Two more go in to the Blackbook as Bendigo, Maryborough, Tabcorp Park Melton and Ballarat trials get the Trial File treatment.
Scroll to the bottom for Craig Rail's updated Blackbook, including engagements.
BENDIGO 22/03/20
Trial 1: - FRATELLINO settled three back on the markers and obtained an inside run before the home turn before coming to the outside of the leader in the straight when he got home best to score. JAY BEE FLEX was able to jump to the lead at the start and kicked on well but was grabbed right on the line. GOOROC GAMBLER trailed the leader for most of the journey before coming to the outside approaching the home turn. He tried hard in the straight but couldn’t match the leading duo. TRUMPIT LIL was slowly into stride and ended up being four back on the markers approximately 25m behind the leader. She finished fourth ahead of the juvenile trotter WATCH AND ACT (Skyvalley – Misty Elle), which settled about 15m behind her.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.6 Final Half: - 58.5 Margins: - Head, 12m
Trial 2: - VALKYRIE was a good winner after she settled four back on the markers before getting inconvenienced on the home turn and dashing home out wide on the track in the latter stages. TREACHEROUS SAINT (Captaintreacherous – Saint Theory 2.1.8, $14,104) tried to lead throughout and was run down in the final 30m. BEACH COMBER (Somebeachsomewhere – Dream A Rainbow) trailed the leader and broke stride before the home turn but recovered to finish third. OZZIE DAYBREAK (Dawn Ofa New Day – Miss Laura Jane 1.56.8, $146,545) settled three back on the inside before moving up without cover at the 600m. He was inconvenienced by BEACH COMBER on the turn but finished fourth in front of ABBIE LINCOLN (Art Major – Jaz Equity 1.57.5, $54,023), which was last throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.4 Final Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 2m, 1m
Trial 3: - TIGER FOR LIFE dashed to the front in the early stages and was able to lead throughout to defeat LOLA DEVEREAUX, which moved into the death seat from three back on the markers at the 500m mark. FLAMING FIVES settled down last and followed LOLA DEVEREAUX all of the way. She never peeled to the outside at any stage and could have finished closer. JAYBEEOHDEE (Angus Hall – Maori Vale 1.59.5, $35,615) galloped in the score up, ended up behind the leader but yielded ground to finish last of the four runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.0 Final Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 4m, 4m
Trial 4: - ORBIE began very quickly from a wide draw and was able to angle in behind the leader POLLY PEACHUM around the first corner. She sprinted home nicely off a good trail and proved too strong in the run to the finish with POLLY PEACHUM holding down second. CALYPSO MISTRESS settled four back on the markers and finished third ahead of RINELLA (Village Jasper – Sharnica), which settled one position ahead of her. SIMPLY HEAVENLY raced five back on the markers and finished fifth ahead of CROCROCK (6 back markers) and ORION BLASTER (Caribbean Blaster – Starlit Orion), which broke at the start and was tailed off early before tacking on mid-race. He then yielded ground from the 500m mark and came in at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.2 Final Half: - 57.9 Margins: - 2m, 10m
Trial 5: - LOTTA FUSS led throughout and won the trial by a comfortable margin. WHOS THE MAN (Angus Hall – Oh Yes Indeed 2.5.2, $57,750) is out of the outstanding producer Oh Yes Indeed and is related to six winners including My Mate Mal, The Boss Man and Anywhere Hugo. He trailed the leader and finished second in front of WILL PATRICK, which led but broke stride on the first corner, losing fifteen metres and settling three back on the markers before galloping again on the home turn.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.2 Final Half: - 63.0 Margins: - 30m, 3m
Trial 6: - LEIGHA MILLER settled five back on the markers, shifted around VILLAGE FLING mid-race to be fourth, then moved into the one out and one back trail in the back straight on the final occasion. She produced a good finish and got up to defeat VON PONDER, which trailed the leader and used the sprint lane. LONGASULOVEME (Pet Rock – Aniteattheopera 2.1.6, $13,300) settled three back on the markers and moved into the death seat at the 500m mark and tried hard for third. FOUR LONELY NIGHTS raced without cover early before moving to the lead at the 1700m mark. She tired into fourth with VILLAGE FLING (Fling It – Bonnie Cheval) finishing at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.5 Final Half: - 59.6 Margins: - Head, 2m
