Talent coninutes to bubble on the Victorian trials circuit with several eye-catching performances from pacers and trotters who are coming to a race track near you.
Among those was Tin Tin Jo, David Miles filly who score easily in the opening event at Tabcorp Park Melton.
She hasn’t raced since March but "appeared to be very sharp in winning the trial and should prove hard to beat at Bendigo on Tuesday".
Nathan Purdon's two-year-old Alanna Miki also earned a berth in the Blackbook after she led, took cover and finished fast out to score in her trial.
And Narutac Prince, who's now with Emma Stewart, also produced an eye-catcher in upstaging his new stablemate Longfellow.
Scroll down for this week's trial highlights, with Blackbooker replays and the updated Blackbook below.
BACCHUS MARSH 10/09/22
Trial 1: - TRIROCKIN had his final hit-out leading up to his debut at Geelong on Thursday night with a victory in the opening trial over BLACK CAMEO and STRAPPING RED. STRAPPING RED made his return to the race track in the same race as TRIROCKIN on Thursday night. STRAPPING RED finished third after trailing the leader and using the sprint lane while TRIROCKIN ended up being in fifth after racing on the outside of the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.3 Last Half: - 60.2 Margins: - 3m, 2m
Trial 5: - CRIMES OF A LADY hasn’t raced since a third at Ballarat in July but the Courtney Slater prepared filly has done well in three starts to date, having won on two occasions. She was able to finish off in a quick final half to defeat her stable mate GOODTIME LIBBY with BRING MY BLING being a large distance away in third position.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.2 Last Half: - 58.6 Margins: - 2m, 30m
Trial 7: - FLOATING MOUNTAIN was able to win the mobile start trotting event over MUMPAYSTHEBILLS with SONNY BROOKE being in third position. FLOATING MOUNTAIN hadn’t started since finishing unplaced in the Tontine Championship in April prior to his return at Geelong on Thursday night, where he finished seventh behind Shield Maiden.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.8 Last Half: - 59.6 Margins: - Head, 3m
Trial 9: - OVERANDOUT has always shown his fair share of talent but he raced very greenly at his first three race track attempts back in May 2020, where he had two wins and a second. He makes his return at the Wedderburn @ Maryborough meeting on Sunday and prepared for that assignment with an easy trial victory over VICTREE HILL.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.3 Last Half: - 61.1 Margins: - 15m, 50m
MARYBOROUGH 11/09/22
Trial 1: - RELENTLESS ME began quickly to find the front and recorded a slick final half of 55.9 seconds, seemingly jogging, to post an impressive victory. She is one of the leading chances in her race at Yarra Valley on Monday. SHE WILL ROCK finished second after trailing the leader throughout and the former New Zealand pacer SWEET REVENGE NZ finished last of the three runners. SWEET REVENGE NZ will make her Australian debut at Yarra Valley on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Last Half: - 55.9 Margins: - 6m, 8m
Trial 2: - SER PATRICK continued his strong trial form with a runaway victory over BLUE COMAN. BLUE COMAN and EL RESAMO went very hard early with BLUE COMAN eventually finding the lead at the 1600m. SER PATRICK was three back on the markers and had a good kick left at the finish, drawing clear to win by 20m.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.2 Last Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 20m, 40m
Trial 4: - EBONYS AVENGER and STINGOFAWASP both prepared for tonight’s Shepparton Trotters Oaks at the Maryborough trials, where they finished first and second respectively. EBONYS AVENGER won the Super Series last season and was able to dominate from the front. STINGOFAWASP began quickly then took the trail and tried hard in the straight. Both horses are awkwardly drawn against a strong field this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.3 Last Half: - 58.1 Margins: - 6m, 6m
TABCORP PARK, MELTON 12/09/22
Trial 1: - TIN TIN JO produced a dominant front running display to score easily in the opening event. She hasn’t raced since competing in a Consolation of the Bathurst Gold Crown in March but appeared to be very sharp in winning the trial and should prove hard to beat at Bendigo on Tuesday. SUNSHINE SAINT finished second after trailing the leader throughout. He had every chance but his breeding suggests he will keep improving with age. He is out of the fine race and producing mare Torridon, making him a close relation to eight winners including Saint Flash (1.52.3), Courageous Saint (1.52.1) and the current open class performer Torrid Saint (1.51.7). He makes his debut at Yarra Valley on Monday as does JOHN VINCENT, which finished fourth in the trial after being four back on the markers for most of the trip.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.3 Last Half: - 59.11 Margins: - 10m, 18m
BLACKBOOKER: - Tin Tin Jo
Trial 2: - ELECTROJET hasn’t raced since May but has been performing nicely at the trials and might run a big race first up at Wedderburn @ Maryborough on Sunday. She began speedily to find the lead and finished off in good sectionals to win the trial over KYVALLEYHONEYBUNNY, which raced in the trail. B D YASOTHON NZ was three back on the markers but broke stride approaching the home turn and checked MY USED TO BE.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.2 Last Half: - 58.76 Margins: - 4.5m, 24m
