Overview
John Allen wins a third of all rides at Kilmore, and on Friday picks up the ride on Manchego, a horse that has been first or second at two of its last three starts. That combination is the strongest thread running through an eight race card on a Good to Soft surface, and it is where these Kilmore racing tips start.
The program opens with three maidens, where debutants from the Hayes, Waller and Price and Kent stables are all in the market, then rolls into five benchmark contests between BM56 and BM62. Course form is thin across the fields, so a lot of the weight in this preview sits on recent form, the riders who know the track and the stables that place their runners well here. Prices were up for the first three races when this was written; the later markets had not opened yet. Read on for a view on every race, the bets worth having, and the Kilmore predictions we would stand by when the gates open at 2:00PM.
Kilmore: the setup
Limited course form across today’s fields. Only Testing The Cugat has three starts here, and most runners have one or two Kilmore runs or none at all. The riders and trainers tell a better story.
Jockeys at Kilmore (5+ rides)
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L Currie | 6 | 1 | 4 | 16.67 | 66.67 |
| John Allen | 27 | 9 | 15 | 33.33 | 55.56 |
| J Bowditch | 8 | 1 | 3 | 12.50 | 37.50 |
| Liana Wood | 11 | 0 | 4 | 0.00 | 36.36 |
| Teodore Nugent | 26 | 4 | 9 | 15.38 | 34.62 |
| A McCabe | 9 | 1 | 3 | 11.11 | 33.33 |
| Chelsea Thompson | 16 | 4 | 5 | 25.00 | 31.25 |
| Neil Farley | 29 | 4 | 8 | 13.79 | 27.59 |
Trainers at Kilmore (5+ runners)
| Trainer | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simon Zahra | 9 | 3 | 6 | 33.33 | 66.67 |
| C Maher | 11 | 4 | 7 | 36.36 | 63.64 |
| Ben, Will and JD Hayes | 28 | 5 | 16 | 17.86 | 57.14 |
| Mark and Levi Kavanagh | 9 | 0 | 5 | 0.00 | 55.56 |
| P G Moody and Katherine Coleman | 8 | 1 | 4 | 12.50 | 50.00 |
| Jamie Edwards | 14 | 2 | 5 | 14.29 | 35.71 |
| Luke Oliver | 9 | 2 | 3 | 22.22 | 33.33 |
Two things jump off those tables. John Allen has 27 rides of evidence behind that strike rate, the most reliable number on the card. And the Hayes stable runs plenty here: 28 starters, with more than half of them finishing in the first three. L Currie rides three of their runners today.
Best Bookmakers for Today’s Racing
Ranked for today’s racing
Sponsored-
1
Dabble
Dabble is a mobile-first Australian betting app best suited to racing punters who want live streams, copy betting, social features and fast withdrawals.
Visit Dabble
-
2
Picklebet
Top 4 Betting - Extra Place, Every Race
Visit Picklebet
-
3
Ladbrokes
Watch Live Racing Streams and use the Racing Infohub.
Visit Ladbrokes
-
4
Bet Right
Excellent Choice for Racing, Sports and Esports Betting
Visit Bet Right
-
5
Neds
Place a Bet After the Jump on Thoroughbreds and Harness
Visit Neds
-
6
Colossalbet
Comprehensive Racing Options
Visit Colossalbet
18+ only. Advertising disclosure: we earn a commission from operators listed. Gambling Help 1800 858 858.
Kilmore race by race
Race 1: Bet365 Top Finishes Mdn Plate, 2:00PM, 1763m
Akari Spirit keeps knocking on the door, and at some point the door opens. Form of 25-232 shows a second or third at each of the last three starts, plus a placing on the only Kilmore visit. The Hayes stable books L Currie, who has teamed up with them 111 times since the start of 2025 for 13 wins.
The worry is Latassa, the $3.20 favourite with Unibet. That 5-42 line ends with a second, and L J Meech has been in form with 24 winners from 125 rides over the past three months. Blue Gamble ($4.80) placed on its only Kilmore start and is the other one to respect.