Trial 7: - FORM ANALYST settled four back on the markers and moved into the breeze at the 650m mark when a strong winner over VALENTINA BRAVE, which was on her best behaviour at the start and tried to lead all of the way. DELIGHTFUL MIA settled three back on the markers and finished in third position ahead of DANMAN, which trailed the leader, and HONEY CULLEN was last throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.4 Final Half: - 56.2 Margins: - 3m, 5m
MARYBOROUGH 22/03/20
Trial 1: - SAVANNAH JAY JAY settled at the rear of the field but pushed forward without cover and eventually found the lead with 1200m remaining. He was always in control and scored by a comfortable margin. CLEM MCARDLE led momentarily before taking a trail and ended up being three back on the markers. He came to the outside on the home turn and finished off fairly well in the latter stages. GOZO COURAGE got to the front at the 1800m mark before taking a trail behind SAVANNAH JAY JAY. He galloped momentarily several times in the trial and never appeared to be comfortable but he boxed on well for third. MAJOR BANKS settled five back on the markers and finished fourth ahead of ARISTOCRAT CHESTER (4 back markers) and JILLIBY ROY, which ended up being tailed out after being without cover early, easing to last then running right off the track coming up to the bell.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Final Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 8m, 16m
Trial 2: - CLASSICMAJOR (Art Major – Lierre Noir 1.54.4, $131,629) trailed the leader and finished off too well for the two years old filly IM LADY EVELYN (Shadow Play – Tia Franco), which tried to lead all of the way. DANCEFORME (A Rocknroll Dance – Shake It Up Baby) was inconvenienced at the start when RAGNA THOR galloped then settled three back on the inside. She finished on reasonably well for third and wasn’t too far away from IM LADY EVELYN at the end. RAGNA THOR broke at the start and lost valuable ground but was able to chase to tack on at the half mile marker as the pace was very slow. She moved up without cover shortly afterwards but the early effort took a toll and she faded in the latter stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.0 Final Half: - 60.1 Margins: - 4m, 1m
Trial 3: - ADAM CROCKER began quickly and led throughout to win comfortably. He has been trialling very well and he dashed home in a handy final half of 57.8 seconds. ROCKARIA (Pet Rock – Classic Amy 2.1.6, $33,760) trailed the leader throughout and tried hard in the straight when second. DEALERS KNOCK settled three back on the markers and moved away from the inside to race without cover when a game third. It was a good effort for a trotter taking on the pacers and importantly, he didn’t over-race in the middle stages of the event, which he can do occasionally. IM LADY MADELEINE settled five back on the markers and came away from the inside at the 700m. She battled on fairly well for fourth with REEKO REACTOR (4 back markers) in fifth. COAL PARK (Roll With Joe – Simply Explosive) settled at the tail of the field, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 700m mark and ended up finishing at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.7 Final Half: - 57.8 Margins: - 7m, 2m
Trial 4: - KING DENNY hasn’t raced since finishing unplaced in the Crystal Bucket at Echuca in 2019. He is a very smart trotter when racing at his best form and he was able to beat his only rival SURBITON ARMISTICE very comfortably by leading throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.5 Final Half: - 60.2 Margin: - 8m
TABCORP PARK, MELTON 24/04/20
Trial 1: - SIX NATIONS (Yankee Spider – Eagles Image 2.3.8, $43,288) settled three back on the markers and moved into the death seat at the 600m mark. He was able to hit the lead with 100m remaining and began to edge clear in the run to the finish. HOTEL KYVALLEY (Father Patrick – Lindys Two Step USA) stepped away nicely to find the front and tried to lead throughout. He finished second in front of HERE COMES KYVALLEY (Muscle Mass – Nice One Kenny), which trailed him throughout. KYVALLEY HEIST (Muscle Mass – U Dream) was four back on the markers throughout and finished fourth. The only horse to make a mistake in the trial was TIPSY TURVEY (Bacardi Lindy – Titillate 1.59.7, $36,675) and she ended up finishing a tailed off last. She stepped away okay but galloped 50m after the start.
