Craig Rail has locked in on an Alison Alford-trained squaregaiter as one to follow after another strong performance at the trials this week.

Breeders Crown 2YO Trotting Fillies Final place-getter Thats Not My Gait is working towards a first-up start at Maryborough on Monday and tuned up for the race with another good hit-out at Kilmore.

The runner-up effort saw Rail place the daughter of Follow The Stars into his Blackbook alongside Anton Golino-trained trotter Interview and Blake Caruana’s unraced gelding James In Charge.

Enjoy this week’s trial notes below and scroll down to the bottom of the page for the updated Blackbook.

MARYBOROUGH 16/01/22

Trial 1: - Only two horses contested the open class trial with MAJOR MANBAR being able to score by a narrow margin over BETTOR BE THE BOMB. BETTOR BE THE BOMB was the fastest to begin and drew almost a length in front before the first turn but MAJOR MANBAR was able to use the advantage of the inside to punch through and find the lead. BETTOR BE THE BOMB eased for the trail and came to the outside with 400m remaining. The pair staged a good duel down the straight and both performed very well in fast time. They are competing against each other in a quality field at Ballarat tomorrow night and MAJOR MANBAR might run a cheeky race at long odds from the pole position.

Mile Rate: - 1.56.7           Last Half: - 56.1                Margin: - Head

Trial 2: - ZWICK was three back on the markers in the early stages but wanted to shake his head and pull hard in a very slow early tempo. He pushed around the field to find the front with 1400m remaining then was able to hold on in the home straight to land the prize. BETTERTHAN POPSY led out and went extremely slow in the initial stages of the event. She took cover behind ZWICK then commenced her move at the 300m mark. She went close to winning at the end as she only missed out by a head. EMER trailed the leader early and ended up being three back on the markers. She used the sprint lane and held her ground in the straight to finish third. KARMA QUEEN was last of the four runners throughout and came to the outside at the 500m mark but couldn’t make too much of an impression at the end. Both the second and third placed runners BETTERTHAN POPSY and EMER are competing in the same race at Geelong on Tuesday night.

Mile Rate: - 2.7.4             Last Half: - 57.3                Margins: - Head, 4m

Trial 3: - BORG AM I (Blissfull Hall – Moore Cullen 2.1.3, $15,858) began quickly and was able to find the lead. He set up a slow tempo and had a good enough kick left at the end to hold on and get the prize. EMJAYBEE (Village Jolt – Virginia Lightning 1.57.1, $76,375) was a very good run in second position. The Marnie Bibby prepared juvenile filly enjoyed a nice trail behind the leader, came to the outside with 100m remaining and finished quickly to go down by a narrow margin. The other juvenile pacer contesting the trial was MYSTERY STRIDE (Excel Stride – Lush Stride) and he was last of the three runners throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.1             Last Half: - 59.9                Margins: - Neck, 12m

Trial 4: - IT’S A BORG hasn’t raced since September 2020 but appeared to be very sharp in his trial victory. He led throughout and recorded slick final sectionals to win by a large margin. REEKO REACTOR trailed the leader, moved away from the markers with 300m remaining and attempted to make ground but the winner was too slick. NARRA VANE was slow away and missed the start by approximately 30m, settled down last of the trio, trailed the leader approaching the home turn and broke stride when he was about to switch into the sprint lane hence finishing at the tail of the field.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.2             Last Half: - 56.9                Margins: - 25m, 40m

Trial 5: - CHEERMEONIMDANCIN (Tennotrump – Jamila Lady 2.7.4, $54,299) trailed the leader early then ended up being three back on the inside. He came wide into the straight and produced a strong finish to scored comfortably. WHATS THE TEA (Tell All – Poets Glory 2.6.9, $10,610) was without cover early and angled in behind the leader with 1800m remaining. He waited for the sprint lane and finished in second position. MANTUANO (Bacardi Lindy – Perzest) attempted to lead throughout, raced greenly and appeared to switch off when turning for home. She couldn’t recover her momentum over the concluding stages. She finished ahead of MAJESTIC EM (Majestic Son – Heart of Glass), which broke at the start and lost 20m before losing ground again when on the back of WATCHINGIDAONTV (Bacardi Lindy – Mowbray Mates 2.6.5, $16,041) then chased hard from the 1400m to catch the group. WATCHINGIDAONTV was four back on the markers but was racing very greenly and was yielding ground mid-race. She never recovered and finished tailed off. MANTUANO is making her debut at Melton this evening.

