Harness Racing Victoria form guru Craig Rail spotted some impressive performers at recent trials.
At Shepparton, Country Rockstar was held up for a run at a vital stage before angling wide on the turn and finishing best to score.
At Bendigo, Chainsmoke produced a sharp sprint in a sizzling 27.3-second last quarter for a tidy victory, while Mister Hendrix showed real determination after racing keenly early, sustaining a strong run to win impressively.
At Terang, unraced filly Ride The Rhythm, by Ride High, caught the eye when finishing boldly for second and looks one to follow.
SHEPPARTON 16/10/25
Trial 2: – HODY MOKE trailed the leader early, circled around to find the lead at the bell and was able to take out the trial. It was only a narrow margin but she went to the line with plenty in reserve. MACHO MAORI trailed the leader, found the front at the 1400m then took cover again at the bell. He used the sprint lane and missed out by a narrow margin then finished fifth at Bendigo on Wednesday night. SEBS GAL was slow away and settled down a distant third. She held down third position ahead of BET BET HOTSHOT, which began fast but broke stride on the first turn.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.5 Last Half: – 61.0 Margins: – Head, 15m
Trial 3: – COUNTRY ROCKSTAR settled three back on the inside, was held up for a run at a vital stage, angled wide on the home turn and was able to work home best to score. MY MATE ACE trailed the leader and came to the outside at the 600m mark. He battled on nicely for second and MY MACHETE settled five back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail then finished off okay for a close third. Both MY MATE ACE and MY MACHETE are scheduled to compete at Bendigo on Tuesday night. MAJOR CORBIE settled last of the nine runners, came to the outside in the home straight and stormed to the line for an eye-catching fourth. He will be making his debut at Bendigo on Tuesday night and should make his presence felt.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.5 Last Half: – 60.0 Margins: – Head, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: – Major Corbie
Trial 4: – REPELLING prepared for his effort at Melton tomorrow night with an all of the way victory over PAS GUARANTEE, which sat in the trail throughout and got close at the end.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.4 Last Half: – 57.4 Margin: – 1m
Trial 6: – FLOJOS BEST led out, took cover and ended up being three back on the markers at the 1500m. She came out three horses wide on the home turn and she finished off best to win by a narrow margin. She backed up at Kilmore on Thursday night and finished fifth behind Rakarompa. NUGGET ROGERS settled four back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 600m mark and battled on well for a close second. MAD PUNTA pushed forward to lead, took cover and used the sprint lane. He finished nicely and missed out by a narrow margin. He will be competing at Bendigo on Tuesday night. PERCESSION came from five back on the markers to finish in fourth.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.3 Last Half: – 58.5 Margins: – ½ head, head
Trial 7: – KEAYANG BRANDY settled last of the three runners, came to the outside on the home turn and produced a powerful finishing burst to win untouched. He backed up to win impressively at Shepparton on Tuesday night. BITTA IRISH LUCK attempted to lead throughout and finished a close second. She backed up at Kilmore on Thursday night and broke stride when looming as a chance on the home turn. ANTONOV NZ trailed the leader throughout and held his own for third. He is resuming at Maryborough on Sunday.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.4 Last Half: – 59.3 Margins: – Head, 5m
KYABRAM 19/10/25
Trials 2 + 3 were taken out by trainer and driver Mick Blackmore. CRACKIN PHILTRA is an unraced colt by Always B Miki out of Phlying Philtra and was able to defeat ROCKIN CHARMER by fifty metres in a mile rate of 2.16.7. Trial three was won by HOORAH PHILTRA, which galloped at the start at Swan Hill and was placed outside of the draw two days earlier. He is the winner of seven races and boasts a personal best time of 1.54.1 so he appeared to be well placed in the trial. He scored by twenty metres over CROCODILE BLOOD with NELLS ALL BLISS being two metres away in third position with the mile rate being 2.6.2.
MARYBOROUGH 19/10/25
Trial 1: – ITS HYDROMATIC began quickly to find the lead and ran along at a genuine tempo. He dominated his rivals and scored by a comfortable margin but failed to back up that performance with an unplaced effort mid-week. SKADI finished in second position after settling three back on the markers and working home fairly well. CLEM MCCARDLE settled last of the six runners and finished off well for third ahead of RENEGADE OUTLAW (5 back markers, 1-1 at bell).
