Another Lochinvar has taken the eye on the trials circuit this week, with Craig Rail impressed by Lochinvar Jag's hit-out at Shepparton on March 4, earning David Moran's two-year-old a Blackbook berth ahead of his first start.

Stablemate of the brilliant Lochinvar Art, the trainer-driver's latest Kevin Gordon-owned prospect won his trial by a neck over Almost Ident Eagle, and according to Rail "appears to be a big chance at Swan Hill on Tuesday night".

Scoll to the bottom for Craig Rail's updated Blacbook and enjoy the 100th edition of his Trial File, which continues to take a close look at the Victorian trials circuit.

SHEPPARTON 04/03/21

Trial 1: - IAMTHEFIRECRACKER settled sixth on the outside (1-2) and pulled very hard throughout the middle stages. He came out four horses wide from the 500m and finished off solidly to win nicely. UPRIGHT put in an eye-catching trial performance to finish in second position. He settled fifth on the inside, raced keenly in the slow early tempo, ran up into a dead-end on the home turn and gained a run through the middle late. He went to the line hard held in second position. LOPEZ gained a one out and one back trail and came to the outside to make her run when leaving the back straight on the final occasion. She finished in third position in preparation for her effort at Melton on Saturday night with YELLOW STONE being fourth after trailing the leader. ROCKWITH THEDEVIL was left stranded on the outside of the leader SHAKATIE throughout but was able beat that mare to the line with MAIDBETTORFORYOU  (Bettors Delight – Maid For You Lombo 2.2.6, $19,115) being the last horse on the markers throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.4            Final Half: - 58.0               Margins: - 4m, 4m

BLACKBOOKER: - Upright (replay below)

Trial 2: - LOCHINVAR JAG (Art Major – Lombo Cloud Nine 1.55.3, $102,310) settled fourth on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the quarter pole and moved out three horses wide on the home turn. He looked to be bolting on the home turn and raced a little greenly when he hit the front but he was able to get the job done. He appears to be a big chance at Swan Hill on Tuesday night. ALMOST IDENT EAGLE (McCardle – Amarooka Fire 2.0.7, $4,120) produced a big effort to finish in second position. He galloped at the start and lost 20m, settled sixth on the markers and ran home strongly late through the middle. Both the winner and the runner up appear to be worth following. ALWAYS BE CHLOE began quickly to lead, took a trail and finished in third position ahead of GUARANTEED SECRET (Guaranteed – Secret Bonus 2.4.1, $4,224), which settled three back on the markers and moved up without cover with 600m remaining. APHRODISIAC was out of position at the start, lost 25m, settled seventh on the inside and was able to work past WATCH THE ATTITUDE (Racing Hill – Annabella Crabtree), which was without cover and pushed to the lead at the 1400m with BELLACAVALLO (Sportswriter – Dana Dynasty 1.59.4, $32,732) (5 back markers, 1-1 at 600m) being the last of the seven horses to greet the judge.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.1            Final Half: - 61.0               Margins: - Neck, 6m

BLACKBOOKER: - Lochinvar Jag (replay below)

Trial 3: - COUNT BACARDI settled four back on the inside, moved away from the markers on the home turn and ducked back to the inside in the straight. He was able to accelerate nicely and dashed past IMA DESTROYER in the run to the finish. He is awkwardly drawn but should run a good race at Shepparton on Monday. IMA DESTROYER ran a nice trial in a lead up to her heat performance in the Home Grown Classic at Maryborough on Thursday, where she finished second. She began quickly and trailed the leader, moved to the outside at the 300m and hit the lead in the straight before being run down late but the winner COUNT BACARDI is assessed as a National Ratings 64 so she took on a handy type. HADTOBEHARRY (Majestic Son – To Let Fly) began quickly and attempted to lead all of the way. He looked to be travelling nicely throughout but broke stride as soon as IMA DESTROYER moved to his outside to pursue. JOHNYBGOOD (Bacardi Lindy – Prinkipessa 2.6.1, $21,850) broke stride in the score up and lost 40m early. He beat home STARLIGHT RUBY (Yankee Spider – Starlights Child 2.2.2, $60,315), which broke at the start and SHEZA SAILOR (Roll With Joe – Numismatic), which settled three back on the markers before making an error at the mile marker.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.8            Final Half: - 60.8               Margins: - 2m, 25m

