Trots form expert Craig Rail delivers his detailed Trial File every Friday morning at thetrots.com.au to give punters the edge.
Check the bottom of the article for a list of Blackbookers to follow.
WARRAGUL 27/04/19
Trial 1: – EMILIANA was clearly the class horse of the trial (C6) and was entitled to win. He settled at the rear of the field before circling around to lead at the 1600m. He drifted away from the markers approaching the home turn but held an advantage of three metres in the run to the post. SHARING THE LOVE has been stood down to trial at her past two appearances but she can improve if her trial was any indication. She settled fourth and finished off well out wide on the track. BLAZIN CRACKER led out then took cover behind EMILIANA with two laps remaining and finished third. SOVEREIGN MINX began quickly and ended up being three back on the inside mid-race, finishing fourth and it wasn’t a bad run for a trotter against the pacers. CELESTIAL GOSSIP settled last of the six and worked passed CASINO CAT (fifth markers) in the latter stages.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.0 Final Half: – 59.7 Margins: – 3m, 5m
Trial 2: – TSOLAKIS led out and was having a good look at the inside of the track before taking cover behind MASTER SPARK. He seemed to concentrate better until he drew to the lead on the home bend and shifted out allowing END GAME to work through. He lifted under pressure however and won the trial. END GAME made up a lot of ground from the 400m to the 150m and looked the winner before TSOLAKIS kicked back. END GAME (Roll With Joe) appeared to have something in reserve however. The 3yo trotter MASTER SPARK (Majestic Son) showed ability. He trailed the leader before moving to the front at the 1600m and setting up a genuine mid-race speed. VALONTE SWAN (Western Terror) settled three back on the inside and finished fourth. ENDSIN A DREAM galloped away and was always tailed out but was able to work passed SAUCEY LITTLE MEL (Modern Art), which raced without cover throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.5 Final Half: – 62.5 Margins: – 3m, 40m
BACCHUS MARSH 27/04/19
Trial 1: – LEFT RIGHT ANDCENTRE has made a few errors lately but he has been showing a lot of speed and ability when doing the chasing. He defeated YOUR NICKED, which finished off quickly at his latest Maryborough second, and he ran a slick final half of 58.3 seconds so he could win a race at odds if he delivers a fool proof display in the near future. The juvenile trotter AMUNET (Majestic Son) finished a distant third.
Mile Rate: – 2.14.3 Final Half: – 58.3 Margins: – 6m, 200m
Trial 2: – MANGANELLO is a strong front running pacer, which was stood down to trial at Melton. He finished third in the Ouyen Cup prior and he easily defeated the C2 pacer KELLYS IDEAL, which returns to Victoria after an unplaced Penrith performance, in the second trial. BETTOR SWEET, which hasn’t started since 2016 finished in third.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.6 Final Half: – 60.1 Margins: – 8m, 1/2head
Trial 3: – NOBLE JULIA (Julius Caesar) is an unraced 3yo pacer for trainer Arthur Wood, which took on mostly juveniles and won the trial in a slow mile rate of 2.11.0. MICTON MOUSE (Stonebridge Regal) finished in second position with BRONSKI MOMENT (Major Bronski) in third. STARZZ IN DISGUISE, the only horse in the trial to have raced previously (12-0-1-0), finished fourth and UNETHICAL (Four Starzzz Shark) was last of the five runners.
Mile Rate: – 2.11.0 Final Half: – 60.4 Margins: – 3m, 4m
Trial 4: – The Country Cups performer ITS NOT DARK YET competed against the 2-3yo trotters so she was extremely well graded. She won the trial from THREE ONE TWO ONE and the juvenile trotter FLOATING MOUNTAIN (Skyvalley) finished third. Last of the four runners was BLUE SPARKLER (Danny Bouchea), which finished 10 metres from the winner.
