Trial File: Donmaro and Mighty Jolt impress

Harness Racing Victoria form guru Craig Rail noticed some standout runners at recent trials.

At Shepparton, the well-bred Gocciadoro showed some promise while Roam looked impressive fin the Craig Turnbull stable.

At Cranbourne, the former Queensland Pacer Mighty Jolt trained the leader throughout, never peeled to the outside at any stage and went to the line jogging in second. He is making his debut for trainer Dean Braun in Hobart on Saturday night.

At Melton, former New Zealand pacer Donmaro blitzed his rivals and Majestic Lord stood out as a juvenile trotter to follow.

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SHEPPARTON 19/02/26

Trial 1: – IM BIG BUSINESS trailed the leader and waited for the sprint lane. He showed very good acceleration at the end and was able to get up on the line. FLOPPA showed good gate speed to find the lead shortly after the start. He tried to repel the challenge of IM BIG BUSINESS in the straight but came up short at the end. He is backing up at Shepparton on Tuesday night. THE GOLDEN HOOK settled three back on the markers and moved up without cover at the 500m. He battled on well and finished a close up third. He is also backing up at Shepparton on Tuesday night. CAPTAIN LOCKSLEY settled last of the six runners and finished off well for fourth.

Mile Rate: – 2.1.2                           Last Half: – 57.1                        Margins: – Neck, 1m

Trial 2: – ONELOOK took out the trial for the juvenile pacers after settling three back on the markers and finishing off strongly in the run to the line. She is by Poster Boy out of Whata Glimpse (1.56.0, $31,465) and is the first live foal out of the mare. SHEZARAGER attempted to lead throughout and finished off in a reasonable final half but was run down at the end. She is by Raging Bull out of Zedalady, whose first foal Zeda Rocks has been unplaced in two starts to date. She was checked in the back straight and had little luck when unplaced at her debut effort at Maryborough on Wednesday. GOCCIADORO showed some promise in third position. He settled four back on the markers and finished off strongly despite racing greenly at the end. He is by Downbytheseaside out of Now Eye See (1.55.8, $47,495), which has already produced the top performer Eye Believe (1.56.0, $235,999) and You Gotta Believe (1.54.7, $21,368) so he might be worth following. JASPER JAY finished fourth after trailing the leader throughout. He is by The Storm Inside out of Princess Lil (2.0.5) and is the first foal. MY MATE FLICKA was last of the five runners for the duration. He is by Century Farroh out of the unraced mare Ideal Energy NZ and is the first foal.

Mile Rate: – 2.1.6                           Last Half: – 57.4                        Margins: – Neck, 3m

BLACKBOOKER: – Gocciadoro

Trial 3: – LIKE NO OTHER settled five back on the markers, moved up without cover from the 600m and battled on too well in the run to the finish. INTERESTINME settled three back on the markers and ran home nicely through the middle late. ELLIANA trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and was just able to edge out her stable mate and early leader LA SMOOCH for third and fourth.

Mile Rate: – 2.4.4                           Last Half: – 59.3                        Margins: – 1m, 2m

Trial 4: – FOLLOWTHEACE was three wide in the early stages and pushed forward to find the lead. He always travelled well in the run and was able to hold his rivals safely at bay. IDEAL BANDIT ran to the front early before taking cover behind the eventual winner. He held his own in the straight and finished in second. He is resuming from a spell at Boort on Sunday afternoon. SOHO PLAYGIRL was the first horse to the markers, took cover and ended up being three back on the inside. She came away from the markers on the home turn and tried hard for third. She is scheduled to compete at Shepparton on Tuesday night. MAD PUNTA was four back on the markers throughout and finished in fourth.

Mile Rate: – Unavailable              Last Half: – Unavailable          Margins: – Unavailable

Trial 5: – ROAM has joined trainer Craig Turnbull since her latest third placed effort and impressed with her all of the way trial victory. She won with plenty in reserve and she has a low National Rating of 47 so she might be able to win a race in the near future. She is resuming at Shepparton on Tuesday night. PARINI was four back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 300m and tried hard for second. LADY DEEKAYNWHY trailed the leader throughout and finished in third. She is competing at Shepparton on Tuesday night. ELIZAJANE settled last of the six runners, moved up into the one out and one back trail approaching the home turn and battled on fairly well for fourth. She is also competing at Shepparton on Tuesday night.

