Harness Racing form guru Craig Rail noticed several standout performers at the recent trials.
BACCHUS MARSH 28/03/26
Trial 1: SOFT LANDING hasn’t raced since being unplaced in April 2025. He was able to record handy time in his trial success so he has obviously improved from the long break. He is racing at Cranbourne on Friday night then again at Ballarat on next Thursday. ROCK POSTER hasn’t raced since September and has had several trials leading up to his first up performance. He finished second ahead of SIR CANDY CLOUD, which was stood down to trial after a tiring tenth at Geelong on March 13. SIR CANDY CLOUD will also be competing at both Cranbourne and Ballarat while the second placed ROCK POSTER will be at Ballarat. FINANCIAL BURDEN and DIAMOND N BUBBLES finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.2 Last Half: – 59.6 Margins: – 5m, 6m
Trial 2: – THESTATESMAN won the open class trial on the program and was able to score by a comfortable margin. He hasn’t performed since striking trouble in the Gunbower Cup back in January but makes his return at Melton on Saturday night. MARTYR was stood down to trial after setting the speed and dropping out in the Birchip Cup. He finished in second on his way to his performance at Cranbourne on Friday and was well ahead of WOTDIDUSAAAY, which hasn’t raced since August.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.4 Last Half: – 57.2 Margins: – 8m, 15m
Trial 3: – REBEL BY THE SEA won a couple of trials prior to winning at Ballarat on March 19. He missed a place after racing fiercely at Bendigo last outing but bounced back into winning form at the trials with his success at Bacchus Marsh and he recorded reasonable time. He is competing at Ballarat next Thursday. He was able to defeat XLENDI STAR with ILLUMINATE ME being in third position. ILLUMINATE ME was able to break through for a win at Geelong on March 13. BIG CAT ORO was last of the quartet across the line. The second placed XLENDI STAR will be competing on the opening night of the Mildura Cup Carnival on Tuesday and appears to be very hard to beat.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.5 Last Half: – 59.7 Margins: – 8m, 6m
BLACKBOOKER: – Xlendi Star
Trial 6: – HURRICANE HOOLY is a speedy pacer, which finished unplaced at Charlton on March 15. He was a winner at Charlton back in February and was able to gain some confidence with his trial victory over ZU HOFFEN, which is racing in good form and was successful at Shepparton on March 17. BLISSFULL LILLY was last of the trio across the line. Both HURRICANE HOOLY and ZU HOFFEN are scheduled to compete at Ballarat next Thursday and BLISSFULL LILLY is engaged at Cranbourne on Friday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.7 Last Half: – 58.9 Margins: – Head, 4m
ECHUCA 29/03/26
Trial 1: – LITTLE WONDER settled four back on the markers, moved up without cover at the bell and proved too strong over the concluding stages. He backed up with a second placed effort at Bendigo on Wednesday night and is also racing at Echuca on Sunday. He defeated ROCKSTAR LEO, which attempted to lead throughout, and LOOK AWAY was third across the line on his way to racing at Echuca on Sunday after coming from four back on the markers and moving up without cover at the bell. ALLTHEWAYTOROYALTY finished in fourth after trailing the leader and MANDS PEARL was last across the line after breaking stride at the start. Both ALLTHEWAYTOROYALTY and MANDS PEARL will be competing at Echuca on Sunday.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.1 Last Half: – 59.25 Margins: – 3m, 5m
Trial 3: – JACCKA CONNOR NZ settled four back on the markers, circled around the field to lead at the 1600m and dominated his rivals in the run to the finish. He paced a lot better in the trial than he did the week earlier at Bendigo, where he never appeared to be comfortable. He is racing at Wagga on Saturday night. JOHN WAYNE NZ began quickly to lead then took cover behind JACCKA CONNOR NZ. He finished in second and was well clear of the others. LINE DANCE was three then four back on the markers and came away from the inside at the 1600m. He finished in third with LOWER WEST SIDE being in third after leading out, taking cover and ending up being three back on the markers. Both LINE DANCE and LOWER WEST SIDE are competing at Echuca on Sunday.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.0 Last Half: – 58.7 Margins: – 20m, 10m
