Local trainer Tony Chibnall made the most of last Sunday’s “pop-up” meeting at bet365 Park Kilmore, saddling up the well supported favourite ($3-$2.60) Chatacain for an impressive win in the Beraldo Maiden Plate (1600m).
Giving in-form apprentice Madison Lloyd the first leg of a winning double, the four-year-old Americain gelding never went around a horse in defeating Northern Bliss ($3.80) by 1½ lengths with another local, the Annie Goble-trained Femme Americain ($21), third.
Chibnall, who has saddled up three winners from his past six starters, attributes his recent run of form to being able to use Kilmore’s grass track for gallops regularly.
“My daughter Alyssah does all the work on him, including strapping him, and I can’t praise Madi (Lloyd) enough as she rode him a treat,” Chibnall said.
“I think he’ll get a bit further too.”
Chatacain was bred by long-time stable client Leon McDonald, and is raced by him along with Alyssah Chibnall and others.
“It’s a big thrill as there are 16 first-time owners in the horse,” Chibnall said.
Chatacain had two minor placings prior to his win, which came at his 14th start.
Moe-based Lenny Xuereb took the training honours at Kilmore with a double, scoring  with One For Rocky ($5) and Memphis Squaw ($2.90 favourite).
There were some exciting finishes on the heavy 9 surface and no apparent bias.
Kilmore Racing Club chief executive Ben Murphy said he was rapt with the way the track performed after plenty of rain on Friday and Saturday.
“It was great to see the members and guests back in the al fresco area as we come out of COVID.
“Locals performed well, which is always nice to see,” he added.
The meeting was added to the calendar to cater for the glut of maiden and 58-rating gallopers around Victoria.
Coming up
Kyneton will host its next meeting on Tuesday week, October 13, with Kilmore’s next meeting the following Tuesday (October 20).
Seymour’s next meeting, scheduled for this Monday (October 5), has been transferred to Echuca due to track problems.
Follow these
It was great to get back to the track with KRC members last Sunday, with the recent track widening bringing spectators closer to the action.
Horses to follow from the meeting are Eyes Are Bay (trained at Kilmore by Hanna Powell), Lucky Spinner (trained at Swan Hill by Con Kelly) and Ever Loved a Woman (trained at Geelong by Peter Lang).