Trafalgar trainer Glenn Hunter looks to have a very promising trotter on his hands and she’s one that certainly hasn’t escaped the keen eye of Harness Racing Victoria form guru Craig Rail.
Rail added Gatesys Gem to his Blackbook after an impressive trial performance at Melton on Tuesday night when the unraced daughter of Aldebaran Eagle thrashed her opponents by a big margin.
“She trailed the leader, commenced her winning run from the 800m and completely dominated her rivals to win by over 50 metres!,” Rail wrote.
Other horses to make the Blackbook out of this week’s Victorian trials circuit were Shesawish and Ikigai from Shepparton, and Cigano and Miss Australiana from Melton.
TRIAL REPORT
SHEPPARTON 28/03/24
Trial 1: - The former Inter Dominion champion I CAST NO SHADOW NZ has recently joined trainer Isabel Walsh and was able to win the opening trial in fast time after leading throughout. He made his return to Victorian harness racing at Melton on Thursday night and finished ninth behind Like A Wildfire. SAHARA TIGER trailed the leader and tried hard for second. He backed up with a sixth in a heat of the Mildura Cup on Tuesday and will be competing at Mildura again on Saturday night. ON THE HUNT finished last of the three runners but she was taking on the open class pacers and she will find her assignment at Shepparton this afternoon to be more suitable.
Mile Rate: - 1.55.9 Last Half: - 55.4 Margins: - 2m, 25m
Trial 2: - AZOR AHAI was able to build up some fitness and confidence leading up to his performance at Shepparton this afternoon with a strong victory. He settled last of the five runners, moved into the death seat at the 600m and won with plenty in reserve. IVANA BYTHESEASIDE was four back on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail behind the eventual winner. She tried hard in straight and finished second ahead of KICKER ROCK, which led out then took cover. The early leader CORNISHTOWN KID finished in fourth position.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.4 Last Half: - 58.1 Margins: - 5m, Neck
Trial 4: - FELLINI was without cover in the early stages, moved forward to find the lead at the 1200m, took cover at the 900m and waited for the sprint lane. She showed very good acceleration to fire through and win easily. STREETS OF MADRID was stood down to trial after choking down last outing. He was three back on the markers in the early stages, pushed around the field to find the lead at the 900m mark and battled on well for second. He is backing up at Shepparton this afternoon and is not without a chance. IM DUSTEE settled down in last position and moved up without cover at the 900m mark. He was third across the line and will also be competing at Shepparton this afternoon.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.4 Last Half: - 61.4 Margins: - 6m, 4m
Trial 6: - FRUGAL FARE is a grey pacer for trainer Stephen O’Donoghue and was able to win her qualifying trial nicely. She was caught without cover early, progressed forward to find the lead at the 1700m mark and was always in control. WELL WELL finished in second after leading out then taking cover. SON OF A BROAD will be making her debut for trainer Wayne Hayes at Shepparton this afternoon and she finished in third position after trailing the leader early and ending up being three back on the markers mid-race.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Last Half: - 58.3 Margins: - 3m, 2m
Trial 7: - ALDEBARAN TANISHA settled three back on the outside early, ended up being in the one out and one back trail and finished off solidly to record a good win. She is returning from a spell at Shepparton this afternoon and appears to be in good order for her first up tilt. MAORIS MAC settled last on the outside and followed up behind ALDEBARAN TANISHA. She worked home well for a nice second. SUPER SERVICE broke stride 100m after the start and settled in the second half of the field but picked up nicely for third. I AM HARRO showed gate speed before galloping early, race without cover, found the front at the 900m then broke stride again at the 100m when seemingly going to run second. He was fourth across the line but he did show some ability.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.2 Last Half: - 59.6 Margins: - 10m, 3m
STAWELL 29/03/24
Trial 2: - Trainer Peter Manning had four of the five juvenile pacers engaged in the second trial. The winner was SPLASH OF PAYNT, which is a gelding by Poster Boy out of Writteninpaynt, a winning Sportswriter mare and this pacer is her first foal. He won the trial by a narrow margin over LUCYS WATCH whose dam Sweet Lucy Brown is a daughter of the former top New Zealand mare Hot Shoe Shuffle. BEAR THE BIRD finished a distant third and he is a gelding by the former classy New Zealand pacer Franco Nelson. LUCYS WATCH will be making her debut in the opening event at Horsham on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.4 Last Half: - 62.7 Margins: - Head, 24.5m
Trial 3: - NEATNTIDY is a handy pacer for trainer Aaron Dunn and was able to win the trial over RAZS VEYRON, which hasn’t raced since September 2022 with PESCI being third across the line. NEATNTIDY is a lightly raced pacer that won at Swan Hill during his last preparation and hasn’t started since August.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.3 Last Half: - 58.8 Margins: - 4m, head
BACCHUS MARSH 30/03/24
