Kilmore Harness Preview – Thursday 8th October

OVERVIEW: OVER HERE (4) is having his third career start for in-form trainer-driver Donna Castles. On debut, he did a few things wrong but still ran home impressively after losing ground when galloping during the race. Last start, he was brave in defeat when second after sustaining a strong run late. He looks well placed here. GYM QUEEN (2) is an ultra-consistent mare, and it’s surprising she is still a maiden. She returned from a break with a good third last start and battled well to the line. She should improve with fitness. KYVALLEY JOYRIDE (3) is a well-bred son of Muscle Hill for top trotting trainer Brent Lilley. He showed promise earlier in his career but appears better than his recent form suggests. If he can use his gate speed to map well here, he could turn his form around. SKYE DIVA (9) has had two career starts and got her manners wrong on both occasions. She showed some OK trial form before her debut. We will learn more about her if she trots throughout, which may be the case here as the back-row barrier gives her space to settle early. 

BACK: OVER HERE (4) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: OVER HERE (4), GYM QUEEN (2), KYVALLEY JOYRIDE (3), SKYE DIVA (9) 

OVERVIEW: ALTIUS (3) is a high gate-speed performer who will likely find the fence first here. He has had two months since his last start after injuring his eye during the run, but the freshen-up should benefit him. BELLA LOUISE (11) is in the twilight of her racing career before heading to the breeding barn. She won well last start when leading. The barrier is different here, but she has the winning confidence. TALISKER SKIPPER (1) has had the best season of his career in 2026 and continues to perform well. He got well back in a recent trial from barrier one but ran home OK into second. He is racing well, but the barrier is a query as he could get shuffled back on the fence. If he can map well, he is a threat here. DARETODANCE (8) is third-up after a year away from racing. She ran home well first-up at Maryborough, then was slightly inconvenienced up the straight last start but still performed well. She should improve again with race fitness. SPUN SILVER (2) is another fast beginner who could find the top here. VIVA STORM (6) drops in class after racing through the Vicbred Super Series. First starter HOLLOW LOG (7) is well bred and one to watch here. 

SELECTIONS: ALTIUS (3), BELLA LOUISE (11), TALISKER SKIPPER (1), DARETODANCE (8) 

OVERVIEW: HELLO POSSUMS (3) has notably the best sectional times in this event. Last start, she was pulled up with a flat tyre. The start prior, she hit the line brilliantly in the Vicbred Super Series 4yo Mares Silver Pace won by Ideal Moth. She has the class. IM BIG BUSINESS (9) is a smart gelding first-up since July. He looked strong in a recent Shepparton trial, sustaining a long run. ANAKIN (4) is second-up here and should improve on his first-up third at Kilmore behind Soho Playgirl and Popcornfriday. He made up plenty of ground last start and probably couldn’t have done much better. KRISSY (5) is racing in great form and seems to have benefited from her recent move to the state. Two starts ago, she won at Charlton after working to the front and proving too strong. She followed that with an impressive second at Shepparton, where she made a stunning sprint around the field at the 800-metre mark before being run down late by a smart performer. She is racing very well. 

BACK: HELLO POSSUMS (3) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: HELLO POSSUMS (3), IM BIG BUSINESS (9), ANAKIN (4), KRISSY (5) 

OVERVIEW: MONEY TALKS (5) looped the field from last to first to win last start at Kilmore. He is a striking-looking horse who is racing well, although this is a step up in class. SUZYS DREAM (8) had a good trip last start, but the way she let down over the final 400 metres was eye-catching as she powered to victory. She has a brilliant turn of foot. ALLWATFUNJINGLES (4) was held up last start but flashed home once he found clear running late. He’s racing well and has the winning confidence. CHINSKI (9) has regained his best form this preparation, with four starts producing a win and three seconds. He has been using his gate speed to find a forward position in recent runs, so barrier nine may see him adopt a different race map. Daryl Douglas takes the drive for the first time. Also respecting KALARNEY PRINCE (2) here.  

