Trainer Anton Golino has won the opening two races of the new Aurora Australis series with Im Ready Jet and Craig Rail thinks he has a knockout chance in this Saturday night’s third leg.
Rail was taken by Always Ready’s trial at Melton during the week when he zipped home in a slick final quarter to score by a big margin.
The six-year-old is one of the outsiders in Saturday night’s TAB V L Dullard Trotters Cup, but Rail thinks he can figure with the right run.
Always Ready is one of six new entries in Rail’s Blackbook this week, with Patriot Stride, Sounds Like Fun, Valerie Lane, Kissmelvis and Lochinvar Lorenzo also marked down as horses to follow.
SHEPPARTON 20/01/22
Trial 1: - PATRIOT STRIDE commenced a very good week at the trials with a comfortable victory in the opening event. He began quickly, dashed across to find the lead and was untroubled in scoring. He was putting in a rough stride every now and then but appeared to have plenty in reserve and scored again at the Shepparton trials on January 25. HATEITWHENYOURRITE enjoyed the perfect trip behind the leader and finished in second position. He galloped away when ninth at Shepparton on Thursday night. ALWAYS A DREAMER was four back on the markers, moved up without cover and finished in third position. She did a very good job considering she had a flat tyre, which came away from the rim, which placed her at a distinct disadvantage. BODYBUILDER began well and ended up being three back on the markers. He finished fourth ahead of BENNY THE GUN (Muscle Hill – Front And Square 2.1.9, $34,183), which was sixth on the inside throughout. LOCKSLEY LOVER was without cover early and eased onto the pegs to be in fifth position. He was commencing a forward move in the back straight on the final occasion but broke stride and lost his chance. SPLIT EAR was seven back on the inside and was the last horse to finish. COMANDANTE and QUAKERS ROYALE (Quaker Jet – Queens Rhapsody 2.4.7, $87,392) were both retired from the trial after striking trouble in the initial stages of the event.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Last Half: - 59.3 Margins: - 8m, 15m
BLACKBOOKER: - Patriot Stride
Trial 2: - SHARKTON was third early and broke stride momentarily 50m after the start but didn’t lose his position and remained three back on the inside. He waited for the sprint lane run and accelerated nicely to get up and get the prize. ARE YOU WITH ME trailed the leader and enjoyed an economical run during the middle stages. He tried hard in the straight to finish second with the early leader OK TO LOVE being in third position. CHOIR QUEEN settled four back on the inside and moved into the one out and one back trail at the bell. She came out three horses wide on the home turn and made ground over the latter stages. OHHEMMJAY CRESCO (Sunshine Beach – Illawong Fabulous 2.0.7, $33,790) settled in last position, moved up without cover from the bell and got up to second but was under pressure on the home turn.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Last Half: - 58.0 Margins: - 1m, 2m
Trial 3: - MYDADSAID (Sportswriter – Niki Diva 2.1.5, $16,300) began quickly to find the lead comfortably. He never appeared to be in any danger of defeat and dashed home in a slick final half of 57.3 seconds to get the prize. BE DAZZLED (Sweet Lou – Dazed And Confused 1.56.8, $172,444) was a good run in second position. He was out of position at the start by approximately 15m, came to the outside with 300m remaining and picked up ground in fast closing sectionals. HEREFORAGOODTIME (Sunshine Beach – Gwenda Baker 1.56.6, $78,420) trailed the leader throughout and finished a distant third but he raced very fiercely, which would have been detrimental to his chances.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.7 Last Half: - 57.3 Margins: - 2m, 20m
Trial 4: - NARUTAC PRINCE settled three back on the markers and came to the outside with 300m remaining. He finished off best in a sizzling final half of 54.6 seconds so it was a tidy display. LETSROCKLETSROLL settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail on the home bend and finished off quickly for second. PUNTARNO STRIDE NZ trailed the leader and used the sprint lane to finish third. He wasn’t really extended at the end and held his ground in fast final sectionals. He is favourably drawn in the Wedderburn Cup and is capable of improving on his numerical form. BRALLOS PASS will also be competing in the Wedderburn Cup on Sunday and despite a poor barrier draw, he is a chance after his eye-catching trial effort. He settled down last, followed inside runs all of the way but sliced through late. ONE TWO MANY set up the strong speed and had a good lead approaching the home turn but was run down over the latter stages.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.7 Last Half: - 54.6 Margins: - 1m, Neck