Mile Rate: – Unavailable              Last Half: – Unavailable          Margins: – Unavailable

BLACKBOOKER: – Roam

Trial 6: – KALARNEY PRINCE led out then took cover and came to the outside on the home turn. He finished off best to win by a narrow margin. He was a late withdrawal at Kilmore on Thursday night. BANOS settled in sixth, moved away from the inside in the back straight then switched back to the inner on the home turn. He finished off nicely without being pushed and continued his handy trial form. I AM HARRO made an error in the score up and missed away by approximately ten metres. He was four back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 500m and battled on well for third. He is having a busy week as he backed up at Kilmore with a creditable fifth after again missing away on Thursday night and he is scheduled to compete at Shepparton on Tuesday night. GLENGARRY RED settled last of the seven runners and ran home strongly out wide late for an eye-catching fourth. He is competing at Shepparton on Tuesday night.

Mile Rate: – 2.7.1                           Last Half: – 61.0                        Margins: – Head, 3m

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KYABRAM 22/02/26

Trial 1: – UPRIGHT hasn’t raced since an unplaced effort in December but has had several trials leading up to his first up performance. He was able to take out the only trial at Kyabram by a little less than a length over ROCKIN CHARMER, which hasn’t raced since July and is now being prepared by trainer Peter Chamouras. The New South Wales pacer ROYAL EXPRESS failed to complete the course.

Mile Rate: – 2.2.5                           Last Half: – 61.8                        Margins: – 2m, retired

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CRANBOURNE 22/02/26

Trial 1: – PERUN NZ has recently returned from New South Wales and has joined trainer Samantha Gangell. He was able to lead throughout and finished off in a slick final quarter of 28.1 seconds. The former Queensland pacer MIGHTY JOLT trained the leader throughout, never peeled to the outside at any stage and went to the line jogging in second. He is making his debut for trainer Dean Braun in Hobart on Saturday night.

Mile Rate: – 2.0.4                           Last Half: – 56.1                        Margins: – 4.5m

BLACKBOOKER: – Mighty Jolt

Trial 2: – MASTER LOUEY hasn’t raced since being unplaced in the Australian Pacing Gold Graduate back in May. He was able to find the lead early and kicked on strongly once challenged in the straight to gain the prize. SHEZALLRHYTHM sat in the trail throughout and tried hard in the straight to finish a close second. ITSAWOMANSWORLD was last of the three runners for the duration.

Mile Rate: – 1.58.8                         Last Half: – 58.1                        Margins: – ½ neck, 37m

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MARYBOROUGH 22/02/26

Trial 1: – SAVON DE ROCHE hasn’t raced since September but appeared to be very sharp in her trial success. She settled four back on the markers, came to the outside at the 300m and finished off fast to win clearly. BONAVISTA BOY trailed the leader and circled around to find the lead at the 1300m but was run down at the end. BELLA LOMBO was without cover early, found the markers and ended up being three back on the inside at the 1300m. She battled on fairly well for third position.

Mile Rate: – 2.1.1                           Last Half: – 58.6                        Margins: – 12m, 3m

Trial 2: – SISTER MOLLY is an unraced 3yo trotter by Father Patrick and is the first foal out of Mollys Purse (2.5.3, $24,370), which was a Group 2 winner. She settled three back on the markers, came to the outside at the quarter pole and finished off best without being fully extended. TIPPLE TIME was four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail behind SISTER MOLLY and tried hard over the latter stages to finish second. She is resuming at Shepparton on Tuesday night. BEAU TRUSCOTT trailed the leader and finished in third with the early leader CRACKIN TRUSCOTT being last of the four runners across the line.