Mile Rate: - 2.9.0             Last Half: - 61.9                Margins: - 5m, 6m

 

BENDIGO 16/01/22

Trial 1: - WISH UPONA DREAM settled three back on the inside and moved into the death seat with 600m remaining. She sustained a long run and was able to land the prize. MURTAGH KAI (Down Under Muscles – Subitize 2.9.7, $6,106) began quickly and was able to forge to the front shortly after the starter released the field. He was gunned down by WISH UPONA DREAM but was able to hold down second place. MISS BROOMFIELD began quickly to trail the leader, raced keenly and looked to be bolting on the home turn before coming to the outside in the straight. She didn’t accelerate like expected but she wasn’t pushed out fully when going to the line either. She is backing up at Melton this evening. TE AMO (Love You – I Am Majestic) was four back on the inside and finished fourth with BROTHER JOSEPH being the last one home after being without cover early before being restrained to the rear of the field and galloping with 600m remaining.

Mile Rate: - 2.9.7             Last Half: - 62.8                Margins: - 2m, 1m

Trial 2: - MY HIGH PEAK trailed the leader in the early stages before ending up being three back on the markers at the bell. He angled into the one out and one back trail with 500m remaining and was able to finish off best to win with something in reserve. He must be considered as a chance from his good draw at Geelong on Tuesday. JENNYSFAVOURITE was three then four back on the markers, moved through to trail the leader on the home turn and went back into the sprint lane. She finished off well to be narrowly beaten and went to the line under a throttle hold. EVERYBODYLOVESME began quickly to lead, took a trail at the bell, came to the outside at the 500m mark and quickly dashed to the front but couldn’t withstand the late challengers. WORTHY HALL settled down in last position but raced very fiercely and made a move to find the front at the bell. He continued to over-race, which would have been detrimental to his chances and he dropped out over the concluding stages.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.2             Last Half: - 61.5                Margins: - 1m, 8m

Trial 3: - PESCI (Sunshine Beach – Our Prima Regal 1.56.4, $16,298) settled four back on the inside, moved through to trail the leader on the home turn and used the sprint lane. He showed very good acceleration and won without being fully extended so he obviously has ability. He backed up at Bendigo on Thursday night and was able to post a debut victory. BULLDOG KHAN (Restrepo - Rosie Khan) was out of position at the start by approximately 10m, settled five back on the markers and was held up for a run at a vital stage before finishing off strongly for an eye-catching second. GO GEORGE GO (Dawn Ofa New Day – Starong Star 2.0.5, $21,755) began quickly to lead and ran along at an even tempo. He was run down over the final stages and was third across the line. BEATS TRUE was behind the leader, moved up without cover at the 900m and battled away in the straight for fourth position. ROCKNROLL NUGGET (Rock N Roll Heaven – A Few Dollars More 1.57.4, $4,088) was three back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 700m and came out three horses wide at the 500m but couldn’t extend. He was the last one to cross the line.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.7             Last Half: - 61.0                Margins: - 7m, Head

