The trials spotlight has burned brightly this week with Tabcorp Park Melton's mid-week workouts getting the star treatment and delivering plenty of blackbookers.
The last three trials at Victoria's home of harness racing produced additions to the Trial File Blackbook, with Upsize Me, Hes Ideal and Hes Olly all going into the shortlist.
Details and replays of their runs can be seen below.
The 11-trial card can also be viewed on From the Horse's Mouth, a new Harness Racing Victoria production to stream on TrotsVision in coming months, which will showcase key trials and talk to leading figures ahead of some of the state's biggest races.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for the updated Blackbook. Here are this week's highlights from the Victorian trials circuit.
SHEPPARTON 25/08/22
Trial 1: - The juvenile pacer MAJOR BERT took on mostly trotters and was able to lead throughout. He raced a little greenly but was still able to dash away over the concluding stages to score comfortably. BE MY STAR trailed the leader and ran a distant second with SUPER SERVICE coming from last of the five runners to finish third. SUPER SERVICE backed up at Shepparton on Wednesday night and was able to score comfortably.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.4 Last Half: - 57.9 Margins: - 40m, 2m
Trial 2: - NIGHT SCHOOL began quickly to lead and was able to dominate the trial. He finished off in a sizzling final half of 55.9 seconds albeit pacing roughly occasionally and scored by a comfortable margin. He backed up at Shepparton on Wednesday night and finished sixth after enduring at tough run. ROYAL STARZZZ finished second in the trial after trailing the leader and chasing hard.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.3 Last Half: - 55.9 Margins: - 6m, 10m
Trial 3: - WIND SOCK settled in the running lane (1-2 then 1-1) and came out three horses wide at the 600m mark. He hit the lead on the home turn and was able to hold on over the final stages. ROCKNROLL GIG produced another eye-catching performance after being caught behind the tiring leader before finishing fast in the final 100m. He returns from a break at Melton tomorrow night and must be considered as a winning chance. SPORTY FRANK (1-1, without cover 1400m) finished third and RAWORTH GIRL produced a big effort for fourth after galloping early then working home strongly late.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.2 Last Half: - 58.1 Margins: - Neck, 1m
Trial 4: - LIZZIES SON was able to lead throughout and score untouched. BEAUTY TREASURE settled down three back on the markers, came out wide on the home turn and produced a big finish for second. She backed up at Shepparton on Wednesday night and scored effortlessly at her debut. LAR DEES SON broke stride at the start, lost approximately 50m before tacking on at the 1100m. He did a good job to finish as close as he did in third spot. Both LIZZIES SON and LAR DEES SON will be competing in the Bob Conroy 2yo Classic at Melton this evening but they are taking on a cracking field.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.6 Last Half: - 59.6 Margins: - 10m, 8m
KILMORE 25/08/22
Trial 1: - ULTIMATE STRIDE boasts an outstanding strike rate and was able to take out the opening trial after settling down in second position and coming to the outside with 800m remaining. He scored untouched from WHATWILLBEEWILLBEE, which came from last of the trio and the early leader ALDEBARAN DAPHNE finished in last position but she is an unraced 3yo filly and her two rivals are both Metropolitan performers.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.1 Last Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 15m, 10.5m
Trial 2: - BELLEZA has been unplaced in all three starts to date but she can obviously improve on that record considering she led throughout and recorded a soft victory in her trial display. MRIYA DREAM came from three back on the inside to fill second spot and SATIN STRIDE ran home from last to finish third. SATIN STRIDE backed up at Bendigo and produced a big victory at her debut so the form out of this trial obviously stacks up.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.5 Last Half: - 62.1 Margins: - 4m, 2m
Trial 3: - MARY AUSTIN NZ is a former New Zealand pacer, which has recently joined trainer Brent Lilley. She settled three back on the inside, used the sprint lane and showed good acceleration to get the prize. She makes her Australian debut at Echuca on Tuesday night and appears to be a winning chance. The Chris Svanosio trained trotter WHOS THE MAN delivered a pleasing performance to finish second after running home strongly out wide from fourth position. He is competing at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.4 Last Half: - 61.2 Margins: - ½ neck, 1.5m
BACCHUS MARSH 27/08/22
Trial 1: - FLOATING MOUNTAIN performed nicely at the trials during the week with a victory in the opening event followed by a fast finishing second behind Theyallendiny at a Kilmore trial effort on Wednesday. ELECTROJET finished second at Bacchus Marsh and also backed up at the Kilmore trials with a close second behind ATEGO DAWN in a standing start event.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.3 Last Half: - 60.2 Margins: - 2m, 15m
Trial 2: - IDEAL SON finished second and fourth at his first two starts back in March. He was able to win the second trial over the Craig Demmler prepared filly SHE REALLY MATTERS with YANKEE MOJOH being third across the line. IDEAL SON resumes from a spell at Cranbourne on Sunday and should perform well.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.8 Last Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 6m, 8m
Trial 5: - ANDREW continued his very handy trial form with a victory over TWO IMMIGRANTS and TRIROCKIN filled third spot. ANDREW recorded a victory at Geelong on July 15 and he should be competitive during his current campaign. The third placed TRIROCKIN is out of the former top mare Triliner (1.56.2, $280,196), which has produced five winners including Supaliner (1.54.2, $184,856).
