14-time winner makes much anticipated return

Harness racing’s reigning Victorian four-year-old pacing entire or gelding of the year Honolua Bay (Somebeachsomewhere) is set for his long-awaited return to the races this Saturday night (Jul. 23) in Kilmore.

Unbeaten since joining the Emma Stewart barn last season, he will line up for his first start since New Year’s Eve in the Popular Alm Sprint.

Honolua Bay won a trial at Tabcorp Park on June 20 in readiness for the weekend’s assignment, with the horse to start as one of three back row runners over the 1690m trip.

Julie Douglas-trained Torrid Saint is also first-up into the Popular Alm, which has attracted last-start Cranbourne winner Supreme Dominator (Bettor’s Delight, Joe Pace), Inter Dominion champion Boncel Benjamin (Grinfromeartoear, Steve Duffy) and Victoria Cup winner Max Delight (Bettor’s Delight, David Aiken).

Fellow Group 1 winner Parisian Artiste (Love You) will also step out for his first 2022 assignment at Kilmore this weekend.

Trained by Alex Ashwood, the young squaregaiter hasn’t been seen at the races since his victory in the Vicbred Super Series 3YO Trotting Colts and Geldings Final on December 31.

Regular driver Tayla French will take the reins in the Leli and Mary Mifsud Memorial 2022 Winter Trotters Cup (second heat).

Kilmore is stop four in July’s metro roadshow, with the Saturday night racing spotlight shifting around the state as Tabcorp Park undergoes some major upgrades.

The 10-race card also features the Group 3 Jet Roofing Winter Championship Final, as well as a number of memorial events as the club honours some of the great harness racing people of the region.

After metro meetings at Shepparton, Cranbourne and Ballarat this month, Saturday racing will land at Bendigo on July 30 before returning to Melton on August 6.

For complete race fields, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for HRV