Mile Rate: – 2.16.5 Final Half: – 64.9 Margins: – 2m, 5m
Trial 5: – FRANCO REBEL has been lightly raced since coming from New Zealand and hasn’t started since January. He was clearly the class runner of the trial (C2) but he delivered a handy mile rate of 2.2.2. ALLGOOD BABE (Four Starzzz Shark) is an unraced 3yo for trainer Ian Caruana and finished second, which was obviously a good effort in a staying test. The dual gaited SUMO GRIN, which is currently pacing, finished third and DADS MY HERO (Santanna Blue Chip) was a distant fourth. THE REGULATOR (Village Jasper) finished a distant last in easily the fastest trial of the morning.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.2 Final Half: – 59.8 Margins: – 8m, 2m
MILDURA 28/04/19
Trial 1: – ALWAYS A CELEBRITY was without cover early and pushed to the lead at the 1200m passed the early front runner WE WILL SOUND. He won comfortably with WE WILL SOUND, a newcomer for trainer Frank Cavallaro, not having much room until the final 50m in second. LIVINGINTHESHADOW raced in the death seat for the majority of the trip and boxed on well for third. ZIVA (Shadow Play), a 2yo for trainer Ian Watson, was three back on the markers throughout and just edged out JACKNWAL (1-1) for fourth. ROCK ON REGAL (Stonebridge Regal) was last on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.4 Final Half: – 60.6 Margins: – 4m,3m
Trial 2: – MAJOR MUCHA was a Melton winner in January and joins trainer Scott Garraway. He showed very good gate speed to lead by a comfortable margin. PRETTYPUD trailed the leader before coming to the outside at the 900m and applied the pressure for the final circuit. MAJOR MUCHA got away in the final 50m to win from PRETTYPUD and FOREST MAJOR, which settled three back on the markers before trailing the leader, finished third. LADY MONICA and STARZZZ ON HIGH (Four Starzzz Shark) settled four and five back the markers and finished a long way from the leading trio.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.0 Final Half: – 60.4 Margins: – 3m, Neck
Trial 3: – OPAL CROWN galloped away and lost conservatively 50m at the start so it was a big run to come out three horses wide approaching the final corner and swoop upon the leaders. The mile rate was a slow 2.7.4 but he did have support when he made his debut for trainer Allan MacDonald on April 11 and he is going well enough to win a race at odds against the maiden class. GOLDEN SCRIBE settled three back on the inside and worked into second with the early leader THE VERGINIAN finishing in third. MAJOR MAGUIRE trailed the leader and tired from the 400m.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.4 Final Half: – 59.0 Margins: – 1m, Neck
Trial 4: – The field settled in single file order with BABY LUV showing the best gate speed to lead from ANGRIST, MISSUS APPLEBEE, KING RAFA, THEMONEYPIT and COME ON ELVIS. KING RAFA was the first to move away from the markers with 600m remaining and made a quick dash to join the leader. THEMONEYPIT followed with COME ON ELVIS into the 1-2 position. THEMONEYPIT angled out wide on the track to join the leaders on the turn and COME ON ELVIS didn’t manoeuvre wider until well into the straight but he produced a big finish to score. ANGRIST was held up for a run at a vital stage and zipped through late for second with THEMONEYPIT, which hasn’t raced since May 2018, in third. KING RAFA held on for fourth from MISSUS APPLEBEE and the early leader BABY LUV finished at the rear of the field.
