Craig Rail might have found a winner next Tuesday at Bendigo courtesy of the Melton trials this week.
The Harness Racing Victoria form guru was delighted with the effort of Clayton Tonkin’s unraced daughter of Always B Miki, who “settled four back on the inside, moved away from the inside at the 400m mark and produced a strong finishing burst to get the prize”.
Ill Be Gone will make her debut at Lord’s Raceway on Tuesday night and “should prove very hard to beat”.
She was one of three Blackbook entries for Rail this week, joining Mach Major and Out Of Eden on the list of horses to follow.
TRIAL REPORT
SHEPPARTON 02/05/24
Trial 1: - FOLLOWTHEACE trailed the leader throughout and came to the outside at the 300m. He finished off best to win in handy time. WENDYS WISH began fast and stormed to the lead in the early stages. She set up a very genuine tempo and was run down in the latter stages. NOMORELYING was without cover early and restrained to be three back on the markers. He worked home well to finish a close up third but only finished tenth when backing up at Shepparton on Thursday night. BELLA DANZA was four back on the inside before attempting a forward move at the 400m mark. She battled on fairly well for fourth and is backing up in a heat of the Australian Gold Bullion at Bendigo on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.5 Last Half: - 57.2 Margins: - 1m, head
Trial 2: - GIRL ON A ROCK began swiftly to find the lead and set up a reasonable tempo. She kicked well clear before the home turn and won easily. She backed up with a sixth placed effort at Shepparton on Thursday night and will also be racing at Bendigo on Tuesday. NOELS GIFT settled three back on the inside and came to the outside at the 300m mark. He battled on well for second with MAGNETIC STORM being third past the post after trailing the leader for the majority of the journey. NOELS GIFT will be making his debut at Bendigo on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Last Half: - 58.0 Margins: - 8m, 3m
Trial 3: - YOU GOT ME GOOD began quickly to find the lead and was always in control of the trial, winning by a comfortable margin. THE LOCOMOTIVE hasn’t started since finishing second in the Breeders Crown Final back in November. He missed away in the score up and lost approximately 40m, tacked on at the 1100m and finished off fast to run an eye-catching second. IMA DESTROYER settled three back on the inside and finished in third spot. He backed up at Shepparton on Thursday night but finished down the track behind Picket Wire.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.0 Last Half: - 59.3 Margins: - 8m, 12m
TERANG 05/05/24
Trial 2: - ROADMASTER hasn’t raced since failing to finish in the Super Series Final back in September. He was the slowest to begin from the standing start but progressed forward to find the lead and was able to score without being pushed out at any stage. DOITSON NZ hasn’t raced since January 2022 and finished a close up second.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.7 Last Half: - 59.1 Margin: - 2m
MARYBOROUGH 05/05/24
Trial 1: - JAMES IN CHARGE began quickly to find the lead, copped some pressure from CARRAMAR SOLOMONA in the early stages but remained strong at the finish and scored comfortably. VALIENTE settled three back on the inside, waited for the sprint lane and finished off well for third. PETREOS was third after trailing the leader throughout and CARRAMAR SOLOMONA was last of the four runners across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.6 Last Half: - 56.5 Margins: - 8m, 1m
Trial 3: - LOAN SAILOR settled three back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 400m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He finished off solidly to win clearly over JILLIBYTIDALWAVE, which attempted to lead throughout. CARRAMAR OLAM settled last of the five runners and finished well via the sprint lane for third with STARZINHEREYES (trailed leader) being fourth past the post. LOAN SAILOR will be competing at Ararat on Sunday, CARRAMAR OLAM is in at Bendigo on Tuesday and STARZINHEREYES will be competing at Maryborough this afternoon.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.1 Last Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 3m, 3m
Trial 6: - FUEGO CRUZADO settled three back on the inside, came out three horses wide at the 300m and finished off best to win comfortably. SOHO UNDERTAKER attempted to lead throughout and finished second ahead of SMOKESCREEN, which trailed the leader and came to the outside with 600m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.0 Last Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 3m, Head
KYABRAM 05/05/24
Trial 1: - CROCODILE BLOOD hasn’t raced since a debut fifth at Cobram in August 2023. He was able to win the trial by a large margin over ACE MONTANA, which hasn’t raced since a sixth at Shepparton in November. JOHNNYS DREAM finished in third position with SHES GOING PLACES being last of the four runners across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.3 Last Half: - 59.6 Margins: - 20m, 15m
HAMILTON 06/05/24
Trial 1: - HOT DEAL is an open class pacer and took on his stable mate FORTY LOVE in a field of just two runners. He was able to dash home in a sensational final quarter of 26.4 seconds to win the trial and it would have given him some confidence leading up to his first up performance at Melton tomorrow night. FORTY LOVE did well to finish about a length behind the winner. He has already had a victory this season and he was placed in the Shakamaker Classic so he might be in for a prosperous campaign.
