Jilliby Ballerini (Majestic son) will represent the mighty Ecklin South harness racing stable of Marg, Paddy and Jason Lee at next month’s $NZ400,000 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot in New Zealand.
The stable today confirmed plans for the brilliant four-year-old square leg, who chased home star stablemate Keayang Zahara for second place in Saturday night’s Group 1 Bill Collins Trotters Sprint at Melton.
Jilliby Ballerini is likely to race in the Maryborough Trotters Cup on November 2 before heading off to take her place in the Dominion at Addington on November 11.
Now retired champion Just Believe became the first Australian-trained horse in 41 years to win the Dominion when he prevailed with the late Greg Sugars in the sulky last year.
Before that, the last Australian to win the time-honored event was the Graeme Lang-prepared Scotch Notch in 1983.
A breathtaking win in the Australasian Trotting Championship on October 4 at her first attempt from a standing start has given Lee the steady confidence to take Jilliby Ballerini to New Zealand where she will chase her first career success in Group 1.
It has also been decided to leave Keayang Zahara’s house to prepare for a half-million dollar bonus during the Summer of Glory Carnival.
The Victorian Insured Bonus Series kicks off at Bendigo on January 10 with the $100,000 Group 1 Maori Mile. It moves to Shepparton (January 17), Ballarat (January 24), Cranbourne (January 31) and Kilmore (February 7) before the Great Southern Star in Melton on February 14.
Any trotter who can win four of the six legs in the bonus series, including the Great Southern Star, will claim the $500,000 cash payment.
Jilliby Ballerini has won 10 of her 23 starts, while Keayang Zahara is the winner of 17 of 18, including eight Group 1 starts.
Arcee Phoenix, for trainer-driver Chris Svanosio, and Parisian Artiste, for Alex Ashwood and Tayla French, are the other Victorians heading to New Zealand for the Dominion Trot.
Through Tim O’Connor, for HRV
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