Jilliby Ballerini on track for New Zealand

Star mare Jilliby Ballerini (Majestic Son)  showed that she is ready for her Cambridge Slot Classic in New Zealand next month when she scored an effortless win in the Matthews Petroleum Trotters Cup at the Terang Paceway on Friday evening.

In a race with only six acceptances Jilliby Ballerini was off the 30 metres mark and appreciated the drop in class with driver Glen Craven allowing the mare plenty of time to settle down and catch the field.

Stablemate Imperial Monarch went around the field to eventually take up the running. Last start Melton winner El Resamo moved up to tackle the leader while Meadow Valley Star settled in behind the leader. El Resamo eyeballed Imperial Monarch for the lead while Jilliby Ballerini was poised right behind ready to pounce when Cook called upon her to make a run. At the top of the straight Jilliby Ballerini stormed to the lead to quickly put the issue beyond doubt.

Meadow Valley Star ran on well for second ahead of the tiring El Resamo. Jilliby Ballerini ran the 2680 metre race in 2.2.2 which was short of the record set by Imperial Monarch of 2.1.6 set nearly two years ago.

JILLIBY BALLERINI 27 MAR REPLAY

Jilliby Ballerini will accompany her Keayang Zahara to New Zealand and while she’s not expected to beat her illustrious stablemate she’s sure to make her presence felt in the NZ$530,000 race on Friday 10 April.

It was a memorable night for the Marg and Paddy Lee stable as they also took out three previous event including the main feature the $30,000 Co-Op Terang Pacing Cup with evergreen pacer Jilliby Nitro (Betters Delight). On the back of his Geelong Cup success earlier in the month Jilliby Nitro showed sparkling early speed to lead but driver Lochie Cook gave away the front to the well supported Oliver Dan and take the sit behind the leader.

The hot favourite Miki To Success was caught three wide early to eventually race outside the stable mate Oliver Dan. This trio moved away from the rest of the field along the back straight and even at that stage it did look to be a two way battle between the leaders. But Cook on Jilliby Nitro didn’t panic and he patiently angled for the inside lane as they straightened. Oliver Dan looked to be holding Miki To Success but Jilliby Nitro sprinted quickly and he grabbed victory in the shadows of the post.

Miki To Success was brave in running second after having had a tough run throughout and he was still able to finish ahead of Oliver Dan.

JILLIBY NITRO 27 MAR REPLAY

Jilliby Nitro is racing in great form but the nine year old was better known as a star two year old having won the 2019 Bathurst Gold Crown for two year olds as well as the APG two year old final at Albion Park.

He eventually worked his way through the classes and at one stage of his career he spent time at Peter Rixon’s stables where he competed in the Inter Dominion series at Menangle.

The Lees earlier in the night scored with Keayang Renegade (American Ideal) who maintained her third win in succession  taking out the Mt Noorat Vicbred Voucher Pace while Keayang Dreamgirl (Tall Dark Stranger) at her debut scored a narrow win in the Camperdown Maiden Pace.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink