Harness Racing form guru Craig Rail noticed several standout performers at the recent trials.
At Shepparton, Go Easy On Me was very impressive producing a big finish to win clearly.
At Mildura, the former New South Wales trained pacer No Good Reason created a good impression with a comfortable victory.
At Geelong, Sons Gotabite produced a very tidy performance to fill third spot.
SHEPPARTON 14/04/26
Trial 1: – IT’S CONFIDENTIAL produced a dominant display in the opening trial. He settled three back on the markers, came to the outside with 500m remaining and produced a strong finish. He was untouched in the run to the judge and was able to win clearly. He is returning from a spell from a poor draw at Menangle on Saturday night. GOTTA HAV ME NZ trailed the leader, came to the outside on the home turn and worked into second. The early leader HEZASWEETIE NZ was last of the three runners across the line and backed up at Shepparton on Tuesday night but failed to beat a runner to the line.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.9 Last Half: – 57.2 Margins: – 12m, 10m
Trial 2: – ROM BARO broke stride in the score up and was out of position at the start before settling four back on the markers. He came to the outside at the 600m mark and sustained a good run to win well. REBEL REBEL began quickly and looked like he was going to lead before breaking stride 50m after the start. He ended up being three back on the markers and was able to work into second position. She is by Captain Crunch out of Sophies Ideal (1.53.5, $150,979), the dam of four winners including Stanbyme (1.57.5), Slick Sophie (1.53.8), Sophies Scooter (1.59.7) and Sabita (1.56.4). OUTPOST settled five back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail behind the winner ROM BARO and angled out wide on the home turn. He worked home quite well for third position. He raced very greenly at his debut performance on Thursday night but he did well to finish fifth. HEYNOWHEYNOW trailed the leader, used the sprint lane but broke stride and finished in fourth. The early leader SHEZA HEAVEN also broke stride in the initial stages of the front straight and finished fifth with IM HELLS BELLE being a tailed off last after breaking stride. SHEZA HEAVEN is an unraced juvenile by Rock N Roll Heaven out of Fashion Shark (1.55.8), whose first foal Alot Like Jeannie (1.58.2) won impressively at Shepparton on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.0 Last Half: – 60.3 Margins: – 2m, 5m
Trial 3: – DEMBE began quickly and was able to find the lead shortly after the start. He had a good kick left in the run to the finish and was untroubled in scoring. He backed up to win again at Shepparton on Tuesday night. BIG NIK began quickly but broke stride 50m after the start. He settled three back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 600m and battled on well for second. He should have gone close to winning at Kilmore on Thursday night but galloped twice in the run. DEMARTINO trailed the leader throughout and finished in third. PARINI settled four back on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail at the quarter pole. He finished in fourth and SHEMEANSBUSINESS was last of the five runners throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.5 Last Half: – 56.7 Margins: – 5m, 10m
Trial 4: – GO EASY ON ME was very impressive after coming from five back on the markers and producing a big finish from the 300m mark. She drew away to win clearly and is backing up in a heat of the Nutrien Classic at Wagga this afternoon. JULZ MAREE also put in a tidy display. She showed good gate speed to lead from a wide gate then took cover at the 1300m. She made a move with 500m remaining and fought on well in the run to the post. KEAYANG OMAR trailed the leader early before ending up being three back on the markers. He worked home fairly well for third then backed up at Kilmore on Thursday night and finished sixth behind King Saint. HALF PRICE BRIDE was three back on the markers early, ended up being four back and was the fourth horse across the line. EYE SEE PHILTRA came from six back on the markers and was doing his best work late for fifth position. He is scheduled to compete at Shepparton on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.0 Last Half: – 58.7 Margins: – 12m, 3m
BLACKBOOKER: – Go Easy On Me
Trial 6: – RETURN SERVE was without cover early before pushing forward to find the lead at the 1700m. He took cover shorty afterwards then came to the outside approaching the home turn. He kept chipping away and grabbed victory on the line. SKYFALL BENCHMARK was without cover early before progressing forward to find the lead at the 1500m mark. He enjoyed a reasonable run in the leading role and was gunned down on the line. TOBYS SHOUT was the first horse to the markers and ended up being three back on the inside mid-race. He never peeled to the outside at any stage and appeared to have plenty left in the run to the finish. He broke stride when in a striking position approaching the home turn when unplaced at Kilmore on Thursday night. ALABAMA ICE was shuffled to four back on the markers mid-race and was the fourth horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.1 Last Half: – 58.4 Margins: – Neck, 5m
Trial 7: – CONNECT THE DOTS led throughout in a field of two runners with her only other rival galloping away. She is by Classic Connection out of Access To Success USA, whom was placed in three of her four starts in the United States and has produced four winners including the two $100,000+ earners in Norquay (1.56.9, $122,640) and Itsallandover (1.59.8, $113,130). CISKO was tailed off throughout after making an early error. He is by Elite Stride out of Jovial Jurno Lombo (1.57.6), which has produced the three winners Millee (2.1.0), Im Dustee (1.52.7, $80,693) and Elizajane (2.1.1)
Mile Rate: – 2.3.5 Last Half: – 62.8 Margin: Distanced
KYABRAM 17/05/26
Trial 1: – GOODTIME MAE hasn’t raced since a third at Shepparton in June 2025. She was able to win the trial by a narrow margin over LITTLE RAIN CLOUD, which has been unplaced in all of her efforts since resuming. NELLS ALL BLISS hasn’t raced since October and was the third horse across the line. The juvenile horses CARTIMANDUA, DONNA FORTE and PLEASURE TO HAVE finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. CARTIMANDUA is a filly by Poster Boy out of Our Odette (1.58.1) and is the second foal with the first being Our Christiano (1.56.8). DONNA FORTE is by On A Streak USA out of the top mare My Valerie (1.54.8, $132,655), the dam of three winners including Kings Guard (1.59.7, $71,715) and Amour Maternal (1.59.5, $51,505). PLEASURE TO HAVE is by Elite Stride out of Shez Well Mannered and is the first foal.
