Harness Racing form guru Craig Rail noticed several standout performers at the recent trials.
At Mildura, Winshemay was a very impressive winner and extended nicely when asked for an effort.
At Melton, Famous Crimes finished off best to score impressively, while Banjo Star kicked on strongly when challenged in the straight to record another good victory.
SHEPPARTON 28/05/26
Trial 1: – IDEAL MOTH trailed the leader, moved to the outside with 500m remaining and finished off best to win the trial in reasonable time. OKANUI BEACH began quickly to find the lead, ran along at a reasonable tempo and was run down on the line. The trotter CRACKERJACK NZ was last of the three runners throughout but the last half was fast and he wasn’t beaten by far.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.6 Last Half: – 57.2 Margins: – 1m, 8m
Trial 2: – JILLIBY ILLUSION began very quickly to find the lead, ran along at a genuine tempo and never appeared to be in danger of defeat, winning comfortably. He backed up at Bendigo six days later and ran home well for second. ROCKY ROCKS settled five back on the markers and picked up a lot of ground over the concluding stages to finish in second. The trotter SEBASTIANS BOY settled down three back on the markers and was battling away nicely before being checked by the galloping BETTOR JAX NZ with 150m remaining. BETTOR JAX NZ was four back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 300m, got to second but hung in and broke stride at the 150m. HALF PRICE BRIDE trailed the leader and was checked with 150m remaining.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.9 Last Half: – 58.4 Margins: – 8m, 20m
Trial 3: – TOUCH OF REALITY led from the pole position, ran along at an even speed and was a clear leader for most of the journey. He went to the line untouched to win by a large margin. REBEL REBEL settled down last of the six runners, came out three horses wide with 300m remaining and worked into second position. GATSBY is an unraced juvenile pacer for trainer Ruth Shinn by Stay Hungry out of Bellissima (1.58.6, $22,936), whose first foal Loubell has been placed.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.3 Last Half: – 61.00 Margins: – 40m, 1m
Trial 4: – TOBYS SHOUT raced roughly at the start but did enough to trail the leader. He came to the outside on the home turn and finished off best to win well. He backed up at Kilmore on Thursday night and battled on fairly well for third behind Archaa on the wet track. SKYFALL BENCHMARK attempted to lead throughout and finished in second. SWEET LOUANNE settled four back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 500m and worked into third position.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.0 Last Half: – 58.6 Margins: – 3m, 6m
Trial 6: – SHEZA HEAVEN led throughout and just held on to win the juvenile trial. JASPER JAY trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and missed out by a narrow margin. SABALENKA settled four back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 500m mark and battled on well for third. AMANDO was the only horse competing in the trial that hadn’t been seen publicly and was last of the four runners across the line after settling three back on the markers. He is by Stay Hungry out of Alina (1.55.8, $120,376) and is related to the two winners Memphis (1.59.6, $33,298) and Anakin (1.55.0, $33,170).
Mile Rate: – 2.4.1 Last Half: – 59.3 Margins: – Head, 4m
Trial 7: – BIG NIK began very fast from a wide draw and led clearly. He always led by a good margin and was able to score clearly. He backed up with a brave fourth at Kilmore on Thursday night, where he attempted to lead early but was left stranded without cover throughout. DEMARTINO settled four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m and finished off well for second. ROM BARO was slow to begin, settled five back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 700m and sustained a good run for third. He has had a busy time as he backed up with a victory at Kilmore on Thursday night, where he got his revenge on BIG NIK, and is scheduled to compete again at Shepparton on Tuesday night. HEYNOWHEYNOW trailed the leader and finished fourth and is also backing up at Shepparton. OUTPOST settled three back on the markers and finished fifth. ALLOA was having his first trial for trainer Ruth Shinn. He is by Poster Boy out of the mare Albietta (1.59.0, $26,253), which has produced the winner Albalou (1.57.8, 22,090).
