Harness Racing Victoria form analyst Craig Rail thinks a young pacer in the Julie Douglas yard might be able to make an impression when he heads to the races.
Vince Lombardi, who is named after the late great NFL coach, is an unraced son of Vincent who impressed at Bendigo on Monday night.
“He was five back on the markers and moved up without cover from the 900m. He went down fighting and when one considers the winner Valiente is a 10 times race winner and Vince Lombardi is yet to make his debut, it was an excellent effort,” Rail wrote.
Vince Lombardi is one of six new Blackbook entries for Rail this week, with his updated list of horses to follow at the bottom of the trial report.
TRIAL REPORT
BACCHUS MARSH 25/05/24
Trial 2: – SOMETUFFLUV took out the trial for the juvenile pacers. The Courtney Slater prepared gelding is by American Ideal out of the race winning mare Luvyacookie (1.58.7, $20,990) and is related to Luva Scrap, which has already posted a mile rate of 1.56.5. SOMETUFFLUV won the trial by a comfortable margin over ROCKNALONG, which is a son of Rock N Roll Heaven with JAMALA KHAN, a filly by Art Major, being a further six metres away in third spot.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.1 Last Half: – 60.2 Margins: – 6m, 6m
Trial 3: – IMA CHARMA hasn’t raced since setting up a hectic tempo and dropping out late at Warragul in February but he was able to put a big space on his rivals at his trial victory and recorded reasonable time. He has a very low National Rating of 35 so he can be well placed for his first up performance. GOZO RUBY has joined trainer Paul Grech after previously being with Tim McGuigan. He finished second with SIR FLOYD, which was stood down to trial after racing fiercely on the outside of the leader at Geelong several days earlier, finishing in third position. GOZO RUBY backed up at Ballarat on Wednesday night and finished eighth in the race won by Megawatts.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.2 Last Half: – 59.4 Margins: – 20m, 3m
Trial 4: – NO WIN NO WORRIES has returned to Victoria after having a stint in South Australia. She is now being prepared by trainer Paul Parsons and was able to win her trial in reasonable time but followed up with an eighth placed effort at Charlton on Thursday afternoon behind Matador. BUBBY TO BASE was able to win at her latest race track appearance at Yarra Valley. She finished in second position ahead of KHANS CREED with CALEDONIAN TERRA finishing a close up fourth.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.6 Last Half: – 59.2 Margins: – 3m, 3m
Trial 6: – HITTHEROADJACK NZ hasn’t had much luck in his recent race track performances and likes to race close to the speed. He was able to build some confidence with a convincing win over IM A DENNY TOO NZ with KENDYS BUTTERFLY being in third position. The last half was run in a sharp 57.6 seconds so the winner produced a tidy display and proved the win to be no fluke after scoring at Ballarat on Wednesday night. KENDYS BUTTERFLY followed with an unplaced run in a heat of the Mares Sprint Championship at Charlton on Thursday.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.4 Last Half: – 57.6 Margins: – 8m, 4m
Trial 9: – TRADIE LADY hasn’t raced since being unplaced in the Victoria Trotters Oaks in October. She won the Nutrien Final last season so she is a quality mare and has recently joined the stables of Tyrone Abela. She was able to win the trial by a comfortable margin over RIGHT OF REPLY with BILLYSWEARINEM being the third horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.4 Last Half: – 61.4 Margins: – 4m, 5m
TERANG 26/05/24
Trial 2: – SWEET IDEAL is an unraced filly by Sweet Lou out of Lagertha (1.56.5, $20,805), whose first foal Treacherous Reign has already won four races (1.57.0). She settled three back on the inside, made a move at the 400m and sprinted sharply to record an impressive win. She is worth following on that performance. CHEYS ANGEL finished second after setting the speed and KEAYANG HARLOW was third after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.4 Last Half: – 57.7 Margins: – 15m, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: – Sweet Ideal
Trial 4: – ROADMASTER hasn’t raced since failing to finish in the Super Series Final in September. He is a smart horse when racing at his peak form and was able to lead throughout in the trial, running home his last quarter in 27.8 seconds. KOWALSKI ANALYSIS settled three back on the markers and only came to the outside with 150m remaining. He finished off fast for an eye-catching second with DOITSON NZ being last of the three runners across the line after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.6 Last Half: – 56.3 Margins: – 8m, 12m
MARYBOROUGH 26/05/24