Trial 2: - RUFF NUT is a colt by Poster Boy out of Azzgoodazz, whose first foal is the very fast pacer Komodo (1.56.6). He was able to win the trial nicely leading up to his debut performance at Bendigo on Tuesday night. ONE OFF NZ finished in second position with NOTYOURAVERAGEJOE being the third horse across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.6 Last Half: - 59.6 Margins: - 4.5m, 6m
BENDIGO 07/05/24
Trial 1: - RUMPELSTILTSKIN was three then four back on the markers in the early stages and came to the outside with 300m remaining. He finished off well to snare victory over CAPTAINS GOLD, which ran home strongly from four back on the markers. LOYOLA SPIAGGIA was third across the line after setting up a reasonable tempo in the lead.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - Neck, 10m
Trial 2: - ALPHA TORI raced without cover in the early stages of the event and pushed forward to find the lead with a mile remaining. He was able to get the prize from ZESTA LA GO GO, which led out then took cover before ending up being three back on the markers. INSPIRE was third past the post after working past ZESTA LA GO GO to lead then taking cover behind ALPHA TORI. He never peeled to the outside at any stage and went to the line untouched. He backed up at Shepparton on Thursday night and was able to post a deserved victory after his strong trial campaign.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.5 Last Half: - 62.0 Margins: - 2m, 3m
Trial 4: - DONA AMALIA settled three back on the inside, came to the outside with 600m remaining and produced a strong finishing burst to win the trial by a large margin. JESSICAS STORY trailed the leader for the majority of the trial and came to the outside once DONA AMALIA dashed away to a clear lead. She finished off well for second with VIOLETTA GIFT being third across the line after coming from five back on the markers. Both the second and third place getters will be competing at Ararat on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.9 Last Half: - 59.9 Margins: - 15m, neck
Trial 6: - GUARANTEED END continued his very good trial form with a comfortable victory. He settled behind the leader, came to the outside with 600m remaining and won comfortably. MANFREDI is a gelding by He’s Watching and finished in second after setting up a moderate speed in the early stages. NUGGET ROGERS was three back on the inside and remained in third position down the home straight.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.6 Last Half: - 58.8 Margins: - 3m, Head
Trial 8: - COCORA is returning to Victoria after campaigns in Queensland and in Tasmania. She trailed the leader and used the sprint lane to win the trial comfortably. She beat a reasonable field and it wouldn’t surprise to see her running a big race at Bendigo on Tuesday night. BELITTLED settled last of the seven runners, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 800m mark and finished off well for second. WILLOWDENE GIRL was three back on the inside and ran home well through the middle to be in third with the early leader LADY LANI being fourth past the post. WILLOWDENE GIRL performed well enough to be considered as a value chance at Bendigo on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.8 Last Half: - 57.3 Margins: - 4m, Nose
MILDURA 06/05/24 (The results of the Mildura trials have not been uploaded onto the harness website. The results listed in this report are unofficial and are as broadcast on the night).
Trial 1: - MAJOR MEISTER was clearly the class runner of the trial and was able to storm to the lead shortly after the start. He was untroubled in scoring. GIGI I GOT THIS trailed the leader throughout and finished in second leading up to her performance at Mildura this evening. MAJOR ASSASSIN ran home well from sixth to pick up third position from HAWAIIANBEACH, which moved up without cover from fourth with 1200m remaining. VAN SHARD NZ was fifth past the post after settling three back on the inside. MAJOR ASSASSIN, HAWAIIANBEACH and VAN SHARD NZ will all be competing at Mildura this evening.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Last Half: - Not Given Margins: - 12m, 8m (approximately)
Trial 2: - YOU LITTLE TERROR was able to build up plenty of confidence leading up to his performance at Mildura this evening with a runaway victory after leading throughout. HAUTZAUER settled in the running lane (1-2), gained the one out and one back trail at the bell and came out three horses wide from the 500m mark. He worked into a distant second with LE SPARTACUS being third past the post after racing without cover throughout. LE SPARTACUS will be backing up at Mildura this evening.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Last Half: - Not Given Margins: - 18m, 6m (approximately)
Trial 5: - DEVIL OF A SMILE gained a one out and one back trail, circled around to find the lead at the 1200m and was very comfortable in scoring. NIGHT SAFARI began quickly to lead, took cover at the 1200m and finished in a distant second but he beat the remainder of the field by a large margin. KEEP BETTING was three then four back on the markers and was third across the line. KEEP BETTING will be making his debut at Mildura this evening.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Last Half: - Not Given Margins: - 12m, 25m (approximately)
SHEPPARTON 07/05/24
Trial 1: - ALOT LIKE LOUIE remains undefeated in four starts for the season and produced a big winning performance in his trial so he should be highly competitive at Bendigo on Tuesday night. He settled seventh on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m and produced a big finishing burst. OUT OF EDEN settled three back on the inside, was held up for a run at a vital stage and charged home for an eye-catching second. ZIEGFELD finished third after trailing behind the leader KIA ORA BEAUTY throughout. OURMATEMENKO NZ made up ground from six back on the markers to finish in fourth.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.2 Last Half: - 58.1 Margins: - 10m, Head
BLACKBOOKER: - Out of Eden