Mile Rate: – 1.58.8 Last Half: – 59.3 Margins: – 20m, 3m
BACCHUS MARSH 30/05/26
Trial 1: – TIPPLE TIME has returned to trainer Jason Hackett after a short stint with Brent Lilley. She dashed away with a dominant victory over MISTER DEVEREAUX, which hasn’t started since a fourth in the Homegrown Classic in December. MISTER DEVEREAUX is resuming at Geelong this evening. KICKABRREL was stood down to trial after breaking stride at his latest fourth. He finished third and was well ahead of MOONLIGHT BILLY and ATEGO ADA. KICKABARREL is racing at Geelong this evening and ATEGO ADA is scheduled to compete at Warragul on Monday.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.3 Last Half: – 58.5 Margins: – 20m, 8m
Trial 2: – BANJO STAR won on debut at Kilmore in November and was put away. He returned with a runaway trial victory in reasonable time over LYNNES SPECIAL, which hasn’t raced since August 2024. PACEMAKER is an unraced juvenile for trainer Leilani Justice and finished in a distant third. He is by Raging Bull NZ out of Somedreamsomewhere (1.56.6, $74,957), whose first two foals Nothingbutwaves (1.54.7, $121,149) and Rolinginthedeep (1.53.5, $43,930) have both been good winners.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.0 Last Half: – 58.8 Margins: – 40m, 40m
Trial 4: – RENNIE TIN TIN continued her good trial form at Bacchus Marsh with an effortless victory. She was able to defeat DANCINGONSTARLIGHT, which hasn’t raced since an unplaced effort at Melton back in October. WANT IT IN WRITING hasn’t raced since an eighth at Ararat back in September 2024. He was formerly prepared by Rebecca East and is now with the Richard and Emmett Brosnan training combination. He finished in third with LIV ON LOVE being last of the quartet across the line. LIV ON LOVE is racing at Geelong this evening.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.8 Last Half: – 58.8 Margins: – 10m, head
ECHUCA 31/05/26
Trial 1: – RETURN SERVE followed up a trial fourth behind Toby’s Shout at Shepparton a few nights earlier with a comfortable victory, where he led throughout. He continues a busy schedule at Shepparton on Tuesday, where he is nominated to race. COUNTRY ROCKSTAR was one away from the inside early, restrained to be last of the four runners and made his move at the quarter pole. He worked into a distant second with THE FEENY FAVORITE being third across the line from his position of being three back on the markers. WHITEHAVEN BEACH finished last of the four runners after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.0 Last Half: – 59.6 Margins: – 25m, 1m
STAWELL 01/06/26
Trial 1: – OUR PRINCESS DI has joined trainer Michael Gadsden after previously being with Frank Cavallaro at Mildura. She is yet to be placed in ten starts for the season but she won her trial comfortably over the trotter OFF YA FACESKI, which won five races in succession towards the end of his last campaign. ARGYLE MUSE hasn’t raced since being unplaced in the Super Series Final back in November. He finished a distant third ahead of VINCENT ORILEY and HELLOVADIVA.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.8 Last Half: – 60.8 Margins: – 8m, 67m
Trial 2: – CALLINAN is a nicely bred juvenile trotter that has ability. He was severely checked and lost his chance at his latest race track performance. He was able to defeat his two older stable mates SNICKERS EXPRESS and IM EDDIE in a trial of three horses.
Mile Rate: – 2.16.1 Last Half: – 64.8 Margins: – 7.5m, 5m
MILDURA 01/06/26
Trial 1: – THE NINJA began quickly to find the lead and backed off the tempo mid-race. He kicked well clear approaching the home turn and appeared to peak a little in the straight, shifting out under pressure but he was able to get the job done. He is resuming at Mildura this afternoon. BIG BAD CHAD settled behind the leader, came away from the markers at the 500m and originally lost ground but he was able to rally late to get within a length of the leader. He is also competing at Mildura this afternoon. I NEED AGIRLFRIEND finished a distant third after settling three back on the markers and was ahead of BETTY CAROLINE (4 back markers) and MUSSEL WHITE, which was last throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.5 Last Half: – 60.5 Margins: – 2m, 22m
Trial 2: – WINSHEMAY was a very impressive winner of the second event. She settled down four back on the markers, moved up without cover momentarily in the back straight on the first occasion then went back to her original position. She made her winning move at the 500m mark and really extended nicely when asked for an effort. SNEAKY PHILTRA trailed the leader throughout and moved away from the inside on the home turn. He battled on fairly well for a distant second with the early leader RONZEL RAFA being the third horse across the line. AUCKLAND LASS finished in fourth after settling three back on the markers. SNEAKY PHILTRA is resuming at Mildura this afternoon.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.9 Last Half: – 60.5 Margins: – 10m, 10.5m
BLACKBOOKER: – Winshemay
