Harness Racing form guru Craig Rail noticed several standout performers at the recent trials.
At Bendigo, The End sustained a long run to win the trial nicely, while Soho Hudson impressed heading into his race on Sunday night at Cranbourne.
Melton trials saw a tough performance from Ideal Frankie, who was able to outstay her rivals.
KILMORE 07/05/26
Trial 1: – KYVALLEY DIXON continued her good trial form with a runaway victory over ALDEBARAN SARIAH. The daughter of Majestic Son and Liberty Stride NZ ran a reasonable mile rate for a juvenile trotter and is worth following. ALDEBARAN SARIAH has been freshened since galloping away at Shepparton in March and is racing at Cranbourne on Sunday night. She finished just ahead of KYVALLEY DANNY, a juvenile trotter by Tactical Landing out of Kyvalley Topcat (1.59.2, $49,689), the dam of the two winners Kyvalley Alleycat (1.59.0) and Kyvalley Jenny (2.6.5). MEGHAN NZ and KYVALLEY RIDDLER finished fourth and fifth respectively. KYVALLEY DAYTONA is a 2yo colt for trainer Brent Lilley, which finished in sixth. He is by Father Patrick out of Kyvalley Lily, which was placed twice in six race track appearances. She is the dam of Kyvalley Biff (2.10.5), Kyvalley Hacienda (1.58.8) and Kyvalley Archer (2.1.6). KYVALLEY REEVA NZ was seventh and ALDEBARAN ARCHER, a juvenile colt for trainer Charlene Gusman was last of the eight runners across the line. He is by Dancinginthedark M out of Aldebaran Aliza, the unraced dam of Aldebaran Abel (2.0.6) and Aldebaran Ada (2.1.3).
Mile Rate: – 2.4.1 Last Half: – 61.4 Margins: – 10m, 1m
Trial 2: – SHEMEANSBUSINESS won at Mildura on debut then went across to South Australia, where he secured a win and two placed efforts from eight attempts. She was able to win the second trial over the locally trained ANAKIN, which hasn’t started since March. ASHANTE WARRIOR is an unraced gelding by Always B Miki out of the speedy race mare Madam Narryna (1.58.6) and will be making his debut at Shepparton on Tuesday night. He finished in third ahead of OZZIE TART, an unraced 2yo filly by Bettors Delight out of the handy mare Picobello NZ (1.52.3, $73,194), whose first two foals have been very good performers (Interest Free 1.50.2, $344,867 and Ozzie Punta 1.53.5, $154,771).
Mile Rate: – 2.3.7 Last Half: – 58.9 Margins: – 1.5m, 4m
Trial 3: – COGNAC COWBOY in an unraced 3yo for trainer Maree Caldow, which was successful at his fourth trial attempt and will be making his debut at Melton this evening. He was able to defeat ROM BARO, which is an unraced colt for trainer Charlene Gusman out of the good race and producing mare She’s Norma Jeane, the dam of seven winners including He’s Charlies Angel (1.53.9, $178,459) and Our Roku (1.53.8, $72,168). The Ruth Shinn prepared TAKAO finished a close up third and was ahead of BIG NIK and OZZIE DIAMOND. OZZIE DIAMOND is a juvenile filly by Raging Bull NZ out of Elegant Jewel NZ (1.54.5, $75,459), which has produced the winners Ozzie Gem (1.55.7) and Ozzie Pearl (1.59.0).