Trial 4: - YORKSHIRE pulled hard in the score up before racing without cover in the early stages. He worked to the lead with 1400m remaining and held off the challenge of RETURN SOLDIER in the straight. RETURN SOLDIER gained a one out and one back trail, moved into the death seat at the 1400m, trailed the leader at the 800m and moved away from the markers in the home straight. He tried hard but found YORKSHIRE to be too strong on the night. HEREHECOMES settled five back on the markers and moved into the running lane (1-2) but with several changes mid-race, was left without cover with a half mile remaining. He battled on fairly well in the straight to finish in third position. TIDAL SURGE was three back on the inside and moved into the one out and one back trail with 800m remaining. He finished in fourth position ahead of COSTLY MISTAKE, which trailed the leader and ended up being three back on the markers when YORKSHIRE found the top. CHEVRON FLIES began quickly to lead, took a trail and started yielding ground just after the bell. NUREYEV settled four back on the markers and was under pressure from the 700m.

Mile Rate: - 2.0.8            Final Half: - 58.2               Margins: - 2m, 8m

Trial 5: - CMON CARL LEE was slow to begin but was able to jump in second position and was able to catch up to MALHANA MUSCLES (Down Under Muscles – Hanabration 2.6.9, $6,119) with 1500m remaining. He moved away from the inside at the quarter pole and ran to the lead on the home turn. He drew away to win easily and went to the line under a strong hold. MALHANA MUSCLES stepped away nicely from the stand and tried hard in the latter stages but he was taking on the winner of three races and he is yet to make his debut. The juvenile trotter IM BOBBY (Majestic Son – Aldebaran Peggy) began slowly and was always detached from the leading pair.

Mile Rate: - 2.10.7          Final Half: - 60.8               Margins: - 15m, Distanced

Trial 6: - ROCKS CAN ROLL settled three back on the inside, gained a clear passage on the home turn and finished off strongly to snare victory on the line. MADE TO ROCK trailed the leader and used the sprint lane to finish a close second. Both the winner and the second placed horse hit the line strongly. MADE TO ROCK is resuming from a spell at Shepparton on Monday, where he takes on a reasonable field. STORMTIDE attempted to lead throughout and was gunned down over the concluding stages. SUMMERDAYS (Village Jolt – Catchthat 2.1.8, $22,165) settled four back on the inside and finished in fourth position ahead of JANG PEL, which settled five back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail then made his move with 300m remaining. VIGORISH (Roll With Joe – Miss Marron) settled down last before popping off the markers at the quarter pole (1-2). He finished sixth ahead of ROLLING REMONA (Pet Rock – Our Miss Vivienne 1.56.1, $83,960), which was without cover early, restrained to last then moved up without cover again from the 1100m.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.2            Final Half: - 59.2               Margins: - Head, 6m

CRANBOURNE 06/03/21

Trial 1: - MAMMA KASS (Rock N Roll Heaven – Star Chaser 2.1.1, $27,883) began nicely and was able to work to the front shortly after the start. She was unchallenged throughout and scored comfortably in the run to the finish. CAPTAIN MCRAW trailed the leader and held his ground over the latter stages to finish in second position. BUNDISGOOD settled down three back on the markers but was becoming detached from the leaders shortly after the bell and finished a distant third. DESDEMORA broke in the score up and lost approximately 60m in the early stages. She did pick up a lot of ground in the final circuit, despite finishing a distant fourth. CALDERS DAY OUT (Muscle Hill – Missy Calder 2.4.1, $19,096) also made an early error and settled back with DESDEMORA in the early stages but couldn’t go with that mare late. WICKED LIQUOR began in second position but galloped 100m after the start. She was back with DESDEMORA and CALDERS DAY OUT with the field being split in two divisions of three runners but she broke stride again with 500m remaining and failed to complete the course.

Mile Rate: - 2.7.4            Final Half: - 60.5               Margins: - 8m, 25m

Trial 2: - COMMANDER BUZZ (Betting Line – Star Chaser 2.1.1, $27,883) is a half brother to many winners including the former outstanding pacer and now sire Safari. He settled three back on the inside, moved into the death seat with 500m remaining and proved too strong in the run to the finish. CAUGHT OUT (Shadow Play – Sheila Blige 1.59.4, $49,144) finished in second position after trying to lead throughout and THE FALCON PRINCE finished last of the three runners after trailing the leader for the majority of the journey.

