Welcome highs following death of Group One winner

VICTORIA'S prominent Lee family experienced the highs and lows of harness racing this week.

Sadly, the low was the death of former top class pacer, Jilliby Kung Fu.

Touted as Australia's most exciting prospect following his 2018 Chariots Of Fire victory and subsequent second in the Miracle Mile a fortnight later, Jilliby Kung Fu's career was struck down by injury later in the season, which saw him spend two years on the sidelines.

A short stint at stud preceded numerous comebacks during the past couple of years, however, the son of Four Starzzz Shark was never able to recapture his best.

Found to be lame after track work, which resulted in him being scratched from Melton a fortnight ago, Jilliby Kung Fu was diagnosed with a fractured pastern and died due to complications following surgery.

Pushing past the "heartbreaking" situation, the Lees were rewarded with a pair of hometown Cup victories last night.

Trained by matriarch, Marg, and driven by her son Jason, Jilliby Willow captured the club's Pacing Cup by leading throughout from barrier three.

Rating 2:00.8 for the 2680-metre trip, Jilliby Willow accounted for Fides and Springfield Affair.

Less than an hour later, Paddy Lee achieved a massive highlight by preparing the trifecta in the Trotters' Cup.

Lee's cousin Glen Craven drove Keayang Chucky to glory over Keayang Ignite and Keayang Xena.

Fresh from his third in the Great Southern Star in Melton two weeks earlier, Keayang Chucky rated 2:02.9 over 2680 metres to take his record to 11 wins and 10 placings from 30 starts for earnings of $169,105.