Mile Rate: – 2.1.5 Last Half: – 59.6 Margins: – 10m, 8m
Trial 3: – RENNIE TIN TIN trailed the leader early before moving into the one out and one back trail in the back straight on the final occasion. He sprinted sharply from the home turn and was able to win by a large margin. TEEOFFBECA finished in second after setting up a handy tempo. IM STARVING settled four back on the inside and ran into a distant third.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.9 Last Half: – 59.7 Margins: – 10m, 15m
Trial 5: – SOAR was a very impressive winner of the fifth event. He trailed the leader early, came to the outside at the 500m and quickly hit the front. He drew well clear at the end to win by thirty metres. LOCKSTOCKNBARRELL settled four back on the markers and worked into a distant second. PIEDRA was three back on the markers all of the way and finished in third position with ROCKNROLL COWBOY coming from last of the six runners to claim fourth.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.4 Last Half: – 59.1 Margins: – 30m, 1m
CRANBOURNE 19/10/25
Trial 1: – SOLS ME NAME hung back at the start and was approximately twenty metres behind early. He was four back on the markers, came to the outside approaching the home turn and produced a big performance to win easily. He backed up against a strong field at Kilmore on Thursday night and although he finished unplaced, his run was sound. SUNDAYS SHADOW trailed the leader, raced roughly at the 1300m and battled on fairly well for second. ITSAWOMANSWORLD attempted to lead throughout and broke stride under pressure with 100m remaining. She finished a distant third and WALKING ON WATER (3 back markers) lost his chance after galloping with 600m remaining.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.8 Last Half: – 59.2 Margins: – 3.5m, 52m
GEELONG 20/10/25
Trial 1: – JAYS ALL THAT was without cover early before easing into the trail behind the leader at the 1400m. He used the sprint lane and worked through nicely to gain the prize on the line. SHES SKY HIGH was without cover early before working to the lead. She kicked on well in the straight and was beaten by a narrow margin. She is backing up at Ararat on Monday night. EL CONQUEROR NZ began quickly to lead, took cover and moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m. He came wide on the home turn and just failed to pick up the leading pair.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.4 Last Half: – 58.2 Margins: – Nose, Head
Trial 2: – LUNA ROSSA settled last of the five runners, angled out three horse wide on the home turn and produced a strong finish to win nicely. She strikes a very strong line up at Bendigo on Tuesday night but she does appear to have some ability. SWEET AND GORGEOUS finished in second position after trying to lead throughout. PONTIAN GIRL trailed the leader, moved away from the inside on the home turn and finished a close up third. Both the second and third place getters are competing at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.2 Last Half: – 59.4 Margins: – 1.5m, 2m
Trial 3: – ALDEBARAN JAZMINE began quickly to find the lead, backed off the tempo mid-race and was too good in the run to the finish. She recorded slow time but she went to the line with plenty in reserve and looked quite impressive at the end. She is racing at Maryborough on Sunday. TIPPLE TIME settled five back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. She finished off strongly for a handy second. GOODTIME KENZI trailed the leader throughout and finished in third position.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.5 Last Half: – 61.0 Margins: – 1m, nose
Trial 4: – SWEET IDEAL is a classy mare and prepared for her first up performance at Melton on Saturday night with a stylish display. She led throughout, recorded a sizzling final quarter of 27.4 seconds and went to the line hard held. MISTER AMERICANO sat in the trail throughout and ran a distant second while ARTIST was last of the trio for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.3 Last Half: – 56.2 Margins: – 15m, 2m
Trial 6: – MY ULTIMATE SASSY settled three back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 600m and remained strong at the finish to win well. ZU HOFFEN attempted to lead throughout and finished in second. He is backing up at Ararat on Monday night. LINE UP JACQUIE finished in third position after trailing the leader throughout. DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS finished in fourth after being five back on the markers for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.2 Last Half: – 57.5 Margins: – 5m, 3m
BENDIGO 20/10/25
Trial 3: – CHAINSMOKE settled four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He sprinted sharply and was able to dash home in a sizzling final quarter of 27.3 seconds so it was a very tidy display. TRYX VIXEN attempted to lead throughout and battled on for second. Both the winner and the second placed horse are competing at Bendigo on Tuesday night. IM BIG BUSINESS settled three back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 600m mark and battled on fairly well for third.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.1 Last Half: – 57.8 Margins: – 8m, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: – Chainsmoke
Trial 4: – THIRD EYE showed good gate speed to lead, backed off the tempo mid-race and finished off in slick final sectionals to win the prize. ALDEBARAN SUE began quickly to find the lead, took cover and came to the outside on the home turn. She joined the leader in the home straight and peaked over the latter stages. THE CHOOK was three back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m mark and ran into a distant third. All of the three place getters are competing at Maryborough on Sunday. MAC FLICK was slow to begin and settled seventh on the markers. He finished off nicely for a game fourth.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.5 Last Half: – 57.7 Margins: – 3m, 16m
Trial 5: – MISTER HENDRIX settled in the running lane (1-2) and wanted to race fiercely before coming out three horses wide from the 300m and sprinting quickly. He sustained the run to record an impressive victory. MILLWOOD MIKI settled five back on the markers, angled wide on the home turn and ran home strongly late. He is competing at Bendigo on Tuesday night. MOTHER MARIA finished in third after setting the speed and TARZINA was fourth past the post after gaining a one out and one back trail.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.3 Last Half: – 58.3 Margins: – 6m, 4m
BLACKBOOKER: – Mister Hendrix
Trial 6: – ICONIC IMAGE was fast out and raced without cover early before angling in behind the leader. He came to the outside at the half mile marker and was able to grind out a victory. EVILEYE finished in second after being a distant fourth early and finding the line well. QUIRKY CHARACTER broke at the start and was tailed off early. He chased hard and was able to tack onto the group at the 1100m mark. He came away from the inside at the 900m mark and did a very good job to finish a close up third. He is meeting a tough field at Maryborough on Sunday but is going well enough to win a race when he gets into a suitable grade. MOONSHINE LOUIE finished in fourth after attempting to lead throughout and is making her debut at Melton tonight.