Mile Rate: – 2.8.6 Last Half: – 61.6 Margins: – Head, 1m
MARYBOROUGH 17/05/26
Trial 1: – THE PASO DOBLE trailed the leader, moved up without cover at the bell and hit the front at the 600m mark. He won comfortably at the end in slow time. SPESHAL settled three back on the markers and finished in second, well clear of the third placed SUMMIT MEETING, which settled in fourth and raced greenly over the latter stages. SPESHAL is competing at Shepparton on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.11.4 Last Half: – 62.9 Margins: – 7m, 25m
Trial 2: – IJUSTCANTSEEIT began quickly to find the lead and kicked clear at the end to win easily. She is competing at Geelong to win this evening. EMILY MEAGAN sat in the trail throughout and finished in second with LOW LIE THE FIELDS being a distant third after settling five back on the markers and picking up a couple over the latter stages.
Mile Rate: – 2.8.7 Last Half: – 61.2 Margins: – 12m, 15m
Trial 3: – ALWAYS BENEFITS trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 600m mark and finished best in slow time. He is making his debut at Horsham on Monday afternoon. MADDALEEZ raced roughly at the start, settled three back on the markers and finished in second. She is competing at Shepparton on Tuesday night. The early leader MAJOR TAXES was last of the three runners across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.2 Last Half: – 64.7 Margins: – 1m, 10m
CRANBOURNE 17/05/26
Trial 1: – KATIE LORRAINE won a trial at Melton when trained by Emma Stewart and has since been transferred to the Gary and Debbie Quinlan training combination. She led throughout and won with something in hand. MISS ADDI trailed the leader, came to the outside on the home turn and tried very hard to be beaten by a neck. ZION JEWEL settled three back on the markers and was last of the three runners across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.1 Last Half: – 57.8 Margins: – Neck, 14m
Trial 3: – PATIRO NZ was stood down to trial after disappointing at his Australian debut. He was clearly the class runner of the trial and was able to sprint quickly from last of the quartet to gain the prize. He is backing up at Melton tomorrow night. MISS ARI settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the quarter pole and hit the lead in the straight. She was run down on the post. BELLA LOUISE finished in third after attempting to lead throughout and will be backing up at Cranbourne on Sunday night. OZZIE SUNSHINE trailed the leader and finished last of the four runners but wasn’t beaten by far.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.9 Last Half: – 56.4 Margins: – Short ½ Head, 5m
MILDURA 18/05/26
Trial 1: – CHEERS POVERTY was stood down to trial last outing and re-qualified with an all of the way victory in slow time. He is competing at Mildura this afternoon. SWEET LUCY LOU trailed the leader throughout and tried hard for a close second. BAZZAS LEGACY raced without cover, restrained to four back on the markers at the 1200m and finished in third. KEAYANG SHADOWBOX was three back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 600m and was last of the four runners to complete the course.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.0 Last Half: – 60.5 Margins: – 1m, 3m
Trial 2: – SANTA CASA LEVI was three horses wide early, angled in behind the leader and enjoyed an economical run before coming to the outside at the 600m. He was able to kick on well at the finish and scored by a narrow margin. STARZZZOFTERRY began well but broke stride 50m after the start. He settled three back on the markers, angled out three horses wide at the quarter pole and worked home well to be beaten narrowly. BETTOR DOO NZ finished a close up third after attempting to lead throughout. MILLY AT THE BEACH broke stride at the start and was always detached from the main division. The first three place getters are all competing at Mildura this afternoon.
