Like many harness racing fans, Craig Rail kept close tabs on Captain Ravishing’s trial at Bendigo on Monday.
And while the Victoria Cup-bound star was in scintillating form, Rail was also taken by a couple of runners in behind the superstar pacer.
Luke Bryant-trained Franco Novelist was well handled by Captain Ravishing, as was the Ahmed Taiba-prepared stablemate Private Eye, but Rail quickly placed the pair in his Blackbook as horses that are worth following into the future.
Others to make the Blackbook this week were Jilliby Zucchini (Marg Lee), Vinsanity (Lisa Pitt) and Very Pretty (Emma Stewart).
TRIAL REPORT
HORSHAM 29/09/23
Trial 2: - DEE ROE is a nicely bred colt being by Art Major out of the classy mare Ark Monroe (1.55.5, $78,353). He won on debut and was spelled after finished second at Melton in May. He recorded reasonable time in his runaway trial success so he might be in for a good campaign. WE FAVOUR ROSIE is an unraced filly by Sweet Lou out of Splash Out, an unraced daughter of Somebeachsomewhere. She finished second and was nicely ahead of APRILBETTY and SCENIC SAM.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.3 Last Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 16m, 7m
BACCHUS MARSH 30/09/23
Trial 1: - GUEST ARTIST NZ was safely held at his first run back from a spell but was able to win the opening trial at Bacchus Marsh by a large margin and he recorded handy time so he might be back to his best form. LADY LAGERTHA NZ finished in second position and was well ahead of HAMELDAEME and the smart trotting mare I AM PEGASUS was fourth across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.5 Last Half: - 58.4 Margins: - 15m, 10m
Trial 2: - RENDEZVOUS is a handy type when racing at his peak form and was able to prepare for his first up performance at Kilmore with a dominant display in the second event. He scored by twenty metres over MY ROCK MOVES, which is scheduled to make his debut at Cranbourne on Sunday afternoon. LEVI EDISON is an unraced gelding by Betting Line out of Bonton Lady, which has produced has produced seven winners including Maywyn Tonz (1.53.8, $128,072) and Stroke Of Luck (1.53.0, $256,196). He finished a distant third.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.0 Last Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 20m, 15m
Trial 5: - TRINITYS DELIGHT has only had one run since March and that effort was a tenth at Yarra Valley in July. She is returning from a break at Cranbourne on Sunday afternoon and has drawn awkwardly but was able to beat one of her main rivals for the weekend in SEE YOU THERE. The time was reasonable and SEE YOU THERE has been in good form so TRINITYS DELIGHT must be somewhere near her peak form leading up to her first up run. BLASTER RANGER finished third and BONA KHAN, which is also resuming at Cranbourne on Sunday was fourth past the post.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Last Half: - 59.3 Margins: - 1m, 8m
TERANG 01/10/23
Trial 1: - JILLIBY ZUCCHINI is an unraced filly by Jilliby Kung Fu out of Jilliby Daphne (1.57.3, $35,012), whose first two foals were Jilliby Zagami (1.56.2) and Jilliby Mendoza (1.58.5). Jilliby Kung Fu won the 2018 Chariots of Fire in 1.48.8 and finished a close second to My Field Marshal in 1.46.9 two weeks later in the Miracle Mile. JILLIBY ZUCCHINI appears to have inherited the speed of her family and raced away to a big win in the opening trial. She settled three back on the markers, came to the outside at the half mile marker and quickly hit the front with 600m remaining, establishing a big winning margin at the end. ANGEL OF ROCK finished second after trailing the leader throughout and FIRE OFFICIAL was third after setting the speed. FIRE OFFICIAL backed up at Ballarat on Wednesday night and finished in fifth position.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.8 Last Half: - 57.0 Margins: - 40m, 4m
BLACKBOOKER: - Jilliby Zucchini
Trial 2: - KEAYANG CEDRIC hasn’t raced since leading throughout to win at Hamilton in March. He was able to take out the final trial by leading throughout and holding off the challenge of CELESTIALFRAGANCE in a field of just two horses.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.2 Last Half: - 56.8 Margin: - 2m
KYABRAM 01/10/23
Trial 1: - TWO TOES BENNY is a colt by American Ideal out of the fast mare Educated Lady (1.56.2, $62,430), which has produced two winners including Lady Rocknrolla (1.51.8, $279,386). He took out the opening trial over LOYOLA SPIAGGIA, an unraced gelding by Somebeachsomewhere out of the race winning daughter of the classy mare Her Sparky Self (1.58.8, $221,271) in Karinda Gem. He finished second ahead of ADDISON JAYNE and CASA BRILLARE with the trotter ZARU being last of the five runners to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.14.9 Last Half: - 63.2 Margins: - 3m, 2m
Trial 3: - SWEETSAZZYMYLAZZY was stood down to trial after her first up performance for trainer Jeremy Quinlan at Wagga and she was able to bounce back with a runaway trial victory in the final event. She defeated SUMMERDAYS, which hasn’t started since March, with NANANELLIE being a further twenty metres away in third position.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.2 Last Half: - 61.2 Margins: - 30m, 20m
CRANBOURNE 01/10/23 (The results from the Cranbourne trials have not yet been published on the harness website. The results from this report are from as broadcast on the day).