Trial 5: - CAPTAINS QUEEN settled five back on the markers and came out wide on the track with 300m remaining. She was the widest runner into the straight but was able to do enough to get the prize. OUR LOLA MAE (Betting Line – Alta Calypso 1.59.4, $79,478) settled four back on the markers and continued to use inside runs throughout. She went back into the sprint in the straight and dashed throughout but just missed out. MADE TO ROCK began quickly to lead, took a trail and got shuffled to three back on the markers. He moved through to trail the leader again at the 500m mark then peeled away from the inside approaching the home turn. He was held up for a run at a vital stage but finished off strongly through the middle to pick up third. BOBSLED BOY was pulling hard at the start but was eventually able to restrain for the cover behind MADE TO ROCK. He was shuffled back mid-race so he circled around the field to find the lead at the 1300m. He was overtaken on the home turn but battled on for fourth in a blanket finish. GALACTIC GAL was sixth on the markers early, moved up without cover at the 900m mark, was forced out three horses wide at the 500m and battled away late for fifth. LONESTAR LAD settled behind GALACTIC GAL and trailed her into the race before starting his run with 500m remaining. He loomed up as a threat on the turn before peaking a little over the concluding stages. YELLOW STONE was without cover early, pushed forward to find the lead at the mile marker then took a trail behind BOBSLED BOY. He left the inside with 500m remaining but was immediately battling to hold his position and dropped out to finish seventh. ROCK ON WINSTON (Sweet Lou – Montana Zodiac 1.59.7, $5,371) was last of the eight runners for the duration and raced very roughly at various times.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.5 Last Half: - 59.8 Margins: - Head, Neck
BACCHUS MARSH 22/01/22
Trial 1: - Only two horses contested the opening trial, which was a standing start event for the trotters. MIDNIGHT AVENGER has been in winning form with two recent successes and was and able to keep the momentum rolling with her victory over DYNAMIC DIESEL.
Mile Rate: - 2.15.0 Last Half: - 61.8 Margin: - 3m
Trial 2: - GOODTIME BRAVO (Always B Miki – Graces Beach 2.4.0, $10,906) is a nicely bred gelding for trainer Courtney Slater and was able to win the trial by a large margin. He is a close relation to Goodtime Sammy, which remained undefeated in four starts before retiring to stud. He produced his first winner recently with Goodtime Sometime winning nicely at Bendigo last week. GOODTIME BRAVO will make his debut at Wedderburn on Sunday. AUREUS (Art Major – Siliqua 1.53.7, $53,103) and VEE EM GEE MACRAY (Sweet Lou – Wya Mya Macray 1.57.4, $84,650) are juvenile pacers for trainer Jess Tubbs. Both horses are out of very fast mares and there wasn’t much separating them on the line. JAGUAR JAY (Guaranteed – Black Cougar 1.56.9, $60,405) was last of the four runners to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.9 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 15m, 1m
Trial 3: - MAJOR EXCLUSIVE hasn’t raced since April but he is a handy horse when he is able to put it altogether and returns to the track at Cranbourne tonight. He recorded reasonable time in his trial victory over the Jodi Quinlan prepared mare ERROR, which hasn’t started since March. DIDN’T I should be getting fitter after her two runs back from a break and filled third spot ahead of LENARD ESS with JEMSTONE GLORY being last of the five runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.5 Last Half: - 58.8 Margins: - 4m, 1.5m
Race 4: - IN STRIDE (Yankee Spider – Bettor Belle 1.59.0, $8,445) is trained by Craig Demmler and narrowly took out trial four. He is by the trotting stallion Yankee Spider out of the pacing bred mare Bettor Belle, which had one success as a pacer in a mile rate of 1.59.0 but is a half sister to the handy trotters in Stretch The Budget (2.3.2, $63,199) and Donkiri (2.1.0, $58,738). MONT SALLY (Peak – Soliloquize) is a daughter of the European bred sire Peak and finished second for trainer Scott Garbutt. ANTI SOCIAL (Kvintet Avenger – Squaring About 2.5.9, $16,013) finished third ahead of the juvenile trotter MIX IT UP (Dreamcatcher – Bigonluck 1.59.8, $15,770), which was one of two young trotters prepared by Jess Tubbs in the trial with the other being WYLDCAT. WATCHINGIDAONTV (Bacardi Lindy – Mowbray Mates 2.6.5, $16,041) finished a distant fifth and finished just ahead of WYLDCAT (Sebastian K – Illawong Bardot) when the judge called a halt.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.0 Last Half: - 62.3 Margins: - Head, 10m
Trial 5: - The New Zealand bred gelding JEKAMIAS NZ (Betterthancheddar – Desluna) has been performing nicely at the trials for trainer Jodi Quinlan and was able to score from ROCKANDANCE, which has faced the starter eleven times and hasn’t finished further back than fifth. WILLIEBILLIE (Safari – Art of Love 1.58.0, $32,964) is prepared by Tim McGuigan and finished in third position with KHANS CREED being in fourth. ROCKNROLL WALLA (Rock N Roll Heaven – Indi Rose 1.58.6, $22,169) is an unraced gelding for the David and Brad Barnes training combination and was able to beat home GOODTIME ROY, which started his career in Queensland with OHTAY (Follow The Stars – Sweetdreams) being last of the seven runners across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.7 Last Half: - 59.5 Margins: - 2.5m, 2m
