Rabada has already shown his ability with victory on debut back in May and Craig Rail's tipping another bright preparation for the talented four-year-old pacer.
The Ken Taylor-trained gelding caught the eye of Rail at the Maryborough trials last weekend and the form guru gives him a chance of continuing his unbeaten record at the same track this Sunday.
Rail said Rabada “did particularly well to finish second to a metropolitan class performer after leading out then taking cover” and believes he “performed well enough to be competitive first-up”.
He was one of four new Blackbook additions this week, with Sebastians Secret, Chappy Streetnorth and On A Night also making the list of horses to follow.
SHEPPARTON 12/10/23
Trial 1: - SPECTA prepared for his return to racing at Bendigo on Tuesday night with a big trial victory. He settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 500m and sprinted quickly to win by a large margin. He should be competitive first up on that performance. FOUR STAR SAINT finished in second after racing without cover early and pushing forward to find the lead. SLIPPIN THE LIFE settled four back on the inside and was doing his best work late to finish in third position.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.9 Last Half: - No Sectional Given Margins: - 12m, 8m
Trial 2: - SEBASTIANS BOY prepared for his effort at Melton tonight with a comfortable victory. He settled last of the four runners, came to the outside with 500m remaining and cut loose over the final stages. He won by a large margin, seemingly with plenty in reserve so he should take beating in his effort this evening. YOEE is returning from a spell at Bendigo on Tuesday night and finished in second position. He trailed the leader and finished twenty metres behind the winner but he did meet a smart trotter on the night. The juvenile filly NORDIC REIGN was taking on Metropolitan performers and attempted to lead throughout. She finished third and is backing up in the Tatlow Stakes at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.3 Last Half: - 59.2 Margins: - 20m, 8m
Trial 4: - WESTERN SONADOR continued his good trial form with a victory in the open class event. He led and appeared in danger of defeat when turning for home but kicked on too well over the concluding stages. He is returning from a spell in a heat of the South Australian Cup at Globe Derby Park tonight. EL CAMINO is a New South Wales trained pacer, which has won four races in succession and is competing in a semi-final of the Breeders Challenge at Menangle tomorrow night. He settled three back on the inside, moved to the outside at the 400m and chased hard in the straight. KIA ORA BEAUTY trailed the leader and finished third but took on very tough opposition and backed up over the suitable distance of 1200m when she scored at Melton on Wednesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.8 Last Half: - 56.5 Margins: - Neck, 3m
Trial 6: - VINSANITY has been racing in very good form at the trials and was able to record a comfortable victory. He settled four back on the markers, moved into the running lane at the 600m (1-2) and commenced his winning charge at the 600m mark. He scored comfortably and might be able to win a race in the near future. He made his debut at Cobram on Thursday and finished in second place. MISS COLLANN was second after trying to lead throughout and makes her debut at Yarra Valley on Monday. KICKER ROCK came from fifth on the markers at the 900m mark to fill third spot.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Last Half: - 59.4 Margins: - 6m, 5m
BACCHUS MARSH 14/10/23
Trial 3: - VICTREE HILL prepared for his effort in the Geelong Cup tomorrow night with a runaway victory in the open class trotting event. He was runner up in the Maryborough Cup two starts ago and followed with a sixth in the Kilmore Cup so he has been racing well against strong opposition. EASY PICKINGS NZ finished a distant second and GEE CEE CALDER was last of the three runners across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.0 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 15m, 10m
Trial 4: - HEAVENLY GIPSY prepared for her effort at Geelong tomorrow night with a comfortable victory in reasonable time. She defeated JUST MIKI, which finished unplaced in a heat of the Super Series at her latest attempt. OOH AH LISTAH broke stride at his latest attempt at Melton but he has been in good form and finished third with JILLIBY RIPPA being in fourth position. JUST MIKI will be competing at Maryborough on Sunday and has to contend with a bad draw at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Last Half: - 58.9 Margins: - 3m, head
Trial 5: - TALLULAH LEE was freshened after a disappointing performance at Hamilton and was able to record a runaway victory in the fifth trial. The win gave her plenty of confidence leading into her effort at Ararat on Thursday night, where she was able to lead throughout. IM WESLEY is a speedy type and was able to continue his handy form with a second placed effort. IMA TERMINATOR is an unraced pacer by Somebeachsomewhere out of Amarillen. He was taking on proven winners and finished third so it was a handy performance. He is a close relation to eight winners including the top pacers Villagem (1.52.1, $626,585), Miss Graceland (1.54.0, $244,658) and Nostra Beach (1.53.5, $266,190).