Mile Rate: – 2.0.5 Last Half: – 59.3 Margins: – 1.5m, ½ head
BACCHUS MARSH 09/05/26
Trial 1: – NAKULA NZ hasn’t raced since being stood down to trial after breaking stride in the score up at Ballarat on March 05. She is the winner of seven races and has earned $66,595 so she is a quality mare when racing at her peak. UP AND ABOUT finished in second position about a length behind the winner. He hadn’t raced since September until his effort at Ballarat on Thursday night, where he was held up for a run at a vital stage and was doing his best work late. BANDIT EYES continued his reasonable trial form with a third placed effort and GOODTIME CAPTAIN was last of the four runners across the line and will be backing up at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.4 Last Half: – 58.1 Margins: – 3m, 2m
Trial 3: – TEST OF FIRE returns to trainer Carson Millar after a failed stint in New South Wales. He was in great form when last with Millar and he finished off in a slick final half to win his trial so he appears to be back on track. SOMETUFFLUV finished in second. He boasts a consistent record and is building on his fitness at the trials with his last start being back in September. MY KGARI finished in third position and was safely clear of JAMALA KHAN. MY KGARI backed up with a seventh behind Sweet Irish Loch at Ballarat on Thursday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.9 Last Half: – 58.0 Margins: – 4m, 3m
Trial 4: – HIS FULL OF IT NZ is a New Zealand bred juvenile colt, which has joined trainer Jeff Tabone. He is by Downbytheseaside out of Blah Blah Blah NZ, which has produced the very good performer Please Shuddup NZ (1.51.8, $120,830). He was able to win the trial in reasonable time over IM STARVING with COCO CRUNCH being the third horse across the line. IM STARVING is backing up at Cranbourne on Sunday night. GOODTIME ORO is an unraced gelding for trainer Courtney Slater, which finished in fourth. He is by Goodtime Floyd, whom Courtney Slater trainer to four successes, out of the fast mare Shining Oro (1.52.8, $67,960) and is the second foal out of the mare. WALKWITHME finished in fifth position and the juvenile filly TARAS GRACE was last of the six runners across the line. She is by Tiger Tara NZ out of the very good producer Grace Anatomy, which has already provided seven winners including the four $100,000+ earners in Sutter Man (1.56.7, $175,912), La Safron (1.56.8, $142,579), Our Amazing Grace (1.57.4, $112,110) and Gracie Cullen (1.55.6, $108,452).
Mile Rate: – 2.1.8 Last Half: – 59.3 Margins: – 2m, 8m
Trial 6: – IFYOULOVEMELETMEGO joined trainer Carson Millar after her eighth at Shepparton back in February. She recorded reasonable time and won easily so with a low National Rating of 41, she might win a race in the near future. She backed up at Ballarat on Thursday night, where she was confidently supported and finished fourth after racing without cover throughout. BIG CAT ORO finished in second and was just ahead of GOZO SWEET. BIG CAT ORO is competing at Melton this evening and GOZO SWEET is backing up at Cranbourne on Sunday night. The first three runners across the line finished well ahead of the remainder of the field headed by DIAMONTY QUEEN.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.9 Last Half: – 58.5 Margins: – 8m, 1m
MARYBOROUGH 11/05/26
Trial 1: – THAT OTHER THING was stood down to trial from Ballarat on April 30. He was able to win the opening trial by a comfortable margin over LIFE ON THE HILL, which hasn’t started since finishing unplaced in the Tatlow Stakes back in September. SUPREME DOLL finished in third position from AFRICAN GALA and the juvenile trotting filly CHELSEA LANE was last of the five runners across the line at her second trial attempt.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.7 Last Half: – 60.8 Margins: – 8m, 7m
Trial 2: – MECARNO returns after an outstanding 3yo trotting season, where he won at his last six attempts including victories in the Victoria Derby, the Super Series and the Breeders Crown. He defeated the pacers in style and recorded a sizzling final half of 56.7 seconds. He is ready for another big campaign. DARETODANCE has returned to Victoria after a successful stint in Queensland, with his latest performance being a success at Redcliffe. He chased hard for second with RYTA being in a distant third. MAJOR TAXES finished in fourth with IDEAL MIKI, the 2yo filly by Always B Miki being in fifth. MAJOR TAXES and IDEAL MIKI are both out of the same mare in Ideal Taxes.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.9 Last Half: – 56.7 Margins: – 4m, 20m
BENDIGO 12/05/26
Trial 1: – ALL DONE TARA began well and trailed the leader early before ending up being three back on the markers. He came to the outside at the 500m mark and battled on too well to get the prize. ALWAYS BENEFITS finished in second after being without cover early and working to the lead around the first turn. FIFTY SEVEN CHEVY was out of position at the start before progressing forward to race without cover. He raced very greenly and wanted to hang out over the latter stages but he battled on nicely for a close up third. He is competing at Cranbourne on Sunday night. MY ULTIMATE MATEO was four back on the markers and finished in fourth with ITS JUST RUBY being in fifth after leading out then taking cover. ITS JUST RUBY is scheduled to compete at Shepparton on Tuesday night. The juvenile pacer BLINKNGONE was last of the six runners to the line after racing five back on the markers. He is by Always B Miki out of Lombo Non De Plume (1.58.3, $13,800), dam of Apache Plume (1.56.2).