Trial 4: - SUNROSE MASTER was without cover in the early stages, pressured the leader, found the front at the 1600m and continued to roll along at an even tempo. He was able to grip onto his lead in the home straight and scored by a metre. He is returning from a spell at Kilmore on Sunday. OUR DOREEN DAYS was four back on the markers and moved to the outside to start his run with 500m remaining. He was making ground on the winner over the concluding stages but ran out of time at the end. He followed with a fourth placed effort at big odds at Bendigo on Thursday night. AMERICAN TIGER showed gate speed to lead, took a trail after being pressured by SUNROSE MASTER in the back straight and tried hard in the straight to finish in third. ROMAN ARNIE (Sir Lincoln (Lincoln Royal) – Whobro 1.59.3, $41,564) began very fast to lead early, took a trail and ended up being three back on the markers. He started to yield ground from the 500m and finished a good distance behind the second last horse. He is making his debut at Cobram this afternoon but would need to improve on that run.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.3             Last Half: - 60.3                Margins: - 1m, 8m

Trial 5: - BRAGHETTA trailed the leader then was shuffled to three back on the markers at the 1300m. She moved away from the inside at the 600m mark and staged a good battle with LEIGHA MILLER down the straight to get the prize. She is widely drawn at Kilmore on Sunday but she has the speed to trouble her rivals if she gains the right luck in running. LEIGHA MILLER was third to begin and made a quick dash from the 1400m mark to find the top. She fought hard over the concluding stages and went down by a narrow margin. ACE DUIGAN dropped back to last and raced fiercely during the early and middle stages of the event. He came to the outside on the home turn when the leaders were well clear and he picked up some ground into third position. He is better known as a front runner and returns from a spell at Kilmore on Sunday. ANOTHER COLONY led out then took a trail with 1300m remaining. He was under pressure before the home turn and lost ground on the leading pair in the run to the finish.

Mile Rate: - 2.0.9             Last Half: - 57.7                Margins: - Head, 25m

Trial 6: - MAJESTIC CONNIES stepped away fast from behind the tapes and was able to dash to the lead in the early stages. He backed off the tempo mid-race and was able to roll away in the straight to win comfortably. He is returning from a spell at Cobram this afternoon. MONTANA MUSCLE settled last of the four runners, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 300m and worked home nicely through the middle late. ENDSIN A PARTY was three back on the markers before coming to the outside at the quarter pole. He finished third with DYNAMIC DIESEL being the last one home after trailing the leader throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.6.3             Last Half: - 61.5                Margins: - 10m, Nose

 

GEELONG 17/01/22

Trial 1: - INTERVIEW stepped away reasonably well and was four back on the markers in the early stages. He moved into the one out and one back track with just short of a lap remaining, came out three horses wide at the quarter pole and won very softly at the end. DIAMOND WES was three back on the markers before moving into the death seat with 900m remaining. He couldn’t repel the challenge of INTERVIEW at the end but he beat the remainder of the field by a good margin. MADENA BAY was fast away and stepped to the front shortly after the start. He backed off the tempo mid-race and was run down over the latter stages. He met a smart horse however and should be competitive in his race at Geelong on Tuesday night. MEGEVE was slow away and was sixth in the early stages of the event. She made ground at the end and finished a nice fourth. She is an emergency for her performance over the weekend. GENTLEMAN SIR settled five back on the markers and finished in fifth position. SHEZA SAILOR stepped away safely from the standing start and being the only horse off the front line, was in front early. He trailed the leader shortly after the start and broke stride with 500m remaining. She is drawn on the pole position at Melton tonight. ONE OVER DA SON broke at the start and was tailed off for the entire journey. He will be hoping to get away cleanly in a heat of the Central Victorian Championship at Maryborough on Monday.

Mile Rate: - 2.6.6             Last Half: - 60.9                Margins: - 8m, 8m

BLACKBOOKER: - Interview

Trial 2: - JILLIBY FERNANDO began quickly and was without cover early, angled in behind the leader before making a determined bid from the 500m mark. He got to the front quickly then was able to hold off all of the challengers in the run to the finish. AUCKLAND RED settled four back on the inside, came out wide on the home turn and finished strongly for an eye-catching second. He is meeting a strong field at Melton tonight but he performed well enough to suggest he is a value hope. JUST AS WELL was three back on the inside before gaining a one out and one back trail. She came wide into the straight and held her own in the run to the judge. She is returning from a spell at Geelong on Tuesday night. MAJOR EXCLUSIVE began quickly to lead but raced very fiercely and was a clear leader during the middle stages. The early effort took a toll at the quarter pole and he was quickly overtaken.