Mile Rate: - 2.3.7 Last Half: - 58.9 Margins: - 3m, 6m
Trial 6: - SUPREME DOMINATOR NZ is an outstanding performer and won the Our Maestro FFA on August 06. He was able to defeat JOHN JAMES PRESTON NZ with JOSHUA RICHARD NZ filling third position. SUPREME DOMINATOR NZ is always a threat in whatever race he contests and should give a forward showing in the Minuteman FFA at Melton tomorrow night. JOHN JAMES PRESTON NZ resumes from a break at Cranbourne on Sunday and should prove extremely hard to beat.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Last Half: - 58.0 Margins: - 3m, 4m
BLACKBOOKER: - John James Preston NZ
Trial 7: - BANDIT EYES recorded handy time in securing a win in the seventh trial. He is an unraced gelding by Auckland Reactor NZ out of Canyopera (1.58.0, $19,540), which has produced the proven winner Twobobjack (1.58.3, $33,362) so he might be worth following. LAYDEN finished a close second with BLACKMIRRA being in third. BLACKMIRRA makes her debut at Cranbourne on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.4 Last Half: - 58.4 Margins: - ½ head, 8m
Trial 8: - The outstanding 3yo trotter HARRY STAMPER NZ was able to score in the open class trial over I AM PEGASUS. I AM PEGASUS is backing up at Tabcorp Park, Melton tonight, where she is drawn awkwardly on the outside of the front line.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.6 Last Half: - 58.4 Margin: 8m
MILDURA 28/08/22
Trial 2: - SIR VINCENT produced a game effort leading into his first up performance at Mildura this afternoon. He led, ran along at a genuine tempo and was still strong at the finish. OUR MASTER PLAY continued his good trial form with a fast finishing second after settling three back on the inside and moving into the death seat at the 300m.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.5 Last Half: - 58.2 Margins: - 3m, 12m
Trial 4: - BE A GOOD SCOUT trailed the leader, moved to the outside at the 400m and was able to get home best to win the prize. He is resuming from a spell at Mildura this afternoon. DOC HARVEY settled three back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail and finished in second position.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Last Half: - 60.3 Margins: - 7m, 3m
Trial 5: - DOUGS CINO trailed the leader, moved around to find the lead at the 1200m and pulled hard. She was able to secure victory over LINXX, which settled three back on the inside and ran home well late. LINXX broke stride several times at his latest start and was stood down to trial but he was back to his best in the trial and should perform well at Mildura this afternoon.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Last Half: - 59.5 Margins: - 6m, 2m
CRANBOURNE 28/08/22
Trial 2: - GROOM shot to the lead in the early stages, pulled hard and set up a very genuine tempo. He kept on rolling and scored in fast time. LOTAKEVI trailed the leader and tried hard for second with CAROLSDIAMOND doing her best work at the end after settling four back on the markers.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.8 Last Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 5m, 7.5m
BENDIGO 28/08/22
Trial 3: - ROYAL APPOINTMENT prepared for his performance at Mildura this afternoon with a victory over MISSLOLA. He trailed the leader throughout, moved to the outside on the home turn and finished off best.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.0 Last Half: - 59.6 Margin: - Neck
Trial 4: - MISSED THE TRUTH prepared for his effort at Mildura this afternoon with an effortless victory over PAS GUARANTEE. He settled last of the four runners, pulled extremely hard and circled around to find the lead at the 1200m mark. He settled better once he found the lead and went to the line hard held so he must be considered as a big winning chance today. PAS GUARANTEE led out then took cover and tried hard in the straight but was no match for the winner.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.2 Last Half: - 59.6 Margins: - 1m, 3m
BLACKBOOKER: - Missed The Truth
TABCORP PARK, MELTON 30/08/22
Trial 1: - COGNATI and DICHOTOMY are both competing in the Bob Conroy 2yo Classic at Melton this evening and had their final hit-out in the opening trial. COGNATI led throughout and was untouched going to the line. DICHOTOMY settled three back on the inside, was slightly inconvenienced when ALDEBARAN STILES (behind leader) broke stride at the 400m then finished off boldly.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.9 Last Half: - 59.81 Margins: - 12.5m, 9m
Trial 3: - MUFASA METRO NZ backed up his eye-catching Geelong trial second a week earlier with a victory over JUST BELIEVE. He began very fast to find the lead, rolled along at a good tempo and held on to score without being fully extended. JUST BELIEVE trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and finished quickly for second. COVER OF DARKNESS settled four back on the inside, left the markers at the 500m mark and sprinted very quickly up to the home turn before peaking a little in the latter stages.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.6 Last Half: - 57.73 Margins: - ½ neck, 16m
