Kilmore Harness Preview – Thursday, June 18

OVERVIEW: SIOUX WARRIOR (10) was first up for Jess Tubbs last start and hit the line really well. He looks to have ability and should improve from that performance. The barrier is tricky, but he has the class to overcome it. STARLIGHT RED (3) is an experienced mare who is racing well and has an ideal barrier to map favourably. JUST ABIT DUSTY (12) is a smart trotter, but he can get his manners wrong. He has the best sectional times in this event and just needs to put it all together. HEIR JAURDON (8) looks likely to enjoy a comfortable fence trip. She has had only six starts and this appears a slightly easier field than the ones she has been contesting recently. 

BACK: SIOUX WARRIOR (10) – 2.5 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: SIOUX WARRIOR (10), STARLIGHT RED (3), JUST ABIT DUSTY (12), HEIR JAURDON (8) 

OVERVIEW: MY ULTIMATE MATEO (3) has had two career starts and looked promising when hitting the line for fourth last start. He has also shown ability in his trial performances and looks well placed here. SWEET GEM (2) is a well-bred first starter for Chris Svanosio. She performed reasonably well in recent trials and, whatever she does here, will take improvement from the experience. TARZINA (4) resumes after 190 days. The three-year-old filly had four starts as a two-year-old and hit the line well at her final two runs before going for a spell. She would have benefited from the break and may return a bigger and stronger horse. SEW HOPEFULL (5) has gate speed and a nice turn of foot. She will need some luck in running, but is a genuine first four chance. 

BACK: MY ULTIMATE MATEO (3) – 2.5 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: MY ULTIMATE MATEO (3), SWEET GEM (2), TARZINA (4), SEW HOPEFULL (5) 

OVERVIEW: THEROUX (7) is in career-best form, having won his last three starts. He performs best when saved for one run, which looks likely again from barrier seven. ALABAMA ICE (8) is second up here and should have improved in fitness from his first-up performance. As the only horse on the back row, he has options in the run and should be able to secure a suitable trip. CLIVES GIRL (2) is racing in great form, with a win and two thirds from her last three starts. She should map well from barrier two. ARE WEASLEY (3) was checked last start, so that run can be forgiven. His previous performances were solid and he is racing well. He will need some luck from the barrier. Also respecting SHEZABLUECHIP (1), who has the gate speed to make full use of barrier one. 

BACK: THEROUX (7) – 2.5 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: THEROUX (7), ALABAMA ICE (8), CLIVES GIRL (2), ARE WEASLEY (3) 

OVERVIEW: FREAK OUT (1) has been racing in great form and should have enough gate speed to hold a forward position. He looks well suited in this field. GLENLINE (3), on the other hand, lacks high gate speed and will need a bit of luck early. He has the best sectional times in the race and, if he is close enough turning for home, he is good enough to be right in the finish. GOZO MAJOR (4) has a tricky barrier to contend with, but he is racing well enough to win this event if he gets the right run. DIVINE TILLY (3) looks close to her best form, with luck she can flash home here.  

SELECTIONS: FREAK OUT (1), GLENLINE (3), GOZO MAJOR (4), DIVINE TILLY (3) 

OVERVIEW: RIPPING RONALDO (2) is a first starter for Alex Ashwood. He has mixed trial form, including a trial win at Bendigo in May and two other unplaced trial performances. A positive sign is that trainer-driver Alex Ashwood has opted to drive him ahead of classy stablemate MUSCLEM (3). MUSCLEM (3) has had three career starts, including a third placing in the $75,000 Nutrien Classic Series Final at Wagga two starts ago. She was again third in a strong two-year-old field last start, but now takes on older trotters. MISS KOMMUNICATION (5) has placed in four of her six starts, with her other two runs ending in breaks. She has ability and is a consistent type when she trots throughout. She does not look likely to remain a maiden for much longer. REVEREND BOB (7) is third up this preparation and should be nearing peak fitness. He was good last start when racing in the breeze in a similar field and was only narrowly beaten. The barrier is tricky, but he has claims with the right run. 

SELECTIONS: RIPPING RONALDO (2), MUSCLEM (3), MISS KOMMUNICATION (5), REVERAND BOB (7) 

OVERVIEW: There is little exposed form in this field, with several lightly raced runners and two first starters engaged. CRIPPA (8) is the only horse on the back row, which gives him some map options, and he has the best sectional times in this event. His manners were not ideal last start in the Durham Park Rising Star, but he clearly has ability if he can put it all together. VILLAVOS (1) does not have the strongest numerical form, but she can run a handy final 800 metres, which should suit her from the fence where she can save ground throughout. STOLEN DIAMOND (6) is a first starter for Alexandra Hurley, with Tristan Larsen taking the drive. He won his most recent trial at Maryborough and finished second in his previous trial on this track, although both were run in moderate time. We should learn more about him from this debut performance. GOZO SWEET (4) is a well-bred filly who has had two starts for an eighth and a sixth. She was well beaten by the smart TREACHEROUS DAN last start, but should appreciate the drop in class and a more suitable field. Also noting the well-bred first starter MISTY ALWAYS (3), who steps out for trainer Chris Svanosio. She is yet to place in a trial but comes from a stable that is always respected with young horses. 

BACK: CRIPPA (8) – 2.5 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: CRIPPA (8), VILLAVOS (1), STOLEN DIAMOND (6), GOZO SWEET (4) 

OVERVIEW: This event is the Australian Pacing Gold Prelude for the two-year-old fillies. IDEAL FRANKIE (7) looks like an up-and-coming star of the future. Her trial performances have been brilliant and her debut victory was outstanding. She has a tricky barrier to overcome, but she looks the class runner of the field. SWEETSUCCESS (4) is a first starter for David Abrahams, with Ellen Tormey taking the drive. She is by Sweet Lou out of a Somebeachsomewhere mare and was purchased for $15,000 at the APG Sales. Her trial performances have been sound. BREAKING NEWS (1) is a NSW visitor making her raceday debut. Her trial form looks encouraging and she should map well from the inside draw. TEMPEST NOIR (5) is another first starter, prepared by Anne-Maree Conroy. She finished third and fourth in her two trials and should benefit from the experience. Also respecting GRANDIOSA (3), the most experienced filly in the field, having already had three career starts. 

SELECTIONS: IDEAL FRANKIE (7), SWEETSUCCESS (4), TEMPEST NOIR (5), GRANDIOSA (3) 

OVERVIEW: This event is the Australian Pacing Gold Prelude for the two-year-old colts and geldings. CARDIGAN SNIPER (1) is having his third career start here for Emma Stewart. He should have enough gate speed to hold the front and may prove too good. CLAYTON (6) is a first starter for Michael Stanley. He is out of superstar mare Tell Me Tales and is sired by Captaintreacherous. He finished second in a recent Menangle trial where they ran home in 26.6 seconds. The barrier is awkward, but he appears to have ability. BUILDTHEMANASTATUE (2) is the South Australian visitor and has had two career starts for a win and a second. He should map well from barrier two. SEABREEZE LAD (3) is another South Australian visitor who comes into the race off a last-start victory and warrants respect. 

SELECTIONS: CARDIGAN SNIPER (1), FEAR THE MISSUS (4), ARTY MCFLY (5), CLAYTON (6)