Mile Rate: – 2.1.3 Last Half: – 60.4 Margins: – Head, Head
Trial 3: – RUGGARDS GEE TEE settled four back on the markers, moved up without cover with a half mile remaining and was able to outstay his rivals in the run to the finish. GOODMORNING MIKI settled three back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m and battled on okay for second. LATHER WITH FIRE led out then took cover and held his own in the straight to finish in third. CAPTAIN MILO trailed the leader early, circled around to find the lead at the 1500m and was run down over the latter stages, finishing last of the quartet.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.0 Last Half: – 58.7 Margins: – 2m, 3m
Trial 4: – THE END settled three back on the markers and came to the outside with 800m remaining. He sustained a long run to win the trial nicely. He is by Guaranteed out of the bonny grey mare Weeks End (1.54.3, $107,284) and is a full brother to Guaranteed End (1.51.7, $32,388). SCHADE finished in second after trailing the leader and using the sprint lane. He is by Sweet Lou out of All In Your Hands (1.58.8, $39,868) and is related to Magomedov (1.59.0, $57,070). SURETHING backed up his trial victory a week earlier with a third placed effort after attempting to lead throughout. LATHER IN GOLD continued his consistent trial form with a fourth placed effort after settling last of the six runners early. MISS MEGA settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 800m and battled into fifth. She is by Vincent out of Prestigious Stride, which has produced Bruised Ego (1.56.6, $66,010) and Twisted Bliss (1.53.9, $143,620). VINNYHOO settled five back on the markers, raced greenly and wanted to hang out over the latter stages. He was the last one to complete the course.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.2 Last Half: – 57.4 Margins: – 3m, 4m
BLACKBOOKER: – The End
Trial 5: – ALDEBARAN EMJAY trailed the leader and came to the outside at the 300m. She got home best over her stable mate ROCKINWITHSASS, which attempted to lead throughout. HALFYOURSHALFMINE settled four back on the markers and battled on fairy well for third at his fourth trial attempt. ALDEBARAN SKYLAR finished in fourth, which was his third fourth placed performance at the trials in a row. He settled three back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 600m and was forced out three horses wide on the home turn.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.5 Last Half: – 60.4 Margins: – Head, 10m
Trial 6: – The former New South Wales trained pacer GUEST ARTIST NZ has joined trainer Alex Ashwood and was able to lead throughout from a wide gate. He was clearly the class runner of the field on assessments and just held on at the end. He makes his Victorian debut at Melton on Saturday night. WILD IDEAL produced a game effort for second after trailing the leader throughout and coming to the outside at the quarter pole. He missed out by only a head and beat the others by a large margin. ROCKNROLL ROSANNA settled three back on the markers and finished in third position. She is racing at Shepparton on Tuesday night. COZMO settled five back on the markers and moved up without cover at the 800m. He tried hard to finish in fourth position and is also racing at Shepparton on Tuesday.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.9 Last Half: – 59.4 Margins: – Head, 14m
Trial 8: – SOHO HUDSON led out then took cover and moved away from the markers on the home turn. He finished off well and was able to win the trial. Considering he has a National Rating of 54 and the two placed horses had a much higher rating (86 + 76), it was a very strong performance and he must be considered as a chance at Cranbourne on Sunday night. PESCI settled last of the four runners, came to the outside at the 300m, chased hard and picked up many lengths in the straight without being fully extended so it was a game performance. HUNGRY HIPPO finished in third after setting the speed and KEAYANG OMAR (3 back markers) was last of the quartet across the line.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.0 Last Half: – 57.3 Margins: – 4m, Neck
