Skinnydip left his rivals a little red-faced and suggested a bright future with new trainer Wayne Potter after a strong trial performance at Bendigo this week.
The gelding won four races from six starts with former trainer Nathan Jack and Harness Racing Victoria form analyst Craig Rail has added him to his Blackbook after the “decisive” victory on Monday night.
Skinnydip was set to start at Albury this evening, but has been scratched.
Others to make the Blackbook from the trials this week were Can Adel Succeed and Lady Vici.
TRIAL REPORT
TERANG 01/02/24
Trial 1: - MISTER BLINDSIDE is a promising 3yo trotter, which raced greenly but hit the line strongly at his debut. He was without cover early, switched to be three back on the markers shortly after the start, moved up without cover and quickly hit the front at the quarter pole to win his trial comfortably. He drew on the inside of the second line, was held up for a run at a vital stage and stormed home late for an eye-catching second at Bendigo on Thursday night. KEAYANG STUKA settled three back on the inside, moved off the markers on the home turn and worked into second position. KEAYANG ZAHARA settled four back on the markers, angled out three horses wide on the home turn and finished off well for a close up third.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.6 Last half: - 59.6 Margins: - 3m, head
Trial 2: - DIAMONDS AND ROSES is an unraced mare by Betting Line out of Bulgari Rose (1.59.0, $19,605) for trainer Amy Day. She showed good gate speed to lead, set up a moderate tempo and was able to win softly. With a name like DIAMONDS AND ROSES, she might be an omen tip first up with Valentines Day fast approaching. KEAYANG BRANDY settled down four back on the markers, waited for the sprint lane and powered home for an eye-catching second. SOUTHBOUND RED was third across the line after trailing the leader throughout and will be competing at Maryborough on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.5 Last Half: - 63.4 Margins: - 2m, 1m
Trial 3: - ULTIMATE JOY (American Ideal – Lombo Cloud Nine (1.55.3, $102,310) is a beautifully bred filly for trainer Stephen Lambert, which led throughout to win by a large margin. MICHAELWEY trailed the leader and broke stride momentarily at the 700m but held his position and was second across the line. IM MOLLY MALONE settled down three back on the inside and finished in third. The handy maiden DOUGS FLAME, which performed well during his juvenile season, settled down in last position, made a run in the back straight on the final occasion and got to second approaching the home turn before hanging off the track and breaking stride. He was going to be in the finish had he not made the error in the latter stages. He backed up at Bendigo on Thursday night and attempted to lead throughout but was run down late and finished in third.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.4 Last Half: - 58.2 Margins: - 25m, 40m
Trial 4: - ALDEBARAN LEWIS is an unraced gelding for trainer Darren Cole. He is by Sweet Lou out of Our Awesome Lover, which is a close relation to the top New Zealand mare Under Cover Lover (1.51.8, $864,923) along with several other classy performers including Cybersleuth and CC’s Lover. He trailed the leader early before working to the lead and proved to be too strong at the end. KEAYANG HONEYJOY settled last of the five runners and ran home strongly late for a game second. PANAMA LAD led out then took cover and finished in third ahead of PLAY ALTRO, (4 back markers) which came off the inside on the home turn and picked up some ground late. PLAY ALTO is backing up at Cranbourne tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.1 Last Half: - 60.2 Margins: - 20m, 10m
Trial 5: - ROCKNALLOVERTHEWORLD NZ trailed the leader early, moved around to find the lead at the 1700m mark then finished off in slick final sectionals to hold on and win. ROYAL DIVISION led out then took cover and chased hard in the straight. He only failed by a narrow margin. SILVER MYSTIQUE was last of the three runners throughout and is competing at Ararat on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.6 Last Half: - 57.4 Margins: - Head, 30m
HAMILTON 02/02/24
Trial 2: - OPERATIVE LINE hasn’t started since recording successive victories at Melton and Ballarat in October. He is a quality horse for trainer Rebecca East and was able to defeat his stable mates EASTBRO KOZZY and EASTBRO CHRISSY. EASTBRO CHRISSY will have a busy week as she is scheduled to compete at Mount Gambier tonight and also at Ararat on Tuesday night. MISS INVINCIBLE is an unraced mare by Safari out of Lotsaclass (1.57.9, $20,543) for trainer Neil Shepherd. She was last across the line but was taking on proven winners and she will be making her debut at Mount Gambier this evening.
