Kilmore Harness Preview – Thursday 20th August

OVERVIEW: ALDEBARAN JAZMINE (5) has been freshened since a disappointing seventh at Kilmore in July. Her form prior was strong and she will take beating if she can return to her peak form. THE ITALIAN DREAM (6) finished off nicely when fourth behind BUSLIN BRODY (8) at Kilmore last week. She is trotting consistently and should be competitive again. BUSLIN BRODY (8) settled three back on the markers and finished off best via the sprint lane when he scored at Kilmore last week. He is awkwardly drawn on the inside of the second line but this is a field of similar quality so he must be considered as a winning chance again. CLASSIC FAIR (10) galloped and lost his chance when resuming but he finished a close second behind Little Miss Morgan at a Cobram trial since so he is capable of better. TWEEDLEDEE (9) settled four back on the markers and burst home late when a game second behind Vici Bloom at Melton last week. He hasn’t won in 39 starts for the season but he appears to be very well graded with a claiming price of $8,000 in this event so he cannot be discarded.  

SELECTIONS: ALDEBARAN JAZMINE (5), THE ITALIAN DREAM (6), BUSLIN BRODY (8), CLASSIC FAIR (10)  

OVERVIEW: BET BET HOTSHOT (1) was headed off at the start and ended up being three back on the markers before finishing off well for second behind FLING IT RAINBOW (7) last week. He might end up being behind the leader here and will be dangerous via the sprint lane. PIQUE (9) made several errors and lost her chance when unplaced at Kilmore last outing. She ran a game race when second behind Keayang Minnesota at Ballarat prior and she was runner up behind the classy 2yo trotter Phoenix Red on July 24 so she is worth another chance. AGAINST THE BRIDLE (8) pushed forward to race without cover and faded into seventh at Kilmore last outing. His form prior was sound and this is a drop back in class so he is worth an investment. FLING IT RAINBOW (7) began quickly and ended up being behind the leader when he got home best to win at Kilmore last week. He has a tough draw to overcome but he won comfortably last time out.   

SELECTIONS: BET BET HOTSHOT (1), PIQUE (9), AGAINST THE BRIDLE (8), FLING IT RAINBOW (7)  

OVERVIEW: STERLING GIGI (6) began quickly but ended up being shuffled to three back on the markers when he chased hard for second behind Kings Gallery at Melton last week. He has shown promise during his juvenile season and this appears to be a very suitable assignment. JUST MY LUCK (7) is resuming but won a trial in reasonable time at Cobram last week and is capable of showing up without surprising. ROCKINTHEKASBA (8) had every chance and dropped out from the 400m when ninth on this track at his first run since April. He performed much better in a trial prior with a runaway success so an improved showing would not surprise. DONTTELLNANNA (9) settled in a rearward position and did well over the final 200m to pick up half of the field at Cranbourne on Sunday. She is better than her form reads and rates as a value hope. ASHANTE CADMAN (5) led out then took cover when second behind Beau Beca last week. He is likely to adopt similar tactics here and is worth a ticket each way.  

BACK: STERLING GIGI (6) – 3 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: STERLING GIGI (6), JUST MY LUCK (7), ROCKINTHEKASBA (8), DONTTELLNANNA (9) 

OVERVIEW: KINGS GALLERY (10) is a very smart juvenile pacer, which was runner up at his first four attempts and resumed with a dominant victory at Melton last week. He is taking on older horses this evening but he appears to have a very promising future. BLUE MIKI (7) circled around the field from the middle of the pack to race without cover and battled on strongly for second behind Hez Harrywho seven days ago. He is versatile and is racing consistently so he looms as one of the leading chances again. TOOBY GOLD (6) commenced from the inside of the second line and was shuffled back to seventh early before finishing off fast for an eye-catching second behind Spun Silver last week. This race is slightly tougher but she is capable of running into a place again. MIKI MARK (8) was also caught on the markers after commencing from the inside of the second line last week and didn’t have much luck. He is racing well and is worth thought in multiple combinations.  

BACK: KINGS GALLERY (10) – 4 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: KINGS GALLERY (10), BLUE MIKI (7), TOOBY GOLD (6), MIKI MARK (8)  

OVERVIEW: THESTING (6) is resuming since January but he has had four recent trial performances so he should be somewhere near his peak fitness. His four race track starts to date were in the Homegrown Classic series, the Graham Head Memorial and the Holloway Classic so he appears to be well placed against this field. ARCHAA (3) is a fast beginner and has been racing in fine form at Kilmore with four wins and three placed efforts from his past seven starts. He attempted to lead throughout and ran along at a genuine tempo when third behind Shazza Love seven days ago. LIBERTY STAR DUST (8) settled in the second half of the field and produced a big finish when a game third at his first run since May. He has ability and is worth following. UNCLE TREV (5) was held up for a run at a vital stage and finished off nicely for third behind Madam Reactor at Shepparton last week. That was his first up run since June and he should strip fitter so he must be included amongst the leading chances. FROSTY DROP (7) led throughout at a Cranbourne victory on June 14 and met a strong field at her latest sixth. She is poorly drawn but has the ability to figure in the finish.  

BACK: THESTING (6) – 1 unit (win) 

SELECTIONS: THESTING (6), ARCHAA (3), LIBERTY STAR DUST (8), UNCLE TREV (5)  

OVERVIEW: PASS THE SALT (5) was resuming since a sixth in the Homegrown Classic in December when he raced without cover throughout and proved to be too strong at Kilmore last week. He should strip fitter from that performance and is a winning chance again despite rising in class. OX KNOX (6) was heavily supported and led throughout to score comfortably over Buslin Brody (won since) at Melton. He has returned from a break in good form and should prove hard to beat again. CALL ME JACK (7) will appreciate a drop back in grade from his recent efforts and he is capable of sprinting to the line quickly with the right trail forward. He is likely to settle in a rearward position early but will be suited if there is a genuine tempo throughout. STRAIGHT TO THETOP (4) is a speedy mare that finished a close second last week after leading out then taking cover. She is likely to adopt similar tactics here and has winning claims.  

SELECTIONS: PASS THE SALT (5), OX KNOW (6), CALL ME JACK (7), STRAIGHT TO THETOP (4)  

OVERVIEW: MOISSANITE (7) is still learning and has gait issues but he has the ability to test this field. He was slow to begin and lost approximately 30m before circling around the field to race without cover when a big third behind Callinan at Ballarat. MI BOW (5) was checked at the start and lost several lengths before settling at the back of the pack then sustained a long run from the 800m when a creditable third last outing. She has been placed in five of her past six starts and deserves to break through for a win. LEZAMA (4) gained a nice trail early and was left stranded without cover from the bell when second behind Sambezia last outing. She has also been racing consistently with four placed efforts from her past five starts and warrants respect. DELTA GEE (1) is a first starter for trainer Kari Males, which finished third at a Kilmore trial effort last week and must be kept safe.  

BACK: MOISSANITE (7) – 1 unit (each way) 

SELECTIONS: MOISSANITE (7), MI BOW (5), LEZAMA (4), DELTA GEE (1)