Trial 6: - HIGHLAND HILL had four starts during his last preparation for two wins and a second. He commenced his current campaign on a bright note with a comfortable trial victory. He should give a forward showing at Cranbourne this evening. ARU AND ME was able to fill second position ahead of BAD BOY JAY JAY, which followed with a sixth placed effort at Stawell on Wednesday. ROLL WITH ROSCO was last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.0 Last Half: - 62.4 Margins: - 8m, Head
Trial 7: - BLISSFULL HONOR (Blissfull Hall – Yentis Girl) is a close relation to the trotters Playboys Dream (2.0.7, $25,125) and The Spanyen (2.3.7, $48,060) and was able to take out her trial by a handy margin over the former Queensland pacer KENDYS BUTTERFLY, which has won three races including a heat of the Trot Rod series over 947m so she obviously has a bit of speed. UNION BOSS filled third spot ahead of the Ginger Gleeson prepared MONTY MAJOR. TOTALLY SHATTERED finished in fifth ahead of OUR SAMMY JAE with the qualifier LISAS NIGHTMARE (Modern Art – Dark Blue Sapphire 1.57.1, $21,880) being the last horse across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.8 Last Half: - 61.9 Margins: - 10m, 10m
Trial 8: - SUMMER GRIN had one start at Melton back in May 2020 so it has been a long time since he made an appearance. He took out the last trial ahead of REEDS VISION (Art Major – Reeds May GBR 1.51.7, $42,137), which is out of the European bred pacing mare Reeds May. NIKITARAS finished in third position and beat home the former New South Wales trained pacer SKYZ ABOVE with IM ARTS BETTORSECRET being the last one across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.8 Last Half: - 63.2 Margins: - 8m, 2.5m
TERANG 23/01/22
Trial 1: - LEICA GEM began quickly and was able to hold the inside advantage. She always appeared to be in control of the trial and was untouched going to the line to win easily. CHARLIES HEIR (Cullen’s Hope – Currents Delight 2.1.9, $6,888) began fast and had a crack for the lead shortly after the start. He couldn’t get across LEICA GEM but was able to angle in behind with 1400m remaining. He finished second with the juvenile pacer MUFASA BART (Sweet Lou – Ravishing Girl 1.57.1, $39,798) finishing at the tail of the field after galloping twice in the run. He did show some ability in the trial however as he lost 30m the first time he galloped, was able to catch the leading pair and was still with them when he galloped on the home turn.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.6 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 10m, 40m
Trial 2: - BAKERS BANDIT began well and trailed the leader MUSCLE BART throughout. He went back to the sprint lane in the home straight and accelerated nicely at the end to score by a narrow margin. MUSCLE BART found the lead comfortably and appeared to be travelling very nicely in the run. He wasn’t fully extended going to the line and was nosed out at the end. He is meeting a quality field in the Caduceus Classic at Melton tomorrow night. The two trotters couldn’t match the pacers and PERSEVERANSE, which settled down in last position was able to work past TOUCHANDGO (broke momentarily at start, 3 back markers) for third and fourth positions.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Last Half: - 57.6 Margins: - ½ head, 80m
Trial 3: - JILLIBY DYSON began quickly and was able to lead throughout in the final trial. He was kept company by his two rivals down the home straight but it didn’t appear as though he was going to let them get past over the latter stages. He is poorly drawn for his return to racing in the last event at Geelong on Monday. TORPEDO BART trailed the leader, came to the outside with 600m remaining and tried hard in the run to the finish. LEICA BUDDY was last on the markers and was sneaking through nicely via the sprint lane to finish a close up third.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.6 Last Half: - 58.3 Margins: - 1m, Head
MILDURA 23/01/22
RONZEL MICKEY used the pole position to his advantage and held the lead into the first turn. He ran along at an event tempo and was able to hold off the late challenge of MAJOR ZONE to succeed in the opening trial. MAJOR ZONE was three back on the markers, moved through to trail the leader at the 400m and came to the outside on the home turn. He picked up ground and only failed by a metre on the line. He is backing up at Mildura on Tuesday night. LIEUTENANT MOSSMAN is also scheduled to race on Tuesday night. He trailed the leader, came away from the inside at the quarter pole but was immediately under pressure and failed to run on over the concluding stages. He finished third ahead of ALITTLEBITOFFTAP, which produced a reasonable performance after missing the start badly and chasing hard to tack on at the 1200m. He then moved up without cover at the 700m and was the widest runner into the home straight. PEREGRINEINFLIGHT was caught wide early, eased to be four back on the markers and was under pressure from the 700m. He couldn’t pick up over latter stages and finished some distance behind the pack.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.0 Last Half: - 61.2 Margins: - 1m, 10m