Mile Rate: - Not Given   Final Half: - Not Given    Margins: - Not Given

ARARAT 06/03/21

Trial 1: - GHANASUYA prepared for his effort at Charlton on Sunday with a narrow trial victory over the qualifier MUCKINBAR DIVA (Shadow Play – Muckinbar Lady 1.57.2, $57,725). MUCKINBAR DIVA is nicely bred and will make her debut at Swan Hill on Tuesday night. The Peter Manning trained pair RIGHTYO (Well Said – Christian Miracle 1.55.2, $47,538) and MANGANA JOE (Majestic Son – Garston Girl 1.57.3, $65,570) finished third and fourth respectively.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.0            Final Half: - 61.9               Margins: - Neck, 60m

Trial 2: - GOTTAHAVEAHOBBIE was able to take out the second trial over CROSSROADER. He backed up at Melton on Wednesday night and had clear run over the concluding stages. CROSSROADER has had little luck at Mildura recently and broke stride at his latest run on that track. He was stood down to trial and finished in second position ahead of the trotters DUBLIN CHUBB and ELLEN RUVAL.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.0            Final Half: - 60.0               Margins: - 5m, 5m

MARYBOROUGH 07/03/21

Trial 1: - OHOKA MAXIMUS dropped back to the tail end of the field in the early stages, moved into the running lane in the back straight (1-2) and came out four horses wide on the home turn. He produced a big finish and charged away from his rivals to win easily. CANDY MANDY began quickly to lead early, took a trail and used the sprint lane to work into second position. She ran a reasonable race at Maryborough on Thursday, where she finished sixth after working hard early.  TWILIGHT WILLY settled five back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m mark and came out three horses wide on the turn. He finished third ahead of FINAL BOW (Bitobliss – Georgina Bow), which settled four back on the inside and used the sprint lane. STARZZZ ON HIGH was the first to move away from the inside from three back on the markers at the 500m mark. She finished fifth ahead of IDYLLIC PRINCESS, which attempted to lead throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.2            Final Half: - 60.1               Margins: - 15m, 1m

Trial 2: - BONNIE BELLE began quickly to lead and backed off the tempo in the early stages. She went quickly in the final 800m and scored by a large margin. TELL A TALL STORY tailed the leader, moved away from the inside in the back straight but couldn’t go with BONNIE BELLE and switched back to the markers. She finished second and TELEMACHUS was last of the three runners throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.6.0            Final Half: - 57.9               Margins: - 15m, 25m

Trial 3: - VICTORY GEORGE (Western Terror – The Georgia Peach $4,990) began quickly to lead and backed off the tempo in the early stages. He always appeared to be in control and dashed home in a handy final 800m to score comfortably. He backed up with a second placed effort after trailing the leader throughout at Maryborough on Thursday. HELLO I TEA (Guaranteed – Witchwaywendy 1.57.0, $40,050) trailed the leader, came to the outside and held her ground in the straight. She wasn’t fully extended going to the line and showed some ability. PHIL ROCKS (Pet Rock – Phils Grinning 1.59.0, $6,938) was three back on the markers throughout and finished a distant third ahead of NERO STRIDE (Bettors Delight – Death And Taxes 1.58.1, $125,300), which broke stride at the start, lost 15m and moved into the death seat with 900m remaining. TASSIEDEVIL STRIDE (Rock N Roll Heaven – Artful Lombo 2.5.3, $7,390) settled four back on the markers and ended up being the last horse to cross the line.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.2            Final Half: - 58.4               Margins: - 4m, 15m

Trial 4: - COULD DOWITHARAIN settled three back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 600m mark and was able to grind out a victory. He backed up with a fourth placed effort in a heat of the Home Grown Classic on Thursday. TELEPHONE TILLY settled four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail behind COULD DOWITHARAIN and came to the outside in the home straight. She picked up some ground and wasn’t beaten by far. MAKIN GOOD was the third horse to cross the line after showing good early speed to lead early. SMART CHA CHA trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and finished fourth with SETTLE THE BILL (Danny Bouchea – No Dispute 2.10.4, $4,388) being last throughout after trotting very roughly at several stages of the event.