Trial 1: - CLAUDYS SECRET stepped away nicely from the standing start and led throughout in slow time. He defeated the pacer ECLIPSE LINE, which settled last of the three runners and finished off reasonably well leading up to his debut at Cranbourne on Sunday. COPACABANA gained some standing start experience for her effort at Melton tonight and stepped away okay to trail the leader then went to the line hard on the back of the winner under a strong hold.
Mile Rate: - 2.15.2 Last Half: - 64.9 Margins: - 4m, head (approximately)
Trial 2: - HAVEYOUMETTED began quickly to trail the leader, came to the outside at the 300m and fought on strongly to win by a narrow margin. He is an underrated pacer and returns from a spell at Cranbourne on Sunday. WILD CARD was fifth on the pegs, moved into the death at the 1500m, hung out at the 300m and kept on grinding away. He is also racing at Cranbourne on Sunday. Also competing on that program is LAVENDI RICKY, which showed very good gate speed to lead and ended up in third ahead of the trotter GEE CEE CALDER (4 back pegs, 1-1 at 1200m), which is resuming from a break at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Last Half: - 58.4 Margins: - Head, 4m (approximately)
MILDURA 02/10/23
Trial 2: - HESASTAR prepared for her effort at Mildura this evening with a victory over HES A MODERN BOY, AMPHIJET and TRIPLETS, all of which are also competing at Mildura. HESASTAR settled four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 700m and commenced his winning move from the quarter pole. HES A MODERN BOY attempted to lead throughout and copped some pressure from TRIPLETS, which raced without cover, at various stages of the event. AMPHIJET finished third after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.3 Last Half: - 60.5 Margins: - 3m, 4m
Trial 3: - PIRATESOF ZANZIBAR prepared for his performance in the opening event this evening when he led throughout and defeated DAYLIGHT in his trial, winning comfortably with something in reserve. DAYLIGHT finished second position after trailing the leader throughout and MASTER LALA was last of the three runners for the duration. PIRATESOF ZANZIBAR is ideally drawn in the opening event this evening and appears to be one of the leading chances.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.3 Last Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 8m, 6m
Trial 4: - SPLIT EAR hasn’t raced since January 2022 and returns to trainer Reece Moore for his first up performance at Mildura this evening. He trailed the leader and was able to finish off best to win the trial. THE TOOTH FAIRY broke momentarily at the start, settled four back on the inside and gained a one out and one back trail from the bell. She finished second ahead of ROCKING WROXTON, which attempted to lead throughout. The interesting runner of the trial when it comes to the meeting at Mildura this evening was DEVIL OF A SMILE. He settled four back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 1200m and hit the lead at the 500m, looking the winner before galloping and switching inside of the pegs approaching the home turn. He is good enough to be competitive tonight if he delivers a fool proof display.
Trial 5: - THREE STRIKES MACH was three back on the markers early, got shuffled back to last at the 1300m then finished off fast through the middle to get the prize. He is resuming from a break at Mildura this evening. NORFOLK ISLAND is also resuming this evening and is drawn to go well. He led out, copped some pressure mid-race then took cover and battled on well for second. ARTISTICBUTNAUGHTY (trailed leader, third pegs at 1700m) and HARRY MCKINNIS (4 back pegs, worked to lead at 1300m) were third and fourth respectively and both horses will also be competing at Mildura this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.7 Last Half: - 63.5 Margins: - 1.5m, 8m
BENDIGO 02/10/23
Trial 1: - CAPTAIN RAVISHING has returned from his New South Wales campaign with his last two attempts being an unplaced effort in the Miracle Mile and a third in the TAB Eureka. He is looking for a big campaign, possibly including the Victoria and New Zealand Cups and he looked in fine fettle at the trials considering he recorded sensational final sectionals (54.1, 26.4) and won by a very comfortable margin. FRANCO NOVELIST NZ is returning from a second in the E K Bray Country Clubs Championship in April at Shepparton on Tuesday night and he should prove very hard to beat. He settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 300m and chased hard in exceptionally quick time. PRIVATE EYE hasn’t raced since a win at Melton in March 2022 but he is a very good horse when at his peak and has won six of his nine starts to date. He finished brilliantly through the middle to finish in third position so he is worth following. MAJOR MEISTER trailed the leader throughout and finished fourth and BEAT CITY (5 back on the markers) was the last one to finish but it was a very strong line up.