SELECTIONS: MONEY TALKS (5), SUZYS DREAM (8), ALLWATFUNJINGLES (4),
CHINSKI (9) 

OVERVIEW: ASHANTE WARRIOR (6) is first-up here for Alex Ashwood. He does have his quirks and can do things wrong, but he has shown promise at stages throughout his short career. He has notably the best sectional times in this event. LATHER WITH FIRE (3) is having her third career start, with both previous runs coming at the smaller Mildura track. Last start, she got well back but ran home strongly. She doesn’t look like remaining a maiden for long. DYGANALI (5) was good last start, covering an extra 21 metres while racing wide but finishing only 3.9 metres from the winner. She has been close to breaking through for her maiden victory on several occasions recently and just needs the right trip. SEW HOPEFULL (2) is racing well and should be able to map positively from barrier two. 

BACK: ASHANTE WARRIOR (6) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: ASHANTE WARRIOR (6), LATHER WITH FIRE (3), DYGANALI (5), SEW HOPEFULL (2) 

OVERVIEW: JESSICAS STORY (4) is a versatile mare with a good turn of foot. She can be saved for her speed, do work or be used off the arm. Respecting her on her consistent and solid racing. SKYVALLEY BOY (8) is first-up here since July. He has shown glimpses of decent ability when he gets everything right and trialled well recently at Maryborough. SILENT REVERIE (2) showed her great gate speed to lead last start and was only narrowly beaten late. The return to the shorter trip suits. KOUFAX (3) is second-up here. He was good first-up on a rain-affected track, finishing just 8.4 metres from the winner. He should improve from that run. 

SELECTIONS: JESSICAS STORY (4), SKYVALLEY BOY (8), SILENT REVERIE (2), KOUFAX (3) 

OVERVIEW: SPIRITED GIGI (3) is a gelding who has always shown promise. Last start, he finished third in the Vicbred Super Series 3yo Bronze Trot after looping the field impressively late. He gets his chance to return to the winners’ circle here. HAMMER (8) is a talented trotter who placed in a Breeders Crown heat last year. His connections had a big opinion of him before his debut. He has been lightly raced but clearly has ability. We will learn more about where he is at in this run, but fitness will be a query. ALDEBARAN MISTIQUE (6) has the best sectional times in this event. She was a good second behind No Money No Honey last start. She has a good turn of foot, but this barrier is challenging. KYVALLEY REEVA (10) is in great form, having won her last two starts impressively. This looks harder, though, and she has a wide back-row barrier, so she won’t find the front. Also respecting lightly raced CLASSIC FAIR (2) here. 

BACK: SPIRITED GIGI (3) – 2 units (win)  

SELECTIONS: SPIRITED GIGI (3), HAMMER (8), ALDEBARAN MISTIQUE (6), KYVALLEY REEVA (10),  

OVERVIEW: HEAVENLY GEM (2) is an exciting young filly. She finished third in the Vicbred Super Series Final behind Kahula and Ideal Frankie after flashing home impressively. That followed a very strong heat performance where she raced in the breeze. She’s versatile and has plenty of ability. CASTERTON (11) is an Emma Stewart-trained performer having his second start. He got it wrong with his manners on debut and tailed out, but he had trialled well beforehand. Stable respect here. HOSO MAGIC (10) doesn’t have the strongest numerical form, but she has been competing in the Vicbred Super Series. She faces another tough assignment from a challenging barrier here, but she has ability. TECHYS WISH (7) is a first starter for Nathan Jack. She was second in a recent trial. 

BACK: HEAVENLY GEM (2) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: HEAVENLY GEM (2), CASTERTON (11), HOSO MAGIC (10), TECHYS WISH (7) 

OVERVIEW: ARRAPS (3) was a good third last start at Shepparton. She did all the work in the run and was just outsprinted late by fresh runners. She is racing well enough to win this. MIKI MARK (8) has consistently been performing well and rarely puts in a bad run. He has the best gate speed but will need some luck from the barrier. CHASING THE WIND (1) has the ace barrier and should have options early, either taking a sit or holding a forward position. FAVOURITEHIGHLIGHT (9) let down well last start to finish third after getting a good trip in the 1-1. She should get another good run here. 

SELECTIONS: ARRAPS (3), MIKI MARK (8), CHASING THE WIND (1), FAVOURITEHIGHLIGHT (9)