Mile Rate: - 2.10.7          Final Half: - 61.6               Margins: - 1m, 2m

Trial 5: - COMANDANTE settled three back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 1300m and was able to hold on and get the prize narrowly from YES MAATE, which ran home determinedly. He settled six back on the inside, moved up without cover at the 1700m, gained a one out and one back trail shortly afterwards and came out three horses wide on the home turn. EVERYSECONDCOUNTS attempted to lead throughout but was run down over the final stages and finished a close up third. DYNAMIC DIESEL was four back on the markers, worked through to trail the leader at the 700m mark and filled fourth spot with TURTLE being in fifth position for most of the journey. FORGOT TO REMEMBER trailed the leader early, moved away from the markers at the 900m mark and broke stride shortly afterwards hence finished a distant last. The winner COMANDANTE is racing at Shepparton on Monday, where he is likely to go forward at the start.

Mile Rate: - 2.8.1            Final Half: - 61.0               Margins: - ½ head, 1.5m

Trial 6: - MAJESTIC JEWEL began very fast and led clearly. She set up a slow tempo and was able to win without being extended at any stage. MY HONEY DON’T settled in fourth position and moved away from the markers on the home turn. She battled on nicely for second ahead of CHARLIE WALKER, which was three back on the markers, got held up for a run at a vital stage and finished off well in the final 100m. SHIPS SUCCESS stepped away well and ended up trailing the leader. He finished fourth ahead of MISTER RICHARD CEE, which reared at the start and was tailed off for the remainder of the trip. SURBITON ARMISTICE broke shortly after the tapes released and was always a large distance from the main division.

Mile Rate: - 2.8.9            Final Half: - 59.3               Margins: - 6m, 12m

KYABRAM 07/03/21

Trial 1: - STORMBOY STAR (Follow The Stars – We Remember) backed up his smart trial win at Echuca a week earlier with a victory over DESIRE TO LIVE, which hasn’t raced since breaking stride and finishing unplaced at Mildura in November. MILLY PETONE finished in third position ahead of the qualifier UNFORBIDDEN (Roll With Joe – The Mistral) with SPIDER DUNBAR being the last of the five starters to pass the winning post. STORMBOY STAR is scheduled to make his debut at Swan Hill on Tuesday night.

Mile Rate: - 2.11.0          Final Half: - Not Given    Margins: - 5m, 2m

Trial 2: - WINGING GRIN has been unplaced in two starts since April 2020. He took out the second trial by a comfortable margin over ANGUS BROMAC, which hasn’t started since May with the unraced gelding VILLAGE FLING (Fling It – Bonnie Cheval) being in third position. KEAYANG REMI has had several different trainers in her career of nine starts to date and has now joined Michael Watt. She finished fourth with ROWANROLLMILLAR being the last one home.

Mile Rate: - 2.7.5            Final Half: - 62.3               Margins: - 3m, 4m

Trial 3: - LOYOLA TRIOS has recently returned from Queensland and followed up an Echuca trial victory with a win in the last trial of the morning. He defeated HEEZAITTLECAESAR with the unraced mare CRYSTAL FLAME (Courage Under Fire – Crystal Reign 2.3.3, $33,714) being in third position. VILLANELLE and NUREYEV were fourth and fifth respectively.

Mile Rate: - 2.7.5            Final Half: - 61.9               Margins: - 10m, 5m

TABCORP PARK, MELTON 09/03/21

Trial 1: - GATESYS GIFT produced a tidy performance after galloping at the start and losing 30m. He was last on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m mark and finished off too well in the run to the finish. LUTETIA settled four back on the inside, moved up without cover at the 500m mark and hit the lead in the straight. She finished in second position with the juvenile trotter ALDEBARAN DEMI (Aldebaran Eagle – Aldebaran Maori 2.1.7, $74,581) being third after trailing the leader and using the sprint lane. DREAM OVER was three back on the inside early but quickly forward to lead at the 500m. He couldn’t sustain the run and finished fourth with the early leader BEE BEE BEROC (Majestic Son – Jumanji Franco) being the last one home after losing concentration, hanging in and galloping with 800m remaining.