At $4.20 with Unibet, Akari Spirit is one to back each-way rather than load up on. The habit of finding one better is the knock, but bad runs are rare.
Race 2: Robert ‘Chappy’ Chapman Memorial Mdn Plate, 2:30PM, 1599m
The market has Terracotta Warrior at $1.95 with Unibet, and that is a big call on a horse whose only start produced a sixth. Even money about a horse with nothing on the board is short.
The alternative is a pair of first starters from serious yards. Perfect Riposte ($4.40) comes from the Hayes team with L Currie aboard, and Savfield ($6.50) carries the C J Waller name, though Waller has had only two runners here without a placing. Dempsey is the each-way curiosity at $19 with Bet Right: placed in both Kilmore starts, even if the last run was a flop.
Hard to have a confident view. This is a watch race; if you must play, a small each-way on Dempsey is the only bet that makes sense at the prices.
Race 3: Bryce Menzies Memorial Mdn Plate, 3:00PM, 1216m
Two debutants head the market, and the horse with the only recent runner-up finish sits third in the betting. All Eyes On Erin ran second last start, the only run this preparation. Trainer Thomas Carberry has had one runner at Kilmore and won with it, and Neil Farley has had more Kilmore rides than anyone else on today’s card, 29 of them.
Kirkstone ($4.00 with Unibet) is the Hayes debutant with L Currie, and Rwanda ($4.80 with Bet Right) is unraced from the Price and Kent yard. Either could be smart, but neither has shown it in a race yet. Lonnegan ($5.25) ran third on debut.
At $5.00 with Unibet, All Eyes On Erin is the one to back, with the form the others are only promising. Win bet.
Race 4: Bill Harding Memorial (Bm56), 3:30PM, 1325m
Manchego has done everything right this preparation. The form line reads 8312: a win two runs back, then second last time, and 18,450 dollars in prize money from three runs in the past three months. John Allen takes the ride, and that matters: nine wins from 27 rides at Kilmore, more than half of them in the first three. When the busiest winning jockey at the track picks up a horse in this kind of form, you take notice.
The catch is the weight. Manchego, from barrier 2, shares topweight with Rock The Bar, while Japanese Moka gets a big pull in the weights. Japanese Moka won two starts back and ran second last start, the only two runs this time in, and Chelsea Thompson wins a quarter of rides at this track. That is a real danger with the weights in its favour.
True Prophet (733225) keeps finishing in the first three without winning and is a place chance. Golden Age and Sistine Tunnel need to find more.
Manchego is the bet of the day at Kilmore. Back Manchego to win, with a saver on Japanese Moka if the market lets you.
Race 5: Paul ‘Pegsy’ Egan Memorial (Bm56), 4:00PM, 1216m
Two horses, two very different profiles. Adieu Grasse has been the model of consistency this preparation: third at each of the last two starts after a win, 23,120 dollars banked from four runs since August, and a placing at the only start at Kilmore. Siriusly Bright has a much shorter form line, 621, but it ends with a win and is heading the right way.
Adieu Grasse carries one of the bigger weights from the widest gate in barrier 11, which is the knock, and trainer Rhys Archard has had only one winner from 20 runners here. Siriusly Bright gets a softer weight and barrier 9 with Stephanie Hateley.
Snow On Her is worth a look underneath, with the lightest weight in the race by a distance and a placing at the only Kilmore start. Olivia East has ridden three winners from 15 rides here.
Adieu Grasse to win, with Siriusly Bright as the danger. Snow On Her for the trifecta.
Race 6: Vin Loader Memorial (Bm62), 4:30PM, 2200m
The staying race on the card and the best set up for the Hayes stable. Vespasian won last start off a 532241 line and has earned 32,610 dollars in four runs this preparation, the most of anything in the field. E J Walsh rides for a stable that places more than half its Kilmore runners.