Mile Rate: – 2.4.8                           Last Half: – 61.9                        Margins: – 1m, 2m

Trial 4: – FARROH JOE continued his handy trial form with a trial win over the 3yo pacers. He trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 300m and got home best to win in slick time. MAGELLAN began quickly to find the lead, ran along at a reasonable tempo and fought on well for a close up second. OUR PINUP GIRL finished in third after settling four back on the markers, moving away from the inside at the 300m and being forced wider on the home turn. NOCOMMENT came from last of the five runners and finished in fourth. The unraced juvenile colt CRUNCH RULES settled three back on the markers and was last of the five runners across the line. He is by Captain Crunch out of Transparency Rules, which has produced the three winners Caroline Bay (1.59.9), Canada Bay (1.56.3, $125,931) and Tell Me Why (1.58.7).

Mile Rate: – 2.0.6                           Last Half: – 57.3                        Margins: – 1m, 1m

Trial 6: – RENNIE TIN TIN began quickly to find the lead and finished off in quick final sectionals to win the trial. He was able to finish third when resuming at Kilmore on Thursday night. REEKO REACTOR trailed the leader throughout and battled on fairly well for second. He is competing at Boort on Sunday afternoon. RICH LIST is also scheduled to race at Boort and came from three back on the markers to finish in third position. RETRO FIT came from last of the six runners to pick up fourth position.

Mile Rate: – 2.2.8                           Last Half: – 56.9                        Margins: – 10m, 8m

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BENDIGO 23/02/26

Trial 1: – MITZI SAID settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 300m mark and finished off best in fast time. She is a handy mare and is racing at Terang on Monday. BELLA DANZA began quickly to lead and ran along at a genuine tempo. She shifted out under pressure on the home turn but battled on well in the run to the finish. TELERN LOFTY trailed the leader throughout and finished in second position while SARGEANT LOU was last of the quartet for the duration.

Mile Rate: – 1.55.3                         Last Half: – 57.3                        Margins: – 2m, Nose

Trial 2: – MISS HOLLY RED was the only 3yo trotter competing against the juveniles and was able to get the prize after sliding forward to find the lead shortly after the start. HEZA DO GOODA finished in second after trailing the leader throughout. He is by the Italian stallion Zirconium out of the unraced mare Atego Zonda and is the first foal. DONNYOSKO finished third after being three back on the markers throughout. He is by What The Hill out of Donski (2.0.9, $40,605), a daughter of the Group 1 winning mare Skye Rocket, which has already produced the winners Salski (1.59.3) and Zarski (2.0.3). DOWNTOWN GIRL (4 back markers) and ATEGO DIAMOND (5 back markers) finished fourth and fifth respectively. DOWNTOWN GIRL is by Sebastian K out of Downtown Miss (1.59.6), which has produced Uptown Lad (2.0.2, $111,247). ATEGO DIAMOND is by Tennotrump out of Atego Lilly (2.3.0) and is a half sister to Atego Dawn (1.59.9).

Mile Rate: – 2.3.6                           Last Half: – 60.4                        Margins: – 9m, 13m

Trial 3: – GRANDIOSA is a juvenile filly by Huntsville out of Ideally Say Yes (1.58.0), whose first foal Huddy Say Yes has had two starts to date. She led, raced greenly and was still able to get the job done in reasonable time. GRIMSHAW BAY settled four back on the inside, moved to the outside at the 600m and finished off quite well for second. TELERN TERRY trailed the leader and used the sprint lane and finished in third. STYLISH SAINT was last of the quartet across the line after settling three back on the markers.

Mile Rate: – 2.1.6                           Last Half: – 59.9                        Margins: – 2m, 6m

Trial 4: – The former New South Wales trained trotter RUN FOREST RUN NZ has recently joined trainer Alex Ashwood. He was five back on the markers, moved into the running lane (1-2) at the 600m and finished off strongly to win untouched. He makes his local debut at Melton on Saturday night. WIND STORM settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He finished off well but not as well as the winner and finished in second. PIPALICIOUS settled three back on the markers and moved to the outside at the 600m. She finished in third ahead of the early leader MONTANA CHEVELLE.

Mile Rate: – 2.4.7                           Last Half: – 60.4                        Margins: – Head, Short ½ head

Trial 5: – CAPTAINS RUSH began quickly to find the lead and backed off the tempo mid-race. He finished off in slick final sectionals and was able to win nicely. CAPTOTHEMAX began well and angled in behind the leader shortly after the start. He came to the outside on the home turn and tried hard in the straight, finishing less than a length from the winner and well clear of the remainder of the field. DON CRUNCH (3 back markers) and TOP THRILL (4 back markers) finished third and fourth respectively.

