Harness Racing form guru Craig Rail noticed several standout performers at the recent trials.
At Bacchus Marsh, the smart and lightly raced Mister Hunter performed well.
At Melton, Soho Charmer produced a sparkling performance after leading throughout.
Bad Grandma sustained a strong run to win impressively. She has drawn nicely for her debut at Horsham on Monday afternoon.
Twigstar looms as a strong winning hope at Cranbourne on Sunday after a strong trial.
BACCHUS MARSH 26/09/26
Trial 1: – MIGHTY BLING hasn’t raced since recording successive victories in early 2025. He has only had the four starts to date for two wins and a second so he was going very well prior to his long break. He recorded reasonable time at his trial success and he should keep getting fitter. DONTTELLNANNA was stood down to trial after breaking stride at Shepparton at her latest race track appearance. She finished in second and was well clear of the unraced filly JIVE TALKING, which is a daughter of A Rocknroll Dance. The lightly raced juvenile filly ARZALI SHACARRI was last of the four runners across the line. DONTTELLNANNA and ARZALI SHACARRI are both competing at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.1 Last Half: – 59.5 Margins: – 10m, 15m
Trial 3: – MOTHER MARIA is an unraced 3yo filly by Poster Boy, which has had nine trials overall since October last year and will be making her debut at Melton this evening. She was able to win the trial by a comfortable margin over ARZALI ROCKSTAR, which was stood down to trial after dropping out as favourite when enduring a tough trip at Charlton on September 21. ARZALI ROCKSTAR is also competing at Melton tonight. HER MADGEJESTY hasn’t raced since a sixth at Kilmore in January. She finished a distant last of the three runners.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.9 Last Half: – 58.9 Margins: – 10m, 25m
Trial 4: – MORE WANTED is a Metropolitan trotter, which finished fifth at Melton in July at his latest attempt. He has done a terrific job for his connections having won nine races and earning $165,778 in stakes and he is resuming at Geelong tomorrow night. He won the trial by a good margin over PROHIBITED GRACE, which finished unplaced in the Super Series Final at her latest race track appearance and is also racing at Geelong. MUNRO KAI has been unplaced in all of his four starts to date and hadn’t raced since April when he resumed at Ballarat on Thursday night, where he finished at the back after striking trouble. He finished third in the trial and SKYTE was the last horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – Unavailable Last Half: – 58.1 Margins: – 20m, 40m
Trial 6: – MISTER HUNTER is a very smart pacer when at his peak form but he has been very lightly raced. His latest appearance was a fourth at Cranbourne back in June 2024 and he did win the APG Gold Bullion Final back in May 2022. THE NIGHT FOX NZ didn’t have much luck at his Australian debut, where he parked without cover and raced fiercely. He finished in second position and JAPANESE MIKI, which has recently returned from a South Australian campaign, was last of the three runners across the line. THE NIGHT FOX NZ followed with a fourth at Kilmore on Wednesday night.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.6 Last Half: – 57.8 Margins: – Unavailable
BLACKBOOKER: – Mister Hunter
ECHUCA 27/09/26
Trial 2: – MY ROC began well and was without cover early before moving across to trail the leader shortly after the start. He worked around to find the lead at the 1600m then dominated his rivals thereafter. It was his first trial since a trial victory at Shepparton in April. GOODMORNING MIKI began quickly to lead then took cover at the 1600m. He came away from the markers at the 300m mark and tried hard but couldn’t match MY ROC over the concluding stages. COOKIE CRUMBLE was slow to move and settled three back on the markers. He finished a distant third ahead of EYESEETHEDIVA, which broke stride momentarily at the 1700m and ended up being four back on the markers. CARTIMANDUA broke stride in the score up and was a clear last early. He did tack onto the group but the early effort told and he was the last horse across the line. He is competing at Shepparton on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.3 Last Half: – 60.0 Margins: – 3m, 30m
Trial 4: – TOORAM DANNY settled four back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 700m mark and sustained a good run to get the prize. He is backing up at Shepparton on Tuesday night. SON OF A BROAD began quickly to find the lead, set up a slow tempo and was run down on the line. HARTNETT finished in third position after trailing the leader throughout. SON OF A BROAD and HARTNETT are also competing at Shepparton. SUNSHINE MILLIE settled three back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 300m and was last of the quartet across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.8.1 Last Half: – 61.5 Margins: – Head, 6.25m