Trial 2: - ROCKETS MATE began in second position but found the front and established a big lead when REIGNING STAR broke stride 100m after the start. He rolled along at an even speed, held his large advantage and scored with plenty in reserve. He has ability but is meeting a strong field at Mildura on Tuesday. SPEAK TO LUCKY (Artspeak – Frances Lombo) was three back on the inside, moved away from the pegs at the 600m and rolled into a distant second. STEAL SOME TIME was in second position for the majority of the journey but couldn’t peg back the runaway leader and ended up finishing a distant third. He will make his Mildura debut on Tuesday night. CAUSE A BIG SCENE broke stride 50m after the start and was tailed off for the remainder of the trial. REIGNING STAR began very quickly to lead, broke stride 100m after the start and was galloping wildly for a considerable distance. He was tailed off when he got back into a pace then galloped again in the last circuit so his effort wasn’t very encouraging leading up to his effort on Tuesday, where he has drawn on the pole position.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Last Half: - 61.4 Margins: - 40m, 15m
Trial 3: - LAST ARTIST began fast and was able to slide to the lead just after the starter said go. He always appeared to be in control of the trial and won by a large margin. He is meeting a much harder field at Mildura on Tuesday but he should land a prominent position in the early stages. ROCKNROLL RONNIE is a former Emma Stewart trained pacer, which has joined trainer Kate Attard. He restrained to last from the outside of the front line, moved into the one out and one back trail at the bell and wanted to hang out when entering the back straight on the final occasion. He came out three horses wide at the 500m mark and rolled into a distant second. HARRY MCKINNIS finished third after trailing the leader throughout and will return from a spell at Mildura on Tuesday. TOUCH OF ARMBRO settled three back on the inside and raced roughly at various stages of the trial. He finished ahead of TACTFILLY MAGIC, which settled four back on the inside and moved into the death seat at the bell but couldn’t hold her position over the latter stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Last Half: - 59.6 Margins: - 15m, 20m
MARYBOROUGH 23/01/22
Trial 1: - KARMA QUEEN trailed the leader in the early stages but was pulling hard and circled around the field to find the front with 1300m remaining. She ran along at a good tempo and was able to grip onto her lead over concluding stages. HAIR RAZOR eased at the start and settled five back on the inside. He moved into the death seat at the 800m mark and continued to progress forward. He only just failed to pick up KARMA QUEEN in the run to the post. The Super Series winning trotter RULES DON’T APPLY dropped out to last early and followed behind HAIR RAZOR for the majority of the journey. He held his ground nicely in the run to the post and wasn’t fully extended at any stage. He is in great form and should run another good race at Melton tomorrow night. BONA KHAN began very quickly and shot to the lead shortly after the start. He then took cover and waited for the sprint lane run. He finished fourth ahead of MYRNIONG IS AWAY, which settled four back on the markers with CAPTAIN PINS (3 back markers) being the last horse to cross the line after pulling hard in the run.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.4 Last Half: - 58.8 Margins: - Neck, 2m
Trial 2: - VALKYRIE prepared for her effort at Wedderburn on Sunday with a comfortable victory in the second trial. She did enough to hold out the challenge of CARRAMAR SOLOMONA at the start and was able to lead throughout to win with something in reserve. BLACKBIRD MISS settled three back on the markers, trailed the leader from the home turn and ran home nicely via the sprint lane. ZWICK was third after trailing the leader and coming away from the inside on the home turn. CARRAMAR SOLOMONA finished last of the four runners but nothing much went right for him as he was vying for the lead early before easing all of the way back to last then moved into the death seat and tried to make ground again at the 600m. He is taking on a class field in the Caduceus Classic at Melton tomorrow night, where he will be at big odds.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.6 Last Half: - 56.7 Margins: - 2m, 2m