Mile Rate: - 1.58.2           Last Half: - 59.5                Margins: - 2m, 2m

Trial 3: - JILLIBYJACKSPARROW (Captaintreacherous – Aqua A Mi Lado) settled down a clear last in the early stages, moved away from the inside with 500m remaining and was out three horses wide on the home turn. He finished fast and was able to land the prize. BEHOLD (Sir Lincoln (Lincoln Royal) – Amen 2.5.1, $5,433) was four back on the inside and was the first to make a move at the 500m mark. He progressed forward to hit the lead in the straight but couldn’t withstand the challenge of JILLIBYJACKSPARROW in the run to the finish. He is set down to make his debut at Geelong on Tuesday night. INGERMARLA began quickly to lead then took a trail and battled away for a distant third. Both BEHOLD and INGERMARLA are competing at Geelong on Tuesday. DELTAS VILLAGE (Village Jolt – Mazza’s Delight) began well and was without cover early. He wanted to race a bit greenly but pushed forward to find the lead with 1800m remaining. He finished fourth ahead of SNAZZYRON (Shadow Play – Avenutolder 2.6.2, $5,191), which settled three back on the inside and THUG ROSE (Always B Miki – Kim Maguire) (5 back markers) was in a rearward position for the majority of the journey.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.8             Last Half: - 61.2                Margins: - 2.5m, 12m

Trial 4: - JILLIBY DYSON was in the one out and one back trail early, was left without cover at the 1500m mark and progressed forward to find the lead at the 1100m. He had a few challengers in the home straight but was able cling on and get the prize. EAGLE WATCH began quickly to lead, took a trail at the 1100m, pulled hard and went back into the sprint lane over the concluding stages. He was finishing off nicely but the winning post arrived just in time for JILLIBY DYSON. HEAVENLY GIPSY trailed the leader early, got shuffled back to fifth mid-race, gained a one out and one back trail at the 500m and came out three horses wide shortly afterwards. She finished off well for third in front of JILLIBY RHYTHM, which was without cover early then three back on the markers and without cover again at the 1100m before ducking onto the pegs at the 500m mark. BLUE VEIN FITZ was six back on the inside, one out and one back from the bell then without cover from the 600m. She finished ahead of CARMY DAN, which was without cover early, pulled hard and broke stride with 500m remaining. BLUE VEIN FITZ will be competing at Geelong on Tuesday night.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.8             Last Half: - 58.4                Margins: - Head, 4m

Trial 5: - MAGIC STORM trailed the leader, used the passing lane and sprinted home best to win by a clear margin at the end. He will be using that performance as a stepping stone for his effort at Geelong on Tuesday. HEAVENLY BRIGADE dropped back to last in the early stages, moved up without cover at the 600m and was able to battle on strongly at the end to grab second spot. DOUBLE HAPPINESS was without cover early, restrained to be four back on the inside, gained a one out and one back trail at the 300m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He finished third ahead of JASPERINE, which settled three back on the markers and was held up for a run over the concluding stages. HEAVENLY BRIGADE, DOUBLE HAPPINESS and JASPERINE will all take on MAGIC STORM again at Geelong on Tuesday. KEAYANG FINCH (Roll With Joe – Keayang On Fire 1.58.7, $8,853) attempted to lead all of the way but was collared in the home straight and was the last one to greet the judge.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.8             Last Half: - 59.9                Margins: - 3m, 2m