Trial 3: – BAZZAS LEGACY settled four back on the markers and was able to produce a good finish in slow time to win clearly. He is resuming at Mildura this afternoon. IMA ROCKET MAN went very quickly in the early stages trying to hold out the challenge of CAPTAIN PAPRIKA before eventually taking cover behind that pacer with 1300m remaining. He was held up for a run at a vital stage and was doing his best work at the end to finish a creditable second. ALIENFROMARMSTRONG finished in third after being three back on the markers throughout. BURNING HOT was detached from the main division with several others when the pace was hectic early. He picked up some ground in the last lap and ran into a distant fourth. The early leader CAPTAIN PAPRIKA peaked after running a fast early sectional and finished in fifth.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.5 Last Half: – 64.1 Margins: – 30m, 60m
Trial 4: – WIPEOUT began quickly and was able to spear to the lead shortly after the start. He ran along at a genuine tempo and never appeared to be in any danger of defeat. CEMETERY BAY settled last of the three runners, came to the outside in the home straight and was able to roll into second with CALF PEN being last of the three runners across the line after trailing the leader throughout. CALF PEN is competing at Mildura this afternoon.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.9 Last Half: – 59.8 Margins: – 4m, 6.5m
BENDIGO 01/06/26
Trial 1: – ROCKINWITHSASS began well from the standing start and trailed the leader. She came to the outside with 500m remaining and did well to get up and beat the older horses by a comfortable margin. HEIR JAURDON settled three back on the markers and followed his stable mate ROCKINWITHSASS throughout, working into second position. The early leader THE RED AVENGER was trotting roughly all of the way but held on for third to re-qualify for his effort at Kilmore on Thursday night. He unfortunately went back to making errors when tailed off throughout on Thursday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.6 Last Half: – 60.6 Margins: – 4m, 5m
Trial 2: – Unfortunately, there was an issue with the mobile under the wet conditions and the expected mobile start events on the evening became moving starts. KEAYANG MIDNIGHT was able to lead throughout in the second event. She is by American Ideal out of the race winning American bred mare Mollys Lucky Star USA and is related to seven winners including Pin Stripes (1.53.7), Askmeilltellya (1.54.8, $140,006) and Shallow Beach (1.56.6, $86,221). GOODTIME MAE trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 400m mark and missed out by a narrow margin. COOL STORY was four back on the markers, angled wide into the straight but locked wheels momentarily at the 150m mark and finished a distant third. CAPTAIN GRIN settled three back on the markers and finished in fourth. He is travelling across to South Australia and is competing at Globe Derby tomorrow night. HES LETHAL settled five back on the markers and locked wheels with COOL STORY in the straight so he lost momentum.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.6 Last Half: – 59.7 Margins: – Nose, 18m
Trial 3: – ARTY MCFLY began well and was behind the leader early before ending up being three back on the markers from the 1400m. He made his move and dashed to the front at the 600m and did well sustaining the run to get the prize. SWEETSUCCESS settled four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m and chased hard for second. She is by Sweet Lou out of Tina Louette, which is an unraced daughter of the Canadian bred mare Another Day (1.52.4, $120,500). IDEAL MIKI was without cover early, angled in behind the leader and worked into third position late. He is heading across to South Australia to compete at Globe Derby on Saturday night. CRACKERSATMIDNIGHT came from last of the six runners to pick up fourth and VINNI BAY, which was the early leader, was fifth across the line. VINNI BAY is by Vincent out of Jazzy Bay and is the first foal.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.2 Last Half: – 59.7 Margins: – 8m, 25m
Trial 4: – ZIHUATANEJO began very quickly to find the lead and ran along at a reasonable tempo on the wet track. He remained strong at the finish and scored by a comfortable margin. TARZINA settled three back on the markers, came to the outside at the 500m, worked into second position and got back to the inner in the home straight to pick up second. KEAYANG SUPREME was without cover in the early stages, restrained to be four back on the markers and worked home well for third. MAJOR TAXES trailed the leader throughout and finished in fourth.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.4 Last Half: – 58.5 Margins: – 4m, 6m
Trial 6: – ROCKINWITHATTITUDE began well from the standing start and found the front. She was able to finish off in sizzling final sectionals (56.9, 27.6) on the wet track and held on to get the prize. MECARNO sat in the trail, came to the outside at the 300m mark and did very well to finish as close as he did in the straight. He makes his highly anticipated return at Melton on Saturday night. WAR DAN PHOENIX always had the job ahead being a maiden 3yo trotter against two Group 1 winners and was last of the three runners across the line. He followed with a fifth in the final event at Kilmore on Thursday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.8 Last Half: – 56.9 Margins: – Nose, 100m
