Harness Racing form guru Craig Rail noticed several standout performers at the recent trials.
Okanui Beach caught the eye at Shepparton, finishing a close third after working home strongly from four back on the markers.
Spirited Lass impressed at Melton, overcoming an early break to circle the field and draw clear for a dominant win.
Wild Card also turned heads at Melton, flashing home late after being held up for a run at a crucial stage.
SHEPPARTON 31/10/25
Trial 1: – USYK prepared for the Super Series with a victory over the Metropolitan pacer ROARFORROSCOE. He trailed the leader throughout, came to the outside at the 300m mark and showed very good speed in the run to the finish. He backed up at Bendigo on Wednesday night and won a heat of the Super Series brilliantly. ROARFORROSCOE battled on strongly for a close second. OKANUI BEACH put in a very tidy display for third after he settled four back on the markers, came out three horses wide on the home turn and battled on strongly in the run to the finish.
Mile Rate: 1.57.3 Last Half: – 56.3 Margins: – Head, 3m
BLACKBOOKER: – Okanui Beach
Trial 2: – GINGER ELLA began quickly and ran to the lead shortly after the start. She ran along at a genuine tempo and dashed well clear in the run to the finish to score clearly. She backed up in a heat of the Super Series at Bendigo on Wednesday night and ran a game second. WAYSAM trailed the leader early, ended up being three back on the markers at the 1300m and used the sprint lane to finish a distant second. He also backed up at Bendigo on Wednesday night but finished unplaced. LUVATINNY was without cover early, angled in behind the leader shortly after the start and battled on fairly well for third.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.0 Last Half: – 57.3 Margins: – 15m, 4m
Trial 3: – FLOPPA settled four back on the inside, moved into the running lane at the 800m (1-2) and started his move from the quarter pole. He finished off quickly to win with ease and backed up at the Kilmore races on Thursday afternoon. BAY LA VILLE finished in second after racing without cover for the majority of the journey. TOUCH OF REALITY settled three back on the markers and held down third. She backed up in a heat of the Super Series at Bendigo on Wednesday night and finished unplaced behind Pre Eminant.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.2 Last Half: – 58.8 Margins: – 10m, 2m
Trial 4: – BYRNESIDE BOOM began quickly to lead, took cover then worked to the front again at the 1500m mark. He broke stride on the home turn, went inside the marker pegs, lost valuable ground then shot along the sprint lane and was still able to win! He is plagued by gait issues but he is very good when he can put it altogether. KATHYS FREE settled six back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m mark and came out three horses wide on the home turn. She produced a reasonable performance for second then was taken across to South Australia and scored at Globe Derby on Wednesday afternoon. COLMAN SIGN was without cover early, worked to the front then took cover behind the eventual winner. He was third across the line. The trotter RAPID RETURN settled four back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 600m mark and battled on well for fourth. She is resuming at Melton on Saturday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.3 Last Half: – 60.3 Margins: – Neck, 3m
Trial 6: – CATIES SON trailed the leader early, ended up being three back on the markers at the 1100m and made a move to hit the front at the 700m. He was able to hold off the challengers to win by a narrow margin. He backed up in a heat of the Super Series on Wednesday night but finished unplaced. COUNTRY ROCKSTAR continued his good trial form with a second placed effort. He settled four back on the inside, moved up without cover at the 600m and went down narrowly. He returns to the races at Echuca on Tuesday night. ATOMIC BLACK was six back on the markers, contacted the sulky of the horse in front with a lap remaining and lost fifteen metres before chasing hard for a game third. He was heavily supported at Shepparton on Tuesday night but struck trouble again and finished unplaced. He is racing better than his form suggests.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.0 Last Half: – 58.7 Margins: – 1m, 15m
KYABRAM 02/11/25
Trial 1: – MAUDARCHY NZ was able to defeat her rivals in the opening trial on the program. She finished unplaced at Shepparton on September 23 when she was last on the race track but she was able to get the job done by a narrow margin, which should give her some confidence leading up to her performance at St Arnaud on Sunday. MYLA GIRL was the only pacer contesting the trial and finished second, well ahead of KAMARAN, which hasn’t started since striking trouble at Bendigo back in March.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.2 Last Half: – 63.7 Margins: – Head, 20m