BLACKBOOKER: – Soho Hudson
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 12/05/26
Trial 1: – CARDIGAN JEM is an outstanding juvenile pacer and kept the ball rolling with a runaway victory, recording a sensational last half of 55.0 seconds (27.2 ¼!). He pushed forward to find the lead at the 1400m and was untroubled thereafter. DREAMS FOREVER led out then took cover at the 1400m. She was beaten by a long way but sectionally, her run was sound. She is by Ride High out of Flying Jo (1.55.0, $43,770) and is the first foal. CARDIGAN BOOM continued his good trial form in finishing third. He was three back on the markers and came to the outside on the home turn. DARK VELOCITY finished a distant fourth after settling four back on the markers. She is by Tall Dark Stranger out of Ultimate CC NZ (1.57.4, $35,203), which has produced six winners including Cee Cee In America (1.53.0, $155,370), Steel Ruler (1.55.8, $48,891) and Cee Cee Lou (1.54.3, $62,073). NOVA STORM was last of the five runners throughout at her second trial attempt.
Mile Rate: – 1.55.5 Last Half: – 55.0 Margins: – 16.75m, 3m
Trial 2: – CARDIGAN DAN led throughout and posted a very easy victory. I AM THE STORM began quickly and trailed the leader throughout. He held his own over the latter stages and finished in second. He is resuming from a break at Terang on Monday afternoon and should prove hard to beat. RAKAROMPA NZ settled three back on the markers and picked up ground in a slick final quarter so it was a very tidy performance. The trotter OLLIVICI NZ was last of the four runners throughout. He is backing up at Melton on Saturday night.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.8 Last Half: – 57.0 Margins: – 4.75m, Head
Trial 3: – SOME MAGIC was three horses wide early before pushing forward and finding the lead at the 1600m mark. He finished off in a sizzling final quarter of 27.0 seconds and was able to get the prize. He is backing up at Terang on Monday afternoon. ROCKNROLL WISH NZ progressed forward to find the lead shortly after the start, took cover behind SOME MAGIC and chased hard for a game second. HILTON SPIRIT was three then four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the quarter pole and finished in third.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.2 Last Half: – 57.5 Margins: – 2m, 6.5m
Trial 4: – IDEAL FRANKIE settled four back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 800m and was able to outstay her rivals to win well. SOME HIGH began quickly and worked forward to find the lead shortly after the start. He kicked on strongly and was beaten by a narrow margin. KAHULA led out then took cover and used the sprint lane. She finished a close up third. ROCKLEIGHS LEGACY was five back on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail with a half mile remaining. She is backing up at Terang on Monday afternoon. YARALLA settled three back on the markers and was last of the five runners across the line.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.2 Last Half: – 56.3 Margins: – ½ head, ½ neck
BLACKBOOKER: – Ideal Frankie
Trial 5: – The two quality Emma Stewart trained runners SOME AMERICAN and BROOKLYN DAN contested trial five with SOME AMERICAN leading throughout. BROOKLYN DAN never peeled to the outside at any stage so both horses performed well, particularly considering the final half was run in 53.8 seconds and the last quarter was in 26.6 seconds!
