Bridesmaid finally becomes the bride

CLASSY trotter Jilliby Ballerini broke through for a deserved Group One success when she outclassed her rivals in the Aldebaran Park Sumthingaboutmaori Trot in Melton last night.

Sent out as a $1.45 favorite, Jilliby Ballerini was taken to the lead by Glen Craven shortly after the start and had her rivals off the bit as she strode away in the home straight.

Craven allowed himself a flourish of the whip as Jilliby Ballerini crossed the line with seven metres to spare from stablemate Jilliby Dreamlover in a mile rate of 1:57.6.

The daughter of Majestic Son had previously been placed in five Group Ones in her 36-start career.

“She’s probably the best unluckiest horse ever to strike (Keayang) Zahara so many times” Craven said. “She just butters up every week and it’s a credit to Marg, Paddy and everyone at home,

“She races in every fight, she went to New Zealand and has come back and still shows up. It’s a great credit to them.”

Last  February, she won the $75,000 Kilmore Trotters’ Cup, which offered the same prizemoney as the Group One Cranbourne Trotters’ Cup, but was not afforded Group One status.

Last night’s Group One was worth $60,000.

“The Kilmore Cup was Group One money but wasn’t a Group One – it’s such a relief as she deserves a Group One,” Craven said.

“She settled okay, but when Tracy (The Jet) came around, she wanted to get racing. But she likes to bowl along and she is used to chasing Zahara, so she can run a good, solid mile.”

The winner is likely to again lock horns with Keayang Zahara in next week’s Group One Macarthur Mile at Club Menangle.

“She’ll go up to Sydney next week to race back over a mile and hopefully she can get a decent draw and do the same thing,” Craven said.

• HRV Media