The ‘match race’ between the two star four-year-old trotting mares Jilliby Ballerini and Violet Stanford was thwarted by the Josh Aiken trained and driven Maoris Mac who broke through for her first win in more than a year in the Prydes Easifeed Trot.
Maoris Mac enjoyed a cosy run behind the leader Violet Stanford ($2.60) while the $1.65 favorite Jilliby Ballerini settled mid field in the running line.
Jilliby Ballerini loomed large half way down the home straight reeling in Violet Stanford however Maoris Mac ($41) split the pair producing a powerful finale to get the verdict by a neck in a mile rate of 1:56.7.
A daughter of Volstead, it was Maoris Mac’s first win since taking out the Group 1 Nutrien 3YO Trotting Fillies Final in April 2024.
“It’s been a bit frustrating because she seems to be well and healthy and everything seems to be spot on but she just hasn’t been getting to the line like we know she can, “said driver Josh Aiken.
“Yeah, it’s frustrating when you’ve got a good horse and you think you’ve got a chance and run a nice second or third-I’m really relieved and pleased with her run,” he said.
Aiken foresaw a good showing from his mare in the score up.
“As soon as we got behind the gate tonight I got that feeling that she was on the job tonight, acknowledging that we were up against some nice horses in form and I was really happy with the way she hit the line,” he said.
Noted sit sprinter Clymenus put some value into the Quaddie when he saluted at $34 in the CNR Router Bits Pace.
With Ellen Tormey in the sulky, Clymenus enjoyed the sit behind the leader Odin before making full use of the sprint lane to score in a photo finish from Jaccka Connor and Surfingmakescents in a mile rate of 1:53.7.
Tormey said she was better placed in the run than she anticipated prior to the race.
“I thought that I’d be three back the pegs but when Odin held the lead it definitely improved my chances,” Tormey said.
Trainer Julie Douglas delivered a knockout blow for punters preparing the quinella with the two outsiders of the field after Jaccka Connor was sent out a $51 chance.