There will be plenty of buzz around Kyvalley Michael after he produced a Blackbook worthy trial ahead of his hit-out at Shepparton tonight.
The Brent Lilley trained trotter will step out in The Abrahams 2YO Trotters Classic, hoping to build on his formiddable record of two wins from as many starts courtesy of his autumn starts.
By Love You out of Missandei, herself a nine-time winner, Kyvalley Michael "was extremely impressive in winning the third trial" at Shepparton, when he "dominated his rivals, racing well clear at the finish to score untouched by 35 metres".
That saw him one of three Blackbook additions this week. Their replays are below, along with this week's highlights from the Victorian trials circuit.
SHEPPARTON 17/08/26
Trial 1: - HUGO MAGUIRE NZ trailed the leader early, moved away from the markers at the 500m and was strong at the finish, scoring in fast time. It was a good hit-out for his performance at Shepparton tonight, where he appears to be a very good chance. SICARIO NZ has returned from a successful stint in New South Wales and is now being prepared by Isabel Walsh. He was six back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail from the 1300m and commenced forward move out three horses wide with 500m remaining. He worked home nicely for second. IVANA BYTHESEASIDE did very well for a pacer with a National Rating of 56 to finish a close up third after she settled three back on the markers in the early stages.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.0 Last Half: - 58.0 Margins: - 1m, 3m
Trial 2: - SHESAWISH won the Maryborough Oaks at her last attempt and defeated a class field in the second trial. She began quickly to lead, took cover at the 1800m, dashed to the front at the 600m and scored untouched. She is not competing in tonight’s Shepparton Oaks feature but will take on the colts and geldings in the Holmfield at Melton on Saturday night, where she is drawn perfectly. OUR MARVELLA NZ is racing in the Oaks this evening and ran a game second. She was four back on the inside, continued to follow inside runs and hit the line nicely. ROCKINWITHATTITUDE has returned from a successful Queensland campaign, where she followed a fourth in the Group 1 Great Square with victories in the Queensland Oaks and the Queensland Derby. She dropped out to be last of the six runners early and picked up ground at the end without being fully extended.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.9 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 5m, 8m
Trial 3: - KYVALLEY MICHAEL NZ was extremely impressive in winning the third trial and it was a great workout leading up to his performance in the Abrahams 2yo Classic at Shepparton tonight, where he will be aiming to keep his undefeated record intact. He was without cover early, angled in behind the leader then moved around to lead at the 1400m mark. He then dominated his rivals, racing well clear at the finish to score untouched by thirty-five metres! MANDA KYVALLEY raced without cover for a good portion of the trial and finished second and LOTS OF CHANGE picked up ground after settling last of the nine runners in the early stages of the event. LOTS OF CHANGE is also competing in the Abrahams Classic this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.8 Last Half: - 59.5 Margins: - 35m, 5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Kyvalley Michael NZ
Trial 6: - ROCKNROLL KISS is a gelding by Rock N Roll Heaven out of Allnight Kiss (1.56.4, $67,522), making him a close relation to the two proven winners Three Smoochas (1.55.3) and Treacherous Kiss (1.56.4). He was seventh on the markers mid-race, moved into the running lane at the 700m (1-2) then switched back to the inner in the straight to accelerate beautifully along the sprint lane and score untouched. The time was moderate but he appeared to be very sharp and is worth following. The Nathan Jack trained pair APOLOGY ACCEPTED (1-1 from 700m) and LUVARESCHS (7th pegs, dashed around to lead at 1100m) finished second and third respectively. APOLOGY ACCEPTED is out of the fast mare Lombo Sleek Streak (1.56.0) and is related to five winners including Santa Casa Beach (1.52.7) and Wendys Wish (1.55.2).
