When Shadow Sax was withdrawn from the TAB Inter Dominion pacing series, leaving champion reinsman Chris Alford with just one horse for all of ID18, in hindsight, Kyvalley Blur’s chances probably improved.
The Puppet’s a genius, and the trotter everyone probably thought was pushing uphill following a lacklustre Round 1 performance quickly silenced his knockers.
Kyvalley Blur launched from a seemingly impossible position mid-race to take out the second-round trotting heat at Ballarat over the sprint trip of 1710m in 1:55.6 by 1.7m over Big Jack Hammer, with Sky Petite third.
And there’s improvement to come, says Alford: “If he stays like tonight he’ll go better again on Saturday from what Lills (trainer Brent Lilley) said. He’ll need a draw in the final, but if he gets it he will be right there.”
Tornado Valley prevailed in the other trotting heat, rating 1:56.1 and scorching home in a 27-second final quarter for Kate and Andy Gath.
With gate speed to burn – and another gear when required late in the piece – Tornado Valley seemingly has it all.
Save Our Pennys was excellent again for Gavin Lang, finishing second, while Speeding Spur boxed on for third after parking throughout.
Good to see Kyvalley Blur back to his best, gives him wiggle room for night three now. There were plenty of runs worth note but not sure anything from that heat can turn over Tornado Valley if he is on song though. #ID18
— Blake Redden (@BlakeRedden) December 4, 2018
Cheeky 26.9 for Tornado Valley. Congratulations @apgath68
— Cam Brown (@cambrown_) December 4, 2018
This #ID18 coverage from Ballarat is next level - a great job by the whole team. Can’t wait to get down there and amongst the action on grand final night! @GregHayes78 @JasonBonnington @AdamTABSports
— Brittany Graham (@BrittanyTGraham) December 4, 2018
In the pacing section Wrappers Delight delivered the hammer blow to his rivals for driver Kima Frenning (pictured below, by Ash Brennan) and trainer David Aiken, going all the way from the pole in 1:53.6 to defeat Tiger Tara and Spankem.
“This series is really going to suit him and he’s proved that tonight again. I think he’ll just keep on improving. David (Aiken) is doing such a good job with him,” Frenning said.
The third horse, Spankem, was enormous, breaking the clock from back in the field for the All-Stars stable.
Cran Dalgety produced Im Pats Delight (pictured above, by Stuart McCormick) for a comfortable win with Gavin Lang in the bike, scoring by 3.7m over Cant Refuse – whose owners in the stands were absolutely thrilled with the performance of Matthew Craven’s star – while Im The Boss was a gritty third.
And Cruz Bromac (pictured top, with Nat Rasmussen in the sulky by Ash Brennan) has launched in the betting charts with his stablemate Spankem, both into $4, after he effortlessly won his second-round heat with Nat Rasmussen in the gig.
More TAB ID18 Round 2 coverage