Mile Rate: – 2.2.3                           Last Half: – 57.2                        Margins: – 2m, 22m

Trial 6: – SORRISO DE PRAIA showed very good gate speed to lead early and backed off the tempo mid-race. He hasn’t started since a Swan Hill victory in March 2025 but he appeared to be sharp in the run to the finish, winning comfortably. FRANCO NICKLEBACK NZ is an unraced New Zealand bred pacer, which has joined trainer Julie Douglas. He settled last of the five runners, gained a one out and one back trail at the 700m and obtained an inside run approaching the home turn. He battled on well for second. INDI PARTY MOOD settled four back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 700m and battled on fairly well for third. He is competing at Shepparton on Tuesday night. HESTON CASH settled three back on the markers, was checked by the galloping DEVILS GAIT (trailed leader) at the 300m mark and finished in fourth.

Mile Rate: – 2.3.9                           Last Half: – 58.9                        Margins: – 5m, 8m

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MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 24/02/26

Trial 2: – CLOUDY CANYON won the trial for the juvenile trotters. He is by Skyvalley out of the classy mare Charming Lavra (1.55.7, $127,002), whose first two foals have both been to the races (Patricks Charm and Eaglestone). He began fairly well from the standing start to trail the leader and came to the outside with 300m remaining. KYVALLEY DIXON finished in second after trying to lead throughout. She is by Majestic Son out of Liberty Stride NZ (1.58.6, $63,055), a Group 1 winning daughter of the top mare Jasmyn’s Gift (2.0.7, $192,436), whose first foal Vulcan Stride (2.1.9) is a proven race winner. QUEEN OF THE SUMMIT finished last of the three runners after standing still at the start then breaking stride at the 1300m mark. She is by Muscle Hill out of Cash Lover (2.0.5, $35,330), whose first two foals Franc (2.9.4) and Landman (2.2.3) have both won races from limited opportunities.

Mile Rate: – 2.13.3                         Last Half: – 64.3                        Margins: – 1.25m, 86.25m

Trial 3: – MY ULTIMATE BARNEY was successful in a field of just two runners with SEATHESTARS finishing a narrow second. MY ULTIMATE BARNEY led and SEATHESTARS sat in the trail before coming to the outside on the home turn. There wasn’t much separating the pair at the finish and the final quarter was run in a sensational 26.2 seconds so both horses performed extremely well. MY ULTIMATE BARNEY is competing in the Paleface Adios Stakes at Menangle on Saturday night.

Mile Rate: – 1.54.4                         Last Half: – 53.5                        Margin: ½ head

Trial 5: – BETTOR PUNTER NZ continued his very good trial form with a victory over FROSTY DROP with HILTONS SPIRIT, a stable mate of the winner, finishing in third position. BETTOR PUNTER NZ broke stride shortly after the start and dropped back to fifth before moving up without cover at the 1100m. He fought on strongly in the run to the finish. FROSTY DROP showed good gate speed to lead and went down fighting at the end. HILTONS SPIRIT settled three back on the markers, angled wide at the 150m and was doing his best work in the run to the finish. The 2yo pacer JACWILL KID was the fourth across the line after trailing the leader throughout.

Mile Rate: – 1.58.4                         Last Half: – 57.1                        Margins: – Neck, 4m

Trial 6: – DONMARO NZ is a smart former New Zealand pacer, which joins trainer Andy Gath. He blitzed his rivals to win easily and recorded fast time so he is worth following. EVILEYE has also been going nicely at the trials and was the second horse across the line. She is racing at Shepparton on Tuesday night. Her stable mate ROCKAWAY BEACH finished in third with BLACKJACK WHACKO, which has ability but has galloped at his past three race track appearances, being the fourth horse across the line. Both ROCKAWAY BEACH and BLACKJACK WHACKO are also engaged at Shepparton on Tuesday night.

Mile Rate: – 1.55.7                         Last Half: – 56.4                        Margins: – 29.5m, 1.5m