Get your pens and paper at the ready, with no less that 12 Trial File Blackbookers about to step out over the next five days.
Five who've caught the eye on Victoria's trials circuit will attempt to transform that into on-track success at Melton tonight, while a further four will step out at Maryborough and Bendigo on Monday and three at Cranbourne on Tuesday.
Keayang Gucci will contest the first tonight for Paddy Lee, before Ikigai (Kylie Sugars) will follow up in the second with both Blackbookers out of the draw and therefore starting from outside the back row.
Scherger That (Emanuel Portelli) follows up in race three and then Netra (Leilani Justice) and Our Luciano (Keith Cotchin) will clash in race five to round out a frenetic run of Melton blackbookers from 6.07pm to 8.03pm.
Of tonight's hopefuls, only Keayang Gucci is a new addition to the Blackbook having impressed at Terang when "he was being challenged in the home straight but kicked on well and proved to be too good" and "should prove very hard to beat".
Here are this week's Victorian trials highlights.
TERANG 07/04/24
Trial 2: - KEAYANG GUCCI settled three back on the markers and moved into the death seat from the 600m. He was being challenged in the home straight but kicked on well and proved to be too good at the end. He is resuming at Melton tonight and should prove very hard to beat. KEAYANG TWEETYBIRD possibly would have won the trial had she not galloped in the home straight. She settled behind the leader before angling wide on the home turn and was running home well before breaking stride momentarily with 100m remaining. She was able to recover and finish in second then backed up to win a heat of the Nutrien series at Bendigo on Wednesday. KEAYANG GYPSY was third across the line after settling three back on the markers and finishing off fairly well. She backed up with a third in a heat of the Nutrien series on Wednesday night so the form in this trial is very strong. THE FIERY SUNSET led clearly then broke stride 100m after the start but was able to regather momentum quickly and maintained the leading role. He battled on fairly well at the finish to be fourth across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.2 Last Half: - 60.5 Margins: - 3m, ½ head
BLACKBOOKER: - Keayang Gucci
Trial 3: - JILLIBYJACKSPARROW trailed the leader ROCKNALLOVERTHEWORLD and came to the outside with 300m remaining. He finished off in slick final sectionals to win nicely. JILLIBY NITRO settled last of the three runners and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He finished off nicely for second and ROCKNALLOVERTHEWORLD was run down in the straight but wasn’t beaten by far. Both JILLIBYJACKSPARROW and ROCKNALLOVERTHEWORLD will be competing at Melton tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Last Half: - 56.2 Margins: - 3m, ½ head
Trial 4: - KEAYANG TOKYO began quickly to find the lead and was always in control of the trial. He finished off in slick final sectionals and was able to cruise down to the line to win comfortably. It was a good hit-out for his performance at Ballarat on Thursday night, where he overcame a tough run to win again. ISTHISJUSTFANTASY trailed the leader throughout and was able to hold her own in the final stages to finish in second. She will be resuming from a long spell at Melton this evening. JILLIBY SELWOOD settled down last of the four runners and was able to work past THE JET PLAYER over the concluding stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.9 Last Half: - 56.2 Margins: - 5m, 20m
MARYBOROUGH 07/04/24
Trial 1: - LOYOLA GOLF settled five back on the markers before moving one away from the inside on the home turn. He finished fast through the middle to pick up the winning prize, which would have given him some confidence for his effort at Melton this evening. ANGEL OF ANGER showed very good gate speed to lead and attempted an all of the way victory. She battled on fairly well for second with CORNELIA finishing third after trailing the leader throughout. ANGEL OF ANGER will be backing up at Maryborough on Monday afternoon.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.9 Last Half: - 59.1 Margins: - 5m, 2m
Trial 2: - CENTURION DREAM began very quickly to find the lead and ran along at a genuine tempo. She was always in control of the trial and won comfortably in good time. SCAR finished in second after trailing the leader and coming to the outside with 600m remaining. He tried hard in the latter stages and finished well clear of the third placed TUBS NOW SLIM (3 back markers), which is scheduled to compete at Maryborough on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Last Half: - 59.4 Margins: - 6m, 25m
Trial 4: - BETTOR MAN is a pacing bred trotter that was able to take out the juvenile trial. He is by Bettor’s Delight out of the handy mare Valiant Sue (1.54.2, $100,177), which has produced three winners including another classy trotter in Perfidious Sue (1.56.7, $44,105). He led throughout in the trial and was always a long way clear of his rivals so he showed his fair share of ability. He makes his debut at Cranbourne on Tuesday night. QUICK COMET finished second after trailing the leader throughout and DOUBLE PRIDE was five back on the markers in the early stages before settling in fourth mid-race and was able to run into third over the final stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.4 Last Half: - 63.0 Margins: - 20m, 4m
Trial 6: - TICTOK began quickly from the standing start and was able to push forward and find the lead shortly after the start. She was able to jog around and win comfortably. Unfortunately, she galloped away and lost her chance when unplaced at Charlton on Wednesday afternoon. WISH UPONA DREAM settled three back on the markers and gave TICTOK a reasonable start. She finished off well and ran a game second. ZIPTIE is an unraced 3yo trotter and was taking on proven winners. He did everything right in the trial and finished third after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.3 Last Half: - 60.6 Margins: - 2m, 20m
KYABRAM 07/04/24
Trial 1: - COBALT BLUES hasn’t raced since December and has joined trainer James Frost after previously being with Noel Watson at Swan Hill. He was able to win the opening trial from LITTLE RAIN CLOUD, which continues her extensive trial campaign with ROCKEN, an unraced gelding by Pet Rock, for trainer Peter Chamouras being the third horse across the line.