Trial 3: - ALANNA MIKI had one start at Kilmore in May, which yielded a second behind the highly rated filly Perfect In Pink. She looked good at the trials, where she led early, took cover and was shuffled back on the markers before finishing fast out wide on the track to get the prize. ROSANNA REBEL remains undefeated from two starts at the races and settled fifth before moving into the running lane at the 500m (1-2). She came out five horses wide on the home turn and loomed up to hit the lead before being run down by ALANNA MIKI over the latter stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Last Half: - 58.62 Margins: - 2m, 2.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Alanna Miki
Trial 4: - FOUR STAR SAINT prepared for his effort at Yarra Valley on Monday with a victory over JUST MIKI. He trailed the leader, came to the outside on the home turn and finished off best to get the prize. He prefers to race close to the speed so being drawn on the second row at Yarra Valley is a disadvantage but he looks hard to beat. MON SOLEIL is also racing at Yarra Valley and finished third in the trial after settling five back on the markers and moving out three horses wide from the 400m.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.4 Last Half: - 59.45 Margins: - 2m, 8.5m
Trial 5: - FRANCO LANDRY NZ won through the grades quickly in New South Wales before heading to Queensland, where he won the Redcliffe Christmas Cup. His form tapered off in the Sunshine State and he recently joined Nathan Purdon. He led throughout and finished off in slick final sectionals to win the trial over ITS BEAUJOLAIS, which trailed the leader throughout. The star 3yo pacer CATCH A WAVE finished third but he was never extended at any stage. He settled last of the four runners, pulled hard, angled to the outside with 150m remaining and finished quickly in a slick last quarter of 26.91 seconds so he lost no admirers.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.1 Last Half: - 57.11 Margins: - 3m, 2m
Trial 6: - QUEEN ELIDA NZ is an outstanding mare having won fourteen of her twenty-four starts. She hasn’t raced since winning the Matriarch Trot in June but she is already a Group 1 winner this season having taken out the La Coocaracha at Menangle. She settled last of the five runners, moved into the one out and one back trail behind ULTIMATE STRIDE NZ and switched back to the inner in the home straight, accelerating beautifully to score with seemingly plenty in reserve. ULTIMATE STRIDE NZ used the trial as a stepping stone to the Shepparton Trotters Cup this evening. He was four back on the markers and moved into the death seat with 700m remaining. He battled on well for second with SWISS MISS NZ being third across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Last Half: - 58.31 Margins: - 3m, 5.5m
Trial 9: - KYVALLEY PIERRO settled five back on the inside, moved out three horses wide at the 300m and finished off strongly to score. The juvenile trotter SALUTE STRIDE NZ prepared for her debut at Bendigo on Tuesday night with a game second after she led out then took cover. EMMA JOY NZ prepared for her Australian debut performance at Yarra Valley on Monday with a third placed effort after she was three back on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail behind SALUTE STRIDE NZ at the 400m.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.1 Last Half: - 61.82 Margins: - ½ neck, 6.5m
Trial 10: - ALDEBARAN KEEPA NZ is a New Zealander, which has galloped at the start in her two Australian starts to date. She ran a huge race for fourth in a heat of the Need for Speed Princess series after missing valuable ground early then couldn’t recover from her poor getaway in the Final. Chris Alford takes the drive for tonight’s Shepparton Trotters Oaks and he took the reins in the trial, where she began quickly, trailed the leader early and ended up being three back on the inside. She gave the leader STRATEGIC STRIDE a big start turning for home but finished off fast to post an impressive victory. STRATEGIC STRIDE finished second and beat the remainder of the field by over forty metres so he must be considered as a chance at Yarra Valley on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Last Half: - 60.85 Margins: - 6m, 41.5m
BENDIGO 12/09/22
Trial 2: - HARTS LAST came from four back on the markers at the quarter pole and finished off quickly to record a good victory over CHOOZ REACTOR. CHOOZ REACTOR was given a very strong hit-out in preparation for the Wedderburn @ Maryborough meeting on Sunday and should prove hard to beat on that program. She led out, took cover at the 1500m and came to the outside at the 600m to pressure the leader. She went quickly down the back straight and was claimed on the line so it was a tidy display. HARTS LAST did perform well enough to win a race in the near future but she is taking on a very strong field at Bendigo on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.4 Last Half: - 57.2 Margins: - Head, 6m
