Bill Davies’ entire You Crovottie overcame a 36-yard handicap to win the inaugural Kilmore Pacing Cup and so began a title with harness racing heritage like few others.
That was on Monday July 20 in 1961, when the discretionary handicap was raced over 13 furlongs (2600 metres) for a stake of 300 pounds plus a 15-pound trophy.
Davies’ (Carisbrook) trained and drove the four-year-old by Grand Scott out of Dixie Love, with You Crovottie overcoming his handicap to win by five yards over 60-yard backmarker Macaree (Bob Birthisal) in a mile rate of 2:16.2.
Scratch marker Radiant Tartan (Tony Buckley) was third, four yards away, with only seven horses finishing after Joyoro and Sea Gram lost their drivers (Clarrie Allen and Howard Craig) two furlongs from the finish.
There were nine starters: Radiant Tartan, Lutorra and New Noble off scratch; Joyoro and Sea Gram 12 yards; Cui Bono 24 yards; Young Judy and You Crovottie 36 yards; Macaree 60 yards.
This was the beginning of what was to develop as Australia’s number one handicap pacing event, so much that it received Group 1 status in later years.
The day continued to grow with increasing crowds each year packing the course and patrons arriving early to obtain a vantage point along the outside fence all the way up the straight.
In later years hospitality tents appeared on a regular basis to entertain those in attendance during the afternoon with over 30 bookmakers operating.
As the years rolled by the race continued to attract attention from interstate including champions such as Bon Adios (SA), Welcome Advice (NSW), Globe Score (SA), Paleface Adios (NSW), Pure Steel (WA) and Koala King (NSW), with a number to obtain glory by winning Inter Dominions including our own Golden Reign and Lennytheshark.
The pride of Kilmore, Popular Alm was a dual winner in 1981 and 1982, while the Kilmore stable of Bob and Vin Knight also provided Distant Thunder, Raging Bull and New Zealander Amendment to continue the success in 1983,1984 and 1990.
Other locally trained winners have been Scottish Fusilier (Reg Shinn, 1968) Free Vance (Frank Shinn, 1972), Colbruce (Noel Shinn, 1999) and Bitobliss (Scott Stewart, 2011 and 2012).
The Shinn name has been most victorious in Kilmore Cup victories with a total of six – Steven winning aboard Pure Steel and Noel driving both Free Vance and Colbruce, while Bill partnered Scottish Fusilier, Bon Adios and Globe Score. The Knight stable have five.
One of the most memorable wins came in 1989 when Melton’s Mario Azzopardi received the thrill of a lifetime after training and driving the Sea Lord-Youre A Lady gelding Imathreat to victory over Jocks Regret and Our Blue Steel in a mile rate of 2:04.2.
Another chapter of Kilmore Cup history with be etched into the record books this Friday night.