Stuntman is the obvious danger. Stuntman won three starts back for T and C McEvoy, has had three runs this preparation, and draws barrier 1 with L Currie, which should mean the run of the race at 2200m. Earthly Crown won one of two Kilmore starts, and C Maher, who has won four from 11 here, sends Tierra out with one of the lighter weights.
If the tempo is honest, Vespasian has the toughness to see it out. Win bet, and the Hayes stable runner for the multis.
Race 7: Eric Buttler Memorial (Bm56), 5:00PM, 1599m
Does course form beat recent form here? Testing The Cugat has the best record at Kilmore of any horse on the whole card: three starts, one win and two placings. Third last start, in with one of the lightest weights, and Olivia East knows the track.
Smash Blue is the horse with the momentum, a last start winner for Luke Oliver, a trainer with two winners from nine runners here, and Teodore Nugent has four wins from 26 Kilmore rides. Queen Of Tuscany and Ostrica both have a win in the past three months, but their last runs were flat.
Savethebesttillast has a 242238 line full of placings without a win, which tells you where it fits: in the exotics.
Testing The Cugat to win. No improvement needed to take this.
Race 8: Stephen King Memorial (Bm56), 5:30PM, 1763m
Two last start winners meet in the last, plus a trainer who rarely wastes a Kilmore runner. Cable de Vega won last time out, has had five runs this preparation, and placed at the only start here. Jack Martin rides from barrier 4, a nice draw over this trip.
Cheron Finale also won last start but has not raced in the past three months, so this is a return from a break. Dance Lady is the stable story: Simon Zahra has won with three of nine starters at Kilmore and placed with six, and Dance Lady won one of two starts here, though the last run was a seventh.
Cable de Vega to win, with Dance Lady the each-way danger.
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Where the money goes
NAP: Manchego (Race 4, 3:30PM). In form, with the track’s most reliable winning rider aboard; the weight is the only thing against it.
Value: All Eyes On Erin (Race 3, 3:00PM). At $5.00 with Unibet it is priced behind two horses who have never raced, and it is the only one of the three with a recent second.
Banker: Vespasian (Race 6, 4:30PM). Won last start, has earned more this preparation than anything in the race, and comes from the stable that places most often here.
Each-way: Akari Spirit (Race 1, 2:00PM). Three straight placings and a placing at the only Kilmore start; $4.20 with Unibet.
Course angle: John Allen at Kilmore. Nine winners from 27 rides is a strike rate worth following, and Allen has six rides on the card, including Manchego.
If Allen keeps converting at this rate, that book of rides will be the first thing to check every time Kilmore races.
Kilmore racing tips FAQ
What time does racing start at Kilmore today?
Race 1, the Bet365 Top Finishes Mdn Plate over 1763m, jumps at 2:00PM. The eighth and last race, the Stephen King Memorial (Bm56), is at 5:30PM.
Who are the top jockeys and trainers at Kilmore?
John Allen has nine wins from 27 Kilmore rides, a third of them, and has finished in the first three in 15. Among trainers, Ben, Will and JD Hayes have the most volume with five wins and 16 placings from 28 runners, while Simon Zahra has three winners from nine starters.
What are the best bets at Kilmore today?
Manchego in Race 4 is the NAP, Vespasian in Race 6 is the banker for multis, and All Eyes On Erin in Race 3 is the value play at $5.00.
Where can I find the best odds for Kilmore races?
Check the bookmaker list above. When this was written, Unibet had the best price on Akari Spirit ($4.20) and All Eyes On Erin ($5.00), and Bet Right was best on Dempsey ($19). Markets for Races 4 to 8 had not opened.
Responsible gambling
Gambling should be fun, so set a limit before you bet and stick to it. If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858, available 24 hours a day, or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
You must be 18+ to gamble. Think about your choices.
RacingBase may earn a commission from bookmaker links on this page; this does not change our tips.