Opportunity knocks across the TAB Summer of Glory with a number of Trial File Blackbookers stepping into the Melton spotlight.
While Blackbooker Gotfeelingsyouknow was unfortunately scratched from tonight's opening race, Keayang Chucky will step out in the last - the Allied Express Trot.
And Saturday night's card kicks off with a Blackbooker double, with Rakero Rebel and Our Lady Lara stepping out in gates two and four of the Mimosa Homes Pace.
Rakero Rebel will be having her second start for Jess Tubbs since the mare crossed the Tasman, having run sixth last Saturday night, while Our Lady Lara's chasing a fourth win on the trot for Dean Braun.
A further four Blackbooker were added this week, all via the Ballarat trials. Highlights and replays below. The updated Blackbooker is at the bottom of the page.
MILDURA 25/01/23
(Results in this report are as broadcast on the day).
Trial 1: - CUTTY SARK progressed forward to find the lead and was just able to hold off the challenge of ELECTRIC EYE, which led out then took a trail. BETTORS BEACH was last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - Not given Last Half: - Not given Margins: - head, distanced (approx)
Trial 2: - DON’T WRITE ME OFF progressed forward to find the lead and scored with something in hand. PINK SCOOTER dropped out to be last of the five runners early, moved to the outside at the 700m and did well to finish second. She makes her debut at Swan Hill on Tuesday night. TURNTHETABLES finished in third after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Last Half: - Not Given Margins: - 6m, 10m (approx)
Trial 3: - SIR ROMAN settled last of the three runners early before circling around the field and finding the lead at the 1200m. He ran away from his rivals to win by a large margin. He usually races without the hopples but he had them on for the trial event. MAJOR SHOOBEE finished second after leading out then taking cover and PUMPT was last of the three runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Last Half: - Not Given Margins: - 40m, 1m (approx)
CRANBOURNE 26/01/23
Trial 1: - GROOM began fast and was able to scoot to the lead in the early stages. He ran along at an even tempo and scored by a large margin. BULLETPROOF KID settled last of the five runners before being a distant fourth at the 1100m. He continued to make ground in the final circuit and ran a handy second. He backed up at Yarra Valley on Thursday and finished unplaced after settling in the second half of the field. The handy trotter KHEIRON filled third spot after settling three back on the inside and coming to the outside at the 800m mark.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Last Half: - 59.2 Margins: - 52m, 2m
Trial 3: - INVITATION ONLY is a very smart former New Zealand pacer, which recently joined trainer Jason Grimson. He was given a very good hit-out after running to the lead early and continuing on at a rapid rate. He makes his Australian debut in the 4yo Bonanza at Melton tomorrow night, where he takes on the boom pacer Captain Ravishing. POST GAME finished second after trailing the leader throughout and PATSBEACHSTORM did well to pick up ground from last of the five runners and fill third spot.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.5 Last Half: - 56.7 Margins: - 4m, 7m
BACCHUS MARSH 28/01/23
Trial 2: - OOH AH LISTAH continues to perform well at the trials and at the races. He was able to win his trial over a handy field by a good margin. DELWYNS SON finished second with QUICK DAN being twenty metres back in third position.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Last Half: - 58.0 Margins: - 10m, 20m
Trial 4: - FIVE STAR SHARK was runner up at his first run back from a break and was able to keep the momentum going with a victory over SOMEGLITZSOMEWHERE, which finished in second position with MY JUSTICE being in third and HARPOCRATES in fourth. FIVE STAR SHARK attempted to lead throughout at Yarra Valley on Thursday and finished second behind Feel The Buzz.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.7 Last Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 5m, 2m
Trial 7: - GEE CEE CALDER hasn’t raced since a fifth at Cranbourne in August. He was able to take out the final trial in reasonable time over the unraced gelding LAVENGERS BOY, which is by Kvintet Avenger FIN. ROSIES PRIDE finished in third position and was well ahead of CAPTAIN GRAYWOOD.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Last Half: - 62.0 Margins: - 4m, 8m
MARYBOROUGH 29/01/23
Trial 1: - RUBY WINGATE was able to lead throughout and win the open class trial by a comfortable margin. She is backing up at Melton tomorrow night and is taking on a very good field. NOTHINGBUTWAVES settled five back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 300m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. She finished off well for second and backs up in the Gold Chalice at Melton tomorrow night. EAGLE WATCH NZ came from last and ran home well for an eye-catching third in a strong trial to commence the morning.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.5 Last Half: - 56.6 Margins: - 4m, 1m
Trial 2: - VICTREE HILL settled five back on the inside early, ended up being four back then moved to the outside at the 700m mark. He sprinted sharply to find the lead at the 600m and dashed well clear in the run to the finish. He is taking on a strong field at Melton tomorrow night but he has a powerful finishing burst. BAARLINEE was three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the quarter pole and worked home well for second. GOODTIMEDONTHESASH gained a nice trail and finished in third position.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.0 Last Half: - 59.5 Margins: - 20m, head