Trial 1: – NAKULA NZ trailed the leader ASMILEANDAWINX and came to the outside on the home turn. She finished off well in fast final sectionals and grabbed victory on the line but unfortunately galloped away and lost her chance when backing up at Charlton on Thursday. ASMILEANDAWINX kicked on well for a narrow second and TIL HEAVENS ROCKN NZ finished solidly from three back on the markers for a close up third. SOHO HONEY RIDER finished last of the four runners after being slowly away. ASMILEANDAWINX is competing at Melton tomorrow night and TIL HEAVENS ROCKN NZ finished sixth at Charlton on Thursday.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.9 Last Half: – 56.5 Margins: – Head, Head
Trial 2: – LITTLE YANKEE didn’t really fire during his last campaign and was beaten by a long way when resuming but he appeared to be back into form with his emphatic trial victory over ALFIE ALWAYS. He led throughout and went to the line untouched, which was very encouraging. ALFIE ALWAYS was stood down after galloping for a considerable distance at his latest race track performance. He did everything right in the trial and finished second after trailing the leader throughout then backed up with a sixth at Charlton on Thursday, where he took on a very strong field. SALSKI was third after settling three back on the markers and moving to the outside at the half mile marker. PERFIDIOUS SUE was last of the four runners throughout in what was a very strong event.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.5 Last Half: – 59.0 Margins: – 8m, 3m
Trial 3: – TERROR EYES NZ hasn’t raced since February but appeared to be impressive in his victory over ANGEL OF ANGER. He settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m, came out three horses wide on the home turn, and finished swiftly. He has always shown some ability but his manners have let him down occasionally. He has joined the Shaun and Jason McNaulty stable and if he can learn to do everything right, he might be able to win a few races this campaign. ANGEL OF ANGER set the speed leading up to his effort at Maryborough coming up on Monday and finished ahead of DOWLING, which raced in the trail throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.0 Last Half: – 59.0 Margins: – 12m, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: – Terror Eyes NZ
Trial 5: – STARTIN TO GOGH began quickly to lead and was able to finish off in reasonable final sectionals to win the trial. He is by Vincent out of Soho Socialize, the dam of the race winner Barny Bill (2.0.3) and the great grandam is the former top mare and dual Miracle Mile placegetter in Sabilize USA. SOHO MAYWEATHER put in a tidy display after breaking stride shortly after the start and losing approximately thirty metres. He moved up without cover from the 700m and battled on well at the finish. SEGUI LE STELLA finished last of three runners after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.1 Last Half: – 58.2 Margins: – 4m, 8m
Trial 7: – DANCIN WITH LUSH began very quickly to lead and dominated the trial, winning clearly and in reasonable time. She is backing up at Cranbourne on Sunday night. ALWAYS SUGAR continued her good trial form with a game second. She settled three back on the markers and chased hard in the run to the finish, beating the remainder of the field by a large margin. ROCKNROLL COWBOY finished in third after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.8 Last Half: – 56.8 Margins: – 10m, 15m
ECHUCA 26/05/24
Trial 2: – CROCODILE SOCKS is a juvenile colt by Sweet Lou out of Crocodile Tears (2.0.2, $28,310) and is related to the handy performer Crocodile Kid (1.53.0, $152,550). He led throughout to win the trial clearly over MISCHIEFS SISTER, which raced in the trail throughout. THE FEENY FAVORITE didn’t have much luck in the trial and was third past the post. He was without cover early, restrained to be fourth on the inside with a mile remaining then moved into the death seat again from the quarter pole. MISCHIEFS SISTER is scheduled to compete at Shepparton on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.0 Last Half: – 60.7 Margins: – 6m, 6m
CRANBOURNE 26/05/24
Trial 2: – CAN BE A RUEBE NZ is an unraced New Zealand bred filly by Always B Miki for trainer Kyle Marshall. She was able to defeat her stable mate RUEBE STARBUCK NZ by a narrow margin. The time was fast and the pair of 3yo pacers finished a long way ahead of the third placed OH NO NEVER AGAIN so both horses appear to be promising. CHEAPVIEW was last of the four runners across the line.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.5 Last Half: – 57.6 Margins: – ½ Neck, 26m
BENDIGO 27/05/24