Trial 3: - WELL DEFINED won the open class trial after he settled five back on the inside and moved into the one out and one back trail at the 800m. He finished off nicely and grabbed victory on the line. INTERVIEW has a National Rating of 56 so his effort to finish second was very good. He was four back on the inside and moved up without cover with 800m remaining. The early leader ILLAWONG STARDUST finished third and the leading trio were well clear of the remainder of the field, which was headed by the maiden 3yo trotter HOLD THAT GOLD.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.1 Last Half: - 58.4 Margins: - Head, 6m
Trial 5: - LARR DEES SON and UPTOWN LAD are both racing in the Abrahams 2yo Classic at Shepparton this evening and were able to stage a good duel in reasonable time in trial five. UPTOWN LAD found the lead and raced keenly. LARR DEES SON took the trail and came to the outside at the 300m mark. The pair went to the line locked together with LARR DEES SON poking his head in front just in time.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.4 Last Half: - 58.7 Margins: - Head, 15m
Trial 6: - SCHOOL CAPTAIN produced another top trial performance with a victory over BRAVO STRIDE. He trailed behind his stable mate throughout, came to the outside on the home turn and got up on the line with seemingly something in reserve. BRAVO STRIDE was narrowly beaten after setting the speed and ANGELS DELIGHT came from last to finish third.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.1 Last Half: - 58.9 Margins: - Nose, 15m
SHEPPARTON 13/09/22
Trial 1: - SHES POPPY settled three back on the inside, moved away from the pegs at the 600m and ran home well to score. SPELL CASTER ran a game race for second after setting up a genuine tempo and establishing a big lead mid-race. IVE AN IDEA trailed the leader and used the sprint lane to finish a close third.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.0 Last Half: - 59.6 Margins: - Neck, 1m
Trial 3: - SUPER SERVICE was stood down to trial after galloping at his latest attempt and was able to qualify with a trial victory. He worked to the front at the 1800m and went to the line jogging to score comfortably. He is backing up at the Wedderburn @ Maryborough meeting on Sunday and is a winning chance if he delivers a fool proof display.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.1 Last Half: - 62.9 Margins: - 4m, 12m
Trial 5: - LETSROCKLETSROLL settled three back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 300m and sprinted quickly in the home straight to claim the prize. LETS GOT THERE attempted to lead throughout and went down narrowly. MONA MIA settled last of the four runners, came to the outside at the 500m and sprinted quickly to join the leader on the home turn. She battled on well in what was a slowly run trial and a dash up the straight.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.5 Last Half: - 58.54 Margins: - 1m, neck
MILDURA 13/09/22
Trial 2: - OUR MASTER PLAY continued his good trial form with an all of the way victory over CAULONIA PLAYBOY, which trailed the leader and chased hard over the final stages. OUR MASTER PLAY is still learning but is capable of winning races when he is able to put it altogether.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.3 Last Half: - 58.7 Margins: - 4m, 20m
Trial 4: - ROCKETS MATE continued his good run of form with an all of the way victory in the final trial. He is taking on several very handy performers at Mildura this afternoon but he should run his usual honest race. The former South Australian pacer TRIPLETS has recently joined trainer Sandra O’Connor and did very well for a close second after trailing the leader.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.5 Last Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 1m, 2m
BALLARAT 13/09/22
Trial 2: - STAR CELEBRITY finished fourth in the Victoria Sires Classic at her latest appearance and was able to lead throughout. She raced a little roughly over the concluding stages but got the job done in good fashion. JACKS HAWK hasn’t raced since finishing second in the New South Wales Derby in March 2021. He was three back on the markers and moved into the death seat at the 400m so it was an encouraging effort. CAPTAIN PINS stormed home from last of the four runners to finish an eye-catching third.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Last Half: - 56.7 Margins: - 2m, head
Trial 3: - NARUTAC PRINCE hasn’t started since February and joins trainer Emma Stewart after previously being prepared by David Aiken. He led throughout and safely held the smart pacer LONGFELLOW at bay so he could be in for a good campaign. LONGFELLOW had his chance in the trail but he is very tough and his latest performance was a win in the Easter Cup at Launceston. IDYLLIC was last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.4 Last Half: - 56.9 Margins: - 2m, 5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Narutac Prince
Trial 4: - MACH DAN has returned from an unsuccessful New Zealand campaign, where he took on the elite class on the North Island. He was very impressive after coming from three back on the markers and storming home to snare victory over the early pacemaker ACT NOW. OUR MILLIONAIRE finish third after trailing the leader and coming to the outside on the home turn. PHOENIX PRINCE hasn’t started since winning the Mildura Cup in April. He settled down last of the four runners and obtained an inside run in the home straight, finishing last of the four but not far from the winner.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.7 Last Half: - 55.4 Margins: - 2m, 2m