Mile Rate: - 2.4.2 Last Half: - 60.5 Margins: - 4m, 4m
ARARAT 17/08/23
Trial 2: - KOMODO is a juvenile gelding prepared by Aaron Dunn. He is by Fear The Dragon and is the first foal out of Azzgoodazz, a daughter of the race winning mare Madazhell (2.0.7). He was able to take out his trial over NORMANDY NUGGET with THE NAKED ART being third across the line. KOMODO is ideally drawn for his debut assignment at Mildura this afternoon and is sure to have his admirers.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.9 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 1m, 3.5m
MARYBOROUGH 20/08/23
Trial 1: - CAPTAIN PINS NZ settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He opened up in the home straight and was able to win comfortably so he should have some confidence leading up to the opening heat of the Rising Stars at Melton tomorrow night. CARRAMAR SOLOMONA finished in second after setting the speed and MAJOR DRAMA was third past the post after trailing the leader and commencing her run half way down the back straight. She backed up at Ballarat on Thursday night, where she finished unplaced behind Heatseeker.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.5 Last Half: - 57.6 Margins: - 8m, 3m
Trial 2: - EBONYS AVENGER began quickly to find the lead and was untroubled in scoring. She was able to draw clear to win by ten metres from MOONWALKA, which trailed the leader throughout. THE PENNY DROPS hasn’t raced since winning the Charlton Cup in March 2022. He has been very lightly raced since graduating into the 2021 Inter Dominion Final in Sydney and was given an easy time in the trial, settling down last of the five runners and working to the line under his own steam.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.9 Last Half: - 57.9 Margins: - 10m, 8m
Trial 3: - COURAGES LAW has made a few errors during his initial campaign of racing but there is no denying he has a lot of ability. He was able to build some confidence leading up to tonight’s Abrahams Trotters Classic by leading throughout and dominating his rivals in the third trial. STAR OF PATRICK is also competing in tonight’s feature juvenile event and ran into a distant second after being four back on the markers, moving into the one out and one back and working into second with 500m remaining. STORMY WOODS was a distant third after settling six back on the inside and breaking stride momentarily at the 600m. He is actually listed as a yearling until the next racing season commences on January 01 so it was a big performance under the circumstances. He is by the outstanding pacer The Storm Inside (1.50.7, $311,125) out of Amberlu Hanover, a descendent of the champion sire Holmes Hanover so it will be interesting to see how his career progresses next season.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.6 Last Half: - 60.7 Margins: - 12m, 20m
Trial 10: - MUSCLE MISS prepared for her effort in the Shepparton Oaks tonight with a runaway victory in the final trial. She trailed the leader and dashed to the front at the 400m to win nicely. It was a good trial performance but she is meeting a very strong field tonight. KISSMESERENA NZ is a New Zealand bred filly that joins trainer Jack MacKinnon. She was five back on the markers and was inconvenienced by the galloping FAITH FULL at the bell so she did a good job to hold down second place.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.7 Last Half: - 60.6 Margins: - 15m, 1m
KYABRAM 20/08/23
Trial 1: - ALIZA HILL won at Shepparton at his latest appearance in July. He used a couple of trials last week to be able to get back into the draw for tonight’s assignment and was able to win the only trial at Kyabram on Sunday. He defeated SKINNY HORACE, an unraced gelding by Lanercost for trainer Daryl Hill with ASHANTE KING failing to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.0 Last Half: - 63.00 Margins: - 3m, retired
GEELONG 21/08/23
Trial 1: - JUST JAYDO continued his good trial form with a runaway victory after leading throughout. TONKAWAIKON settled down a clear last, moved away from the markers at the 600m and was forced out wider on the track approaching the home turn. He finished second and is contesting a strong heat of the Super Series at Kilmore on Tuesday night. FIGHTER COMMAND ran home well through the middle from four back on the markers to be third past the post.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.0 Last Half: - 59.3 Margins: - 15m, head
Trial 2: - HIGH STEP NZ is a beautifully bred filly for the Mark and Nathan Purdon stable, which has been placed in both of her starts across the Tasman. She was very impressive after leading out, taking cover at the 1500m and moving away from the inside on the home turn so she is worth thought during the Spring Carnival. ARZALI hasn’t raced since a win at Ararat in June and performed well after pushing forward to find the lead shortly after the start. He is meeting a suitable assignment at Yarra Valley on Monday. CASTLES IN THE SKY was four back on the markers, made an error at the 300m but was able to work into third position.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.6 Last Half: - 60.7 Margins: - 3m, 10m
Trial 3: - THE REAL SHERLOCK NZ hasn’t raced since being unplaced in the Northern Derby at Alexandra Park in May but he was as impressive as his stable mate High Step NZ in the trial prior by beating older Metropolitan class horses with ease. He led throughout and dashed home in a dynamic last quarter of 26.2 seconds without being extended! YANKEE GOLD NZ was second after trailing the leader and ROCKNROLL WALLA was last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.4 Last Half: - 57.4 Margins: - 12m, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: - The Real Sherlock NZ