Trial 3: - COURTESY CHANCERY was four back on the markers in the early stages and moved up without cover with 1100m remaining. She drifted out to the centre of the track in the home straight but she went to the line under a good hold and was able to get up and claim victory on the line. It was a good performance and she is a chance at Geelong on Monday but her manners will be the key to her result. JORDANS MATE began swiftly to find the lead shortly after the start. She kicked clear on the home turn and appeared to be the winner but peaked on her run over the concluding stages. EVERYBODYLOVESME settled three back on the markers and was poking through the middle late for an eye-catching third. She went to the line with plenty in reserve and backed up with a game third behind the smart trotter Senitas Strength in a heat of the Mares Sprint Championship at Shepparton on Thursday night. ALGORITHM was fourth across the line after trailing the leader throughout. ENDSIN A PARTY settled down in last position and came out very wide on the home turn. He was able to beat home TE AMO (Love You – I Am Majestic), which settled down fifth on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail behind the winner at the 1100m.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.7 Last Half: - 59.7 Margins: - Neck, 2m
Trial 4: - DOUBLE THE HUNTER was without cover early, restrained to last at the 1700m, got checked and broke at the 1400m, losing approximately 25m before recovering then moved up without cover from the 600m. He produced a tidy performance and got the prize. He followed with a sixth at Shepparton on Thursday night. SOUNDS LIKE FUN (Western Terror – Sounds Alive 1.54.6, $66,941) was a very nice effort in second position. He settled behind the leader, angled to the outside in the home straight and finished fast without being fully extended. DOUBLE THE HUNTER was safely beaten on Thursday night so the form line doesn’t exactly stack up but SOUNDS LIKE FUN did perform well enough to suggest he can win races. ASHFORD SHARK began quickly to lead, set up a very slow tempo and was run down over the latter stages. He is meeting a couple of handy performers at Geelong on Monday afternoon. NARRA VANE was three back on the inside and broke stride at the 1400m, losing valuable ground. He chased hard and tacked onto the group with a lap remaining. He moved away from the inside shortly afterwards and commenced to make ground but broke stride again and lost all chance.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.4 Last Half: - 57.1 Margins: - 1m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: - Sounds Like Fun
Trial 5: - HELLO I TEA prepared for his effort at Wedderburn on Sunday with an all of the way victory in the fifth trial. He set up a slow tempo mid-race and was able to fend off a late challenge from BORG AM I (Blissfull Hall – Moore Cullen 2.1.3, $15,858) to win by a narrow margin. BORG AM I trailed the leader and came to the outside on the home turn. He finished off quickly and would have won in another stride. WAVES STRIDE (Always B Miki – Gina Falcon) is an unraced juvenile pacer and was taking on older horses. He was three back on the inside and was under pressure from the 600m mark.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.5 Last Half: - 58.5 Margins: - ½ Head, 30m
Trial 6: - BOUTIKA (Danny Bouchea – Palkia) trailed the leader GOLDEN ACE STRIDE and came to the outside on the home turn. She chased hard in the straight and was able to assert her superiority in the final 50m to win the trial. GOLDEN ACE STRIDE finished second after setting the speed. The juvenile trotter for trainer Peter Manning VALERIE LANE (Father Patrick – Valsue 2.4.0, $33,483) did everything right and was able to hold down third position in an encouraging trial performance. WHATS THE TEA (Tell All – Poets Glory 2.6.9, $10,610) was four back on the inside and finished fourth. Unfortunately, the name of the David Murphy prepared 3yo trotter wasn’t listed on the results. It settled at the back of the pack and ended up finishing some distance from the winner in last position.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.7 Last Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 2m, 20m
BLACKBOOKER: - Valerie Lane
Trial 7: - CEE VEE VEE began quickly to lead and rolled along at a genuine tempo. He dominated his rivals and dashed well clear at the end to win by a decent margin. IT’S A BORG took the trail behind CEE VEE VEE and held down a distant second. LITTLEBLABBAMOUTH settled last of the trio, was always a little bit detached from the herd and lost ground over the latter stages of the event.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.9 Last Half: - 56.7 Margins: - 15m, 20m
COBRAM 23/01/22
Trial 1: - SIRIUS MAJOR (Major Bronski – Angel of Music) began very fast to lead, ran along at a genuine tempo and was able to kick on well in the run to the finish to get the prize. BUS STOP was slow out and settled a clear last in the early stages before moving up without cover at the 1200m mark. He backed up at Shepparton on Thursday night and finished sixth behind Eiffel From Heaven. He kept on progressing forward and tried hard over the latter stages to finish a close second. MYBOYMYBOY was three back on the markers in the early stages, gained a one out and one back trail at the 1200m and finished a distant third. PAS DU COURU was four back on the inside and lost ground when behind the tiring MILLY PATONE in the back straight on the final occasion. She came away from the inside at the 600m mark but was giving the leaders a healthy start. She broke stride and was stood down to trial at Shepparton on Thursday night. MILLY PATONE began quickly, settled three back on the markers but was under pressure from the 700m and finished at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.6 Last Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 1m, 20m