Mile Rate: 2.5.9 Last Half: - 62.0 Margins: - 10m, 20m
Trial 2: - ZIEGFELD was resuming since May 2023 when he over-raced badly and failed to finish at Shepparton. He was performing well at the trials prior and returned to the trials with a victory over TIGER OF OLD, which has joined trainer Lisa Hardy after previously being prepared by Paul Stokes. CROCODILE BLOOD was last of the three runners across the line. The winner ZIEGFELD is racing at Bendigo on Monday and TIGER OF OLD finished fifth at Cobram on Thursday.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.6 Last Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 2m, 8m
CRANBOURNE 07/04/24
Trial 1: - DUKES CHOICE has only had two starts since returning from Tasmania and was able to record slick time in winning the opening trial. He defeated OUR FIRE AND DELIGHT NZ, which has been placed in one of five attempts since coming from Queensland with DENIS WILLIAM being third across the line. DENIS WILLIAM is returning from a New South Wales campaign, where he recorded a mile of 1.52.1 in winning at Menangle in November. The winner DUKES CHOICE will be competing against a strong field at Melton on Saturday night.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.8 Last Half: - 57.4 Margins: - 9m, 4.5m
MILDURA 08/04/24
Trial 1: - CAPTAINS GOLD is by Captaintreacherous out of the Super Series winning mare Flojos Gold (1.54.0, $202,575) and he is the first foal of the dam. He settled three back on the inside, moved through to trail the leader in the back straight and started his winning run on the home turn. He only got up to win by a half of a head but he went to the line with plenty in reserve. SIR STEVENATOR is an entire by Sir Galvinator for trainer Mark Riseley. He attempted to lead throughout and was beaten on the line. The juvenile gelding PRIDDY CARSON, which is by Killer Carson, was third across the line after breaking stride at the start, settling four back on the markers and angling out three horses wide with 300m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.0 Last Half: - 61.0 `Margins: - ½ head, 20m
Trial 4: - CHAMPAGNE STRIDE has had four starts in her career and has had three different trainers. She has now joined her fourth trainer in Lachlan Prothero and recorded an impressive victory in the last trial. She led throughout and dominated her rivals to win by a large margin. COULDN’T RECOMMEND came from three back on the markers to fill second spot and ILLAWONG LORD was a distant third after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Last Half: - 59.8 Margins: - 30m, 20m
HORSHAM 08/04/24
Trial 1: - MYSTERY FRED is a nicely bred colt being by Aldebaran Eagle out of the race winning mare Garston Girl (1.57.3, $65,570), which has produced two winners in Mangana Joe (2.2.8) and Stately Salome (2.4.9). He defeated VERA LANE, which is a filly by Southwind Frank out of Valsue (2.4.0, $33,483), which has produced the classy performer Valerie Lane (2.1.4, $109,120). The two juvenile trotters were able to beat the only pacer in the trial SURFE LE MER, which obviously struck bother as it was beaten by a considerable distance.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.2 Last Half: - 65.9 Margins: - 7.5m, Distanced
BENDIGO 08/04/24
Trial 2: - OZZIE CORKA galloped away as a short price elect when on debut but showed a lot of potential at his trial victory. He showed good gate speed to lead, ran along at an even tempo and raced well clear of his rivals to win easily. TOTALLY STUNNING settled four back on the markers, was held up for a run at a vital stage and used the sprint lane to run into second. She was beaten by a long way but she was working home well at the end. BOLT OF COBARGO was third after trailing the leader throughout and GRIMSHAW BAY finished fourth after settling down in last position and racing fiercely throughout. Both BOLT OF COBARGO and GRIMSHAW BAY will be competing at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Last Half: - 59.8 Margins: - 30m, 6m
Trial 6: - THE BEACH FANTASY NZ settled down in last position early before circling around the field to find the lead in the back straight on the first occasion. He kicked well clear before the home turn and sustained the run to win nicely. He back up quickly to win at Cobram on Thursday afternoon. MAGOMEDOV produced a very good performance to finish in second. He trailed the leader in the early stages, ended up being three back on the markers and made good ground on the winner in the final 400m. Considering THE BEACH FANTASY NZ has won since, the form line is strong and MAGOMEDOV is worth following. YA BOTTOM DOLLAR was five back on the markers for the majority of the trial and worked into a distant third.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.98 Last Half: - 59.60 Margins: - 3m, 30m