Mile Rate: 2.8.3 Final Half: 61.2 Margins: Neck, 2m
Trial 5: – The open class trial saw the local star MURRANJI TRACK settle in fourth position and take advantage of a strong mid-race tempo to race well clear of his rivals in the run to the finish. HESEVERSOCLEVER led early then was tackled hard by VIERA, which raced fiercely on his outside. He eventually took a trail before moving to the outside of VIERA when FORTITUDO made a move from fifth at the 900m. To finish second, HESEVERSOCLEVER produced a very good effort. FORTITUDO ran third with SHADOW SPAR (3 back markers) fourth and the early effort took a toll on VIERA, which finished last of the five runners.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.4 Final Half: – 60.5 Margins: – 16m, 8m
MARYBOROUGH 28/04/19
Trial 1: – SULTAN FELLA has had numerous trainers in the past year and has now joined Jody Woodham Murdoch after a short stint in New South Wales. He settled last of the four runners, moved up without cover from the 700m and got up to win the trial. RADIUS put in a terrific trial performance. He is a C1 assessed pacer and gave SULTAN FELLA (C5) a fright, hitting the line strongly from off his back to be beaten by a neck. VALENTINA BRAVE led out then took cover behind the open class trotter ALEPPO MURPHY and finished third. ALEPPO MURPHY was last of the four runners but it wasn’t a bad trial. He pulled hard early, was allowed to balance up out very wide on the first turn before striding to the front and running along at a genuine tempo.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.4 Final Half: – 58.9 Margins: – Neck, 6m
BLACKBOOKER: – Radius
Trial 2: – There was only a field of three runners with the unraced 3yo grey pacer KIEDIS (Jet Laag) settling last before moving into the breeze in the back straight and proving too strong for the juvenile pacers AMMICHI, which led, and LADY DE VEQUE. Both of the 2yo pacers have been unplaced in three starts to date.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.3 Final Half: – 60.4 Margins: – 1m, 40m
Trial 3: – TOPSIES DANCIN began best and ran to the lead. IT’S A BORG (Modern Art) began well and was able to angle in behind the leader before the first corner. ARLINGTON OVER settled three back on the markers and MAJOR MAYHEM was last of the four runners. They finished in the order in which they settled with both TOPSIES DANCIN and IT’S A BORG seemingly having something in reserve. MAJOR MAYHEM galloped on the home corner when attempting to start a run.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.5 Final Half: – 57.7 Margins: – 6m, 10m
Trial 4: – MOLLYS PURSE trailed the leader throughout and finished off solidly when she came to the outside on the home turn. CHER AMI settled three back on the inside and was the first to give chase after the leader LA BELLA FIGURA (Louey Louey Louey). She hit the lead on the home turn but couldn’t repel the challenge of MOLLYS PURSE in the latter stages. RAGNA THOR has shown ability at the trials but he galloped when looking to be the leader shortly after the start then again at the 1100m and made another error at the 800m, so he is still learning.
Mile Rate: – 2.8.3 Final Half: – 63.0 Margins: 2m, 15m
Trial 5: – BLACK AND GOLD (Ships Spur) parked without cover early then challenged for the lead at the 1200m. She enjoyed a nice run in front thereafter and ran away from her rivals to win comfortably. ZINGARA LASS (Louey Louey Louey) led out then took cover at the 1200m and boxed on well for second. SHEZAGEM (Dejarmbro) began very slowly from the pole position, settled in fourth then moved up without cover from the 800m. She finished third in front of WHOS COUNTN (Imperial Count), which seemed to be travelling okay on the back of SHEZAGEM but galloped at the 400m. SPEEDWAY QUEEN, which was the only horse in the trial that has been to the races (2-0-2-0), galloped at the start and lost all chance.
Mile Rate: 2.9.3 Final Half: – 61.7 Margins: – 10m, 20m
Trial 6: – THE NIGHT KING (Danny Bouchea) trailed the leader WALKERVILLE STAR and came to the outside at the 500m. He hit the lead and forged away on the home turn, easily holding his more experienced rivals at bay. CROWN DREAM, IONA SPIDER and TRUSCOTT HALL all began very slowly from the handicap of 50m however and added another 20m-30m onto that mark. TRUSCOTT HALL was the horse to do the chasing after the leading duo with IONA SPIDER on her back and CROWN DREAM the last of the competitive chances. The juvenile trotter COUNTESS CHIRON (Imperial Count) galloped away and was always tailed out. IONA SPIDER moved up without cover from the 800m, TRUSCOTT HALL got sick of chasing at the 600m and CROWN DREAM weaved a passage in the final quarter. CROWN DREAM did find the line well to finish second without being extended.
