Greig: Kilcoy is top track

By Jordan Gerrans

Experienced driver and trainer Peter Greig says Kilcoy is a track that gives all starters a chance ahead of the massive couple of days of racing in the Somerset Region.

Kilcoy hosts a big eight-event trotting program this afternoon ahead of five non-TAB thoroughbred races on Tuesday.

The multiple Group-winning reinsman takes a handful of chances from his Logan Village base to Kilcoy on Tuesday and is hopeful of snagging a winner or two.

“I think we have got two or three that can win with the right runs and a few others have drawn poorly,” Greig said on Monday morning before making the drive. 

“Aurora Rose is probably the one that has drawn well and has a good chance.

“Western Showgirl could be the best horse in her race, but they can get spread out a bit at Kilcoy as she has drawn 10.

“Ima Beach Babe will be near the front, but this will be as good a field as she likes to race in.

“Elle Jay is honest in these sorts of fields, she has drawn behind one that will not help her get into the race, but she will be on the fence – which will suit.”

Greig says another from his stable, Groovy Miss Annie - set to go around in the fifth event - will be hard to beat and declared her the best horse in the race.

The events at Kilcoy this week have been programmed throughout the festive season to help expose the sport to new communities and racegoers.

Kilcoy has two standalone meeting this year, up from one last racing season, and Greig, who is in his last 60’s, backed the move.

“We like the Sunday and Monday meetings,” Greig said.

“I am really pleased Kilcoy has a good meeting with good numbers, I thought the last meeting they had was excellent…. the full fields will make the racing good this time.

“It is a good racing venue to race at … it is kind of like Marburg.”

The first from Kilcoy starts from 1:34pm on Monday afternoon.

The trots and thoroughbreds meeting will be run on the same grass track.

Two types of elite athletes will be on show at Kilcoy Race Club on Australia Day: equine as well as track and field.

The club will run a non-TAB five event program on Tuesday to coincide with Australia Day as well as hosting the Kilcoy Gift, which is set to feature some high-level runners, and run three mini trots races.

The feature event of the day on the race track will be the Australia Day Cup Benchmark 55 Handicap, which will be run over 1500m.

Kilcoy Race Club president Con Searle is looking forward to a big day with sizeable fields set to go around in all five events.