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 02/06/26
Trial 2: – KYVALLEY DIABLO settled three back on the markers, moved up without cover at the bell, hit the front at the 500m and held on to score by a narrow margin. ESTREET PHOENIX began quickly and found the position behind the leader. She came to the outside on the home turn and missed out by a narrow margin. She is by Dancinginthedark M out of the unraced mare Epona Phoenix and is the third foal with the first being Huru, which has been unplaced in his four starts to date. ATEGO ANGEL raced without cover early, dropped back to be fourth on the markers and worked past the early leader HIGHLINE MAGIC to be the third horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.3 Last Half: – 62.2 Margins: – Nose, 35m
Trial 3: – FAMOUS CRIMES is a nicely bred colt, which hasn’t raced since July. He began quickly to lead, took cover shortly afterwards and came to the outside at the 600m mark. He finished off best to score nicely. EXOTIC CHESTER began quickly and pushed forward to find the lead. He battled on well in the straight for second and is making his debut at Geelong this evening. SANDELTON settled four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m and finished off reasonably well for third. SWEET GEM came from five back on the markers to pick up fourth.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.4 Last Half: – 58.8 Margins: – 5m, 1.25m
BLACKBOOKER: – Famous Crimes
Trial 4: – BANJO STAR was backing up quickly from his trial victory at Bacchus Marsh on Saturday. He trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 300m and kicked on strongly when challenged in the straight to record another good victory. CO CAPTAIN settled last of the four runners, came to the outside at the 700m, found the one out and one back trail then loomed up to win in the straight but couldn’t get past BANJO STAR in the run to the judge. The early leader COVERED IN GOLD finished third and STORM VENDETTA (behind leader) was last of the four runners across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.0 Last Half: – 57.4 Margins: – Head, 16m
BLACKBOOKER: – Banjo Star
Trial 5: – STERLING GIGI was the most experienced horse in the field and recorded a runaway victory after leading throughout. CRIPPA settled three back on the markers and finished in second position. LANIKAI WARRIOR settled six back on the markers and came out three horses wide at the 500m mark. He finished off well to finish in third position. DIAMOND AURORA settled last of the seven runners, trailed forward out three horses wide from the 500m mark and finished well for fourth. He is by Bettor’s Delight out of the race winning mare Diamond Cullen (1.56.0, $53,270) and is the second foal. JACKSASTAR finished in fifth after racing without cover early and being restrained to be four back on the markers shortly after the start. He is by Stay Hungry out of Ideal Sports Girl NZ (1.56.2, $32,490) and is the first foal. KELCH began quickly but hung in on the first turn, losing momentum. He angled in behind the leader and was beaten from the 500m mark, finishing in sixth. He is by Capt Midnight out of the unraced mare The Red Hen NZ and is the second foal. FOXY BY DESIGN was the last horse across the line after settling five back on the markers. She is by American Ideal out of the unraced mare Foxy Roxy Rita, which has produced the race winner American Werewolf (1.52.4, $60,136).
Mile Rate: – 1.59.0 Last Half: – 58.8 Margins: – 20m, 6.5m
Trial 6: – ARCEE PHOENIX continued to build on his good trial form with a narrow but decisive victory. He settled last of the three runners, moved away from the inside at the 300m and sprinted quickly in a slick final half of 56.7 seconds to grab victory. He will commence his feature campaign at Melton tomorrow night. GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW attempted to lead throughout and was beaten on the line. He is also competing at Melton on Saturday. VYTIS trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and wasn’t beaten by far despite finishing last of the three runners.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.2 Last Half: – 56.7 Margins: – Nose, 2m
Trial 7: – JUSTALITTLESIP settled last of the four runners, moved up without cover at the 600m and finished off best in slick final sectionals. CAPTAIN PINS NZ settled three back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the quarter pole and tried hard in the straight for second. TELEMACHUS finished in third after attempting to lead throughout and will resume from a break at Melton tomorrow night. HUGO ROCKS finished last of the four runners after trailing the leader for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.0 Last Half: – 56.6 Margins: – 2.5m, 5.75m