Mile Rate: - 2.14.4 Final Half: - 61.75 Margins: - 3m, 5m
Trial 2: - CRUISIN AROUND commenced from the handicap of 20m and settled last of the four runners. He moved into the one out and one back trail with 500m remaining and came to the outside in the home straight. He was able to claim victory in the last stride. SHADOW JUSTICE trailed the leader ROSANNA LINDY before moving into the death seat leaving the back straight on the final occasion. He hit the lead in the straight but was nabbed on the line. JUST BELIEVE settled three back on the markers and moved through to trail behind ROSANNA LINDY when SHADOW JUSTICE made his move. He never left the back of ROSANNA LINDY all of the way down the home straight and went to the line jogging in last position.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.8 Final Half: - 59.64 Margins: - Short ½ Head, 2.5m
Trial 3: - REDWOOD INVASION is a former New South Wales trained trotter, which has recently joined trainer Chris Lang. He recorded a slow mile rate at his trial victory where he set the speed but he appeared to be impressive as he had plenty in reserve in the run to the finish. AVIMORE seemed to have every chance in finishing second but was well clear from ZINGARA LASS, which was last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.6 Final Half: - 60.31 Margins: - 8m, 57.5m
Trial 4: - MASTER REMI (Somebeachsomewhere – Our Little Artist 1.58.1, $57,040) settled four back on the markers and started to move with 300m to travel. He finished off nicely and was able to get up and win in shadows of the post. TREBEK (Falcon Seelster – Melita Bromac 1.56.8, $46,813) was three back on the markers and was the first to make a move. He hit the lead in the straight but couldn’t repel the challenge of MASTER REMI over the latter stages. CAPTAIN MAASTRICHT (Captaintreacherous – Maastricht 1.55.3, $89,989) trailed the leader throughout and finished in third position. The early leader MISO MISO (Art Major – Rocknrollsal) finished in fourth position and WHY NOT DREAM (Shadow Play – Why Comment) was always at the tail of the field, dropping off the bunch in the back straight on the final occasion.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.9 Final Half: - 59.96 Margins: - 1.5m, 5m
Trial 5: - ILLAWONG MOONBEAM is a promising young trotter and scored in record time at Kilmore at her last outing. She led throughout and held off a determined challenge from WAR DAN STRIKES, which trailed her throughout and got very close on the line. LIFEINTHEBALANCE (Grinfromeartoear – Artistic Wings) did everything right but couldn’t go with the leading duo and finished a distant last of the three.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.0 Final Half: - 62.11 Margins: - Short ½ Head, 62.5m
Trial 6: - SEBS CHOICE (Bettors Delight – Alta Calypso 1.59.4, $79,478) trailed the leader and came to the outside with 500m remaining. He drew to the lead in the straight and won with plenty in reserve, looking very impressive in the process. CAPTAIN BELLASARIO (Captaintreacherous – Bellasario 1.55.5, $71,704) settled down last of the five runners, moved into the death seat at the 900m mark then gained cover behind SEBS CHOICE in the back straight. He held his ground nicely in fast final sectionals. LET GO MARSHALL (Hurrikane Kingcole – Sokysatin) finished a distant third after setting the speed. LE BELLE BIJOUX (Art Major – Bellas Delight 1.54.3, $442,523) is out of the great mare Bella’s Delight and finished fourth after settling three back on the markers shortly after the start. DOUBLE HAPPINESS (Rock N Roll Heaven – Our Waltzing Mathilda 1.57.7, $12,131) came in at the tail of the field after settling fourth in the field of five runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Final Half: - 56.48 Margins: - 9.5m, 36m
BLACKBOOKER: - Sebs Choice