CRANBOURNE 29/03/26
Trial 1: – LADY FLASHEART began quickly and ended up being behind the leader. She came to the outside on the home turn and was able to get home best to score. She is a juvenile filly by Poster Boy out of Narree Rose, which has produced five winners including the thirty times winner Rocks Roy (1.56.6, $231,119) and My Uncle Stan (1.53.6, $91,425). HAVEYOUMETMAYNARD is an unraced juvenile gelding by Poster Boy out of Illawong Libby (1.59.0, $34,616) and is a half brother to Haveyoumetdaisy (1.56.4, $36,990) and Rosanna Rebel (1.55.8, $55,810). He attempted to lead throughout and was run down in the final 100m. WALKING ON WATER was last of the three runners across the line after breaking stride at the start.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.7 Last Half: – 57.5 Margins: – ½ Neck, 100m
MILDURA 30/03/26
Trial 1: – NOBLE TRICK began quickly and was able to find the lead shortly after the start. He backed off the tempo mid-race and was able to hold his rivals at bay. POWERSOFPERSUASION settled three back on the inside, angled out three horses wide on the home turn and finished off strongly for a narrow second. ROYAL SAXON finished third after trailing the leader and RIO ROCK was eased back to last after being without cover early, remaining at the tail of the field for the remainder of the journey. The first three place getters across the line will all be competing on the first night of the Mildura Cup program on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.2 Last Half: – 57.6 Margins: – Neck, Head
Trial 4: – LOSEASHOE began fast and shot to the lead shortly after the start. He ran along at an even tempo and was able to win nicely in the run to the finish. RIMU VALLEY NZ finished in second after trailing the leader throughout and MELS NIGHT OUT finished in third position after settling last of the four runners around the first corner. JAMIESON settled three back on the markers and dropped back to be last of the four runners across the line. The first three place getters will all be competing at Mildura on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.4 Last Half: – 59.3 Margins: – 5m, 25m
BENDIGO 30/03/26
Trial 1: – STAR TO FALL settled six back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the half mile marker and sustained a strong run in a slick last quarter of 27.5 seconds to win nicely. AMERICAN GUY finished in second after trailing the leader and coming to the outside on the home turn. He went to the line hard held, seemingly with plenty in reserve. THE PLACE finished in third after setting the speed and LUVN MARY finished in fourth after racing fiercely from three back on the markers.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.9 Last Half: – 57.4 Margins: – 6m, Head
Trial 2: – DONNYOSKO won the trial for juvenile trotters. He had race experience on his side and was able to lead throughout and get the prize. GRAB HIM A BOX backed up her good trial a week earlier after she trailed the leader and came to the outside from the quarter pole. DOWNTOWN GIRL broke stride at her debut performance and backed up with a third placed effort after settling three back on the inside. ALDEBARAN EMJAY (4 back markers) and MY LADY MAC (5 back markers) were backing up from the trials a week earlier and finished fourth and fifth respectively. WATSON THE WIZARD broke stride at the start and was tailed off throughout. He is by Danny Bouchea out of Ships Scar and is related to the lightly raced trotter Spanish Rizardo (2.3.8).
Mile Rate: – 2.7.1 Last Half: – 62.0 Margins: – 3m, 1m
Trial 3: – RAGING DAISY is a filly by Raging Bull NZ out of Need You Now and is the first foal. She settled three back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 500m mark and was able to get the better of the early leader LITTLE SASSY BOY on the line. MY ROC trailed the leader and finished in third position. He is by Captain Crunch out of Melody Beach (1.58.2) and is the first foal. The second dam Muscle Beach won a Breeders Crown and has produced six winners including the three $100,000+ earners in Written In Red (1.54.8), Muscle Mach (1.51.5) and Never Been Said (1.50.7). MELICAN was last of the four runners for the duration. She is by Always B Miki out of She’s Magnetic (1.54.9, $43,857), which has produced three winners in Viking (1.55.7), Broadway Brenda (2.2.9) and Magnetic Storm (1.52.4).