Trial 2: - UPRIGHT trailed the leader, raced keenly and moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m mark. He came out three horses wide when leaving the back straight and produced a strong finish to get the prize by a comfortable margin. STILL SOUNDS ALIKE (Rock N Roll Heaven – Always Lacking 1.56.4, $23,515) was three back on the inside, moved away from the markers at the 700m and joined the leader at the quarter pole. He battled on well for second with NOT SO BIG being third after settling down last of the four runners, getting held up for a run at a vital stage and switching back to the sprint lane. He was finishing off strongly late. ILLAWONG ARGYLE (A Rocknroll Dance – Hi Flyin Lombo 2.2.3, $54,387) began quickly to run to the lead but was collared approaching the home turn and was last of the four runners to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.9 Last Half: - 60.3 Margins: - 3m, Nose
TABCORP PARK, MELTON 24/01/22
Trial 1: - ELECTROJET led out then took a trail behind SERTORIUS NZ and enjoyed a lovely trip in a slowly run trial. She used the sprint lane and got up to claim victory on the line. SERTORIUS NZ began fast from out wide on the track and ran to the lead shortly after the start. He backed of the tempo mid-race then kicked on well in the straight but just failed to hold off ELECTROJET at the end. He will use his gate speed to land a prominent position at Melton tomorrow night. PHARISEE was five back on the inside and moved up without cover at the 700m. He was second on the home turn and held his own in a quick final quarter. HIGH IN THE SKY NZ settled three back on the markers and filled fourth spot with CONSTANTINOPLE following her throughout in fifth. XEBEC settled down in last position, moved into the running lane with 700m remaining (1-2) and beat home TROUBLE GIERO, which settled one position ahead of him in the run before angling into the one out and one back trail. The slow early tempo made it very difficult for anything from the back of the field to make any ground. PHARISEE and XEBEC will compete in the opening event at Geelong on Monday while TROUBLE GIERO is racing at Cranbourne tonight.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Last Half: - 58.90 Margins: - 1/2head, 2.5m
Trial 2: - Only two horses contested the trial with BULLETPROOF BOY leading all of the way to defeat CRUZ, which came to the outside in the straight but couldn’t make an impression in a handy mile rate of 1.54.8. BULLETBROOF BOY is resuming in a heat of the Mercury80 series at Melton tomorrow night, where he appears to be a strong chance.
Mile Rate: - 1.54.8 Last Half: - 56.52 Margin: - 11m
Trial 3: - JEREMY LOU (Sweet Lou – Lady Musgrave 2.10.3, $2,025) went to the line under a strong hold and he didn’t have much luck early in the trial so it was a tidy performance to get the prize. He was caught without cover early, restrained to last and came out three horses wide from the 400m mark. YARECKON IM SWEET (Sweet Lou – Rock Two Times) began quickly to find the lead then backed off the tempo mid-race. She battled on fairly well in the run to the finish and held down second position. LAVADA GOLD (He’s Watching – Weona Beach Girl 1.58.2, $90,381) trailed the leader throughout and finished third ahead of CHAMPAGNE STRIDE (Art Major – Lenola Stride 1.53.7, $13,020), which settled down last on the markers, moved up without cover at the 800m mark and held her ground in the straight.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.4 Last Half: - 57.80 Margins: - 5m, 2.5m
Trial 4: - ROHAAN began nicely and moved up without cover in the early stages. He applied pressure to the leader SAINT CALDER and eventually rolled to the top with 1200m remaining. He was very strong at the finish and went to the line with his ears pricked, nicely clear of his rivals. DONTOUCH THE DUCO settled down in sixth, was fifth at the bell and moved away from the markers at the 800m mark. He made plenty of ground down the back straight and battled away at the end to finish second. He backed up with an all of the way victory at Shepparton on Thursday night. SAINT CALDER began quickly to lead, took a trail after copping some pressure and finished third. It appeared as though he would be beaten clearly into third position turning for home but he rallied nicely over the concluding stages. GATESYS GIFT settled midfield (5 back then 4 back markers), came to the outside at the 500m mark and picked up some ground for a distant fourth. CHRISKEN KIOSK was in fourth position and was able to get around the galloping EMERALD HILL NZ to run into third position at the bell. He yielded some ground over the latter stages and finished ahead of the two mistake makers in EMERALD HILL NZ, which galloped at the bell and SHEZA SAILOR, which was tailed off throughout after galloping at the start.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.6 Last Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 7m, Nose