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 03/11/25
Trial 1: – Trainer Aaron Dunn provided three quality horses in the opening trial with DEE ROE coming out on top by a narrow margin. He hasn’t started since being unplaced against the open class back in July. SWEETNIKKILOU has competed at Group 1 level this season and finished in second position with MAXY CAN DANCE, which was stood down to trial after choking down at his latest race track appearance, being the third horse across the line. MAXY CAN DANCE was able to re-qualify for his performance in a heat of the Super Series at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.3 Last Half: – 56.4 Margins: – 1/2head, 6.5m
Trial 4: – TAURAS is a nicely bred trotter that was sent to the spelling paddock after breaking stride at the start and losing his chance in the Nutrien Classic Final. He trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and showed good acceleration at the end to win the trial albeit being a little rough in his gait in the final fifty metres. KYVALLEY RAMBLER finished in second after beginning quickly and being a clear leader in the early stages. REVERAND BOB was last of the trio for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.3 Last Half: – 63.2 Margins: – 2.5m, 30m
Trial 5: – OLLIES MEDAL began quickly and was able to fire to the lead in the early stages. He ran along at a genuine tempo and never appeared to be in any danger of defeat. SANDSTING finished in second after racing in the trail throughout and EVILEYE finished in third from his position of being three back on the markers. The field raced in the same order virtually throughout with ZU HOFFEN getting past ROXY WRITER in the latter stages to fill fourth spot. ZU HOFFEN is scheduled to compete at St Arnaud on Sunday.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.5 Last Half: – 58.1 Margins: – 3m, 5m
Trial 6: – SPIRITED LASS has a few gait issues but she is very handy when she is able to put it altogether. She broke stride at the start and was tailed off early then chased hard and was able to catch the herd with a lap remaining. She moved into the running lane shortly afterwards (1-2) then sustained a long run out three horses wide from the 700m mark. She drew clear at the end to record a very impressive victory. SEBASTIANS WAITING finished in second position after attempting to lead throughout. FARROKH finished third after being without cover early then gaining a one out and one back trail at the 1200m mark. JUNGLE SPIDER finished in fourth after trailing the leader throughout and backed up at the Kilmore meeting on Thursday afternoon.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.5 Last Half: – 59.0 Margins: – 4m, 6m
BLACKBOOKER: – Spirited Lass
Trial 7: – UBETTA KNOT began quickly and was able to work to the front shortly after the start. She ran along at a solid tempo and kicked well clear at the quarter pole, sustaining the run to win easily. WILD CARD NZ was four back on the markers and was held up for a run at a vital stage. He made up a lot of ground over the final stages and put in an eye-catching performance. Both UBETTA KNOT and WILD CARD NZ will be competing at Melton tomorrow night. ROYLANCE settled three back on the markers and moved to the outside at the 500m mark. He finished a distant third with CLARA ROCKS being the last one home after trailing the leader and breaking stride on the home turn.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.2 Last Half: – 57.9 Margins: – 6m, 29m
BLACKBOOKER: – Wild Card NZ
Trial 8: – SCAR trailed the leader early before circling around to find the lead at the 1700m. He always appeared to be comfortable and was able to hang on and get the prize. He is backing up at Melton tomorrow night. SKY FLAIR finished in second after leading out then taking cover. HEZA GUN was four back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 500m and worked into a close up third. He is competing in the last race at Melton on Saturday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.1 Last Half: – 58.9 Margins: – Head, 1.25m
MILDURA 03/11/25
Trial 1: – RONZEL RAFA began quickly and was able to roll to the lead shortly after the start. He dashed well clear at the end to dominate his rivals. It was a good hit-out leading up to his resumption at Mildura this afternoon. THE PHOTOGRAPHER was slow out and settled last, being detached from the leading trio. He raced four back on the markers for the majority of the trial before working home into second position. NAUGHTY BET raced without cover for the majority of the journey and finished in third with MAJOR TARLZ (trailed leader) dropping out to last from the 500m.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.7 Last Half: – 61.3 Margins: – 30m, 5m