Trial 6: - ALWAYS READY was four back on the inside, moved up without cover from the 600m mark and was very strong at the finish, winning by a comfortable margin. KEAYANG LIVANA trailed ALWAYS READY for the majority of the journey after settling five back on the inside and manoeuvring into the one out and one back trail. She angled out wide on the track on the home turn and finished off well for second place. She faces a tough field at Ballarat tonight night where she contests E B Cochran Cup. ELECTROJET trailed the leader, angled to the outside on the home turn and ended up finishing hard on the back of the winner with something in reserve. PROSTHESIS settled three back on the inside and was fourth across the line. YMBRO WASTED was out of position at the start by approximately 30m, settled six back on the markers and wasn’t beaten by far in fifth position. FORGET THE PRICE TAG broke stride at the start, lost 50m, settled down last on the markers after tacking onto the group at the 1100m and was sixth across the line. IMPERIAL WHIZ began quickly and found the lead shortly after the start. He set up a handy tempo but was run down over the concluding stages.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.1             Last Half: - 59.1                Margins: - 3m, 2m

Trial 7: - PURSUITOFHAPPYNESS began fast and was without cover early before pushing forward to find the lead with 1800m remaining. He was very strong in the run to the finish and dashed home in a slick last half of 57.3 seconds to win easily. He looms as a strong winning chance again at Melton this evening. JAMES IN CHARGE (He’s Watching – Secret Wisdom 1.59.7, $20,284) produced a very nice effort for second and might be worth following. He was four back on the inside, came out wide on the home turn and finished off nicely in quick closing sectionals. DEADLY ERROR was three back on the inside, appeared to be labouring with 400m remaining but picked up over the latter stages and finished in third position. She should run a good race in the last event at Melton this evening. NONE GRATER began fast to lead, took a trail at the 1800m mark and finished in fourth position with CONFESSION being last of the five runners for the duration. CONFESSION is scheduled to race at Geelong on Tuesday night.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.5             Last Half: - 57.3                Margins: - 6m, Nose

BLACKBOOKER: - James In Charge

Trial 8: - MADENA SKY began quickly and was able to roll to the top shortly after the start. She backed off the tempo mid-race and had a good kick left in the run to the finish. She backed up to win a heat of the Mares Sprint Championship at Bendigo on Thursday night. ME PAT MALONE was five back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m then switched back to the sprint lane and ran home solidly for second. RUM AN ROYAL finished third after being four back on the inside and moving into the death seat at the 500m mark. He will be competing at Geelong on Tuesday night and is not without a chance. MAJESTIC JEWEL began quickly and angled in behind the leader MADENA SKY. She finished ahead of the unraced trotter GUNSEN ROSIE (Used to Me – Panbrake USA), which was three back on the markers throughout. MAJESTIC JEWEL is drawn on the second line for her performance at Kilmore on Sunday.

Mile Rate: - 2.6.8             Last Half: - 60.6                Margins: - 2m, 2m

 

KILMORE 18/01/22

Trial 1: - BARBADOS BABE (Betterthancheddar – Wineglass Bay) is a close relation to the former smart pacer Teniamo (1.57.5, $59,983) and was able to beat a field of mostly juvenile pacers. LAVADA GOLD (He’s Watching – Weona Beach Girl 1.58.2, $90,381) is out of a very good race mare and is related to the fast pacer Sanna Cruza (1.51.0, $227,177). He finished second ahead of the Brent Lilley trained trio JOYFUL (Always B Miki – Joyfuljoy), CAPTAIN TOM (Captaintreacherous – Heavens Trend 1.52.1, $385,683) and TAKE MY WALLET (Auckland Reactor – Take A Break).