Trial 7: - IS THAT A BID pushed forward to find the lead and took cover with 1200m remaining but not without making the new leader MAJESTIC MANNEQUIN work for that position. He was approximately fifteen metres behind MAJESTIC MANNEQUIN turning for home but that trotter galloped and left him in front to get the prize. HALLABOUTME showed good gate speed to lead early then was shuffled back on the markers to be third mid-race. She worked into the clear on the home turn and picked up ground albeit trotting very roughly at the end. MYRNIONG RAINBOW raced four back on the markers for the majority of the trip and finished third ahead of ROI DU SOLEIL (Danny Bouchea – Rockin Wilma 2.2.9, $59,390), which settled down last and moved into the one out and one back trail. GREAT INVASION (Great Success – Marama’s Invasion 2.5.5, $28,351) raced without cover for most of the trip and finished fifth in front of MAJESTIC MANNEQUIN. MAJESTIC MANNEQUIN is a former New Zealander and would have won impressively had she not made the error on the home turn so she is obviously worth following. GOOBER settled down third last early and was always in a rearward position before galloping with 800m remaining. He finished in front of MY LINDY ANGELS, which also settled near the back of the field and made an error at the 500m mark.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.5 Final Half: - 61.12 Margins: - 1.5m, 24m
BLACKBOOKER: - Majestic Mannequin
Trial 8: - THEULTIMATE hasn’t raced since winning the Breeders Crown Silver event in August but won her trial nicely. She eased back to last early, quickly moved around the field to find the front at the 1200m mark and was able to hold her rivals safely at bay. FLEETWOOD ROCK finished second after showing gate speed to lead, taking cover and using the sprint lane over the final stages. POWER OF FAITH was three back on the markers and moved up without cover from the 600m mark. She finished third and SNAZOLA (Tell All – Jackieola) (four back markers from the 1200m) finished at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.1 Final Half: - 59.03 Margins: - 2m, 3m
Trial 9: - ROLLONBY (Roll With Joe – Beach Melody 1.54.7, $101,825) was extremely impressive after he raced three back on the markers and made a strong surge from the 500m mark. He dashed well clear in the run to the finish to win by a large margin. STARLIGHT SAFARI began quickly to lead and set up a genuine tempo throughout. He couldn’t match ROLLONBY in the straight but he held down second in front of SPORTZSCRIBE, which trailed him throughout. GRESHAR settled down last of the six runners but came to the outside with a half mile remaining and started to pick up some ground. He beat home the trotter IMPERIAL WHIZ (4 back markers) and also COBBITY COVE (5 back markers).
Mile Rate: - 1.58.1 Final Half: - 57.80 Margins: - 19.5m, 1.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Rollonby
Trial 10: - BETTA BOPPER showed good gate speed to lead and backed off the tempo mid-race. He was headed by STAR OF MEMPHIS on the home turn but rallied strongly and was able to kick back and get the prize. STAR OF MEMPHIS settled at the tail of the field before making his move at the 800m mark. He progressed forward and eventually hit the front on the home turn but peaked on his run late. APOLLO ROCK settled four back on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail in the back straight. He couldn’t go with STAR OF MEMPHIS approaching the home turn but he rallied in the run to the finish and ended up in third position. DANCE TO THE STARS finished fourth after being three back on the markers and ARTS DASH was the last one to greet the judge after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.7 Final Half: - 57.31 Margins: - Neck, 3m
BALLARAT 24/03/20
Trial 1: - SOHO ALMASI was able to scoot to the lead around the first corner and always appeared to be in control, winning the trial by a comfortable margin. TOUGH TILLY (Captaintreacherous – Beninjurd) paced roughly at the start and dropped out to be last of the four runners. She was the widest runner around the final corner and ran home well for second. BEACH MUSIC (Somebeachsomewhere – Musical Delight 1.53.1, $248,910) finished third after trailing the leader and LADIES IN RED (Mach Three – Kabbalah Karen B 1.52.4, $285,098) (3 back markers) came in last but she went to the line under a strong hold and was capable of doing a lot more.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.4 Final Half: - 57.4 Margins: - 4m, 1.5m