Mile Rate: – 2.10.1 Last Half: – 62.6 Margins: – Neck, head
Trial 3: – The former New South Wales trained pacer NO GOOD REASON has joined Naomi Kerr and created a good impression with a comfortable victory. She speared to the lead shortly after the start and scored with plenty in reserve, suggesting she is a very good chance at her local debut this afternoon. WHATS UP BROTHER is an unraced juvenile for trainer Luke Watson. He settled last of the four runners, moved up without cover in the back straight on the final occasion and picked up good ground for second. He is by Rock N Roll Heaven out of Mini Major (1.58.5, $70,363) and is the first foal. The trotter ATEGO ROBBO trailed the leader throughout and was the third horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.9 Last Half: – 60.7 Margins: – 12m, 40m
BLACKBOOKER: – No Good Reason
GEELONG 18/05/26
Trial 1: – VYTIS was placed in the Breeders Crown last season and hasn’t raced since a fourth in the Delvin Dancer back in January. He was able to lead throughout and win his trial comfortably. RINGER WELLS trailed the leader for the duration and finished in second.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.3 Last Half: – 57.6 Margin: 8m
Trial 2: – YNOBE NOVA settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the quarter pole and quickly dashed to the front. He was able to win untouched and finished off in a slick final quarter of 28.9 seconds. She is competing at Cranbourne on Sunday night. DIAMONTY QUEEN settled four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail behind YNOBE NOVA and tried hard in the straight for second. She is resuming at Geelong this evening. SOFT LANDING is also competing and Geelong. He began quickly to find the lead and was run down coming up to the home turn. He finished in third and DIAMOND IN BUBBLES was the last one across the line after trailing the leader throughout. She is another horse that is backing up quickly at Geelong this evening.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.7 Last Half: – 59.2 Margins: – 3m, 10m
Trial 3: – SHEZALOVER trailed the leader, came to the outside on the home turn and finished off best to win easily. MAGIC LAW finished in second after attempting to lead throughout. DUNS BOY settled three back on the inside and battled on fairly well for third. He is competing at Geelong this evening. SOLO SAPPHIRE settled last of the five runners, moved up without cover at the 600m and worked into fourth with MISTER DEVEREAUX (4 back markers) being the last one to greet the judge. SOLO SAPPHIRE makes her debut at Cranbourne on Sunday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.1 Last Half: – 60.0 Margins: – 10m, 2m
Trial 5: – LEANNE LEEANN began well and was able to angle in behind the leader around the first turn. She came to the outside in the straight and finished off best to score and is competing again at Geelong this evening. MOREEP began quickly to find the lead shortly after the start. She backed off the tempo mid-race and was gunned down in the run to the finish. She is backing up at Cranbourne on Sunday night. SONS GOTABITE produced a very tidy performance to fill third spot. He broke stride at the start, lost approximately 60m, chased hard and was able to tack onto the main division. He came to the outside at the 600m and did very well to run into third. THE FASHIONISTA (4 back markers) and ATEGO ADA (3 back markers) finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.0 Last Half: – 60.0 Margins: – 2m, 15m
BLACKBOOKER: – SONS GOTABITE
KILMORE 19/05/26
Trial 2: – STRAATHDALE is a juvenile gelding for trainer Chris Svanosio that won the second trial for the combined 2 & 3yo’s. He is by Huntsville out of Gotta Go Hype NZ an unraced daughter of the top mare Elect To Live (1.55.8, $532,751). Gotta Go Hype NZ has produced three winners including the smart pacer I Am Serengeti NZ (1.51.2, $207,442). STOLEN DIAMOND is a 3yo pacer by The Storm Inside for trainer Alexandra Hurley. He was the second horse across the line. MADAM SASS is an unraced juvenile by Tintin In America out of Second Mortgage (1.58.3, $46,344) and is related to Another Mortgage (1.58.6) and Misslola (1.56.5). She finished in third with LATHER WITH FIRE being the last horse across the line. LATHER WITH FIRE is making his debut at Mildura this afternoon.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.1 Last Half: – 60.0 Margins: – 2.5m, 2m
Trial 4: – SOHO HUDSON performed well at a Bendigo trial effort prior to galloping away and losing his chance at Cranbourne. He went back to the trials and was able to win by a narrow margin. He backed up again at Kilmore on Thursday night and ran a cracking race for second behind King Saint. The outstanding trotter ARCEE PHOENIX ran handy final sectionals and finished in second position. ESCOBAR NZ has joined trainer Vince Vallelonga since his latest performance at Mildura and finished in third ahead of the speedy grey mare SPUN SILVER.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.5 Last Half: – 58.3 Margins: – ½ head, 12m
Trial 6: – CO CAPTAIN hasn’t started since a seventh in the Caduceus Classic at Melton in February. He won the Reg Withers Classic during his last preparation and returned with a comfortable trial victory in slow time. ALL DONE TARA finished in second position and was just ahead of ROCKIN CHARMER, which made his debut for new trainer Corey Bell at Kilmore on Thursday night, with LOUBELL being a close up fourth in the good finish between second, third and fourth. ALL DONE TARA makes her debut in the opening event at Mildura this afternoon.
Mile Rate: – 2.8.9 Last Half: – 59.9 Margins: – 6m, ½ neck