BLACKBOOKER: - Magomedov
Trial 8: - JACCKA CONNOR NZ settled five back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the bell and came out three horses wide from the 300m. He finished off best to win with something in reserve with his stable mate WATTLEBANK ARNIE NZ finishing in second after settling down in fourth before moving into the death seat with just over a lap remaining. WATTLEBANK ARNIE NZ was able to turn the tables and beat JACCKA CONNOR NZ to the line at Cobram on Thursday but both horses finished unplaced in the race won by Ludacrous. The early leader ANGUS INDIANA fought on well to finish a close up third.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.36 Last Half: - 57.85 Margins: - 2m, Nose
SHEPPARTON 09/04/24
Trial 1: - DIAMOND ECLIPSE began very quickly to find the lead and ran along at a reasonable tempo. He had a good kick left at the finish and was able to get the prize ahead of the Cobram Cup winner in INVITATION ONLY NZ, which settled four back on the inside and moved into the death seat with 600m remaining. Both DIAMOND ECLIPSE and INVITATION ONLY NZ are competing at Melton on Saturday night. CAESAR NERO trailed the leader throughout and remained hard on the back of DIAMOND ECLIPSE in the home straight so it was a good run by him considering his National Rating is well below the first two horses across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.3 Last Half: 58.4 Margins: - 3m, 1m
Trial 3: - BITTA IRISH LUCK settled down in a rearward position and was one away from the inside so she was sent forward in the early stages. She sprinted quickly in the back straight and worked to the front with 1400m remaining before gaining a slight breather mid-race. She then got away at the end and won clearly, seemingly with plenty in reserve so it was an impressive display. It was a good hit-out for her performance at Bendigo on Tuesday night. NORDIC REIGN led out then took cover behind the eventual winner. She battled on fairly well for second with I AM HARRO being third across the line. I AM HARRO does have ability when he is able to put it altogether. He began quickly in the trial, ended up being three back on the markers and was looming into second before breaking stride with 100m remaining. NORDIC REIGN is resuming from a spell in a heat of the Foundation Series at Menangle on Tuesday.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Last Half: - 59.5 Margins: - 10m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: - Bitta Irish Luck
Trial 5: - CURLY JAMES stepped away quickly from the standing start to find the lead before taking cover at the 1700m. He moved away from the markers approaching the home turn and appeared to be very strong in the run to the finish. CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD galloped away from behind the tapes and settled a clear last early, approximately thirty metres behind the pack. He made up the lost ground quickly in a very slow early tempo and moved around the field to run to the front. He fought on well in the straight in a trial that was more like trackwork than a serious hit-out for the two very classy pacers. Both horses are competing at Melton on Saturday night. SUZYS DREAM did the best of the trotters and finished a distant third after being three back on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.7 Last Half: - 57.7 Margins: - Neck, Distanced
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 09/04/24
Trial 1: - SOSO MAJESTIC was three back on the inside, moved through to trail the leader in the back straight and finished off well to win in a good finish to commence the trials. He will be trying to keep his undefeated record intact at Bendigo on Tuesday night. NOBLE COUNT NZ was fast away from the standing start and attempted to lead throughout. WHOS THE MAN was four back on the inside before moving into the one out and one back trail at the 300m. He worked home well out wide on the track for third. ABBRACCIAMI trailed the leader before coming to the outside at the 700m mark. He was still battling it out with 100m remaining but broke stride and lost his chance of finishing closer.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.3 Last Half: - 57.96 Margins: - 4m, Head