Trial 4: - JEREMY LOU settled four back on the inside, moved up without cover at the 500m and was able to hold on in the run to the post. He is competing at Cranbourne on Sunday and should run a big race. ANDAMAN BAY settled down last of the six runners, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He finished off well to be beaten by a narrow margin. The former New Zealander TIFFS LITTLE SISTER NZ put in an eye-catching performance for third and is worth following. She settled fifth on the markers, was held up for a run at a vital stage and finished off strongly without being pushed.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.4 Last Half: - 58.34 Margins: - ½ head, 3m
BLACKBOOKER: - TIFFS LITTLE SISTER NZ
Trial 5: - DON’T CARE won in a very strong event for the trotters. He settled fifth on the markers, moved into the death seat with 800m remaining and sustained a long run to win impressively. BROMWICH began quickly to find the lead, set up a genuine tempo and was beaten on the line. ONE OVER DA SON finished third after trailing the leader and was ahead of the Andy Gath prepared duo GET LUCKY NZ and B D YASOTHON NZ. ONE OVER DA SON NZ might run an improved race at Charlton on Monday, despite a wide draw.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.7 Last Half: - 58.28 Margins: - Neck, 12m
Trial 6: - The open class pacers event was won by HULI NIEN, which showed very good gate speed to lead clearly and finished off in slick final sectionals. BULLETPROOF BOY produced an outstanding performance for second. He was without cover, restrained to last but couldn’t get across to the markers then progressed forward again. He was fighting hard in the straight and went down by under a length. He is meeting a class field tomorrow night in the Minuteman FFA including Lochinvar Art and Honolua Bay but he should run his usual honest race. ENCIPHER settled three back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 400m and tried hard in the straight for third.
Mile Rate: - 1.55.9 Last Half: - 54.12 Margins: - 2.5m, ½ neck
Trial 8: - The New Zealand bred gelding AMERICAN HAMMER NZ created a good impression in winning the eighth event. He was without cover early, angled onto the markers to be four back then followed inside runs for the remainder of the trip. He extended nicely via the sprint lane and got up on the line. RIO ROCK also performed nicely in second. He was three back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail and angled wide into the straight.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.0 Last Half: - 58.24 Margins: - Neck, 13m
Trial 9: - COCO MIA settled last of the six runners before moving to the outside with 600m remaining. She sustained a good run to score from UPSIZE ME NZ, which produced an eye-catching performance in second. The former New Zealander has recently joined trainer Jess Tubbs and finished strongly from four back on the inside so he is worth following.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.8 Last Half: - 58.77 Margins: - 1.5m, 4m
BLACKBOOKER: - Upsize Me NZ
Trial 10: - HES IDEAL hasn’t raced for nearly a year but was extremely impressive in defeating his stable mates BEACH LIFE and JO AN JO. HES IDEAL led throughout and was given a good hit-out, racing clear at the end in a slick mile rate of 1.55.3. BEACH LIFE trailed behind HES IDEAL and JO AN JO settled three back on the inside.
Mile Rate: - 1.55.3 Last Half: - 56.35 Margins: - 8.5m, 24m
BLACKBOOKER: - He’s Ideal
Trial 11: - MAJOR DELIGHT trailed the leader and used the sprint lane to record a soft win. The former New Zealander HES OLLY NZ was very impressive in running second. He began fast and tried to lead but raced greenly so he couldn’t get across to the markers on the first turn. He then raced without cover throughout in fast time and battled on strongly in the run to the finish. AUREUS settled five back on the inside, used the sprint lane and finished off well for third.
Mile Rate: - 1.56.4 Last Half: - 56.75 Margins: - 5m, ½ neck
BLACKBOOKER: - He’s Olly NZ
KILMORE 31/08/22
Trial 1: - ITS EBONYNIVORY was clearly the class runner of the field and recorded an easy victory at the end. She settled five back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 1200m mark and ran away late in a slick last half of 56.5 seconds. POPCORNFRIDAY set the speed and fought on strongly. Considering his National Rating is 30 points lower than the winner, he did very well to finish as close as he did.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.3 Last Half: - 56.5 Margins: - 10m, 4m
Trial 2: - THEYALLENDINY began very fast and led by a large margin. He raced keenly throughout and was always a long way clear of the pack. He was getting a bit tired late but never looked like being beaten at any stage. FLOATING MOUNTAIN backed up his good trial performance at Bacchus Marsh with a handy finishing second after he settled four back on the inside.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.7 Last Half: - 60.8 Margins: - 8m, 20m
HORSHAM 31/08/22
Trial 1: - The pre-meeting trial was dominated by the Aaron Dunn prepared duo LITTLE LOUIE and YOU BEAUTY. LITTLE LOUIE finished second in the Sapling Stakes earlier in the season and hasn’t raced since a fourth at Ballarat in June. GOODWOOD finished a large distance away in third position and will make his debut at Charlton on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.2 Last Half: - 57.0 Margins: - 7m, 32.5m