Trial 5: - COMMANDER BUZZ began quickly to lead, took a trail and came to the outside on the home turn. He was able to sprint home best in the dash up the straight to win by a narrow margin. SOLESSEO MATUCA began quickly from out wide on the track and worked past COMMANDER BUZZ to find the lead shortly after the start. He was run down on the line but the last quarter was a sizzling 27.1 seconds so he couldn’t have done much more than he did. Both horses performed very well in the trial and will clash against a strong field in the Caduceus Classic at Melton tomorrow night. POPCORNFRIDAY settled three back on the markers and came away from the inside at the quarter pole. He tried hard for third with SPORTS WRACK coming from last of the five runners to finish in fourth. GAMEOFCHANCE (Bettors Delight – Soho Berlin 1.56.4, $69,770) was the last one across the line but he settled four back on the inside and wasn’t too far away from the third placed POPCORNFRIDAY at the finish.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.6 Last Half: - 57.28 Margins: - Head, 13m
Trial 6: - ALWAYS READY looked like he was back to his very best with a scintillating front running display, where driver Nathan Jack was swinging against him in the home straight and he was still able to run a final quarter in 27.9 seconds to score by 25m! He is a top horse with a good strike rate so he is a knockout chance in the Dullard Cup tomorrow night, particularly if the leaders go hard in the early stages. JUST BELIEVE finished in second position after trailing the leader throughout. He finished third in the Inter Dominion Final at his latest attempt and should run a good race at Melton tomorrow night. YMBRO WASTED settled down in last position, came to the outside with 500m remaining and was able to pick up CHIEF RUNNINGCLOUD (3 back markers) in the run to the judge.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.9 Last Half: - 57.44 Margins: - 25m, 4.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Always Ready
Trial 7: - CRAFTY OLD FOX settled four back on the inside, came out three horses wide on the turn and finished off best to take out the last trial of the day. He is competing at Cranbourne tonight, where he is favourably drawn over the sprint distance. THUG ROSE NZ (Always B Miki – Kim Maguire) settled down in last position, moved up without cover at the 800m mark, loomed up on the turn then couldn’t repel the late challenge of CRAFTY OLD FOX. She has drawn on the pole position for her debut performance at Geelong on Monday. NONE GRATER began quickly and was able to angle across to trail the leader. He moved to the outside at the quarter pole and dashed to the front shortly afterwards but was gunned down at the end. IONTHEBULLION was three back on the markers and was able to work past the early leader FRANCO REBEL NZ with OUR SENORITA (5 back markers), being the last horse to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.5 Last Half: - 59.51 Margins: - 2m, 2m
SHEPPARTON 25/01/22
Trial 1: - The opening trial was just like trackwork for the open class stars but it was still a tidy performance by the winner KISSMELVIS, which has recently joined trainer Wayne Potter. He has a National Rating of 67 with SIRLETIC being his nearest rival having a rating of 105 so he did a mighty job to score. He led and ran a slick last half of 54.9 seconds. SIRLETIC trailed the leader and used the sprint lane. He accelerated nicely and missed out by a narrow margin. PERFECT STRIDE NZ was three back on the inside and moved away from the markers on the home turn to finish a close up third. MALCOLMS RHYTHM was last of the quartet throughout but it is fair to say that none of the horses that competed in the opening trial were fully stretched.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.6 Last Half: - 54.9 Margins: - Head, Neck
BLACKBOOKER: - Kissmelvis
Trial 2: - ROCKNROLL GIG (A Rocknroll Dance – Maudie Mombassa 1.54.1, $93,648) settled down last of the five runners and moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m mark. He came out four horses wide on the home turn and finished quickly to post a good victory. LOCHINVAR LORENZO (Art Major – Makes Every Scents 1.55.1, $326,765) began well and angled in behind the leader shortly after the start. He travelled nicely in the run and came to the outside on the home turn. He raced very greenly when entering the home straight and didn’t really seem to know what to do once he got out into the open. He went to the line under a nice hold and appears to have a promising future, particularly when he learns how to race. BE DAZZLED (Sweet Lou – Dazed And Confused 1.56.8, $172,444) was four back on the inside and moved into the death seat half way down the back straight on the final occasion. He was three horses wide on the home turn after LOCHINVAR LORENZO popped off the markers then he was checked when LOCHINVAR LORENZO raced erratically entering the home straight so he did well to finish third. GUARANTEED SWEETIE (Guaranteed – Darlzarti 1.57.2, $10,335) was three back on the markers and tried hard in the straight. HEREFORAGOODTIME (Sunshine Beach – Gwenda Baker 1.56.6, $78,420) was the last horse across the line but he showed good early speed to lead early.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Last Half: - 60.6 Margins: - Neck, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: - Lochinvar Lorenzo