Mile Rate: – 1.56.7 Last Half: – 53.8 Margin: – 4.5m
Trial 7: – THE FIERY DUCHESS made an error at her first trial performance but showed plenty of ability at her latest effort. She trailed the leader, came to the outside on the home turn and finished off best. THE WOOL BROKER backed up his impressive trotting performance the week earlier, where he chased hard after an early error. He did everything right at his second trial performance and attempted to lead throughout but was grabbed on the line by THE FIERY DUCHESS. DELIGHTFUL REYNA was three back on the markers, angled out three horses wide approaching the home turn and was performing nicely until breaking stride. She finished a distant third. She is by Muscle M Up USA out of Jets To Jazz and is the first foal. HIGHLINE MAGIC broke stride shortly after the start and was tailed off throughout. He is by Zenith Stride USA out of Magical (2.0.3, $25,826) and is also the first foal.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.2 Last Half: – 62.5 Margins: – Neck, 112m
Trial 8: – VERBICI won impressively at his debut performance and appears to be a quality juvenile performer. He did a great job to defeat the older horses over the 2240m in what turned out to be a strong staying test. He settled in eighth, worked into the one out and one back trail in the back straight on the final occasion and appeared to have something left in the run to the finish. ALDEBARAN ADA settled seven back on the markers and moved up without cover at the 700m mark. She hit the lead turning for home and was run down at the end. DEEP LOVE NZ settled six back on the markers, followed up behind VERBICI in the latter stages and held her own in the straight for third. FLYIN TIME finished in fourth after being four back on the markers throughout. KING OF NORMANDY led but wanted to race fiercely throughout and established a huge lead mid-race. He was still a big leader in the back straight but peaked at the end and finished in fifth.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.9 Last Half: – 63.0 Margins: – 2m, 4.5m
Trial 9: – ELEGANT SPIRIT began quickly and found the lead shortly after the start. He dashed to a clear lead in the middle stages and kept on rolling to win by a large margin. KYVALLEY DIXON began fast but broke stride shortly afterwards and gave away a big start. He chased hard in the back straight on the final occasion and did a big job to pick up second position. PASTOR JAY JAY trailed the leader throughout and finished in third. He is by Pastor Stephen out of Jaunty Jay Jay, an unraced daughter of Jaurdon with the third dam being the champion New Zealand mare Jauriol (1.59.9, $248,824). KYVALLEY DIABLO was four back on the markers early, ended up being three back at the 1200m and finished a distant fourth. WHERDASUNDONTSHINE was three back on the markers but broke stride at the 1200m and was tailed off for the remainder of the trial.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.8 Last Half: – 61.6 Margins: – 30.25m, 1m
TERANG 13/05/26
Trial 1: – SWEET IDEAL went around by herself in the opening trial. She ran a solid last mile rate of 1.58.8 and recorded a sensational last quarter of 26.6 seconds so it was a good hit out leading up to her performance at Melton tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.6 Last Half: – 55.5
Trial 2: – GLORY CONNECT was able to win the trial for the trotters. He is an unraced 3yo gelding by Classic Connection FRA out of Glory Salute making him closely related to My Mother Said (2.5.7) and Lady Suspicious. All three of the siblings will be competing at Terang on Monday afternoon, which is a good achievement of the dam. CORPOATE AFFAIRS made an error when on debut at Bendigo but he did show a very good turn of speed in the run. He finished in second with MAORIS AVENGER being the third horse across the line. MAORIS AVENGER will be racing at Terang on Monday. HES RUNAWAY BAY will be making his debut at Terang on Monday afternoon. He qualified to race with his fourth placed effort. LAIN NZ is set to make his Victorian debut at Terang on Monday afternoon and was the fifth horse across the line. He was runner up in an Ararat trial prior.
Trial 3: – COLOSIMO continued his solid form with a runaway success. He hasn’t finished further back than fourth at his seven starts to date and he finished off the trial in a slick final quarter of 27.4 seconds so he should continue his consistent form. The smart trotter HOPPY NZ hasn’t started since October and finished in second ahead of the juvenile pacer PERFECTLY ROGUE, which is backing up at Terang on Monday. HANORA and KEAYANG QUEENIE finished fourth and fifth respectively. KEAYANG QUEENIE is scheduled to compete at Terang on Monday.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.8 Last Half: – 56.3 Margins: – 25m, 2m
