballarat.

Local trainer/driver Justin Campbell brought up two wins in succession with 4Y0 ArtesianReally Rona gelding Really Campbell by taking the 1720 metre Benstud Standardbreds Pace. Starting from the extreme draw, Really Campbell went forward shortly after the start to take over from polemarker The Defiant and after bowling along at his leisure, scored by 5.9 metres from The Defiant and Queen Of Diamonds (three wide last lap - four wide home turn) who was 8.8 metres back. The mile rate 1-58.2.

Emma Stewart dominated the meeting, snaring the last two races with almost unbackable favourite Abouttime and Firerockfireroll. Abouttime (Greg Sugars) led all of the way from the pole in the TAB Long May We Play Pace over 1720 metres to register a huge 21.4 metre margin from Juliustigres (one/one) and Plan C which dropped to the back of the leader in the final circuit, finishing 3.5 metres back. A A 4Y0 Art Major-Limerick Star gelding, Abouttime returned a 1-52.9 mile rate, while Firerockfireroll a 3Y0 Courage Under Fire-Rocknrolla colt driven by youthful Connor Clarke also led throughout, accounting for Pur Dan (four back the markers - one/one home turn) by a half nec k with Village Voice third 11.7 metres back afte following the winner most of the way. The mile rate 2-00.6.

Horses to follow ■ WOnecrowdedhour, Just Oscar, A Good Knight, Ona Safari, The Girls Got Flair, Shark Luck, Little Safari, Sixty. Sulky Snippets Sulky Snippets inside the second line trailing the poleline pacemaker Monsieur Delacour, Bona Khan a gelded son of Bonavista Bay and Rosie Khan used the sprint lane to prevail by 2.7 metres from Lizzadro off a three wide double trail from the tail, with Monsieur Delacour fighting on strongly for third a head away.

Kentucy Derby ■ Nothing beats the unmistakable feeling of Americana than the derby hats, old-fashioned cocktails, authentic steamboats and horse racing of the Kentucky Derby - and, for a limited time, the American Queen Steamboat Company is offering Australians savings of up to US$800 per couple and a free beverage package on a nine-day 'Kentucky Derby Cruise' in 2021. The deal is valid for bookings made before June 30 this year. Early bookings are recommended to secure tickets to the popular Derby in 2021. Step aboard the historic, all-suite paddle wheeler, American Duchess, for an American experience like no other. Starting on April 25, 2021, the eight-night journey begins with a hotel stay in Cincinnati, Ohio, before boarding the Duchess and winding south-west to Madison, Indiana and into Kentucky, stopping at Brandenburg, Owensboro and Louisville. Along the way, visitors will stop off at various ports along the Ohio River and experience the excitement that spills out of the river towns as Derby Day approaches. Before Derby Day however, guests will have the rare opportunity of competing in a prized race of their own. The Great American Steamboat Race runs prior to the Kentucky Derby and the American Duchess will not only be participating, it will be looking to regain the Silver Antlers from its 2018 victory. The highlight of the cruise is, of course, the Kentucky Derby held annually on the first Saturday of May since 1875. There is perhaps no single sporting event in America more recognised worldwide than the Kentucky Derby. Included in the package are tickets to the race where guests can get dressed up and revel in one of America's greatest events. Witness the sights, sounds, colours and tradition of the Derby such as singing along to 'My Old Kentucky Home' and trying a mint julep - the famous bourbon-based cocktail associated with the race. There is also plenty to do on board the paddle wheeler, with a jazz, blues and six-piece orchestra to entertain guests in the evenings, daily lectures by American Queen's history and culture expert - called a 'riverlorian' - and a bar, lounge, fitness centre and spa also available. Plus, guests receive free onboard internet and complimentary 24-hour room service. The eight-night package includes one night's accommodation pre-cruise, the sevennight river cruise, guided, hop-on-hop-off shore excursions, a ticket to the 2021 Kentucky Derby on May 1, 2021, undercover seating, VIP fastaccess pass and premium in-track hospitality area to include a gourmet food buffet and premium open bar. Onboard gratuities and port taxes are also included. The stay and cruise package begins on April 25, 2021, and prices start from US$4597 per person, twin-share, for an interior stateroom, a saving of US$400 per person. The discount plus a free, unlimited beverage package onboard is valid for bookings made by June, 30, 2020. American Queen Steamboat Company is an award-winning, authentic and opulent river cruise line in North America, offering the most inclusive cruises with guided shore excursions, nightly Broadway-calibre entertainment and regionally inspired fine dining included in the fare.

This was something that occurred maybe 20 30 years back for those who can remember, with meetings held in the vicinity of Central Victoria The third and final fixture will be held next Sat urday. Travel Extra

To book, consumers or travel agents can call the Australian representative for the American Queen Steamboat Company, Cruise Traveller, on 1300 680 374 or visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au.

River tales told ■ What is it about rivers and stories of adventure and intrigue? From The African Queen to Fitzcarraldo and The Long Good Friday, every river has a tale to tell. There is one river, however, that speaks of the past like no other. The Nile. This October, film-goers will be whisked to Egypt for the remake of Death on the Nile, starring Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot. But the real star will be the river itself. Indeed, with the long-awaited Grand Egyp- tian Museum scheduled to open this year, enticing new itineraries, plus plenty of new and refurbished ships, later this year is looking like a serendipitous time for Egypt to find its feet again. "Egypt is the world's fastest-growing travel destination according to the World Tourism Organisation," said Pieter van der Schee, Global Director of Sales and Marketing for travel company, Sanctuary Retreats, which has been operating luxury river cruises on the Nile River for almost two decades.

At the luxury end, Sanctuary Retreats offers a choice of four vessels: Sanctuary Sun Boat IV and Sanctuary Nile Adventurer, both of which have enjoyed extensive makeovers over the past two years; Sanctuary Sun Boat III, currently undergoing a multi-million dollar refurbishment and relaunching later this year; and the bespoke, exclusive-use dahabiya,Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau, accommodating just 12 guests.