Mile Rate: – 2.6.8 Last Half: – 60.0 Margins: – Nose, 3m
Trial 5: – IM DOWNBYTHEBEACH NZ is a former New Zealand pacer, which won at his only attempt across the Tasman and appeared to be very impressive at his trial success. He trailed the leader, came to the outside at the bell, pressured the leader and kicked clear at the quarter pole. He sustained a long run to win by a large margin and is obviously worth following. MISTER HENDRIX settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the quarter pole and worked into a distant second. JANSEN settled five back on the markers and finished third ahead of I AM MOLLY, which finished in fourth after making an early error. JANSEN will be competing at Bendigo on Wednesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.6 Last Half: – 57.5 Margins: – 16m, 5m
BLACKBOOKER: – IM DOWNBYTHEBEACH NZ
Trial 6: – JACCKA CONNOR NZ settled four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 1400m and was without cover from the 1100m. He proved to be too strong for the trotter AVANT GUARD, which settled six back on the markers before pushing forward mid-race to find the lead at the 1100m and battling on fairly in the run to the finish for second. AVANT GUARD will be competing at Melton on Saturday night. AUSSIE JAY MAC NZ trailed the leader early, ended up being three back on the markers and held his ground over the latter stages to finish in third. He is racing at Bendigo on Wednesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.9 Last Half: – 58.1 Margins: – 4m, 2m
MARYBOROUGH 30/03/26
Trial 1: – Only two horses contested the fast class trial with the winner being RABADA. He is now being prepared by Denis McIntyre and he recorded a slick final quarter of 27.4 seconds so he is obviously somewhere near his peak. He is competing at Bendigo on Wednesday night. ZENARIO is a classy pacer when racing at his best form and was only beaten narrowly in handy time. His last run was a third in the Southern Cross Final back in December.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.8 Last Half: – 56.4 Margin: Neck
Trial 2: – MEDIA MOGUL has joined trainer Michael Bellman since his latest performance and he recorded fast time in his runaway trial success. He is a proven winner and was taking on the juvenile pacers but the time was quick enough to be competitive in the lower grade races. He is competing at Stawell on Friday afternoon. JADES REASON is an unraced filly for trainer Jim Barker. She is by For A Reason out of Emma Jade (2.1.8) and is related to four winners, two $100,000+ earners including Keayang Tara (1.55.2, $144,108) and Keayang Fitzy (1.56.0, $152,909). She finished a distant second and is making her debut at Mount Gambier on Tuesday night. SIENNA BELLA and JUST MILZY have had numerous trials leading up to their debut and finished third and fourth respectively.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.5 Last Half: – 58.4 Margins: – 80m, 2m
Trial 5: – QUEEN ISABEAU is an unraced juvenile filly by Classic Connection out of Bohemian Queen (2.4.1), which has produced five winners including the classy trotter Brandlo Prince (1.58.9, $238,990) and last week’s Melton victor Farrokh (1.57.6, $34,990). She won the trial by a large margin over CALLINAN, which continued his reasonable trial form. HALFA SHOT finished in third position for trainer Brett Shipway. He is a colt by Louey Louey Louey out of A Nip Will Do (1.59.4, $103,690) and is the first foal. MOSLEY was the fourth horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.2 Last Half: – 62.9 Margins: – 30m, 6m
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 31/03/26
Trial 1: – TRACY THE JET has returned to Victoria after ending her last campaign with some excellent performances in New Zealand. She was able to lead throughout in the opening trial and went to the line with plenty in reserve. MORE WANTED trailed the leader and tried hard in the straight with the last quarter being a handy 28.6 seconds. He is backing up at Melton on Saturday night.
Mile Rate: – 1.56.1 Last Half: – 57.3 Margin: 3.5m
Trial 2: – DANNARIE began quickly and worked forward to find the lead at the 1300m mark. He ran along at a genuine tempo and was able to hold off his rivals to get the prize. THESTORMINU began quickly to lead then took cover behind the eventual winner. He came to the outside on the home turn and finished well but just failed to overhaul the eventual winner. MILEY KAY finished in third position after she settled last of the six runners, came to the outside at the 500m mark and worked home fairly well. KINGS GALLERY settled down fifth on the markers and worked into fourth position.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.8 Last Half: – 58.0 Margins: – Head, 34m
Trial 4: – ABOUTTIME settled three back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 500m mark and was able to produce a good sprint in a slick final quarter of 26.7 seconds to win the trial. He is competing on the opening night of the Mildura Cup program on Tuesday night. STRAPPING RED began very quickly to find the lead and tried hard over the latter stages when a close up second. OOH AH LISTAH trailed the leader and used the sprint lane. He held his own over the latter stages and finished in third. He is competing at Cranbourne on Friday night. DONMARO NZ was last of the four runners throughout but he wasn’t beaten by far.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.8 Last Half: – 56.0 Margins: – 1.5m, 2.25m