Last Mile: - 1.58.9 Last Half: - 57.7 Margins: - 8.5m, 5m
MARYBOROUGH 04/02/24
Trial 2: - CAN ADEL SUCCEED is a filly by Great Success out of Twelve Or A Dozen (2.2.3, $32,276) and created a good impression after starting very quickly and being a clear leader throughout. She won by thirty metres over HIDDEN FIRE, which was four back on the inside before moving up without cover at the 1200m. PEGASUS LEGACY finished in third position after trailing the leader, breaking stride momentarily on the first turn and holding her position in behind the speed.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.0 Last Half: - 59.9 Margins: - 30m, 20m
BLACKBOOKER: - Can Adel Succeed
Trial 3: - BONAVISTA BOY settled three back on the markers, moved away from the inside at the 300m and was able to get up and claim victory on the line. RUBY WINGATE finished in second after setting the speed and missed out by a narrow margin when a game third at Ballarat several days later on Wednesday night. The good trotter SER PATRICK finished in third position after trailing the leader throughout in quick time.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.9 Last Half: - 59.2 Margins: - Head, 6m
Trial 4: - ANGEL OF ANGER was formerly with trainer Shannon Edwards and is now with Basil Dooley. The daughter of Jilliby Kung Fu showed very good gate speed to lead and ran along at a genuine tempo. She never appeared to be in any danger of defeat and won nicely. IM ROWDY finished in second position after trailing the leader and moving to the outside at the quarter pole. He was able to get close to ANGEL OF ANGER on the home turn but peaked on his run late. LORINO is an unraced 4yo by He’s Watching out of the Live or Die mare Rosa Franco and came from last to pick up third position.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.6 Last Half: - 59.8 Margins: - 6m, 15m
Trial 6: - ALWAYS WILLOW hasn’t raced since April 2023 but was able to get home best from behind the leader to take out the final trial. INSIDER TRADING is a juvenile colt by The Storm Inside out of the former handy race mare No Share Left (1.59.5, $43,230). He settled four back on the inside and came out three horses wide from the 500m before finishing off strongly for second. He makes his debut at Swan Hill on Sunday evening, where he will be taking on older horses. LITTLE ART settled five back on the markers and home quite well for a distant third.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.9 Last Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 1m, 9m
KYABRAM 04/02/24
Trial 1: - MONTANA MUSCLE has been racing consistently with a second and three fourths at her past four attempts. She was kept ticking over by trainer Kenneth Covington with a trial victory over TENLILFONZIES with the 3yo trotter CRESCO CASHFLOW finishing in third position. MONTANA MUSCLE is competing at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.1 Last Half: - Not Given Margins: - Head, 2m
Trial 2: - STRAWBERRY BLING hasn’t raced since being unplaced at Albury in mid-December but is competing at Albury this afternoon. She was able to defeat NIVEKALON PUNTA, an unraced mare by Betting Line out of Beach Melody (1.54.7, $101,825) for trainer Mitchell Frost, which makes her debut at Maryborough on Monday with ZIEGFELD being last of the three runners across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.9 Last Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 5m, 30m
MILDURA 05/02/24
Trial 1: - GODSGIFT recently joined trainer Naomi Kerr and boasts handy credentials considering she was placed in the Southern Cross Series Final during her last preparation. She led throughout and got the job done despite racing greenly at various times in the event. PRINCE OF TERROR is an unraced gelding by the New Zealand Cup hero in Terror To Love out of Just Like Rose (1.56.7, $11,456). He settled down last of the five runners and finished off well for second. LORD CHEWBACCA was third across the line after racing behind the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.3 Last Half: - 65.0 Margins: - 2m, 2m
Trial 3 – EMILY VINCENT is a newcomer for the Aaron Coad stable and hasn’t raced since an unplaced effort at Ballarat in October. She trailed the leader early, moved to the outside at the 1300m and eventually ran to the top with 700m remaining. She dashed well clear at the end and scored by a large margin. It was a good hit-out leading up to her first up performance at Globe Derby tomorrow night. PUMPT settled down last of the three runners and finished in second ahead of the early leader DARK SANDS.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.9 Last Half: - 60.3 Margins: - 60m, 2m
BENDIGO 05/02/24
Trial 2: - BUS STOP is now with trainer Alex Ashwood and was able to lead throughout and win his trial comfortably. He makes his debut for the new stable at Swan Hill on Sunday evening and is sure to have his admirers. EYE SEE PHILTRA settled four back on the markers, came to the outside at the quarter pole and finished in second position. I SEE IRIS settled down last of the five runners and followed forward behind EYE SEE PHILTRA from the quarter pole. She finished third ahead of ONE LAST BELLE (3 back markers), which went to the line hard held.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.7 Last Half: - 60.7 Margins: - 5m, 9m