Mile Rate: – 2.9.2 Final Half: – 60.4 Margins: – 8m, 3m
HAMILTON 28/04/19
Trial 1: – SPORTY CULTURE (Sportswriter) raced one out and one back throughout the trial and launched a winning claim on the home turn. BRANDISTON (B G’s Folly) settled three back on the markers and worked home nicely through the middle late. LIGHTNING BLUECHIP raced without cover on the outside of the leader CITYSIREN throughout and edged out that pacer for third. NEVADA YANKEE raced keenly behind the leader early, dropped off a few lengths in the back straight and picked up again to have no clear run at the finish. He can obviously improve with more experience. DOUBLE HELIX is a juvenile trotter and was taking on the pacers. He remained last throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.4 Final Half: – 60.0 Margins: – Not given
Trial 2: – KEAYANG SAVANNAH (Rocknroll Hanover) is out of the good mare Secret Twirl. She was slow in the score up but chased the gate and used that momentum to get in behind the leader. She came to the outside at the 500m and proved too strong. ELLISTON (Auckland Reactor) settled in fourth position and worked home well for second. MORGAN ART moved up without cover from the bell and ended up being three horses wide when KEAYANG SAVANNAH made her move but was still able to hold down third. The maiden trotter MAORI AMOUR settled last of the five runners and picked up ground in the latter stages for an eye-catching fourth. The early leader TIME TO ROCKNROLL finished last of the five runners.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.6 Final Half: – 60.70 Margins: – Not given
BLACKBOOKER: – Maori Amour
Trial 3: – SHE WILL WANTANO led throughout and strolled to an effortless win. She certainly could have won by a lot further. MAJOR MAD trailed the leader and it appeared as though ARRHYTHMIC (Shadyshark Hanover) was going to get passed him at the 400m but he kicked on to hold down second of the three runners in the run to the finish.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.8 Final Half: – 59.20 Margins: – Not given
Trial 4: – The form around the three runners in trial 4 is well exposed. OKELERHO LAD showed the best early speed to lead and held off TOMMASO, which trailed the leader and used the sprint lane. VEGAS PRINCE came away from the inside at the 500m to try and chase down the leader but finished last of the three, about a length behind OKELERHO LAD at the finish.
Mile Rate: – Not given Final Half: – 58.20 Margins: – Not given
Trial 5: – ARCHLEO stepped away nicely from the standing start and was able to lead throughout. FIRE OFFICIAL settled last of the three competitive chances and was about 20m behind ARCHLEO for the majority of the trial before chasing from the 500m. She went down by about a length. BOLD HUSSY trailed the leader throughout and finished third. CREATIVE LAD turned around in the opposite direction and was tailed out before retiring out of the trial with a lap remaining.
Mile Rate: – Not given Final Half: – Not given Margins: – Not given
ECHUCA 28/04/19
Trial 1: – MONASH began very fast to find the lead and set up a reasonable tempo. ALWAYS GRINNING trailed the leader throughout with PIRATES OF ZANZIBAR being without cover. MASTER MACH MANUS came from three back on the markers to be one out and one back from the bell and MCKILLA EXPRESS followed MASTER MACH MANUS throughout the entire trial. MASTER MACH MANUS finished best from MONASH and MCKILLA EXPRESS worked home well for third.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.6 Final Half: – 59.20 Margins: – 2m, 3m
Trial 2: – JEMSOMS PET led comfortably and was challenged by JUNIOR WARFARE from the 400m but got away from that pacer in the final stages. The interesting runner was the juvenile trotter MILLYS MAGIC (Majestic Son). She is a close relation to Shesa Amason and Lord Lohki and even though she finished last of the three, she trotted nicely and was finishing off well.