Mile Rate: - 2.1.9 Last Half: - 60.9 Margins: - 12m, 4m
OUYEN 15/10/23
Trial 1: - OUR MASTER PLAY began quickly to lead and was able to win untouched. He is a good front runner and finished off in a slick final half of 58.0 seconds. DOUBLE HAPPINESS finished second after trailing the leader and DEVIL OF A SMILE, which was stood down to trial after galloping at Mildura several days earlier, was last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.5 Last Half: - 58.0 Margins: - 10m, 12m
Trial 3: - ROCKET CROCKA was able to lead throughout and scored with plenty in reserve. UNETHICAL finished second after trailing the leader throughout and DRUNKEN MISTAKES was always detached from the leading duo.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.6 Last Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 12m, Distanced
MARYBOROUGH 15/10/23
Trial 1: - RELENTLESS ME used her brilliant speed to comfortably take out the opening event. She pushed forward to find the lead shortly after the start and dashed home her last quarter in a sensational 27.2 seconds. She would have gained plenty of confidence from that effort and is competing at Melton this evening, where she appears to be a good chance. RABADA has only had one start for a win at Charlton and did particularly well to finish second to a Metropolitan class performer after leading out then taking cover. He returns from a spell at Maryborough on Sunday and performed well enough to be competitive first up. The former New South Wales trained pacer NIFTY STUDLEIGH settled three back on the markers and remained in this position across the line. He is an emergency at Melton this evening and is also engaged to compete at Maryborough on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Last Half: - 56.2 Margins: - 10m, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: - Rabada
Trial 2: - THE PENNY DROPS is competing in the Geelong Cup tomorrow night and he looked extremely good in his trial victory. He is very tough when at his peak form and will be getting fitter after having two starts back from a very long break. He was one out and one back early, ended up without cover then progressed forward to find the lead with a mile remaining. JAZSPUR led out then took cover and ended up being three back on the markers. She battled on nicely for second with MOONWALKA coming from five back on the markers to finish third. He is competing in a heat of the Victoria Derby at Maryborough on Sunday. SIR EROS didn’t help his chances after racing fiercely in behind the leader and finished in fourth spot.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.6 Last Half: - 57.9 Margins: - 12m, 1m
Trial 5: - BULLAPARK BENO was stood down to trial after galloping at Shepparton on September 12. He trailed the leader early, ended up being three back on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail approaching the home turn. He finished off too well and scored softly. SEBASTIANS SECRET is an unraced gelding for trainer Ray Harvey and did very well against proven winners to finish in second. He was four back on the markers, moved up without cover at the bell and battled on strongly at the finish. He is related to three winners including the classy trotter Dark Secret (1.59.1, $183,379). MY HIGH PEAK was without cover early before pushing forward to find the lead at the 1500m and was third past the post. EVERYBODYLUVSKENNY was fourth across the line with BERIWILOCK MOOSE being in fifth and those two trotters finished fifth and second respectively in their efforts during the week.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.2 Last Half: - 59.6 Margins: - 2m, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: - Sebastians Secret
Trial 6: - ABSOLUTION began quickly to find the lead, raced keenly throughout and dashed home in a slick final half of 57.0 seconds. It was a very strong performance and he should go well at Geelong tomorrow night. HARLEY BLUE settled three back on the inside before moving into the death seat at the 600m and battled on well for second. SOAR settled five back on the inside, came out three horses wide at the 600m and sprinted quickly in the back straight so it was a handy effort to be placed in third.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Last Half: - 57.0 Margins: - 10m, 5m
KYABRAM 15/10/23
Trial 2: - HARTNETT hasn’t raced since a seventh at Charlton in June. He has a low National Rating of 35 but recorded the fastest time of the four trials and scored by a comfortable margin. SUMMERDAYS finished in second position and FRIENDS, which is now being prepared by trainer Jeremy Quinlan was third past the post.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.2 Last Half: - 62.2 Margins: - 4m, 4m
Trial 3: - SWEETSAZZYMYLAZZY has won several trials at Kyabram since being stood down at Wagga. She took on the trotters at Kyabram and was able to win by a comfortable margin but she finished down the track a few days later at Cobram. She is backing up at Albury on Tuesday night. BACARDI WOOD hasn’t raced since a second at Charlton in June and finished a distant second with his stablemate MONTANA MUSCLE being third across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.5 Last Half: - 65.0 Margins: - 20m, 20m
MELTON 16/10/23
Trial 1: - JILLIBY ILLUMINATE NZ is a New Zealand bred filly by Sweet Lou, which is prepared by Margaret Lee. She settled down last of the five runners, moved around the field to lead at the bell and remained strong at the finish, dashing home in a slick last quarter of 28.0 seconds. KEAYANG SHADOWBOX settled three back on the inside, moved to the lead at the 1500m and took cover at the bell. He finished second and WHERE IS WOODY made ground from last to finish in a distant third.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.9 Last Half: - 58.14 Margins: - 3.5m, 34m
Trial 5: - HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN moved forward to race without cover early, pressed to the lead at the 1800m and was able to hold on in the run to the finish. CELESTIALFRAGRANCE trailed the leader and came to the outside to finish in a close second with HOLY BASIL (4 back pegs) making up good ground in fast final sectionals to finish in third. AMERICAN LEGACY NZ settled three back on the inside and finished fourth with LOVE INA CHEVY NZ being last of the five runners throughout. AMERICAN LEGACY NZ and LOVE INA CHEVY NZ are both competing at Bendigo on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Last Half: - 56.63 Margins: - Head, 8.5m