Trial 3: - DEREK THE JET continued his very good trial form with an effortless victory after he found the lead shortly after the start. There was a lot to like on how he extended in the final 150m and he should be very competitive when he is asked to step out onto the track for his debut performance. WORTH WAITING trailed the leader throughout and finished in second. She is an unraced filly by Volstead out of Sunshine Annie (2.7.8, $6,538) for trainer Rebecca Bartley and she did beat the remainder of the field by a large margin. WITH APLOMB is an unraced filly by Wishing Stone out of Maori Aplomb and was the third horse across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.5 Last Half: - 59.8 Margins: - 18m, 36m
Trial 7: - SKINNYDIP NZ hasn’t raced since August but he created a big impression last campaign with four wins and two seconds from just six attempts. He is now with trainer Wayne Potter and he was able to record a decisive trial victory in the final event albeit winning by a narrow margin. He was five back on the markers in the early stages and moved up without cover from the bell, winning with seemingly plenty in reserve. He makes his racetrack return at Albury this afternoon, where he has drawn poorly on the outside of the front line over the sprint distance. MONGIANA began quickly to find the lead and went down fighting with PARIS PRINCESS coming from three back on the markers to pick up third position.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.2 Last Half: - 58.2 Margins: - Not Given
BLACKBOOKER: - Skinnydip NZ
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 06/02/24 (The results of the Melton trials have not been uploaded onto the harness website. The results given in this report are unofficial and are as broadcast on the day.)
Trial 3: - STRONG RESPONSE began quickly and was able to lead comfortably around the first corner. He set up a moderate tempo but was able to finish off in a sizzling final quarter of 26.5 seconds so it was a good performance. TALLULAH LEE trailed the leader early, moved up without cover and battled on well for second. VALIENTE was four back on the markers and moved through to trail the leader approaching the home turn. He finished third ahead of TRINITYS DELIGHT, which was three back on the markers for the majority of the trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Last Half: - 56.5 Margins: - 6m, 6m (approximately)
Trial 5: - ELEEGANT LANE showed brilliant gate speed and was a clear leader approaching the first turn. She raced greenly at various stages of the trial and established a good lead again in the back straight on the final occasion so she obviously has her fair share of ability. She defeated PERFECT PLAYGIRL, which sat in the trail throughout with WHERES LEXIE doing her best work late for third after being four back on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.2 Last Half: - 59.2 Margins: - 10m, head (approximately)
Trial 6: - LADY VICI settled five back on the markers before moving up without cover from the bell. She hit the front with 300m remaining and charged away in the straight to win easily. THE SKY IS THE LIMIT was three back on the inside and moved into the running lane at the 600m (1-2) before working into a distant second late. HES THEMIGHTYSPIN finished third after setting the speed and MY MATE YANKEE (7 back markers) was doing his best work late for fourth.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.0 Last Half: - 59.6 Margins: - 18m, 5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Lady Vici
Trial 7: - YERING SOHO has been racing in great form and has joined Scott Ewen since her latest performance. She was five back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 900m and came out three horses wide in the back straight on the final occasion. She finished off strongly to win comfortably, which is a good lead into her chances at Cranbourne tomorrow night. BEATS SWEET settled six back on the inside, moved into the running lane (1-2) at the 900m mark and ran home strongly to finish in second position. SHOOBEE GOTCHA finished third after setting the pace with IMNOPET (3 back markers) filling fourth spot.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.6 Last Half: - 57.7 Margins: - 4m, 8m
Trial 8: - OURBEACHBABE began brilliantly and dashed across the face of the field to find the lead shortly after the start. She ran along at an even tempo and was able to hold off her rivals to get the prize. She is competing at Mount Gambier this evening, where she has drawn favourably. BETTORORWORSE finished a close second after trailing the leader and using the passing lane. YNOBE DAKOTA settled six back on the inside and moved into the one out and one back trail in the back straight on the final occasion. He finished third ahead of UBETTA KNOT, which was three back on the markers throughout. UBETTA KNOT is competing at Melton this evening, where she is awkwardly drawn.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.0 Last Half: - 58.8 Margins: - Head, 4m
Trial 9: - BLAZIN HEAVEN trailed the leader before coming to the outside at the 300m mark and finished off best to get the prize. She recorded a slick final half of 56.8 seconds and it was a good hit out for her performance in the last event on Cranbourne Cup night. THE SUN AND THE MOON finished in second after attempting to the all of the way. TINMAN settled four back on the markers and moved into the position on the outside of the leader at the quarter pole. He battled on quite well to finish in third.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.2 Last Half: - 56.8 Margins: - Neck, 50m
