Hoping for better luck in round two
PART one of his interstate trip didn't go as planned, but Brent Lilley hopes that will change at Club Menangle today.
Making the journey from his Victorian base for the Bathurst Gold Coronet, Lilley was left disappointed when his entrant - Deep Love - broke stride at the top of the home straight when appearing to be the winner of his heat last Friday.
On a bright note, however, the son of What The Hill still managed to qualify for Saturday night's $60,000 Final at the provincial circuit.
"He looked like he had it won at the top of the straight before he galloped," Lilley said. "Luckily there were only two small fields in the heats, so he still gets into the Final.
"Hopefully he will be on his best behaviour in the Final."
As for his pending engagements, Lilley has a pair of runners heading to Australia's premier track this afternoon.
"I brought them along as travelling companions given I was heading up anyway," Lilley said. "Menangle had suitable options for them, so they were the obvious ones to bring up.
"On top of racing this week, they will also go around next Tuesday as well."
Kennywould is the first of Lilley's pair to head into action, having drawn barrier five in the opening event on the card.
In solid form, the son of My High Expectations has a win and two seconds from his last four starts.
Former Victorian horseman Michael Stanley will take the reins behind the five-year-old.
"He is in pretty good form and should take a fair bit of beating," Lilley said. "That said, there is a fair bit of form around him, so he will need to be at his best."
Although drawn the widest in the field of seven, Aldebaran Zane shapes as the main danger in what will be his debut for multiple Group One winning trainer, Anton Golino.
Desperate for an overdue victory, Aldebaran Zane has been runner-up during his three starts from a spell.
Lilley will then be represented by Maestro, which will be driven by Sofia Arvidsson from barrier eight.
The gelded son of Love You is a last start winner of the Charlton Trotters' Cup on March 15, where he overcame the inside of the back row with Chris Alford in the cart.
"He has really bounced back to top form during the past six or so weeks and is going to take some beating," Lilley said. "As is the case with Kennywould's race, there are quite a few handy types in the field, so he still has a job ahead of him."
Boasting three wins from her last four starts before being sent for a well-earned spell, Oria is the biggest threat despite being first-up since December 8.
A recent trial winner, the Blake Fitzparick-trained daughter of Quaker Jet will come from barrier four.