Trial 6: - SMOKEN ACE NZ is an outstanding juvenile pacer, which remains undefeated five starts. He finished off in slick final sectionals to win the trial from CAPTAIN WILSON and LAYDEN. The two Inter Dominion winning trotters JUST BELIEVE and MAORI LAW were making their return and finished fourth and fifth respectively. JUST BELIEVE was returning from his memorable European trip in June, where he performed admirably and MAORI LAW hasn’t raced since finishing second in the Australasian Trotting Championship in September 2022.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.6 Last Half: - 56.69 Margins: - 5.5m, 2.5m
Trial 8: - CHAPPY STREETNORTH has been performing very nicely at the trials and was able to secure an easy victory. He led out then took cover at the 1500m before coming to the outside at the 400m mark. He stormed to the front approaching the home turn and scored by a comfortable margin. He has a form line of 000 but he is much better than that suggests and he might be able to give a bold showing at Yarra Valley on Monday despite a poor draw. SHEROCKS SHEROLLS finished in second after leading out then being shuffled back to third on the markers. She worked home reasonably well and is returning from a spell at Geelong tomorrow night. SUPERBON settled last of the five runners, waited for the sprint lane and was able to drive through late to finish third. He is backing up at Yarra Valley on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.2 Last Half: - 58.69 Margins: - 11.5m, 4.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Chappy Streetnorth
BENDIGO 16/10/23
Trial 3: - PARISIAN ARTISTE hasn’t raced since finishing sixth in the Inter Dominion Final last year. He began quickly to lead and always appeared to be in control of the trial, winning comfortably. ILLAWONG STARDUST hasn’t raced since being unplaced in a heat of the Inter Dominion. She trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 500m and held her ground in the run to the finish. EVERYBODYLOVESME finished last of the three runners but she has a National Rating of 63, was taking on the open class trotters and went to the line hard held so it was a nice performance.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Last Half: - 58.4 Margins: - 4m, 1m
Trial 5: - IDEAL ESCAPE began fast to lead and appeared to be very impressive. He dashed home in sensational final sectionals (54.8, 26.8) without being fully extended and scored by a clear margin. MAJOR MEISTER had every chance behind the leader and BEAT CITY made at move at the 500m from last of the four runners to pick up third spot. MAJOR MEISTER and BEAT CITY will take their place in the open class event at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.0 Last Half: - 54.8 Margins: 8m, 3m
Trial 9: - OUTA THE BLUE settled three back on the markers, circled around to find the lead at the 1400m and was able to hold on to get the prize. HEAVENSVILLE is now being prepared by Graham McDermott and produced a good performance for second. She led out, took cover and came to the outside in the home straight, picking up ground at the end to be beaten by one metre on the line. She is racing at Bendigo on Tuesday night and appears to be a good chance. MY SWEET MAMA was four back on the inside, used the sprint lane and got up for third. She is improving with every start and is also competing at Bendigo on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Last Half: - 58.4 Margins: - 1m, 5m
SHEPPARTON 17/10/23
Trial 1: - SERG BLANCO NZ trailed the leader, came to the outside on the home turn, quickly hit the front and went to the line under a hard hold. He ran down SUGARPOVA, which has a National Rating of 54, in a field of two runners but the win will give him plenty of confidence leading into tonight’s performance at Melton.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Last Half: - 56.1 Margins: - 2m
Trial 3: - BITTA IRISH LUCK settled four back on the markers, circled around into second position from the 1200m and chased after the tearaway leader CMON CARL LEE, which established a margin of approximately fifty metres on his rivals mid-race. She chased hard in the last lap and did a very good job to sustain the run and win with ease. She is meeting a strong field at Melton this evening. CMON CARL LEE was able to hold down second after pulling very hard in the leading role. MAJESTIC MONARCH trailed the leader early, ended up being three back on the markers and finished a distant third.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.7 Last Half: - 62.3 Margins: - 12m, 15m
Trial 5: - DEEWHY progressed forward to find the lead and ran along at an even tempo. He was untroubled in scoring by fifteen metres in a dominant display. ON A NIGHT settled five back on the markers, pulled hard and made a move down the back straight. He picked up a lot of ground in the final 600m and seemed to have something in reserve so he appears to be a value chance at Bendigo on Tuesday night. ISLAND MELIA also picked up a lot of ground from last to finish in third position. She is making her debut at Yarra Valley on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.0 Last Half: - 61.6 Margins: - 15m, 8m
BLACKBOOKER: - On A Night
BALLARAT 17/10/23
Trial 1: - SOHO HONEY RIDER settled three back on the markers and raced keenly throughout. She came to the outside with a half mile remaining, quickly powered to the lead and slipped home in a slick last half to win impressively. CARRAMAR OLAM finished second after leading out then taking cover in the back straight on the final occasion. LOAN SAILOR followed CARRAMAR OLAM throughout and finished third in front of OUR STORM GIRL (4 back markers) and SOHO VESPER LIND (5 back markers) in a blanket finish for the minor issue.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.9 Last Half: - 56.3 Margins: - 3m, 2m
