Harness Racing form guru Craig Rail noticed several standout performers at the recent trials.
SHEPPARTON 02/04/26
Trial 1: – TOBYS SHOUT began quickly to find the lead but appeared to be vey lazy in the front running role. He took cover behind ROCKNROLL GRACE at the 1500m before coming to the outside on the home turn. He still appeared to be very green but was able to get the job done. He broke stride at the start at Mildura on Tuesday but will be backing up on Cup night. ROCKNROLL GRACE battled on well after finding the lead in the early stages and held down second. SIR SONNY MAGUIRE settled five back on the inside, came off the markers at the quarter pole and was doing his best work at the end to be in third. WIL HE REIGN finished fourth from four back on the markers but he was never extended at any stage.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.6 Last Half: – 59.6 Margins: – Head, 2m
Trial 2: – RHAPSODY REIGN was able to win the trial for the young trotters. She began quickly to find the lead, backed off the tempo mid-race and was too good in the run to the finish. ISLAND FRANKIE finished in second after trailing the leader throughout. PLEASURE TO HAVE broke stride at the start, lost approximately 40m at the start and was tailed off throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.5 Last Half: – 61.0 Margins: – 15m, 40m
Trial 3: – LILLY LOTUS began quickly to find the lead and ran along at a genuine tempo. She dashed well clear over the concluding stages and scored by 30m without being fully extended so it was an impressive effort. AMIRA MARIE finished in second after trailing the leader throughout and ROCKANDANCE was last for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.5 Last Half: – Not Given Margins: – 30m, 2m
Trial 4: – WHERE IT BEGAN settled three back on the markers and came to the outside at the 500m mark. He sprinted sharply to find the lead before the home turn and wanted to switch off a little when clear in the home straight but he got the job done. THAT’S ME AGAIN trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 300m mark and chased gamely for second. He is backing up at Shepparton on Tuesday night. MAXI ANGEL finished in third after attempting to lead throughout. HEAVENLY FLYER was last of the four runners for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.5 Last Half: – 57.4 Margins: – 5m, 20m
BLACKBOOKER: – Where It Began
Trial 5: – MOTHER MARIA settled four back on the markers, came to the outside at the 600m and sustained a good run to get the prize. A LOT LIKE JEANNIE trailed the leader early, ended up being three back on the markers and sliced through the middle late to finish in second and was under a hard hold across the line. GET SET JET wasn’t beaten by far after setting the speed in third place. ONE OUT OF THREE finished fourth after trailing the leader and using the sprint lane.
Mile Rate: – 2.9.6 Last Half: 60.5 Margins: – Nose, Head
Trial 6: – FULLY RECKLESS NZ trailed the leader throughout and came to the outside at the 500m. He got past the early leader QUEEN OF SOUL then was unable to repel the late challenge of LOCHINVER CHANDON but he did seem to have something left at the finish. He is making his debut at Mildura on Saturday night and should take beating from the pole position. LOCHINVAR CHANDON did well to sprint quickly from last of the three runners to get up and win on the line and QUEEN OF SOUL was last of the trio across the line after setting the speed.
Mile Rate: 2.2.9 Last Half: – 58.5 Margins: – Neck, 3m
Trial 7: – SKY BELLA led out then took cover behind her stable mate LITTLE MISS VALLEY. She came to the outside at the 400m and finished off too well. LITTLE MISS VALLEY tried hard to repel the challenge and finished in second, well in advance of RED KILLARNEY, which settled three back on the markers. XIAOBO was never a winning opportunity after breaking stride at the start. The second placed LITTLE MISS VALLEY is backing up at Shepparton on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.9 Last Half: – 59.9 Margins: – 1m, 30m
Trial 8: – RACHELS LEGACY settled five back on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail at the 900m mark. She hooked out three horses wide on the home turn and finished off best to win well. CAPTAIN LOCKSLEY finished in second after settling four back on the markers and coming to the outside at the 900m. He battled on well in the run to the finish. BYRNESIDE BOOM trailed the leader, was held up for a run at a vital stage and finished off fairly well via the sprint lane. BIG NIK settled three back on the markers and had no room in the home straight, running to the line seemingly with plenty in reserve.