Mile Rate: - 2.12.6          Final Half: - 61.40    Margins: - Head, 4.5m

Trial 2: - ORLANDOS PRINCESS began very fast and led the field clearly. She ran along at an even speed and established a good lead mid-race before just holding on at the finish. CHIEF RUNNINGCLOUD commenced from the handicap of 20m and settled last on the markers. He was out four horses wide on the home turn and finished strongly for second with FREMARKSPOETRY (4 back markers) also running to the line well but not as fast as CHIEF RUNNINGCLOUD over the latter stages. ROSANNA LINDY settled three back on the inside, moved up without cover on the turn and finished fourth ahead of GATESYS ALLEY, which trailed the leader throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.6            Final Half: - 60.53    Margins: - 1/2neck, 1/2neck

Trial 3: - ALDEBARAN MISTY (Skyvalley – Mason Magic) is a juvenile trotter and was taking on the 3yo’s. She trailed the leader and moved to the outside with 300m remaining. Even though it was a small field and the time was about average, she might be worth following as she always travelled nicely in the run and she jogged up the straight to win comfortably. THE SARGENT attempted to lead throughout and finished in second position with FRENCH COMMANDO (Love You – Shes Commando 2.1.2, $91,642) being last throughout, galloping and losing all chance at the half mile marker. THE SARGENT backed up to finish second in a heat of the Home Grown Classic at Maryborough on Thursday, which adds further merit to the performance of ALDEBARAN MISTY.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.1            Final Half: - 61.79    Margins: - 1.5m, 164m

BLACBOOKER: - Aldebaran Misty

Trial 4: - BORNTOBOOM (Betterthancheddar – Infinite Grace 2.3.7, $4,000) began quickly to lead, took a trail and came to the outside with 500m remaining. He was able to get the better of the leader OOGA CHAKA (Art Major – Miss Mach Kana 1.59.2, $13,311) in the home straight and scored with seemingly plenty in reserve. OOGA CHAKA showed good gate speed to lead and went down fighting in second position. JAY MILLER (Art Major – Birds Can Sing USA 1.57.7, $6,375) settled in fourth position, moved out three horses wide when leaving the back straight and finished a distant third. VALIANT STRIDE (Betting Line – Arma Dominator 2.1.7, $15,910) gained the perfect trip after moving through to trail the leader from three back on the markers at the 500m mark. He finished fourth ahead of SYMPHONY STRIDE (Well Said – Spicy Stride 1.52.8, $184,635), which settled in last position and MIKI MELODY (Always B Miki – I’m Living The Dream 1.57.4, $103,431) started off the second line before settling five back on the markers and finishing at the tail of the field.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.9            Final Half: - 58.6               Margins: - 5.5m, 17m

BLACKBOOKER: - Borntoboom

Trial 5: - STRATEGIC STRIDE (Love You – Glory Stride) was able to trot to the lead at the start, ran along at an even tempo and raced away to win easily. ALGORITHM (Great Success – Jumanji Franco) settled three back on the markers, trailed the leader from the bell and finished a distant second. WAR DAN STRIKES trailed the leader, broke stride with a lap remaining and was retired out of the trial. He galloped mid-race again at Maryborough on Thursday.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.1            Final Half: - 61.58    Margins: - 70m, Retired

Trial 6: - CHEVRON ACTION began quickly to lead and dominated her two rivals. She was driven hard to the line and was given a good hit-out but she dashed home in a slick final quarter of 28.35 seconds and was extending nicely over the latter stages. She looms as a big chance at Shepparton on Monday. EMERALD HILL trailed the leader and was doing his best to hold onto the back of CHEVRON ACTION approaching the home turn but broke stride and lost his opportunity to finish closer. MYRNIONG STAR (Lawman – Lincoln Bay) settled three back on the inside, started to lose ground from the bell and was retired out of the trial shortly afterwards.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.8            Final Half: - 57.81    Margins: - 53m, Retired

Trial 7: - STRAPPING RED (Stunin Cullen – Littlemisshollywood) settled three back on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m mark. She came out three horses wide on the home turn and produced a good finish in a slick final quarter of 28.32 seconds to win nicely. STORM STRIDE (Excel Stride – Scarlet Stride) trailed the leader and moved up without cover from the 600m to finish in second position with the early leader HAVEYOUMETDAISY (Allamerican Ingot – Illawong Libby 1.59.0, $34,616) being in third. IDEAL MELODY (American Ideal – Miss Athens 2.0.3, $64,955) was four back on the markers throughout and beat home LA KERINGLE (Betting Line – Soho Socialize), which broke at the start and lost 30m in the early stages.