Trial 3: - LOST FOUR WORDS began brilliantly to find the lead, ran along at a genuine tempo and scored comfortably in fast time. JOSIE ELLA trailed the leader throughout and finished in second position with MISSMALACHITE being a distant third after settling three back on the inside.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.9 Last Half: - 55.9 Margins: - 15m, 10m
Trial 5: - SOAR continued his good trial form with a narrow but impressive victory. He settled down sixth on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the bell and finished off best without being pushed. He makes his debut for trainer Trevor Patching at Maryborough on Monday and is not without a chance. OUTA THE BLUE recently returned from Queensland and finished second after moving into the death seat from fourth at the bell. PETREOS finished third after setting the speed.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.6 Last Half: - 57.3 Margins: - Head, ½ head
ECHUCA 29/01/23
Trial 1: - TINO TERE MAORI settled four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m and ran home well. He was able to get up and defeat UPRIGHT, which settled three back on the inside and moved into the death seat at the 500m. EYE SEE PHILTRA (trailed leader) was third across the line and the early leader MARAKO SHARK finished fourth.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.0 Last Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 3m, 10m
SHEPPARTON 31/01/23
Trial 1: - WESTERN SONADOR progressed forward to find the lead then took cover at the 1500m. He switched into the sprint lane and was able to jog through to win with plenty in reserve. FYNN FROST NZ settled five back on the inside, gained the one out and one back trail at the 600m and finished off fast for second. COCORA settled three back on the inside, circled around to find the lead at the 1300m and battled on fairly well for third.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.8 Last Half: - 56.6 Margins: - 2m, 1m
Trial 6: - IM TERRORTORIAL NZ was formerly prepared by trainer Brent Lilley and is now with Rodney Petroff. He settled down last of the six runners, came out very wide on the home turn and finished off best to win untouched. FRANKIE FIREFLY finished second after settling four back on the inside and moving into the death seat at the 600m mark. TACTFILLY MAGIC was third after being five back on the inside and moving into the one out and one back trail behind FRANKIE FIREFLY.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Last Half: - 59.1 Margins: - Head, Neck
BALLARAT 31/01/23
Trial 3: - FERRIGNO is a son of Sweet Lou for trainer John Justice and created a big impression. He settled four back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 700m and powered past the leaders to win by a large margin. MAJOR SAMIR raced without cover, pushed forward to lead at the 1300m and battled on fairly well for second with LOCHINVAR CAMILA being third after leading out then taking cover.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.1 Last Half: - 58.6 Margins: - 30m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: - Ferrigno
Trial 5: - SUPREME DOMINATOR NZ trailed the leader, angled out three horses wide on the home turn and finished off best to win nicely. DOUGS BABE began quickly to find the lead, finished off in a slick final half but was run down by a good horse on the day. She is poorly drawn in the Ladyship Cup at Melton tomorrow night but will run her usual honest race. The former New Zealander ULTIMATE MISSILE NZ finished a close third after settling three back on the pegs, moving to the outside at the 500m and battling on well at the finish. He has a National Rating of 55 and the two horses that finished ahead of him both have ratings of over 100 so he is worth following.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.0 Last Half: - 56.6 Margins: - 1.5m, nose
BLACKBOOKER: - Ultimate Missile NZ
Trial 6: - COMPETE settled six back on the markers, came out very wide on the home turn and produced a big finishing burst to win very impressively. JO LYNSUE trailed the leader, moved to the outside at the 300m mark and hit the lead on the turn. She finished second with ROYAL SAXON being third across the line after moving into the death seat from fourth at the 400m mark.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.2 Last Half: - 57.7 Margins: - 8m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: - Compete
Trial 8: - HIGH PROFILE began quickly to find the lead, ran along at a reasonable tempo and was able to win convincingly. MISTER MCLINTOCK NZ settled three back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 500m and battled on well for second. The beautifully bred colt GAWN trailed the leader throughout and went to the line jogging with no clear run so he appears to have a lot of ability.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.2 Last Half: - 57.2 Margins: - 3m, head
BLACKBOOKER: - Gawn
Trial 9: - CHRISSY CHIC is a former New South Wales pacer, which has joined trainer Emma Stewart. She speared to the lead shortly after the start and ran along at a very genuine tempo before racing clear to win by a large margin. She makes her debut for the new stable at Maryborough on Monday and will prove very hard to beat, despite drawing awkwardly. FARADY HANOVER USA settled three back on the inside, moved to the outside at the 300m mark and finished off well for second. SOLESSEO MATUCA finished last of the three runners but wasn’t extended at any stage of the event and was given a soft hit-out for his effort in the 4yo Bonanza on Saturday night.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.8 Last Half: - 57.0 Margins: - 12m, 2m