Mile Rate: 2.9.0 Last Half: – 59.3 Margins: – Neck, 1m
Trial 9: – SKYVALLEY BOY was fast out from the standing start and found the lead. He intentionally moved away from the inside with 600m remaining and allowed his stable mate MYSTIC FLAIR to drive through. MYSTIC FLAIR joined SKYVALLEY BOY but found him to be too strong at the finish in a trial that was just like track work.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.1 Last Half: – 60.1 Margins: Head
MARYBOROUGH 05/04/26
Trial 1: – SOHO HUDSON dropped out to be last of the four runners early before moving up without cover at the bell. He was able sustain a good run and scored by a narrow margin. He is competing at Maryborough this afternoon. EMJAY JAZZ finished in second after trailing the leader and coming to the outside on the home turn. He battled on well and missed out by a narrow margin. He is competing at Hamilton on Monday afternoon. HURRIKANE DUSTY finished a close up third after setting the speed. DANCEBYTHESEASIDE settled three back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 800m and was last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.9 Last Half: – 59.1 Margins: – 1m, 1m
Trial 2: – AMERICAN GUY trailed the leader and moved to the outside with 300m remaining. He was able to finish off in slick final sectionals to win the trial clearly. LA LUNE NOIRE finished in second after setting the speed and LATHER IN GOLD was last of the three runners after breaking stride at the start. LATHER IN GOLD is an unraced juvenile filly by Lather Up out of Tess Finnigan (1.57.0, $13,660), dam of the two winners Westernhouse (2.1.6) and Tooby Gold (1.55.8).
Mile Rate: – 2.3.6 Last Half: – 57.7 Margins: – 10m, 50m
Trial 3: – RONAN is an unraced juvenile by Sweet Lou out of Life Well Lived (1.58.5), whose first foal Romeo (1.57.5) has created a good impression from limited opportunities. He was able to lead throughout and beat three trotters to win in slow time. JILLIBY RADIANCE finished in second position after trailing the leader and coming to the outside on the home turn. DANCE DANCE DANCE settled four back on the inside, moved away from the pegs at the quarter pole and finished in third. He is a juvenile trotter by Dancinginthedark M USA out of Aldebaran Bridget and is the first live foal. EAGLESTONE settled three back on the markers and was last of the four runners across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.7 Last Half: – 60.1 Margins: – 2m, 2m
Trial 4: – EL CONQUEROR NZ began swiftly and was able to draw across and find the lead shortly after the start. He set up a slow tempo mid-race and had a good kick left in the run to the finish, winning comfortably. That victory would have given him plenty of confidence for his effort at Globe Derby on Saturday night, where he commences from the handicap of 20m but will appreciate a drop back in grade. IJUSTCANTSEEIT settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 600m and chased hard for a game second. NIGHT FLIGHT trailed the leader throughout and finished third on his way to his performance at Maryborough on Friday. LITTLER broke stride at the start and was a clear last early then broke stride again approaching the home turn hence finished last of the four runners.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.9 Last Half: – 58.3 Margins: – 3m, 5m
BLACKBOOKER: – El Conqueror NZ
Trial 5: – QUEEN ISABEAU backed up her trial victory at Maryborough a week earlier with an all of the way win in a small field of three runners. NORTHERN SKYE finished in second after making an early error and missing away by approximately 50m. She is by Zenith Stride USA out of the Group 1 winning mare Skye Rocket (2.5.1, $118,885), which has produced six winners including Donski (2.0.9, $40,605) and Off Your Faceski (1.59.2, $47,495). CHASIN MISCHIEF broke stride at the start and lost approximately 80m. He was able to make good ground to tack onto the group, came to the outside in the straight and just failed to pick up second.