Mile Rate: – 2.8.1 Final Half: – 61.20 Margins: – 4m, 10m
BLACKBOOKER: – Milly’s Magic
Trial 3: – DALLAS FRANCO settled five back on the markers from a wide draw and worked into the one out and one back trail from the bell. He finished off quickly to win well. THE NARRATOR, a former New South Wales trained pacer, settled four back on the inside and was without cover from the bell. She finished second in front of BACKROADSAFARI, which set the speed. DON’T TELL ALICE finished fourth after trailing the leader in front of MAGGIES MISSILE (3 back markers) and HAYTOR LUCY, which pulled hard early and ran off the track at the 1500m, finished last of the six runners.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.7 Final Half: – 60.40 Margins: – 3m, 6m
BENDIGO 28/04/19
Trial 1: – There was a bit of trouble at the start, which allowed JAY BEE FLEX to establish a big lead. He was about 60m in front with 800m remaining and was able to hold on to win. ROSEHILL MAGIC did a massive job to run JAY BEE FLEX down to a metre. She was severely checked at the start and chased hard from the 600m. FULL OF FIZZ was able to work passed STAR GAZING, which was second for the majority of the trial, to finish third and CHOSEN SON finished last after a slow getaway.
Mile Rate: – 2.9.1 Final Half: – 62.4 Margins: – 1m, 40m
Trial 2: – POLLY PEACHUM utilized her gate speed to lead before taking cover behind FURIOSA. She came to the outside at the 400m and hit the lead on the turn before holding off LITTLEBITOFMAGIC (Art Major), which trailed her into the race. FURIOSA finished third with YELLOW BOW (Pet Rock) doing her best work at the finish. SHE WILL ROCK (Rock N Roll Heaven), BARABADOS BABE (Caribbean Blaster) and MIRADERO (Auckland Reactor) were always in the back half of the field.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.8 Final Half: – 60.2 Margins: – 2m, 4m
Trial 3: – DO BALL set up a very genuine tempo after running to the lead at the 1700m and at one stage was approximately 50m in front. He became very leg weary at the 300m however and was quickly collared. REVY JAY settled three back on the markers and was the first horse to give chase from the bell. He ran to the lead approaching the home turn and held off the challenge of BLACK VALLEY, which sustained a long run from last. Considering REVY JAY is a maiden and he held out the challenge of a T3 assessed horse in BLACK VALLEY, it was a good performance. ERO CARPE DIEM settled second and looked well and truly beaten in the back straight but held on well enough for third. DO BALL finished fourth in front of FETCH IT, which yielded ground from the 700m.
Mile Rate: 2.2.1 Final Half: – 62.8 Margins: Head, 12m
BLACKBOOKER: – Revy Jay
Trial 4: – MAJOR MANBAR was the only horse competing in this trial that had won a race previously so he looked well placed. He worked to the front at the 1800m and dominated the trial, recording handy time in the process. STAR DREAM showed very good gate speed to lead then took cover behind MAJOR MANBAR. She finished second and a good margin ahead of TEX GOES BANG (Bettors Delight), which picked up some ground from fifth on the markers. ALBERIO (3 back markers) finished fourth ahead of LIBBA RACY (6 back markers) and ONE MORE NO MORE (4 back markers).
Mile Rate: – 1.59.1 Final Half: – 59.2 Margins: – 30m, 25m
Trial 5: – BEEFOUR BACARDI (Bacardi Lindy) trailed the leader KABAYO KING (Framework) and came to the outside at the 600m. He finally got the better of KABAYO KING in the final 50m. KYVALLEY SHAUNIE (Andover Hall) is nicely bred being out of the top mare Gluteus Maximus but he galloped early and was always a distant last.
Mile Rate: 2.10.7 Final Half: – 63.0 Margins: – 2m, 100m
Trial 6: – VALBARANN trailed the leader ITZ QUEENOFBROADWAY until moving to the outside at the 400m. She sprinted quickly and got clear of ITZ QUEENOFBROADWAY, which held down second, in the latter stages. CULLENS LEGEND settled last of the four runners, moved onto the back of VALBARANN coming out of the back straight and never extricated any wider. He coasted to the line and should have finished much closer, if not won it. LINORA MUSTANG was last of the four after settling three back on the markers but she was the only C0 assessed horse in the trial.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.1 Final Half: – 57.1 Margins: – 4m, 2m
Trial 7: – SHECANDOIT led the field of three runners comfortably with TOM KAT trailing and IM JOE LOUIS settled last. IM JOE LOUIS moved away from the inside at the 800m and challenged SHECANDOIT. TOM KAT dropped off slightly in the back straight but picked up when the leaders started to get a little weary and used the sprint lane to score. SHECANDOIT finished a close second and IM JOE LOUIS peaked on his run from the 100m.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.6 Final Half: – 57.0 Margins: – Head, 7m
BALLARAT 28/04/19
Trial 1: – FOREVER KRONOS (Yield Boko) led and was the only horse to do everything right in the trial so she naturally was first passed the post. She is nicely bred and looks to have ability. QUALITY SUNSET (Quality Cam) settled three back on the inside but had a gait issue at the 1100m, losing 15m. She ended up trailing the leader when BROCKS BEST galloped at the 900m but she galloped again with 30m remaining. She still held second with BROCKS BEST in third and REJUVENATE, which was on her worst behaviour at the start was always tailed out.