Trial 3: - LADY OF THE ARTS was without cover in the early stages, switched onto the markers to be three back then came away from the inside again at the 600m mark. He was able to gain a run underneath of the early leader PRIMA DONNA, which hung out badly at the 400m, and she quickly ran to the top. She went to the line untouched to win easily. PRIMA DONNA finished second after setting the speed. COUNTRY MAJOR was four back on the inside, gained a one out and one back trail behind LADY OF THE ARTS at the 600m mark and appeared to have his chance over the latter stages. NIVEKALON EAGLE finished a distant fourth after settling five back on the inside. ROYAL RONDEL followed NIVEKALON EAGLE throughout and finished ahead of SPLIT EAR, which yielded ground after trailing the leader, and ROLL THE ACES was last of the seven runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.9 Last Half: - 57.2 Margins: - 10m, 10m
Trial 4: - MORETON BAY began quickly and was able to find the lead shortly after the start. He ran along at a decent tempo and remained strong at the finish to score nicely. ALDEBARAN CRESCENT began fast from a wide draw and angled behind MORETON BAY shortly after the start. She momentarily dropped off the back of the winner on the home turn but was able to regather momentum and finished second without peeling to the outside at any stage. PRETTYLILANGUS was four back on the markers early then three back and finished in third ahead of the pacer BLAZIN BEAUTY, which was six back on the inside and made her run from the quarter pole. KHEIRON was five back on the markers and finished ahead of BODYBUILDER, which settled down one position in front of him early. The other two horses ALWAYS A DREAMER and BENNY THE GUN (Muscle Hill – Front And Square 2.1.9, $34,183) both made errors and finished well behind the herd. ALWAYS A DREAMER galloped at the start and BENNY THE GUN was three back on the markers when he made his first error at the 1500m. He galloped again only a short time later and was tailed off for the remainder of the trip.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.3 Last Half: - 57.6 Margins: - 8m, 10m
Trial 5: - SHARKTON began nicely and got in behind the leader. He came to the outside at the 500m, sprinted sharply and dashed to the front then sustained the run to win nicely. TREACHEROUS LASS (Captaintreacherous – Celebrity Lass 1.57.6, $30,967) was without cover early, eased to be four back on the markers, moved into the breeze again at the 800m and chased hard to be a clear second. OHHEMMJAY CRESCO (Sunshine Beach – Illawong Fabulous 2.0.7, $33,790) showed very good gate speed to lead then ran along at a reasonable tempo. He was headed off with 500m remaining and finished a distant third. AIM HIGH (Heston Blue Chip – Life Like) was three back on the markers and finished fourth in front of ROCKNROLL NUGGET (Rock N Roll Heaven – A Few Dollars More 1.57.4, $4,088) (5 back markers) and TANGANYIKA was the last one home after settling down at the tail of the field and moving into the one out and one back trail at the 800m.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.4 Last Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 10m, 30m
Trial 6: - PATRIOT STRIDE NZ stepped away nicely from the standing start and led comfortably. He only set up a moderate tempo and MONTANA MUSCLE was the only other runner that did everything right but he appeared to be very impressive and continued his good trial form for the week. MONTANA MUSCLE stepped away nicely and was in the trail throughout. She lost ground late and was beaten by 25m. LIFEINTHEBALANCE went backwards at the start and swung around in the opposite direction. He was tailed off throughout but was able to get ahead of PICCALILLI over the concluding stages. PICCALILLI was also tailed off throughout after going into a wild gallop at the start. She did settle a good margin in front of LIFEINTHEBALANCE then couldn’t could repel his challenge in the last lap.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.5 Last Half: - 59.5 Margins: - 25m, Distanced
Trial 7: - REPELLING was the class runner of the field and was able to grab victory in the final stride. He settled three back on the markers, trailed the leader on the home turn and darted through along the sprint lane. GALACTIC GAL trailed the leader and came to the outside on the home turn. She hit the front in the straight and appeared to be the winner but was claimed on the line. CAPTAINS QUEEN began sharply to find the lead shortly after the start. She ran along at a good tempo but was comfortably run down at the end. HAMMERS HELLPATROL settled four back on the inside and began yielding ground from the 500m mark. BARBADOS ROSE (Betterthancheddar – Wineglass Bay) failed to score up in the desired manner and was tailed off for the entire trial.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.2 Last Half: - 58.0 Margins: - Head, 10m