Mile Rate: - 1.56.2 Last Half: - 54.1 Margins: - 10m, 4m
BLACKBOOKERS: - Franco Novelist NZ and Private Eye
Trial 3: - SHEZA PLEASURE was able to take out the open class trotting event. She began very quickly to lead and finished off in handy time (57.9, 28.4) to hold off the challenge of ZENITH STRIDE USA, which sat in the trail throughout. CRAVACHE DOR had an incredible season in 2022, where he won the Need for Speed Prince, the Victoria Derby, the Breeders Crown and the Super Series. He hasn’t raced since winning the Super Series Final on New Years Eve but he was working home well from last of the four runners to pick up third. WISH UPONA DREAM finished last of the four runners after settling three back on the markers but she has a National Rating of 62 and was competing against proven Group performers. SHEZA PLEASURE is travelling up to Sydney and will be competing at Menangle on Saturday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Last Half: - 57.9 Margins: - 2m, 5m
Trial 4: - CENTURION DREAM has performed consistently throughout the season and was able to gain some confidence by winning the trial. She settled four back on the markers, made a move to find the lead from the 1300m and was able to hold her rivals safely at bay. She was runner up in the Super Series Silver event last outing and is scheduled to compete in the Bob Conroy Classic at Melton this evening. THUNDA STRUCK was stood down to trial after his debut performance, where he started as the favourite. He led out then took cover and chased hard for second. His trial form suggests he can improve on his first up run. VAL THORENS has shown promise but his manners have let him down. He was five back on the markers, switched to the sprint lane and finished off strongly for third.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.0 Last Half: - 60.1 Margins: - 4m, 2m
Trial 6: - VINSANITY NZ is a New Zealand bred gelding by Vincent that is being prepared by trainer Lisa Pitt. He trailed the leader for the majority of the trial then came to the outside with 500m remaining. He quickly asserted his superiority and won with something in reserve so he is worth following. HEAVENSVILLE has joined trainer Graham McDermott and finished in second after settling three back on the markers. PLAYNICE was four back on the markers and pulled hard in the run but was able to pick up ground late for third. LOOKOUT NZ came from last of the six runners and finished off fast for an eye-catching fourth.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Last Half: - 58.9 Margins: - 5m, head
BLACKBOOKER: - Vinsanity NZ
Trial 8: - OPEN THE VALVE has been very lightly raced recently but he has a low National Rating of 40 and he appeared to be at his best in the trial considering he made an early move from last to find the lead at the mile marker and remained strong at the finish. With such a low National Rating, he can be well placed this campaign. ALWAYS BE BRENDAN finished in second after leading out then taking cover behind the winner and EARS PONDER came from four back on the markers to run into a distant third on his way to his first up performance at Cranbourne on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.9 Last Half: - 57.8 Margins: - 3m, 15m
BALLARAT 02/10/23
Trial 3: - VERY PRETTY was very impressive in winning her trial after working to the lead at the 1700m and is worth following. She is by American Ideal out of the former outstanding mare The Good Times (1.54.4, $201,024), which has produced three winners including Major Times (1.53.5, $314,755) and the second dam Larrakeyah Lady produced many winners including the almighty pacer Safe and Sound (1.57.0, $995,606). FREE TO PLAY finished in second position after being three back on the inside and coming to the outside on the home turn. SHEZAMAJORSTAR finished third after leading out then taking cover.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.5 Last Half: - 56.0 Margins: - 10m, 8m
BLACKBOOKER: - Very Pretty
Trial 4: - HONOLUA BAY hasn’t started since his gallant third in the Miracle Mile. The Hunter Cup champion appeared to be very sharp at his trial victory after he trailed the leader MACH DAN and came to the outside on the home turn. MACH DAN finished a close second and MAJOR MOTH was last of the three runners throughout but held his own in brilliant final sectionals with the last quarter being run in 25.7 seconds!
Mile Rate: - 2.0.4 Last Half: - 54.3 Margins: - 1m, 8m
Trial 6: - The last trial featured three champion mares with LADIES IN RED coming out on top. She trailed the leader AMORE VITA NZ, came to the outside on the home turn and finished off brilliantly. AMORE VITA NZ was second past the post and the TAB Eureka winner ENCIPHER was last of the three runners throughout but held her ground in sizzling final sectionals and wasn’t fully extended.
Mile Rate: - 1.56.8 Last Half: - 54.4 Margins: - 3m, 4m