Trial 1: - GOODTIME BRAVO started the season in great fashion with successive victories at Terang and Geelong. He has been placed in one of his six starts since but his trial form over the past two weeks has been sound. He won the opening trial over GENERAL LINCOLN, which is making his race track return at Shepparton this afternoon but is awkwardly drawn. MORVAH has been racing in great form and finished in third spot ahead of BART BENTLEY. The winner GOODTIME BRAVO will be competing at Cranbourne on Sunday afternoon.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.0 Last Half: - 58.7 Margins: - 4m, 2m
Trial 4: - PROHIBITED GRACE is a juvenile trotter for trainer Graeme Whittle. She is by Volstead out of Majestic Grace (1.57.3, $73,725), which was a very handy race performer and a daughter of the classy trotter Front And Square. PROHIBITED GRACE is the second foal of the dam and looks to have ability with a trial victory at Bacchus Marsh followed by another trial success at Melton on Tuesday, where she fired along the sprint lane over the latter stages. RINGER WELLS finished second in the trial and was well ahead of the third placed AMOMENTTOREMEMBER.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.6 Last Half: - 60.7 Margins: - 6m, 15m
Trial 5: - RENDEZVOUS hasn’t raced since finishing unplaced in the Bacchus Marsh Cup in November. He dashed home in a slick final quarter of 28.7 to win his trial by a comfortable margin so he must be given a chance at Cranbourne on Sunday. LITTLE ART finished in second spot and was comfortably clear of BACHANALIAN with GAMER being in fourth.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.8 Last Half: - 59.1 Margins: - 12m, 6m
MARYBOROUGH 31/03/24
Trial 1: - LUDACROUS hasn’t started since finishing second in the Victoria Sires Classic in December. She trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 500m and dashed home in slick final sectionals to win nicely. RISE ABOVE ALL is a former Queensland pacer, which has a good record and joins trainer Ashleigh Herbertson. He attempted to lead throughout and finished second with REMI LOU being last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.2 Last Half: - 55.9 Margins: - 6m, 10m
Trial 2: - CENTURION DREAM began quickly to find the lead and ran along at an even tempo. He was very comfortable in the run to the line and scored nicely. PERFIDIOUS SUE raced on the outside of the leader throughout and battled on very well for second with THIRD EYE coming from three back on the markers to finish in third position.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.7 Last Half: - 59.3 Margins: - 6m, 4m
Trial 4: - MARTY THE MARTIAN is another former Queensland pacer for trainer Ashleigh Herbertson and recorded reasonable time at his trial success. He settled six back on the inside, circled around the field from the 1600m to lead at the 1300m and battled on strongly in the run to the finish. REIGN EM IN began quickly to find the lead, took cover mid-race and chased hard for a close second. JILLIBY TYPHOON trailed the leader early, ended up being three back on the markers and came out three horses wide from the 400m. He finished well for third with ORCH (5 back markers) being in a distant fourth.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Last Half: - 56.7 Margins: - Head, 1m
Trial 5: - TICTOK began quickly from the handicap of 40m and settled three back on the inside. She moved away from the markers on the home turn and produced a strong finish to win easily. SER PATRICK settled four back on the inside and worked into second with KELLY BUSH being in third position after setting the speed. WALLIS was running a good race from behind the leader and was looming as a chance before breaking stride on the home turn.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.9 Last Half: - 58.2 Margins: - 4m, 8m
SHEPPARTON 02/04/24
Trial 1: - The Cobram Cup winner INVITATION ONLY began quickly to find the lead and ran along at an even tempo. He was able to hold off his rivals to win the trial narrowly. PERFECT STRIDE was four back on the markers, came to the outside at the quarter pole and finished off well for second with PLATINUM STRIDE (3 back markers) doing his best work at the end to be third across the line. KIA ORA BEAUTY finished last of the four runners after trailing the leader but she was taking on the open class pacers over 2190m and she will be much better suited to competing over the sprint distance at Shepparton this afternoon.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.9 Last Half: - 57.1 Margins: - Neck, 1m
TRIAL 2: - SHESAWISH completed her second win in the space of five days at the trials with a win over the pacers. She settled six back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 900m mark and finished off fast to snare victory on the line. TWILIGHT BEACH began quickly to lead and ran a quick last half but was beaten on the line. WELL WELL finished third after trailing the leader throughout and KRASH KRADDOCK worked home well from four back on the markers to be fourth across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.3 Last Half: - 56.4 Margins: - Head, 6m
BLACKBOOKER: - Shesawish
Trial 4: - IKIGAI broke at the start and lost her chance in the Lunar Lass Classic when she was resuming but her trial form is very sound. She trailed the leader and Breeders Crown winner NORDIC REIGN, waited for the sprint lane and finished fast to get up on the line. NORDIC REIGN finished second at her first trial back since her Breeders Crown victory and should be improved by the run. MAORIS MAC was doing her best work late from three back on the markers to finish a close third.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.0 Last Half: - 60.3 Margins: - 1m, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: - Ikigai