Trial 2: - BEYOND DELIGHT (Bettors Delight – Whattahottie 1.54.3, $30,618) was able to work to the lead shortly after the start and won with something in reserve. He did get a fright and race greenly when the bell sounded but apart from that minor indiscretion, his performance was very good. SAYITAINTSO JOE (Roll With Joe – Beach Shack 1.53.2, $148,702) galloped shortly after the start and lost approximately twenty metres. He tacked onto the group, settled last of the four and moved into the one out and one back trail before trying to chase down the leader. SEACHANGE (A Rocknroll Dance – Seaside Beauty 1.55.7, $27,900) finished in third after being three back on the markers early before moving through to trail the leader at the 900m mark. GHOST OF TIME (A Rocknroll Dance – Margot Macray 1.59.2, $3,375) trailed the leader and came to the outside from the 900m mark. He was in second position until breaking stride just after the quarter pole and dropped out to finish at the rear of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.5 Final Half: - 57.9 Margins: - 1m, 6m
Trial 3: - MONSIEUR DELACOUR held the inside advantage early but was quick to take cover behind CAN’T TOP THIS on the first bend. He came to the outside approaching the home corner and finished off solidly to get the prize. CAN’T TOP THIS did go to the line with plenty in reserve however and was only beaten on the post. MATTS DELIGHT (Betterthancheddar – Miss Mach Kana 1.59.2, $13,311) settled three back on the inside and finished third ahead of FLOAT ON BY, which picked up some ground from five back on the markers. AMMICCHI dropped back to fifth after being ahead of FLOAT ON BY in the run and CARRAMAR CEE SMITH was last throughout after being slow in the score up and missing the start by fifteen metres.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.8 Final Half: - 57.2 Margins: - Head, 15m
Trial 4: - JILLIBY GALWAYGIRL hasn’t raced since winning a semi-final of the Breeders Challenge in June 2017 but she won her trial nicely after she led out then took a trail behind PUFFA MAN and proved too strong for that pacer in the run to the finish. PUFFA MAN progressed forward early and found the lead at the 1700m mark. He raced keenly in the leading role but kicked on strongly in the run to the finish. ERNIESON took cover from barrier one and ended up being three back on the markers. He finished third ahead of the trotter SHOWEMYOURMUSCLES, which settled down last, made a move to get up into second from the death seat at the 1200m but began to yield ground from the quarter pole.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Final Half: - 59.2 Margins: - 3m, 40m
Trial 5: - TWO TIMES BETTOR settled down three back on the markers and moved to the outside with 700m remaining. She quickly got alongside the early leader BUNDY PLAYBOY and proved to be superior in the run to the judge. SINGLE TREE ROAD settled down four back on the markers and followed TWO TIMES BETTOR into the race. She was able to work into second position without being pushed over the final stages. BUNDY PLAYBOY was able to hold down third after setting the pace and MISS MCGONAGALL was fourth after trailing. MORNINGS remained last of the five runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.7 Final Half: - 56.7 Margins: - 4m, 1m
Trial 6: - The star pacer POSTER BOY is on the comeback trail after winning at his latest appearance in May. He won the 2019 Chariots of Fire (1.49.1) and was placed in the Miracle Mile of that year so he rates as one of Australia’s best pacers. He led throughout and cruised to victory, finishing the trial off in a sizzling final quarter of 26.6 seconds. EGODAN settled last of the three runners and came to the outside at the quarter pole. He did well to pick up ground over the latter stages and BREVITY was last of the three after trailing the leader throughout and gaining an inside run.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Final Half: - 55.9 Margins: - 3m, 5m
Trial 7: - KEAYANG XENA (Father Patrick – Keayang Yankee 1.55.4, $51,240) stepped away very quickly from the standing start and led clearly. She enjoyed a nice run in front and was unchallenged throughout. SELLUNE (Skyvalley – Sunelle 2.6.2, $12,356) stepped away slowly but safely and settled last of the three runners. He was able to run into second when KEAYANG NINJA (Wishing Stone – Another Clare 2.2.0, $48,902) broke stride at the quarter pole. KEAYANG NINJA stepped away reasonably well and was able to work onto the back of KEAYANG XENA coming up to the bell. He was sticking with KEAYANG XENA before his untimely error.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.2 Final Half: - 59.5 Margins: - 50m, 30m
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