Kilmore Harness Preview – Thursday, May 21

OVERVIEW: An even contest to start the meeting. KING SAINT (3) is first up for new trainer John Tormey and also has a few gear changes. He has good gate speed and should be able to find the fence. His last two starts have been good. MISTER JIMARINGLE (8) performed well to finish second behind the smart Major Blitz two starts back at Kilmore. That was a much higher-rated race than this one. Last start he was unlucky. He is a good swooper, but will need to find clear running here. THE GOLDEN HOOK (10) has been performing a bit better than his numerical form suggests recently. Last start he covered an extra 33 metres racing wide, while the start prior he was checked. His own times have been strong recently. SOHO HUDSON (12) has an unfavourable barrier due to his manners. He has broken stride or raced roughly in six of his nine starts. However, he still has the best sectional times in this field and, when he puts it all together, is a good performer. 

BACK: KING SAINT (3) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: KING SAINT (3), MISTER JIMARINGLE (8), THE GOLDEN HOOK (10), SOHO HUDSON (12) 

OVERVIEW: JANSEN (1) has good gate speed and the ace barrier to give his driver Sean O’Sullivan the option to hold the lead or hand up for a good trip. He looks ready to break through for his maiden victory with this ideal draw. BIG BIK (10) has the best sectional times in this field from last preparation. He is first up for Shane Sanderson and has quite a few gear changes. HILTONS SPIRIT (4) has had the one career start, where he was stuck on the fence but hit the line well. He recently trialled well at Melton. HEAVENLY FLYER (9) has a good barrier to follow through early. Also noting respect for ROM BARO (5) and TAKAO (11), who are both well-bred first starters, along with BETTOR PUNTER (6), who ran a fast last quarter in a slowly run Melton trial recently. 

BACK: JANSEN (1) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: JANSEN (1), BIG BIK (10), HILTONS SPIRIT (4), HEAVENLY FLYER (9) 

OVERVIEW: DEEP LOVE (10) is arguably the best horse in this field. He finished fourth in the Bathurst Gold Coronet (Listed Classic) two starts ago, but got his manners wrong last start at this track. If he trots throughout, he is a massive threat. MIDNIGHT MUSCLE (2) is a consistent performer with good gate speed who should map well here. ATTRACTED (1) has drawn barrier one for the first time in his career and should get a good fence trip. SHAQ THE ANVIL (3) is a nice horse on his day and, if he brings his best, can be competitive here. 

BACK: DEEP LOVE (10) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: DEEP LOVE (10), MIDNIGHT MUSCLE (2), ATTRACTED (1), SHAQ THE ANVIL (3) 

OVERVIEW: ALDEBARAN ABEL (6) is first up here and doesn’t have the best numerical form on paper. However, he has a lot of ability, having raced against the best horses in his age group in the country at Group 1 level last season. He has likely improved with age and may simply be too classy. PIESRIDINGSHOTGUN (1) may not be racing at his absolute best, but he loves being out in front and rolling along. He has the ace barrier and the gate speed to capitalise. OX KNOX (7) has been out of the winners’ circle since December last year, but he does have the best sectional times in this field. He will need luck from the barrier. TIPPLE TIME (9) has the ability, but currently lacks the manners. He will have the time and space to settle early from barrier nine, but will need to be on his best behaviour. 

BACK: ALDEBARAN ABEL (6) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: ALDEBARAN ABEL (6), PIESRIDINGSHOTGUN (1), ALDEBARAN ABEL (6) OX KNOX (7), TIPPLE TIME (9) 

OVERVIEW: AHUNDREDPLUS (8) was eye-catching three and two starts back when stuck back on the fence and flashing home late. He should get a good trip here on the fence, following through the fast beginner JETAWAY SAINT (1). JETAWAY SAINT (1) is another runner first up for John Tormey. He has good gate speed for this field and has options early. RYMES (9) has been checked or broken in all of his starts this year. He is a better horse than his numerical form suggests. Last start he caught the field after being checked and still managed to flash home for fourth. KENNYS SON (4) is in great form, winning two of his last three starts. He usually relies on his good gate speed, however JETAWAY SAINT (1) likely has enough speed to hold him out if he wants to. If KENNYS SON (4) does find the front, though, he is a big chance again. 

SELECTIONS: AHUNDREDPLUS (8), JETAWAY SAINT (1), RYMES (9), KENNYS SON (4) 

OVERVIEW: MAURLEN GRACE (4) nearly defeated the smart Emma Stewart-trained Schwarz last start. She has had only five career starts but appears to be improving with each run. LETS WENT (2) will certainly appreciate the drop in class here. He is a lightly raced horse improving with fitness, having had only six starts since 2022. With added fitness and a more suitable field, he looks well placed. ELIZAJANE (3) has brilliant gate speed and should be able to map well from her barrier. She is racing well. HIGHVIEW HAMMER (6) is one of the more experienced performers in this field with 10 career wins. If he gets luck, he can be flashing home late. 

BACK: MAURLEN GRACE (4) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: MAURLEN GRACE (4), LETS WENT (2), ELIZAJANE (3), HIGHVIEW HAMMER (6) 

OVERVIEW: This looks to be quite an even contest. WHATS THE TEA (5) is stepping out for his 161st start. He galloped last start, but when he brings his best manners, he is always competitive. BETTOR MAN (9) was great winning first up for Brad Angove three starts back. He then got his manners wrong at his following start, but was promising again next time out. He has a good barrier here and can make his own luck, as he is a tough horse. PRO HIBITION (8) has great ability when he trots throughout. If saved for one run and able to stay in his gait, he will be flashing home. LOVE WHO (1) has good gate speed and will appreciate a fence trip. Also respecting KALARNEY PRINCE (2), although he is backing up from a start on Wednesday night. 

SELECTIONS: WHATS THE TEA (5), BETTOR MAN (9), PRO HIBITION (8), LOVE WHO (1) 

OVERVIEW: FAVOURITEHIGHLIGHT (2) is looking for her 28th career victory here. She should map well in the running line and, if she gets luck, will be right in the finish. MISS HERMES (4) was eye-catching two starts back at Shepparton, racing tough and still holding on for second. If she can replicate that form, she is right in this. NIVEKALON EAGLE (1) has good gate speed and the ace barrier to capitalise on. He is second up, so should show improvement from his first-up run. NORTHERN TERROR (6) will need luck from the awkward barrier, but is racing well enough to be a first four chance. 

SELECTIONS: FAVOURITEHIGHLIGHT (2), MISS HERMES (4), NIVEKALON EAGLE (1), NORTHERN TERROR (6) 

OVERVIEW: THEROUX (6) did it tough last start at Terang, but still battled on well for third. He has been racing competitively recently and just needs some luck from barrier six. ATOMIC GLORY (4) sustained a long three-wide run at Melton last start and still hit the line well for second. He is racing well and has a great turn of foot. MAMMALS REASON (8) is second up since joining the Corey Bell stable. She is the only horse on the second line, and Australia’s leading driver James Herbertson takes the reins for the first time. ARCHAA (3) is a high-speed horse who can use his gate speed or be saved for one run late. If he maps well, he is right in this. 

SELECTIONS: THEROUX (6), ATOMIC GLORY (4), MAMMALS REASON (8), ARCHAA (3)