Trial 2: - NOELS GIFT was able to win in his final hit-out before his effort at Bendigo on Tuesday night. He led out then took cover and used the sprint lane to snare victory. RONNIE THE HAMMER settled six back on the inside, came out very wide on the home turn and finished off solidly for second with ALWAYS A SHOWGIRL coming from fourth to pick up third spot.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.0 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 2m, Neck
Trial 5: - MISS FRANCENE broke stride in the last three attempts of her last preparation but she is a very handy type when she is able to put it altogether. She gained a one out and one back trail, came out three horses wide from the 400m mark and produced a strong finishing burst to win easily. SONNUMBERONE settled last of the seven runners, moved into the running lane (1-2) at the 400m mark and finished off solidly to gain second with ALDEBARAN ELEKTRA being a head away in third position after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.5 Last Half: - 61.4 Margins: - 15m, head
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 07/05/24
Trial 2: - PABLO ROCKS began quickly to trail the leader, ended up being three back on the markers and finished off well to win the trial. MACH MAJOR NZ settled last on the outside and produced a big finishing burst in slick final sectionals to run a very eye-catching second. He is a former New Zealand pacer with ability and is worth following. VAGUE BEAUTY began quickly to lead, took cover at the 1600m and moved away from the inside at the 400m mark. She hit the lead in the straight before being run down in the latter stages. She will be competing in a heat of the Australian Gold Bullion series at Bendigo on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.6 Last Half: - 57.10 Margins: - ½ head, 2.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Mach Major NZ
Trial 3: - EUREKO JO produced a very good front running display leading up to her effort in the Australian Gold Bullion series at Bendigo on Tuesday night. She ran along at a genuine tempo and never appeared to be in any doubt of defeat. BUBBY TO BASE settled five back on the inside, angled wide on the home turn and produced a pleasing display to pick up second. She must be considered as a winning chance at Yarra Valley on Monday. KRAFTY CANDY finished in third after settling three back on the markers and pushing through to trail the leader on the home turn. She will also be competing in a heat of the Australian Gold Bullion series at Bendigo on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 1.56.9 Last Half: - Not given Margins: - 4.5m, 3.5m
Trial 4: - ILL BE GONE settled four back on the inside, moved away from the inside at the 400m mark and produced a strong finishing burst to get the prize. She will be making her debut at Bendigo on Tuesday night and should prove very hard to beat. WHISKEYDRINKINGBILL trailed the leader and came to the outside at the 500m mark. He finished second with TECHY CREED (3 back markers) doing his best work at the end to finish in third. DOUGS TRIBE attempted lead throughout and finished fourth, BRINGSUSJOY came from eighth to pick up sixth and MY BAD was seventh across the line after being without cover early and moving onto the markers in sixth mid-race. Each of those three runners will make their debut at Bendigo on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.8 Last Half: - 57.40 Margins: - 2.5m, 1.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Ill Be Gone
Trial 7: - DORA LEE settled three back on the markers, moved away from the inside at the 300m mark and got home best to win the trial comfortably. EL TORNADO is a juvenile trotter, which has already been a race winner this season. He settled five back on the inside and made ground late to run into a nice second. HAY JET settled six back on the markers and ran home well late for third to continue his very good trial form.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.9 Last Half: - 59.80 Margins: - 3.5m, 8m
Trial 9: - PLATINUM JIVE NZ settled sixth on the inside, was inconvenienced coming up to the bell and lost valuable ground before moving around a tiring runner to be in fifth. She picked up in the back straight then unleashed a powerful finishing burst to win by a large margin so it was an impressive display. TINMAN finished in second after being four back on the markers for the majority of the trial. JAY BEE trailed the leader early, got shuffled to three back on the markers then made a move to have a crack for the lead mid-race. He angled in behind the leader shortly afterwards and battled on quite well for third. TINMAN and JAY BEE are both scheduled to compete at Yarra Valley on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.2 Last Half: - 59.59 Margins: - 17m, 2m
Trial 10: - The New South Wales Breeders Challenge runner up RENEWAL led out then took cover behind WAR DAN BUDDY before coming to the outside with 150m remaining. He produced a big finish in slick final sectionals to win the trial impressively. WAR DAN BUDDY battled on well and beat the remainder of the field by a large margin. He will be strongly fancied to win a heat of the Australian Gold Bullion series at Bendigo on Tuesday night. AUREUS finished in third after settling four back on the markers.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.6 Last Half: - 55.39 Margins: - 4.5m, 25m
CRANBOURNE 07/05/24
Trial 1: - MY UNCLE STAN continued his very good trial form with a victory in fast time over the smart pacers DENIS WILLIAM and SAHARA BREEZE, both of which boast a much higher National Rating. RAINBOWSEND was last of the four runners across the line.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.4 Last Half: - 57.30 Margins: - 4m, 1/2neck
Trial 2: - KARTIARE is lightly raced but has shown a lot of potential and backed a good trial performance a week earlier with a victory over HAVEYOUMETTED. The final half was recorded in 56.5 seconds so both the winner and the runner up produced good efforts. OCEANIQUE finished a distant third ahead of ONEHANDONEBOUNCE. KARTIARE will be resuming from a break at Yarra Valley on Monday and should prove hard to beat.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.2 Last Half: - 56.5 Margins: - Neck, 26m