Mile Rate: – 2.12.9 Last Half: – 62.7 Margins: – 20m, head
Trial 6: – KYVALLEY MISTY led throughout in the standing start trial and did it comfortably in slow time. DRESSEDUPINTHECITY finished a distant second after sitting in the trail throughout. CRONK was slow into stride and was retired out of the trial.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.8 Last Half: – 60.2 Margins: – 25m, P/UP
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 07/04/26
Trial 1: – KYVALLEY MAVEN is a very smart trotter and boasts a consistent mobile start record. He is yet to face the starter from behind the tapes and was able to win the opening trial from the standing start comfortably. He is competing against a strong field at Menangle on Saturday night. GRAB HIM A BOX continued her consistent trial form with a close up second with her stable mate ALDEBARAN EMJAY being the third horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.12.6 Last Half: – 63.4 Margins: – 1.5m, 4m
Trial 2: – KISS ME MINI NZ was a winner at Melton on March 20 then endured a tough run and finished fifth at Cranbourne. She was kept ticking along with a trial victory over MAXNJAX, which hasn’t started since competing in Super Series events back in December. The two classy trotters GATESYS GEM and TRACY THE JET finished third and fourth respectively.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.6 Last Half: – 9m, 10.5m
Trial 3: – FICTION FILE hasn’t raced since finishing unplaced in the Super Series Final in November. She has had two trials recently and was able to take out the third trial on the card with a half of a length to spare. MY BEAUTIFUL LIFE was stood down to trial after breaking stride at Burnie in Tasmania on March 13. She won at Launceston prior and wasn’t beaten by far in her trial second. HELENSHOPE has had numerous trials leading up to her first up run since January and was the third horse across the line. Stable mates TALISKER SKIPPER, which is scheduled to compete at Shepparton on Tuesday night, and DIAMONDONTHEROCKS were fourth and fifth respectively.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.7 Last Half: – 59.4 Margins: – 1.75m, 1m
Trial 4: – KINGS GALLERY is a 2yo gelding by Stay Hungry out of the unraced mare Queens Gallery and is the second foal. He enjoyed the even tempo throughout and won the trial from TEERDEE, which has had numerous trials at Melton recently. WESTERIA was the third horse across the line. She is a filly prepared by John Justice by Poster Boy out of Western Gretel NZ (1.57.7, $33,494) and is related to the two winners The Falcon Prince (1.57.3) and Western View (1.59.9). RUBYS REASON was the fourth horse across the line. She is by For A Reason out of Jilliby Ruby (2.6.1), making her related to five winners including Jilliby Jagger (1.51.9, $148,954). MILEY KAY has had four trials, two of which were in New South Wales. She finished in fifth and CRUNCHIE GAMBLER was last of the six across the line at her second trial attempt.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.7 Last Half: – 59.5 Margins: – 3m, 4.5m
Trial 6: – MUSKEE hasn’t raced since a sixth in the Super Series Final in November. He was able to record his second trial victory in successive weeks when he defeated COCONUT MICKEY by a narrow margin. COCONUT MICKEY was made omitted from the draw at his latest race track appearance when he galloped away. He finished in second ahead of his effort at Melton tonight. PHOENIX RED finished in third with ALDEBARAN ADA being last of the quartet across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.2 Last Half: – 59.4 Margins: – Nose, 16m
Trial 9: – TRUE APLOMB won her second trial in succession and was able to score by a large margin. PHOENIX REX is an unraced colt for trainer Steven Loftus and finished in second. He is by Trixton out of Kyvalley Aldebaran NZ, which has produced three winners including Aldebaran Vera (1.54.5, $227,455) and Imahe Man (2.0.0, $45,268). LUVONEONTHEWOOD finished second at the trials a week earlier and followed with a third placed effort, beaten by a large margin on the day.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.1 Last Half: – 60.4 Margins: – 27m, 39m
Trial 10: – WITH APLOMB has made a few errors recently but she is very smart when she puts it altogether and she was able to win her trial by a large margin. She is competing at Maryborough this afternoon and is a winning chance if she puts in a fool proof display. BAR TAB was stood down to trial after breaking stride at his latest performance. He finished in second and GYM QUEEN, which has only had one start back in January, was third past the post. BUCKLES FOR BERRY and VICTREE VIC finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.9 Last Half: – 60.6 Margins: – 19m, 33m