Mile Rate: - 2.0.7            Final Half: - 58.38    Margins: - 1.5m, 2m

BLACKBOOKER: - Strapping Red

Trial 8: - Abandoned

Trial 9: - BULLETPROOF BOY began quickly to find the markers then took cover behind ARDEN VOYAGER. He moved to the outside of the leader at the quarter pole and hit the lead on the home turn. He appeared to be in danger of defeat in the home straight but fought hard and was able to kick back to score narrowly. TECHYS ANGEL settled three back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 400m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. She loomed up to win but was worried out of the prize. It was still a very good performance considering she is a National Ratings 76 assessed pacer and the winner BULLETPROOF BOY is a 99. ARDEN VOYAGER attempted to lead throughout but was collared on the home turn and finished a distant third. The open class trotter PANTZUP was last of the four runners throughout.

Mile Rate: - 1.55.9          Final Half: - 55.99    Margins: - ½ Neck, 28m

Trial 10: - COLERNE raced without cover before pushing forward to find the lead at the 1700m mark. She finished off in a good last quarter and was able to cling on to get the prize. LA CAPTAIN led out then took a trail and used the sprint lane in the straight. He was flying through at the finish and missed out by a narrow margin. CLASSY COUNTESS began well and was behind the leader early. She ended up being three back on the markers and moved up into the one out and one back trail at the 400m mark. She came out three horses wide on the home turn and held her ground in the home straight to finish in third position. She is awkwardly drawn at Cranbourne tonight. YELLOW BOW was three then four back on the markers and finished fourth ahead of TACTIC STRIDE (He’s Watching – Gina Stride), which galloped away and lost 15m at the start. He settled down last and moved away from the inside at the 700m mark. MAMBA (Rock N Roll Heaven – Mesmerizing 1.57.9, $179,221) settled five back on the inside and broke stride at the 1100m. He lost his chance thereafter and was the last horse to pass the post.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.8            Final Half: - 58.94    Margins: - 1/2Neck, 5.5m

Trial 11: - IDEAL DAN continued his strong trial form with a runaway victory. He raced without cover, moved to the lead at the 1700m and rolled away over the final stages. HY LEINVINCIBLE was four back on the markers and ran home strongly through the middle late to pick up second position. JO ROCKS settled down last of the five competitors, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. She was third ahead of DEADLY ERROR, which was behind the leader early before being shuffled to three back on the markers and EUROKING was the last horse home after leading out then taking a trail.

Mile Rate: - 1.59.2          Final Half: - 57.92    Margins: - 22m, 2m

Trial 12: - NIVEKALON EAGLE (Shadow Play – Piece of my Heart 1.55.3, $41,112) is the first foal out of the fast race mare Piece of my Heart and appears to have some ability. He was able to defeat the former New South Wales pacer GRAPHITE STRIDE, which was unplaced in two starts for trainer Darren Binskin at Menangle before heading to Victoria. They clash at Shepparton on Monday and there hasn’t been much separating them at their past two trial attempts. SOMETHING BETTOR finished a close up third in a thrilling finish with VAPAR FIRE being the last of the four horses to cross the line.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.6            Final Half: - 58.83    Margins: - Head, ½ neck

Trial 13: - YANNERIE was racing in excellent form through the Winter months last year and had one start back from a spell in January where she finished unplaced and was given another short break. She recorded fast time in her trial victory so she might be getting back into some form but she is very awkwardly drawn at Shepparton on Monday. MISS BLUE GLORY has only had a couple of attempts since coming from Queensland and hasn’t raced since August. She finished second ahead of STINGRAY TARA, which makes his return to the race track at Cranbourne tonight. HIT THE SKY filled fourth spot ahead of LENARD ESS, which returns to trainer Jess Tubbs after a short stint with Taylah Nicholson. TANGOINGWITHSIERRA and MANTHADEE were sixth and seventh respectively in a quality trial.

Mile Rate: - 1.58.7          Final Half: - 58.19    Margins: - 5.5m, 2.5m

Trial 14: - MISTER MACEDON backed up from his trial third at Melton a week earlier with a narrow victory over MEGIDDO with the Ken Tippet trained qualifier RONZEL SONNY (Sunshine Beach – Ronzel Gem 1.57.9, $35,795) being in third position. CALYPSO MISTRESS hasn’t raced since galloping and being stood down to trial at Ararat in December but finished in third position with the Lance Justice prepared JUMPSTART being fifth. JOLTED JOURNEY was the last of the six horses to finish in the final trial on the program.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.4            Final Half: - 60.27    Margins: - Neck, 4m