Trial 5: – WALKWITHME began quickly to find the lead, took cover and ended up being three back on the markers at the 900m mark. She moved up without cover in the back straight and she kicked on strongly in the run to the finish. BEAU BECA raced without cover early, pushed forward to find the lead at the 1200m and took cover at the 900m. He finished in second and THE FINAL DANCE finished off nicely via the sprint lane to run a game second and backed up at Kilmore on Thursday night. PISTOL QUEEN was fourth early, made a mid-race move to find the lead at the 900m and battled on fairly well for fourth. She is racing at Ballarat next Thursday.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.7 Last Half: – 57.5 Margins: – 4m, 1.5m
Trial 7: – HELLO POSSUMS began quickly to find the lead, ran along at an even tempo and was able to win clearly without being fully extended. AVEIRO finished in second after trailing the leader throughout and MAGIC MIKE NZ was doing his best work late from seventh to pick up third position. AVEIRO is competing at Ballarat next Thursday night and MAGIC MIKE NZ is scheduled to compete at Cranbourne on Friday. SOHO HUDSON was without cover early, restrained to be four back on the markers at the 1200m and waited for the sprint lane to finish in fourth position. He backed up at Kilmore on Thursday night.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.3 Last Half: – 59.2 Margins: – 7.5m, 5m
Trial 8: – TRUE APLOMB was able to win the juvenile trotting trial after she trailed the leader early before working to the front at the 1100m. She raced clear to win easily. She is by Tactical Landing out of the unraced mare Maori Aplomb, which has produced With Aplomb (1.58.3, $37,318). LUVONEONTHEWOOD led out then took cover and finished a distant second. He is by Helpisontheway out of Flaming Fives (2.1.8, $24,830) and is the second foal. ORLANDO VEYRON is a gelding by Orlando Vici out of the unraced mare Archangel Liz and is the first foal. He was tailed off throughout after galloping away.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.5 Last Half: – 61.8 Margins: – 61m, 150m
TERANG 31/03/26
Trial 1: – NONNAS DREAM is a juvenile filly by Raging Bull NZ out of the unraced mare Nonnas Coraggio and is the second foal. She was able to dash home in a last quarter of 28.5 seconds to win over another juvenile filly in REMARLI, which is a daughter of Jilliby Kung Fu out of Jilliby Jazzy making her related to Jilliby Flash (1.57.6) and Jilliby Fabio (1.51.9). REMARLI is making her debut at Mount Gambier on Tuesday night. SORRYDREAMAWAY hasn’t raced since striking trouble on debut at Maryborough in December. He finished ahead of another 2yo pacer in CAPTAIN SMASHEM, which is by Captn Midnight out of Goodtime Smashem, a daughter of the fast mare The Arch Nemesis (1.55.4).
Mile Rate: – 2.5.8 Last Half: – 58.7 Margins: – 2m, 1m
Trial 2: – The champion mare KEAYANG ZAHARA is getting ready for another New Zealand campaign and was able to fire home in a sizzling final quarter of 27.1 seconds to defeat the Group 1 winning filly ARRHYTHMIA. KEAYANG STUKA is another top trotter for the Margaret and Paddy Lee stable and was able to fill third position. TOMAHAWK BART finished in fourth spot and KEAYANG KURKI was last of the five runners across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.1 Last Half: – 57.6 Margins: – 1m, 8m
Trial 3: – JILLIBY AURA hasn’t raced since a third in the Breeders Crown at Melton in December. She finished off in a slick final quarter of 27.7 seconds in defeating THE PRIESTESS by a comfortable margin. RIDETHELIGHTNING ran a better race for second at his latest race track appearance and backed it up with his third in a strong trial. He is competing at Ballarat on Thursday night and should be a strong winning chance. The Breeders Crown champion KEAYANG BAZLENKA was the fourth horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.8 Last Half: – 58.8 Margins: – 8m, 15m
BLACKBOOKER: – Ridethelightning
Trial 4: – SEASIDE BOY won on debut then finished unplaced at his next three attempts in Super Series events. He hasn’t raced since November but he was able finish off in a super last quarter of 26.7 seconds to win the trial. MOST EXCITING was also spelled after the Super Series was completed and was the second horse across the line. JILLIBY DOOLEY and SNACK LOVER finished third and fourth respectively in another strong trial.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.1 Last Half: – 58.0 Margins: – 2m, 10m
Trial 5: – MIDNIGHT MOTH is a 3yo colt by Always B Miki out of Lovely Moth (1.55.8, $24,308), whose first foal Maggie Moth (1.59.0) has won two races. He was able to win the trial by a comfortable margin and defeated the unraced mare HANORA. HANORA is by American Ideal out of Togetherwedream (1.59.0, $25,308) and is the first foal out of the mare. MUFASA BART has only had one run since June and continued to build on his fitness with a third placed effort and STORMY LIMITS was the fourth horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.5 Last Half: – 59.3 Margins: – 8m, 1m
Trial 6: – The half sister to the champion mare Keayang Zahara, KEAYANG ZABRINA won the trial for the juvenile trotters. She is by Bold Eagle out of the classy mare Keayang Yankee (1.55.4, $51,240) and along with Keayang Zahara (1.51.5, $1,253,135), she has produced Keayang Xena (1.59.4, $138,779), which is a good performer in her own right hence KEAYANG ZABRINA is worth following on breeding alone. CORPORATE AFFAIRS is also by Bold Eagle and his dam Perfect Polly remained undefeated in two starts including a victory in the Homegrown Classic. CORPORATE AFFAIRS is the first foal out of the mare and he finished a close second in the trial. JILLIBY CLASSIC was last of the three runners across the line. He is by Classic Connection out of Bouttemont (2.2.4), which has produced the three winners Speaks Volumes (2.2.1), Jetaway Saint (2.2.7) and Jilliby Aura (2.0.3, $59,400).
Mile Rate: – 2.9.5 Last Half: – 62.5 Margins: – 2m, 30m
BLACKBOOKER: – Keayang Zabrina