Trial 2: – BIG BAD CHAD lacks high speed but he is very strong and he was able to outstay his rivals with a game trial victory. He was three horses wide early, moved up without cover at the 1600m and hit the front with 300m remaining. ALIENFROMARMSTRONG settled last of the four runners, worked into the one out and one back trail behind the eventual winner mid-race and battled on well for second. DAYLIGHT was third past the post after working forward to eventually find the lead over BEARTASTIC WRITER with two laps remaining. BEARTASTIC WRITER peaked late after working out of the gate then taking cover. All of the four horses are competing at Mildura this afternoon.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.3 Last Half: – 63.0 Margins: – 3m, 3m
Trial 3: – LOYOLA SPIAGGIA progressed forward to race without cover and worked to the front with a mile remaining. He continued to build on his lead and completely dominated his rivals at the end, winning being sixty metres. He is competing in the opening event at Mildura this afternoon. OUR ART WORK filled second spot after being four back on the markers for the majority of the trial. He came to the outside at the 600m mark, broke stride momentarily and lost ground shortly afterwards but was able to regather himself to pick up second. LIVELY JOE settled five back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 1200m and finished in third. ALLGOOD VINNIE led out, took cover and finished fourth with UNETHICAL (3 back markers) being a long way back in last position. Both LIVELY JOE and ALLGOOD VINNIE will be competing at Mildura this afternoon.
Mile Rate: – Unavailable Last Half: – 62.7 Margins: – 60m, 1.5m
Trial 4: – DALLAS MIKI began quickly to lead and trounced his rivals. The official winning margin given was 55m but it was probably closer to 155m! JILLIBY SOVEREIGN sat in the trail and finished a distant second with NAUGHTY VILLE being in third after being out of position at the start and settling last of the quartet. ELISSAS DELIGHT was three back on the markers and failed to beat a runner to the line. ELISSAS DELIGHT is resuming from a spell at Mildura this afternoon.
Mile Rate: – Unavailable Last Half: – 61.3 Margins: – 55m, 5m
BENDIGO 03/11/25
Trial 1: – SPANISH RIZARDO settled six back on the markers and moved up without cover at the 1200m. He sustained a long run to hit the lead in the straight and was able to hold off the challengers. KARBINE was three back on the markers and was shuffled back in the field before the home turn. He produced a powerful finishing burst and finished an eye-catching second. STATELY SALOME settled four back on the markers, moved into the running lane (1-2) and came out three horses wide on the home turn. She didn’t get home as fast as KARBINE but she was still making ground at the finish. POPPY POPSTAR settled three back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 400m and was the fourth horse across the line. She is competing at St Arnaud on Sunday.
Mile Rate: – 2.9.2 Last Half: – 61.5 Margins: – 3m, head
Trial 4: – PIASTRI trailed the leader, before coming to the outside and quickly pouncing on the lead at the 700m mark. He was able to continue rolling in the final quarter and won easily at the end. LOOK AT HER began quickly to lead and was overtaken by PIASTRI in the back straight on the final occasion. To her credit, she was able to keep on kicking to hold down second. ELIZABETH ANN settled three back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 500m and battled away for third. COOKIE DOUGH settled last of the five runners, angled to the outside on the home turn and made ground despite hanging in over the concluding stages. She is competing in a heat of the Super Series at Melton on Saturday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.9 Last Half: – 59.8 Margins: – 5m, 1m
Trial 5: – DANGEROUS was able to take out the open class trial by a comfortable margin. He settled last of the four runners, circled around the field from 1200m to lead with just short of a lap remaining and sizzled home in a final quarter of 26.7 seconds to get the prize. HARRYHOO began quickly to find the lead in the early stages, took cover behind DANGEROUS and battled on fairly well for second. LETROCKLETSROLL settled three back on the markers, dropped back to last when DANGEROUS made his move then produced a big sprint from the 500m to join the leader but he peaked late and ended up being third across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.1 Last Half: – 56.1 Margins: – 8m, 3m