Trial 3: – OZZIE CORKA trailed the leader, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m mark and came out three horses wide approaching the home turn. He sprinted sharply over the concluding stages to record a big win. MANFREDI settled four back on the inside, moved into the running lane to trail behind OZZIE CORKA and finished off reasonably well for a distant second. KEISHA was three back on the markers but wanted to over-race, moved up without cover at the 1200m mark and swept to the lead at the bell. She battled on reasonably well for third position.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.3 Last Half: – 59.8 Margins: – 18m, 1m
Trial 4: – VALIENTE settled last of the six runners, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 1600m and finished off best to take out the final trial. He will be backing up at Maryborough on Monday. VINCE LOMBARDI NZ is a New Zealand bred 3yo pacer, which has joined trainer Julie Douglas. He was five back on the markers and moved up without cover from the 900m. He went down fighting and when one considers the winner VALIENTE is a ten times race winner and VINCE LOMBARDI NZ is yet to make his debut, it was an excellent effort. NAI HARN BAY finished third after trailing behind the tearaway leader SATCHMO STRIKES NZ, which may have been hitting the wheels with his hindlegs considering how fast and fierce he was going in the early stages.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.8 Last Half: – 58.5 Margins: – 1m, 12m
BLACKBOOKER: – Vince Lombardi NZ
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 27/05/24
Trial 1: – ALDEBARAN MILEY was slow to begin from the standing start and settled last of the five runners but was able to sustain a long run to win. ALL THE TRIX is a former South Australian trotter, which joins trainer Jess Tubbs. He produced a slashing effort after settling down four back on the markers, being last on the home turn and flying home for second. ALDEBARAN MILEY and ALL THE TRIX are racing in separate events at Melton tomorrow night. MAJESTIC MOVER was third across the line after settling in behind the early leader ABBRACCIAMI.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.4 Last Half: – 58.07 Margins: – Head, 2.5m
Trial 2: – MACH DAN won the open class trial after leading all of the way in a small field of three runners. BACH NZ settled down in last position and angled to the outside with 150m remaining. He finished fast and was able to pick up second from SANDAY (trailed leader) on the line.
Mile Rate: – 1.56.0 Last Half: – 55.85 Margins: – 5m, ½ neck
Trial 3: – Trainer Chris Svanosio provided the Quinella and both horses performed very well. DALEY WATERS is a newcomer to the stable and led throughout, scoring untouched. PROMISE DREAM is a filly by Lucky Chucky that is yet to face the starter. She was without cover for the first lap, dropped in behind the leader with 700m remaining then came to the outside again on the home turn. MISS KOMMUNICATION came from last of the five runners and picked up ground to finish in third position.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.9 Last Half: – 61.95 Margins: – 4.5m, 3m
Trial 4: – GO MIKI is an unraced juvenile pacer for trainer Clayton Tonkin, which is by Always B Miki out of Celebrity Guest (1.55.2, $68,155), which makes him a close relation to the impressive performers Go Dancing (1.51.6), Star Celebrity (1.53.2) and Compete (1.53.9). He settled five back on the markers, came to the outside at the 500m mark and finished off stylishly for an impressive trial win. BILLYS TIGER KHAN finished in second after setting the speed and ROCKIN BULL was third across the line after showing gate speed, trailing the leader and using the sprint lane.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.9 Last Half: – 58.15 Margins: – 1.5m, 1.5m
Trial 5: – JOHNNY SIX KIDS shot to the lead in the early stages, pulled hard and ran a first half of 57.5 seconds! He was a long way in front mid-race and did well to hold off his rivals in the run to the judge. HOLD MY HAT DOUG settled three back on the markers and was doing his best work at the end. He finished second, just in front of ONETWOSKIPAFEW, which was forced to do all of the chasing after the tearaway leader JOHNNY SIX KIDS. HOLD MY HAT DOUG will make his debut at Cranbourne on Sunday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.0 Last Half: – 63.97 Margins: – 6.5m, ½ head
Trial 6: – SILVER PISTOL is a gelding by Poster Boy out of Pistol Abbey (1.55.6, $253,060). He trailed behind his stable mate LUV THE NITLIFE throughout and was able to grab victory on the line. LUV THE NITELIFE is also by Poster Boy and is out of the top race and producing mare Kabbalah Karen B CA (1.52.4, $285,098), the dam of the champion mare Ladies In Red (1.51.9, $1,067,050) and also the Breeders Crown winner Our Little General (1.49.8, $765,566). She was beaten on the line after setting the pace but she was well clear of the remainder of the field headed by FIRE MARSHALL (4 back pegs).