Trial 6: - WE CAN HAVE IT ALL was able to made it three out of three for the Purdon stable at the trials after leading throughout and winning softly. She was able to win at her latest attempt at Alexandra Park and is obviously going to be competitive in this Country. MUMPAYSTHEBILLS trailed the leader and came to the outside at the 600m mark to finish in second with FREMARKSTILLY coming from three back on the markers to be in third position.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.6 Last Half: - 59.6 Margins: - 2.5m, 6m
BENDIGO 21/08/23
Trial 2: - BILLY ZIPPIN is a smart juvenile trotter that is still learning. He pulled hard in the score up, found the lead and was headed on the home turn but came again via the sprint lane to collect the prize. THIRD EYE was three back on the markers, moved up without cover at the bell and hit the lead on the home turn before being run down at the finish. SKY LINDY was four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail behind THIRD EYE and appeared to have something in reserve at the finish so she showed some ability.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.0 Last Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 3m, Short head
Trial 3: - VAGUE BEAUTY is an unraced juvenile filly out of the top mare Beauty Secret (1.52.4, $425,921). She was without cover early, moved onto the markers behind the leader at the 1800m and came to the outside at the 300m, getting up to score on the line. EUREKA JO finished second after spearing to the lead in the early stages and being run down on the line. The time was fast and the pair will match up again at Kilmore on Tuesday night in a heat of the Super Series. ROCKIN SAINT settled three back on the markers and showed some promise in third. She is meeting a tough field for her debut in a heat of the Super Series at Kilmore on Tuesday night but she will win races when she gets back into her normal class group.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.2 Last Half: - 57.1 Margins: - Head, 7m
BLACKBOOKER: - Ideal Escape
MILDURA 21/08/23 (The Mildura results have not been uploaded onto the harness website so the results given in this column are not official and are as broadcast on the night).
Trial 2: - BILUM is a newcomer to the Andrew Vozlic stable and was able to lead throughout to win easily. He was aided by GOOD WORD THAT galloping in the back straight with TRY AGAIN FREDDIE being checked but he was still impressive as he drew well clear to win by approximately forty metres. GOOD WORD THAT did well to recover and finish second after striking trouble in the back straight and OHOKA DIESEL (trailed leader) was a distant third. BILUM is ideally drawn for his local debut at Mildura this afternoon.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Last Half: - Not Given Margins: - 40m, 40m (approximately)
Trial 3: - SHALLOW POCKETS began fast to find the lead and battled on strongly in the run to the finish. OUR MASTER PLAY began quickly to lead, took cover behind SHALLOW POCKETS and raised a good effort in the home straight. Both SHALLOW POCKETS and OUR MASTER PLAY have good winning claims at Mildura this afternoon. JUST UNDER THE LIMIT was fifth on the pegs, moved into the running lane at the 600m (1-2) and worked home well for third position.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Last Half: - Not Given Margins: - 1m, 8m (approximately)
Trial 6: - UNETHICAL prepared for his performance at Mildura this afternoon with an all of the way victory in the final trial. He has returned from a spell in reasonable form and the victory would have given him some confidence for today’s event. PET KITTY finished in second after trailing the leader throughout and OUTA CONTROL was third from three back on the pegs.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Last Half: - Not Given Margins: - 1m, 10m (approximately)
SHEPPARTON 22/08/23
Trial 1: - OUR ROKU continued her preparation towards the Super Series at Kilmore on Tuesday with a victory over ROCKNROLL SLOY. She was five back on the markers, moved away from the inside at the 500m and was out three horses wide on the home turn before finishing off strongly. She is awkwardly drawn on Tuesday but should be finishing off nicely. ROCKNROLL SLOY was three back on the markers before coming away from the inside on the home turn. BYRNESIDE BOOM finished third after leading out, taking cover behind ALIVE AND FREE at the bell, making a move at the 600m mark and breaking stride momentarily on the home turn.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.2 Last Half: - 58.2 Margins: - 1m, 20m
Trial 3: - CHART TOPPER trailed the leader LITTLE MISS LILLY, came to the outside at the 300m and finished off best to win on the line. He is meeting a top field in a heat of the Super Series at Kilmore on Tuesday but he should run his usual honest race. LITTLE MISS LILY fought on strongly for second and the former New South Wales trained pacer LUVARESCHS, which was runner up in the Gold Bullion earlier in the season, came from last of the four runners to pick up third. LUVARESCHS has also travelled down across the border to contest the Super Series, which commences at Kilmore on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.9 Last Half: - 56.6 Margins: - Head, 8m