Mile Rate: – 2.8.2 Last Half: – 59.5 Margins: – Head, Head
Trial 7: – BLAZIN BY settled three back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 700m and finished off in slick final sectionals to win the trial nicely. He is poorly drawn at Bendigo on Tuesday night but went well enough in the trial to suggest he can be competitive. OLLIES MEDAL began quickly to find the lead and was run down over the latter stages to finish in second. MYRTLE MAY settled four back on the markers, moved through to trail the leader on the home turn and finished in third position. She is backing up at Bendigo on Wednesday night.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.0 Last Half: – 56.9 Margins: – 3m, 8m
Trial 10: – OUR LUCIANO trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and ran home strongly to gain the prize on the line. DO IT settled three back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 600m and hit the front on the home turn. He appeared to switch off when he ran to the top and was beaten right on the line. MAYWYNS JEWEL settled four back on the markers, gained a one out and one back trail at the 600m and went to the line untouched. RICK REILLY NZ finished in fourth after trying to lead throughout.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.7 Last Half: – 56.4 Margins: – Nose, 4m
Mildura 21/10/ 25
Trial 1: – CAULONIA BELLA was successful in the opening trial after attempting to lead throughout. She is competing in the opening race at Leeton on Tuesday night. RONZEL RAFA sat in the trail throughout and held his own in the straight, beating the remainder of the field by a large margin. MELS NIGHT OUT settled three back on the markers and finished in third with ROJO ROSE being last of the four runners throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.3 Last Half: – 57.6 Margins: – 6.5m, 29.5m
Trial 2: – CARLISLE CRUISER continued his very good trial form with an all of the way victory. He set up a genuine tempo and was challenged on the home turn but was too strong in the run to the finish. LOSEASHOE began quickly and dropped in to trail the leader. He came to the outside on the home turn and loomed as a threat but couldn’t get past the winner. ALIENFROMARMSTRONG settled three back on the markers and finished third. LADY OF TIAVON and THE DEVIL ROLLS ON got into a tangle at the start and were out of contention straight away.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.5 Last Half: – 57.8 Margins: – 2.5m, 32m
TERANG 22/10/25
Trial 1: – BETTOR ISOLATE angled in behind the leader ROCKNALLOVERTHEWORLD NZ at the start, travelled sweetly and came to the outside on the home turn. He sprinted quickly and zipped home in a sizzling final quarter of 27.2 seconds, seemingly with plenty left in reserve. ROCKNALLOVERTHEWORLD NZ held down second and EUREKA JO remained last of the three runners throughout, using the sprint lane in the straight.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.2 Last Half: – 56.4 Margins: – 2m, 1m
Trial 3: – CARDIGAN DAN ran to the lead shortly after the start and dominated the trial. He dashed well clear over the final stages and finished off in a last quarter of 27.1 seconds so it was a dazzling display. RIDE THE RHYTHM settled three back on the markers and finished off strongly for a bold second. She is an unraced filly by Ride High and might be worth following. SWEETKINDOFMAGIC was third across the line after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.0 Last Half: – 56.7 Margins: – 20m, 6m
BLACKBOOKER: – Ride The Rhythm
Trial 4: – ARRHYTHMIA was four back on the markers, moved to the death seat at the 1500m and quickly rolled to the front turning out of the back straight. She remains undefeated from four starts in Tasmania and even though she wasn’t super impressive in the trial, she was able to get the job done. TACTICALLY PERFECT NZ was four back on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail at the quarter pole. He worked into second and SNACK LOVER was third after leading out then taking cover. SNACK LOVER will be making his debut at Bendigo on Tuesday night. KEAYANG LEXI was three back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 400m mark and finished a close up fourth.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.4 Last Half: – 57.6 Margins: – 1m, Head