Mile Rate: - 2.3.3             Last Half: - 59.0                Margins: - 2.5m, 15m

Trial 2: - COCORA was placed against the maiden class at Hamilton last outing after her efforts during the Super Series. She is a speedy filly and was able to win the trial over the David Aiken trained LADY OF THE ARTS, which hasn’t started since August. JUST BURNFORU (American Ideal – Red Hot Rita 1.58.7, $32,564) has been performing nicely at the trials and finished ahead of the nicely bred pacer MAASBETTINGAGAIN (Betting Line – Maastricht 1.55.3, $89,989) with TALK TIME and MEMPHIS being the last pair home.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.0             Last Half: - 58.6                Margins: - 15m, 15m

Trial 3: - ALDEBARAN YAHTZEE finished ninth in the Super Series Silver event at her latest attempt. She was able to win the third trial by a large margin over CHRISKEN KIOSK, which was placed last time but was stood down to trial after breaking stride in the run. KYVALLEY HELEN hasn’t raced since July and finished in third with FAIRFIELD FLYER being a distant fourth. KYVALLEY PAT (Father Patrick – Kyvalley Kitty) failed to complete the course.

Mile Rate: - 2.7.0             Last Half: - 60.3                Margins: - 10m, 8m

Trial 4: - DONTOUCH THE DUCO attempted to lead throughout and finished unplaced last outing. He finished nicely clear of the former New Zealand trotter EMDEEGEE to win the trial. EMDEEGEE was unplaced at his first Australian attempt but his form in New Zealand was sound and he should keep improving. CHIEF RUNNINGCLOUD finished last of three runners.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.5             Last Half: - 59.5                Margins: - 4m, 10m

Trial 5: - ENCHANTED STRIDE has finished unplaced at her past six starts but the trial was encouraging as she sprinted quickly in a slick final half of 55.6 seconds so she might be able to show improvement when she next steps out onto the track. The Victoria Cup winner MAX DELIGHT finished fourth in the Inter Dominion Final last outing and followed a close second behind Lochinvar Art in a trial last week with another second placed effort. He takes on a quality line up including Lochinvar Art and the Belinda McCarthy trained duo Spirit of St Louis and Expensive Ego in the Ballarat Cup tomorrow night.  THE PANTHEIST was last of the three runners across the line but she wasn’t beaten by far.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.8             Last Half: - 55.6                Margins: - 1.5m, 3m

Trial 6: - XEBEC hasn’t raced since July but he was placed in all of his three starts since returning from New Zealand during his last campaign and is a smart trotter when racing at his peak form. He was able to beat the pacers and recorded reasonable time for his comeback trial. ALBALOU (Sweet Lou – Albietta 1.59.0, $26,253) is a Ruth Shinn trained 3yo, which is yet to face the starter and finished in second position. SON OF ZODIAC filled third spot leading up to his effort at Geelong on Tuesday and DARKIES LAST (Hurrikane Kingcole – Lil Safe) finished in fourth position but was twenty metres away. HAMMERS HELLPATROL finished fifth and FORNAROLI was tailed off over the concluding stages.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.7             Last Half: - 60.2                Margins: - 2m, 4m

Trial 7: - MY GOLDEN EAGLE performed nicely at the Shepparton trials a week earlier and backed up with a victory over the handy filly HOLI STARZZZ so he is obviously in handy form. HOLI STARZZZ finished seventh in the Super Series Silver event at her latest attempt and will appreciate a drop back in class when she next steps out onto the track. FOUR EVER A STAR has been runner up at his past two attempts so he is racing well and WONDERFORCE was the last horse across the line. WONDERFORCE is scheduled to compete at Kilmore on Sunday.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.5             Last Half: - 60.3                Margins: - 2m, 10m

Trial 8: - CONSTANTINOPLE hasn’t raced since recording successive victories in August and scored comfortably at his trial performance so he is worth following. THAT’S NOT MY GAIT was placed in the 2020 Breeders Crown Final and has been runner up in two trials recently so she should go very well at Maryborough on Monday. ROBBIE ROYALE is returning from an Inter Dominion campaign and finished in third position with GIL FAVOR being last of the four runners in a quality trial to end the program.

Mile Rate: - 2.8.9             Last Half: - 59.3                Margins: - 5m, Head

BLACKBOOKER: - That’s Not My Gait