With the festive season in full swing it was a quieter week on the Victorian trials circuit, but that doesn't mean there weren't still a handful of stocking suffers who impressed.
Two trialists found their way into the Blackbook, including Cool Sita, who ripped home at Mildura in a promising sign ahead of her return start next Tuesday.
Ooh Ah Lista is another on the watch list having dominated at Bacchus Marsh, the 15-metre win including a 57-second run to the line.
Here are this week's trial highlights, with the updated Blackbook, including a couple of Vicbred Super Series finals hopefuls, at the bottom of the page.
SHEPPARTON 22/12/22
Trial 1: - FYNN FROST NZ was able to take out the opening trial in fast time. He backed up at Shepparton on Tuesday night and was able to lead throughout from a wide gate. SERG BLANCO NZ has been in strong form at Metropolitan level and kept the momentum rolling with his second placed effort. JITTERBUG ARDEN took on strong opposition and finished third. It was a solid hit-out for her performance at Bendigo this evening. She gains a start in the much harder Silver event however after the withdrawal of Seaside Sister.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.2 Last Half: - 56.6 Margins: - 3m, 12m
MILDURA 22/12/22 (results not available)
Trial 2: - HEADBANGER was able to lead throughout and win the open class trial. He returns from a break but has drawn badly at Mildura on Tuesday night. PROMISE ME HEAVEN trailed the leader and tried hard for second and MYTIME came from last of the four runners to finish in third.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Last Half: - Not Given Margins: - 3m, 8m
Trial 4: - COOL SITA trailed the leader and moved away from the markers on the home turn. She sprinted sharply and recorded a good victory so she might be worth following. She is having her first run since April 2019 at Mildura on Tuesday night. SPORTSSEAL began quickly to find the lead and was run down in the latter stages. RAYS IDEAL settled last of the four runners and was hitting the line strongly late. RAYS IDEAL makes his debut in the opening event at Mildura on Tuesday and SPORTSEAL will compete in race two.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Last Half: - Not Given Margins: - 14m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: - Cool Sita
MARYBOROUGH 24/12/22
Trial 1: - RACKEMUP TIGERPIE trailed the leader SUNDONS COURAGE and moved around into the lead at the 1600m. He finished off in a slick final half of 56.4 seconds to win. SUNDONS COURAGE used the sprint lane and tried hard. Both horses appeared to have something in reserve at the finish.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.4 Last Half: - 56.4 Margin: - 2m
Trial 2: - SOHO LUMINE hasn’t raced since June but was a winner during her first preparation of racing and had the advantage of race experience over her only rival SOHO BOCOCA. She led throughout and was untouched in going to the line. SOHO BOCOCA is out of the good race and producing mare Pixel Perfect. He tried hard in the straight but raced roughly over the final stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.9 Last Half: - 58.0 Margin: - 3m
BACCHUS MARSH 24/12/22
Trial 2: - SHEFFIELD SPARKY NZ won the open class trial over VINTAGE CHEDDAR NZ with VILLAGE VOICE finishing in third position. VILLAGE VOICE finished off well for fourth at Maryborough on Wednesday. SHEFFIELD SPARKY NZ has been freshened since a third at Melton in October and VINTAGE CHEDDAR NZ hasn’t raced since April but has won four of his five starts since coming from New Zealand.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.9 Last Half: - 56.7 Margins: - 3m, 8m
Trial 3: - FEMALE ASSASSIN continues to perform well at the trials and was able to score in fast time over HES ALL TORQUE. HES ALL TORQUE was forced to head to the trials after being stood down for galloping at Melton several nights earlier. He was able to re-qualify with a narrow second and will back up in the Super Series Silver event at Bendigo this evening.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.2 Last Half: - 58.9 Margins: - ½ head, 40m
Trial 5: - OOH AH LISTAH was able to win impressively on debut then broke stride and failed to finish at his next attempt. He was stood down to trial and quickly bounced back with a runaway victory over EXCLUSIVE MARIA. He dashed home in slick final sectionals so he is worth following.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Last Half: - 57.1 Margins: - 15m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: - Ooh Ah Listah
Trial 8: - BULLION HARRY wrapped up his trial preparation with a victory over his stable mate DONTOUCH THE DUCO. He is a very smart trotter and returned from a break in the Super Series Silver event at Maryborough on Thursday, where he led throughout and won comfortably. DONTOUCH THE DUCO has performed nicely over the past few weeks and the third placed JAKARTA NZ is a former New Zealander, which scored at Addington in June.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.5 Last Half: - 59.5 Margins: - 3m, 4m