Mile Rate: – 2.12.9 Final Half: – 63.5 Margins: – 20m, 50m.
Trial 2: – YOUAREMYSUNSHINE led comfortably with FISCAL FANTASY and CALDER ON ICE (Metropolitan) both making errors just after the start, both losing 30m-40m. It was a very slowly run trial early, which gave the pair an opportunity to catch up to the leader. YOUAREMYSUNSHINE sprinted home a sharp last half from FISCAL FANTASY, which held on well and CALDER ON ICE dropped off in the final stages.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.2 Final Half: – 56.3 Margins: – 2m, 50m
Trial 3: – SAFARI CHEER was headed off by the trotter HOTJANE BLING, which showed terrific early speed at the start, but was quick to pounce on the lead at the 1800m and never looked like being beaten. HOTJANE BLING chased determinedly in second and BROOKES ROSE was three back on the markers throughout and finished third. NICE ONE BERT struck bother approaching the first corner and lost 20m, remaining last of the four runners throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.1 Final Half: – 58.2 Margins: – 6m, 6m
YARRA VALLEY 28/04/19
Trial 1: – FEEL THE BUZZ appeared to be well placed being a C2 assessed pacer taking on the maiden class and won the trial. SHADY FORT HANOVER (Shadyshark Hanover) is an unraced pacer out of Up N Off, a daughter of the top mare Caps Off, and finished second with NITE NITE MISTER in third. YEAH TIZ was fourth in front of the two qualifiers GET UP EARLY (Yankee Spider) and WHATA ROCKSTAR (Sportswriter).
Mile Rate: – 2.4.8 Final Half: – 59.9 Margins: – Not given
MELTON 30/04/19
Trial 1: – VAN SANK (Trixton) pushed forward in an attempt to find the lead but broke stride and lost 20m at the 1200m. He recovered and was able to get up on the line after racing without cover in the final circuit. QUERENCIA (Andover Hall) ended up moving passed the early leader SOBOMBA (Majestic Son) to find the lead at the 1100m. He was headed with 100m remaining but really kicked hard on the line, missing out narrowly. ALLANON came out wide from three back on the markers and ran home well with SOBOMBA a close fourth in a top finish. AMUNET (F Majestic Son) ran last of the five runners after settling four back on the markers.
Mile Rate: – 2.13.7 Final Half: – 62.05 Margins: – Nose, ½ Neck
BLACKBOOKER: – Van Sank
Trial 2: – YOUNEEDABITAMUSCLE galloped several times at his previous race start and was sent back to the trials. He bounced to the front from the standing start and set up a slow tempo. He scored from IMPERIAL WHIZ, which moved up without cover from last of the four runners at the 400m, and THE DEBATER finished third after trailing the leader throughout. GUILTLESS settled three back on the markers and never left that position. All of the four runners went to the line hard held in what simply appeared to be an educational workout.