Mile Rate: – 2.0.7 Last Half: – 57.59 Margins: – ½ head, 24.5m
Trial 7: – ALWAYS HOT continued the impressive line of juvenile talent produced by the Clayton Tonkin stable with a big win over stable mate FAIRPLAY. He is a colt by Always B Miki out of Our Celebrity (1.55.1, $130,019), the dam of Celebrity Royal (1.53.1, $46,140). He was without cover early, angled in behind the leader, moved to the outside again at the 500m mark and dashed clear to win untouched. FAIRPLAY ended up being three back on the inside and worked into second position with CONSPIRATOR NZ (4 back markers) being the third horse to complete the course.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.2 Last Half: – 57.06 Margins: – 7.5m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: – Always Hot
Trial 8: – It was a quality field of trotters and the mile rate was a sizzling 1.55.3 so it was a competitive affair. HESALLMUSCLE NZ trailed behind the leader ROCKINWITHATTITUDE, came to the outside on the home turn and quickly hit the front before holding off the late challenge from ALDEBARAN ZEUS to win the trial narrowly. ALDEBARAN ZEUS put in a very encouraging performance leading up to his Australian return at Melton tomorrow night. He settled three back on the markers, always travelled well and wasn’t fully extended in fast time. MUFASA METRO NZ came from last of the four runners to fill third spot with ROCKINWITHATTITUDE being last across the line after setting up a hectic tempo. She broke stride under pressure with 50m remaining.
Mile Rate: – 1.55.3 Last Half: – 56.34 Margins: – Head, 6m
Trial 11: – WHOS THE MAN was able to build some confidence for Melton tomorrow night with his victory over I AM PEGASUS. He was without cover early, progressed forward to find the lead at the 1300m and held off the challengers in the straight. I AM PEGASUS put in a game performance after being three wide in the early stages before progressing forward to race without cover. She finished ahead of ALDEBARAN ACRUX USA, which led out then took cover and remained on the back of the winner down the home straight. LATRELL settled last of the five runners and worked past WHIZZBANG DAN (4 back pegs) to fill fourth spot.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.0 Last Half: – 58.90 Margins: – 2.5m, 2m
Trial 13: – HEAVENLY CHARM was restrained at the start but was left without cover and progressed forward to eventually take up the leading role with 900m remaining. She finished off in slick final sectionals and got the prize from BEST DEAL, which led out, took cover and waited for the sprint lane. HUGO MAGUIRE NZ was five back on the inside and moved into the death seat at the bell. He battled on bravely for third with TECHYS WATCHING being in fourth after he worked hard early then ended up being three back on the markers.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.4 Last Half: – 56.28 Margins: – 1.5m, 1.5m
SHEPPARTON 28/05/24
Trial 1: – FOLLOWTHEACE produced a very good performance leading up to his first up run at Shepparton on Tuesday night, where he should prove hard to beat. He pushed forward at the start to find the lead and finished off in slick final sectionals to hold off the classy mare CHIRRIPO, which sat in the trail throughout and waited for the sprint lane. CHIRRIPO is also resuming at Shepparton on Tuesday night and should go very well. JETS ART finished in third after settling three back on the markers.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.7 Last Half: – 56.10 Margins: – 2m, 12m
Trial 2: – CALEXICO is a juvenile colt by Lather Up out of Chiquita Bromac NZ (1.58.7, $33,963) and is related to the three good winners Celerina (1.57.5), Cheyella (1.54.2) and Chirripo (1.56.5). He settled four back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 400m and finished off with plenty of zest to win nicely. NUGGET ROGERS finished second after setting the speed and MOMENTUM SHIFT was third after being three back on the markers and making ground late.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.5 Last Half: – 58.0 Margins: – 1m, 5m
BLACKBOOKER: – Calexico
Trial 4: – ROAM prepared for her effort at Shepparton on Tuesday night with a victory over FRUGAL FARE. She trailed the leader early, ended up being three back on the markers and started her winning run from the 600m mark. FRUGAL FARE was four back on the markers, moved around to find the lead at the 1500m and fought on well, beating the remainder of the field headed by SCRITTORE (Led out then took cover) by thirty metres.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.3 Last Half: – 58.0 Margins: – Neck, 30m
Trial 6: – EYE SEE PHILTRA led out then took cover behind FELLINI before coming to the outside on the home turn. She hit the front in the straight and just held on in the run to the finish. TA KALCHE settled down last of the six runners, pulled hard and came to the outside at the 500m mark. He was forced out even wider on the home turn and finished off determinedly for a very good second. FELLINI finished third after pushing forward to find the lead at the 1400m mark.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.4 Last Half: – 59.0 Margins: – Head, 8m
BLACKBOOKER: – Ta Kalche