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 02/04/24
Trial 1: - GATESYS GEM is a filly by Aldebaran Eagle out of Gatesys Girl (2.0.6, $39,750) and is closely related to three winners including Gatesys Alley (1.59.5. $82,867). She trailed the leader, commenced her winning run from the 800m and completely dominated her rivals to win by over fifty metres! SEBASTIANS WAITING settled three back on the markers and finished second with the early leader ALDEBARAN AXL being third across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.6 Last Half: - 58.53 Margins: - 53.5m, ½ Neck
BLACKBOOKER: - Gatesys Gem
Trial 3: - The champion mare LADIES IN RED delivered another spectacular performance with a victory over JOYFUL. She settled down last of the six runners, gave the leaders a healthy start and kept on making ground from the 700m in a last half of 54.91 seconds! JOYFUL trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and finished off well for second. FIAMMA finished in third after setting the speed and TREACHERY (5 back markers) was fourth after trying to follow her illustrious stable mate in the final stages.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.4 Last Half: - 54.91 Margins: - 2m, 1.5m
Trial 5: - LOVE GUN settled three back on the markers, moved out three horses wide on the home turn and finished off fast to win the trial by a narrow margin. CALLMETHEBREEZE FRA settled last of the four runners and came out four horses wide on the home turn. He finished powerfully and missed out narrowly. HOT TO TROT NZ trailed the leader GAELIC LAD, came to the outside and picked up third with GAELIC LAD being the last horse across the line in a quality trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.9 Last Half: - 58.04 Margins: - Head, 13m
Trial 7: - CIGANO began fast and pushed forward to find the lead shortly after the start and dominated his rivals to win in fast time. His trial form is very good and he appears to have a very promising future. GOLDEN TRIBE began quickly to lead out then take cover. He battled on well for second and finished well clear of the third placed COASTAL DRIVE. COASTAL DRIVE was beaten by twenty-three metres but he came from six back on the markers and he was doing well to make up ground in the final 300m. TECHY CREED came from fifth to finish in fourth position and also showed some promise in a trial that might prove to be a good form reference.
Mile Rate: - 1.56.8 Last Half: - 56.24 Margins: - 17m, 6m
BLACKBOOKER: - Cigano
Trial 8: - MISS AUSTRALIANA was another classy juvenile performer produced by trainer Clayton Tonkin. She trailed the leader, came away from the markers on the home turn and finished off best to win in fast time. SCHWARZ began quickly to find the lead, set up the genuine tempo and was run down late. FAIRPLAY finished a distant third but came from five back on the markers and commenced his forward move from the 600m mark.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.8 Last Half: - 56.88 Margins: - 3.5m, 25m
BLACKBOOKER: - Miss Australiana
Trial 9: - SOME AMERICAN was out three horses wide early, progressed forward to race without cover and got to the lead at the 1100m. He was able to win untouched over the former New Zealander SHOWSOMEJOY NZ, which led out then took cover. OUR STORM GIRL moved up into the one out and one back trail at the bell and worked into a distant third.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Last Half: - 55.88 Margins: - 5m, 19m
Trial 10: - APOLLOSTORM galloped on his debut but he has been extremely good at the trials and produced another victory after leading throughout, seemingly with plenty in reserve. VINEY settled three back on the inside and moved into the death seat at the 600m. He battled on well for second with BLUEART coming from five back on the inside to run into third position.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.8 Last Half: - 57.14 Margins: - 5.5m, 3.5m
Trial 11: - CELEBRITY ROYAL began quickly and was without cover early before pushing forward to find the lead. He ran along at a genuine tempo and remained strong at the finish to gain the prize. PERFECT IN PINK settled four back on the markers and moved to the outside at the 600m mark. She loomed as a big winning chance in the straight but couldn’t get past her stable mate in the run to the post. DEUCE COUPE NZ finished third after leading out then taking cover and YOUNGGIFTEDANDBLACK NZ came from sixth to pick up fourth position.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.9 Last Half: - 56.02 Margins: - Neck, 20m
Trial 13: - BENBULLAN produced another trial victory after his impressive performance a week earlier. He gained a one out and one back trail, came out three horses wide at the 900m and it appeared as though he would win by a large margin when he drew to the front but he either switched off in the straight or peaked and was just able to hold off the late closers. PERSHING trailed the leader early, ended up being fifth on the inside and finished off nicely over the latter stages. IMAGINATION ORO finished third after settling last on the markers and EYECON NZ finished fast from last on the outside to pick up fourth.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.5 Last Half: - 59.81 Margins: - 1.5m, 2.5m