Mile Rate: – 2.8.8 Final Half: – 60.7 Margins: – 1.5m, 2m
Trial 3: – ILLAWONG STARDUST began well and pushed forward to find the lead shortly after the start with MAGICAL taking cover in second. ILLAWONG STARDUST extended nicely in the final 400m to win convincingly with MAGICAL finishing second a good margin in front of FLOATING MOUNTAIN (Skyvalley), which settled three back on the markers. SPEEDWAY QUEEN was without cover early then eased onto the markers to be four back and finished fourth. KYVALLEY SENATOR (C Muscle Hill) was five back on the markers and was trailed by JADE NIEN. They finished sixth and seventh respectively. SKY EAGLE was an eye-catching trial. He settled last and picked up a lot of ground to finish fifth, seemingly with something in reserve.
BLACKBOOKERS: – Illawong Stardust, Sky Eagle
Trial 4: – MAAJIDA (Somebeachsomewhere) pushed forward to find the lead shortly after the start. She raced a little greenly and wanted to have a good look around but she won without being extended. SAPPHO (Sportswriter) settled last of the three runners and moved up without cover from the 300m. She finished second in front of FLOAT ON BY (American Ideal), which used the sprint lane. All three horses seemingly had something in reserve at the finish.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.7 Final Half: – 58.4 Margins: – 1/2neck, 1.5m
Trial 5: – RED HOT TOOTH has been in sparkling form and looked very good again. She worked passed the early leader INTO THE UNKNOWN and won with plenty in hand. Importantly, INTO THE UNKNOWN has been getting out of the gate much quicker recently and she did enough to hold RED HOT TOOTH early. She tried hard after coming to the outside approaching the home turn. CONTINENTAL LADY lost ground on the leading duo in the latter stages from three back on the markers but was able to run third in front of DERRIE AIRE.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.3 Final Half: – 57.89 Margins: – 2m, 13m
Trial 6: – The outstanding mare DELIGHT ME settled last of the four runners before moving up without cover from the 800m. She was able to get the better of the early leader MISS GRACELAND and scored softly in the end. MISS GRACELAND just held off stable mate THE CHARGING MOA, which used the sprint lane and MATCH POINT followed up DELIGHT ME in the final circuit, finishing last of the four but it appeared as though he had a bit of a kick left at the finish.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.1 Final Half: – 55.60 Margins: – 2.5m, head
Trial 7: – BEST BACK BRUCE (Lis Mara) and NOBLE JULIA (F Julius Caesar) went hard for the first 200m with BEST BACK BRUCE holding the lead. NOBLE JULIA angled in behind but wanted to go a bit keenly in the early and middle stages. VALIANT CHARGER, which is the only horse of the three in the trial to have raced previously, was off the gate at the start and settled last. BEST BACK BRUCE kicked clear before the home turn with VALIANT CHARGER making ground in the final 200m but he never looked like catching the leader. NOBLE JULIA tired in the final stages and finished third.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.1 Final Half: – 58.91 Margins: – 3.5m, 13.5m
Trial 8: – DASHA THE GREAT showed good early speed to lead from SHADY JESS (Shadyshark Hanover) with ONA HIGHWAY TOHELL (Betterthancheddar) third and OSTAPENKO (Somebeachsomewhere) being fourth and last on the markers. DASHA THE GREAT ran along at a reasonable tempo and OSTAPENKO made a move in the back straight, quickly getting into second before angling in behind the leader. DASHA THE GREAT kicked on to win but OSTAPENKO made up ground when she came to the outside in the latter stages and ONA HIGHWAY TOHELL finished off well. Both the second and third horses appeared to have something in reserve.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.6 Final Half: – 57.7 Margins: – 1/2neck, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: – Ostapenko
Trial 9: – WILL I ROCKNROLL was a C1 assessed pacer taking on the C0 class so he appeared to be well placed. He was slow in the score up and settled sixth but he gained a nice one out and one back trail behind MEGAFELLA (4 back markers early) from the 600m. He sprinted quickly and won untouched by a good margin. MEGAFELLA finished second with LET’S GO LOHI running third after leading out then taking cover. ART SECRET (3 back markers) was fourth, BLACK EIGHT (5 back markers) fifth and THE BOOST, which worked to the lead at the 1200m, finished last of the seven. The sixth horse was DEAL BREAKER (Million Dollar Cam). He galloped in the score up and raced very greenly throughout. He did do a good job to finish as close as he did and he might be a real improver.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.2 Final Half: – 58.17 Margins: – 17m, 1.5m
Trial 10: – POSTER BOY looked very sharp for his return with an all of the way victory. He got away with a soft run early but he sizzled home in a final half of 54.8 seconds (26.7 quarter) and did it under his own steam. MAGICAL MARN trailed POSTER BOY throughout and held his own in the straight. ANA MALAK (3 back markers) and TEE CEE BEE MACRAY (4 back the markers) had an impossible task to chase in such a quick final lap but they performed up to expectations.
