It’s time to get pen and paper in hand because the first Trots Life Blackbook has dropped and all seven additions step out in the next four days.
As part of the Metrospective segment on SENTrack program Trots Life, host Jason Bonnington and Nikkita Ross have introduced a Blackbook of the eye-catching runs at Tabcorp Park Melton, which will be revealed on the show Mondays from 11am-1pm and captured at thetrots.com.au.
In week one, seven runners were plonked straight into the Blackbook, including two that both Bonnington and Ross short-listed.
They were Bullys Delight (pictured), who will contest Saturday night’s Empire Stallions Pace, and Return Soldier, who will step out in the first at Tabcorp Park Melton – the TAB Long May We Play Pace.
Bonnington also Blackbooked Repeat After Me, Sammy Showdown and Sombeachshadow, who also race on Saturday, as well as Itz Longtall Sally, who steps out at Ballarat tomorrow night in a heat of the Alabar Vicbred Super Series.
While Ross rounded out the seven-horse thick Blackbook with Spring In His Step, who will race at Shepparton on Sunday in a two-year-old Vicbred Super Series heat.
So why did they shortlist them?
Itz Longtall Sally
(Blackbooked: 6th at Melton on December 5. Next race: R9 N3 at Ballarat on Friday)
JASON BONNINTON: Smart 3YO filly that got dragged right out of the race but flashed home along inside late to beat some very smart males. She could be a smoky in Vicbred Super Series.
Return Soldier
(Blackbooked: 6th at Melton on December 5. Next race: R4 N1 at Melton on Saturday)
JASON BONNINGTON: Mercurial customer but was left with absolutely nowhere to go late on Saturday night. He still holds a very kind rating and can win a similar race with just a little more luck in next couple of starts.
NIKKITA ROSS: Looked like he was jogging as he hit the line under a hold when the gaps never appeared in the straight. Very unlucky.
Bullys Delight
(Blackbooked: 3rd at Melton on December 5. Next race: R5 N1 at Melton on Saturday)
JASON BONNINGTON: Franked excellent trial form with a flashing light run first-up from a spell. This bloke has gate speed and only needs a draw in a similar or easier race (possible with his rating) to break through early in prep.
NIKKITA ROSS: Was carted back through the field and charged to the line really impressively once he had clear air, but it was all too late.
Repeat After Me
(Blackbooked: 5th at Melton on December 5. Next race: R5 N3 at Melton on Saturday)
JASON BONNINGTON: Beaten 20m but did a power of work and never wanted to shirk the task. Can go forward or back in his races and has tackled much better opposition than his rating indicates.
Somebeachshadow
(Blackbooked: 3rd at Melton on December 5. Next race: R6 N5 at Melton on Saturday).
JASON BONNINGTON: Sit-sprinter that was held up right when the first and second horses built crucial momentum in fast-class Saturday night. He is a length or two below the best but can break through in a race like the one he tackled over the weekend very soon.
Sammy Showdown
(Blackbooked: 6th at Melton on December 5. Next race: R7 N7 at Melton on Saturday).
JASON BONNINGTON: Early this campaign he was going as well as Majestuoso. The wheels fell off but the way he charged to the line after being horribly held up in Maori’s Idol FFA was very, very encouraging.
Spring In His Step
(Blackbooked: 2nd at Melton on December 5. Next race: R3 N6 at Shepparton on Sunday).
NIKKITA ROSS: Stuck to the task really well after sitting parked in tough conditions. Kept trying right to the finish and wasn’t beaten far, a horse with plenty of upside.
