– Len Baker
A SMALL card of six races were held at Swan Hill trots on Thursday, February 17 highlighted by the annual Kiel Tiling sponsored 2022 Blue Pearl Classic, a $14,000 feature for female reinspersons over 2240 metres which was action packed from start to finish.
Polemarker Carramar Kasiano (Kathy Watson) retained the lead as the gate pulled away with Captain Bling (gate three – Jackie Barker) outside him and Holy Starzzz (Kylie Sugars – gate four) trapped three wide before pressing on to park outside the pacemaker. Valkyrie (gate two second line – Ellen Tormey) vacated the one/one soon after to race in the open momentarily as Michelle Phillips was off and running with last start Maryborough winner Ultimate Vinnie from mid-field to race exposed. Applying plenty of pressure to the front runner in the last lap, Ultimate Vinnie raced clear with Valkyrie giving chase and Kekoa (Rebecca Bartley) going forward from the rear to follow Holy Starzzz which had eased three wide in the last lap. Angling four wide on the final bend, Kekoa trained by Emma Stewart at Cardigan swept to the front in the straight and raced clear to greet the judge by 6.1 metres in a mile rate of 1-58 from a game Holy Starzzz, with Valkyrie 1.2 metres away third and Ultimate Vinnie 1.9 metres back in fourth place.
Kyabram trainer Gary Payne’s speedy nine-year-old Art Major-Hope To Live mare Artizz registered her 5th success in 129 outings by leading throughout from gate two with Cody Crossland in the sulky to take the Waterproof King Pace over 2240 metres. Always well in control, Artizz kicked clear on turning to score by 12 metres from a death-seating No Emotion (gate six) at cricket score odds, with Gojoe (one/one – three wide home turn) third 1.2 metres back. The rate 2-01.7.
The 2240 metre Kiel Tiling Battlers In The Bush was a blow out result when Charlton duo Michael Gadsden (trainer) and Denbeigh Wade (driver) scored with six-year-old Modern Art-Kentucky Sarah gelding Balmy Bob paying tote odds of $28.40. Going forward after being trapped three wide from gate five to cross Lady Pebbles (gate two) within a lap, Balmy Bob unplaced in eight previous attempts defied all challengers to prevail by 3.1 metres from a death-seating Grenade returning a mile rate of 2-02.3. Lady Pebbles held down third 6.7 metres away.
The Kevin Kiel Memorial Pace over 1750 metres saw Charlton trainer Shane Sanderson victorious with Bettors Delight-Pemberton Stride four-year-old gelding Vanquish Stride in a stunning mile rate of 1-54.2. Driven by son Ryan, Vanquish Stride after settling three back the markers from an inside second line draw angled into the one/one racing for the bell after El Boston had surrendered the front running to Simon early in the race. Easing three wide on the final bend, Vanquish Stride appeared to turn off in the straight when likely to win with ease to only have a neck to spare at the finish over Simon and Sport Mental (one/two) which ran on late to be a half neck back third.
The 1750-metre Beaumont Tiles Pace was a thriller as the lead changed several times with locally trained four-year-old Sunshine Beach-Divine Lady mare Star Shine the victor for Joe Costa and family. Driven by Dunnstown based Brent Murphy who would not have seen much of Swan Hill, Star Shine (gate three) was able to cross Christian Jazz (gate two) shortly after the start before being crossed by Overreaction which had made a lightning move from mid-field racing for the bell. In a thrilling finish, Star Shine used the sprint lane to blouse Christian Jazz which followed her through by 2.6 metres. Miss Twinkle (one/one – three wide home turn) was third a head away. The mile rate 1-59.
Emma Stewart and Bec Bartley brought up a double after unbackable Somebeachsomewhere-Lovelist filly Beach Life made a one act affair of the Holts Mitsubishi three-year-old Pace over 1750 metres, leading throughout from gate two in a brilliant mile rate of 1-54.4 to defeat Roll With Ron which trailed from gate five by 3.1 metres untouched. Pesci which raced exposed from the bell was third 40.8 metres away.