Trial 2: - MISS DISTURBIA is a juvenile filly for trainer Clayton Tonkin, which won her trial by progressing forward to find the lead shortly after the start. She is by Art Major out of Riri Rihanna (2.2.5, $26,114) and is the first foal out of the mare. INTO THE HARKNESS finished in second after racing without cover early, pulling hard and ending up in behind the leader with a mile remaining. He will be competing at Bendigo on Tuesday night. GOODTIME FEMME came from last of the five runners to finished in third from MIDNIGHT CRIMES, which was four back on the markers before moving into the breeze at the 700m. HURRICANE HOOLY (trailed leader, 3 back markers) was last of the five runners to cross the line and will be competing at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.5 Last Half: - 57.96 Margins: - 2m, 28m
Trial 4: - TWISTING BY NZ settled four back on the inside before moving into the running lane (1-2) at the 1100m. He came out three horses wide with 500m remaining and got home best to win the trial. AMERICAN WEREWOLF led early and went very hard with IMAGINATION ORO, which was trying to get across and find the front in the early stages. IMAGINATION ORO eventually found the front and battled away in the straight to finish third. AMERICAN WEREWOLF put in a tidy display after copping so much pressure early to fire along the sprint lane and finish a narrow second. He is an emergency at Bendigo on Tuesday night but is a chance if he gains a start. DELIGHTFUL CHARM settled down last of the pack, moved into the running lane at the bell (1-3) and picked up ground for fourth. GENERAL LINCOLN was left stranded without cover at the 1100m, raced fiercely and battled on well to finished in fifth.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.9 Last Half: - 59.03 Margins: - Neck, 7m
Trial 5: - OLLIVICI NZ dropped back to be last of the three runners at the start and moved to the outside with 900m remaining. He sustained a long run and recorded a handy final half of 57.17 seconds to win comfortably. That win should give him plenty of confidence leading up to his performance at Melton on Saturday night. HARRY STAMPER NZ trailed the leader MAJESTICAL BELLE for the majority of the trial and only came to the outside in the very final stages. He finished very fast to pick up second and MAJESTICAL BELLE was relegated third but met two very smart horses.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Last Half: - 57.17 Margins: - 6.5m, 1.5m
Trial 6: - TRINITYS DELIGHT secured a nice position behind the leader before starting her winning run from the 500m. She quickly hit the front and drew away at the end to win comfortably. FIRST CLASS NZ is a former New Zealand pacer that had three starts in New South Wales and has now joined trainer Joe Pace. He made ground from four back on the markers to finish in second with FREAK OUT (3 back markers) being third across the line. WHAREWHITI NZ produced a very good performance in fourth. He was slow away and settled in sixth, broke stride at the 1300m then chased hard and continuously made ground to be approximately fifteen metres behind the winner. It was an eye-catching trial performance leading up to his performance at Cranbourne on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Last Half: - 59.19 Margins: - 9m, 6m
Trial 8: - The classy mare SOHO HISTORIA produced a slashing display to win the open class trial. She showed brilliant gate speed to lead and finished off in a sensational last quarter of 25.91 seconds! DISTRICT ATTORNEY trailed the leader and came to the outside on the home turn. He held his own in the straight and ran a gallant second. SUPREME DOMINATOR NZ finished third after being three back on the markers throughout and JUSTALITTLESIP NZ tried to come from last in explosive final sectionals so he did a good job under the circumstances.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.1 Last Half: - 54.58 Margins: - 2.5m, 20m
Trial 9: - HITTHEROADJACK NZ showed very good gate speed to find the lead shortly after the start. He finished off in handy final sectionals to hang on and get the prize. It was a good effort leading up to his performance at Melton on Saturday night. SMOKEN ACE NZ came from three back on the markers and made his move at the quarter pole. He finished a close second with FRANCO PROMACHOS NZ being in third after trailing the leader and remaining hard on the back of the winner on the line. He remains undefeated in three Tasmanian starts and appears to be very promising.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.1 Last Half: - 56.21 Margins: - ½ head, 4.5m