Mile Rate: – 1.55.4 Final Half: – 54.84 Margins: – 5m, 8.5m
Trial 11: – PETITE LOVE (Repeat Love) trailed the leader MISS SWEDEN (Majestic Son), which began extremely quickly, and launched a winning claim from the home turn. MAJESTIC DREAM finished off nicely from three back on the markers and MISS SWEDEN got a little tired late after going hard early. JUST BELIEVE (Orlando Vici) galloped away and was tailed out. He made up an astonishing amount of ground in a reasonable mile rate of 2.3.3 for the 3yo trotters so he is obviously one to watch in what should be a good form trial. MATADEROS, which trialled well a week earlier, galloped several times in the run and finished last of the five runners.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.3 Final Half: – 61.23 Margins: – 8m, 5.5m
BLACKBOOKERS: – Petite Love, Just Believe
Trial 12: – COCO LOMBO showed her usual early brilliance to lead comfortably with BULLION LADY taking the trail and GALLEONS GLORY easing onto the markers in third. KANO IMOGEN galloped early and was always tailed out. BULLION LADY moved out to challenge COCO LOMBO in the straight but the leader had a good kick left at the finish to win comfortably. GALLEONS GLORY was always going to run third but galloped when attempting to make ground at the 150m.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.0 Final Half: – 60.51 Margins: – 4m, 58.5m
Trial 13: – MALLEE REACTOR is now with trainer Adam Kelly and performed brilliantly. He settled three back on the markers and produced a big finish to down the early leader STILL OF THE NIGHT in fast time. PAYING YOUR WAY finished third after trailing the leader and using the sprint lane. AHA REACTION settled last of the four runners, started to pick up ground quickly at the 500m but galloped and lost his chance.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.5 Final Half: – 57.67 Margins: – 2.5m, 5.5m
BLACKBOOKER: – Mallee Reactor
Trial 14: – RUM AN ROYAL settled in fourth position and finished off well in the final 500m to pick up the leader PRIMZ LUCK and get the prize. SONNY BROOKE began quickly and was going to lead but broke stride and settled a clear last. He picked up a lot of ground to tack on to the main group and finished off quickly out wide on the track for an eye-catching third. GATESYS ALLEY settled three back on the markers and finished fourth and RUBY ROULETTE (Down Under Muscles) ran fifth after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.6 Final Half: – 61.15 Margins: – 2m, 2.5m
Trial 15: – BEALE STREET (Art Major) trailed the leader and came to the outside at the 400m. He never looked like catching the leader HAVE AGO JOE (G Roll With Joe) until he put in a dive right on the line to get up by a nose. HAVE AGO JOE led but raced greenly throughout and wasn’t really concentrating. He shifted out a little in the straight and was still looking around with 100m remaining so he has a lot of improvement in him. ADAPT (C Roll With Joe) trailed the leader and used the sprint lane to finish third. SANDAY began quickly out wide on the track but couldn’t find a position and eased out to be last of the four runners. He finished at the tail but he was the widest runner into the straight and didn’t finish far from the winner.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.5 Final Half: – 57.18 Margins: – Nose, 3m
BLACKBOOKER: – HAVE AGO JOE
Craig Rail’s Trial File Blackbook
Radius
Maori Amour
Millys Magic
Revy Jay
Van Sank
Illawong Stardust
Sky Eagle
Petite Love
Just Believe
Mallee Reactor
Have Ago Joe