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 29/09/26
Trial 1: – KENNYS SON stepped away nicely from the standing start to trail the leader and travelled well throughout. He came to the outside in the home straight and dashed clear at the end to win without being extended. KENNYWOULD bounced away best from behind the tapes and led clearly. He continued to build on the speed throughout the trial but was no match for his stable mate at the end. ZIPPIN PAST began slowly and settled down fourth on the markers. She was a distant third on the pegs at the 700m and remained in third position for the remainder of the trial. ALDEBARAN EMJAY broke stride momentarily on the first turn and settled last of the five runners. He finished fourth and KYVALLEY DIABLO jumped away in third but broke stride when turning into the back straight on the final occasion. Presumably, the last three horses were getting standing start practice for the forthcoming Redwood Classic.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.5 Last Half: – 58.0 Margins: – 9.5m, 23.25m
Trial 2: – The 3yo pacer SOHO CHARMER produced a sparkling performance after leading throughout. He ran a sensational last half of 54.0 seconds with a last quarter of 26.4 seconds to beat the proven open class pacers by a clear margin. BULLETPROOF BOY began well and trailed the leader for the majority of the trial. He came to the outside and attempted to mount a challenge from the 500m but found the winner to be too slick. He is competing in the Geelong Cup tomorrow night. YAMBUKIAN was without cover early, angled onto the markers to be three back then came to the outside with 300m remaining. He chased hard and produced a handy effort to finish in third. JUSTALITTLESIP NZ was three then four back on the markers and finished in fourth while HES FROM HEAVEN was last for the duration. JUSTALITTLESIP NZ is making his debut for trainer Adam Kelly at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: – 1.52.1 Last Half: – 54.0 Margins: – 10.25m, 1.5m
BLACKBOOKER: – Soho Charmer
Trial 3: – BANJO STAR began fast and was able to run to the lead shortly after the start. He backed off the tempo mid-race and finished off in a slick final quarter of 27.8 seconds to win the trial by a large margin. TALISKER SKIPPER broke stride at the start, settled last of the five runners and came to the outside on the home turn. He ran to the line nicely to finish in second spot. MIKIS PLEASURE settled three back on the markers, came to the outside at the 600m and hung in badly from the 300m. He balanced up in the home straight and held down third. THINKFAST RUNFAST settled down fourth on the markers and finished in that position. FLIGHT LOUTENENANT trailed the leader and struck bother at the 300m thus losing his chance.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.8 Last Half: – 56.9 Margins: – 17m, 1m
Trial 4: – DONMARO NZ began quickly to find the lead and ran along at a genuine tempo. He was always in control of the trial and scored nicely. MY LITTLE BO settled last of the five runners, moved up without cover at the 600m mark and chased hard for a game second. It was a very good performance considering the final half was run in a slick final half of 56.3 seconds and she was giving the leader a big start at the 800m mark. ANGELS WATCHING trailed the leader and used the sprint lane to finish in third position. She is backing up at Geelong tomorrow night. EMILY VINCENT settled three back on the markers and ran into a dead-end over the latter stages. She beat home HITTHEROADJACK (4 back markers), which finished at the tail of the field but wasn’t beaten by a large margin. HITTHEROADJACK is competing at Geelong tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: – 1.55.7 Last Half: – 56.3 Margins: – 2m, 1.5m
Trial 5: – LOVE THAT BIRD is a talented juvenile trotting filly that is still learning. She proved what she could do when she can put it altogether when she recorded a strong success. She trailed the leader, moved into the death seat at the 600m mark and sustained a strong run to win on the line. ROYAL LADY NZ went down fighting after setting up a reasonable tempo in the lead. The first pair raced well clear of the other two runners headed by PASTOR JAY JAY, which settled three back on the inside.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.2 Last Half: – 59.8 Margins: – ½ head, 53m
Trial 6: – BAD GRANDMA settled three back on the inside, moved up without cover at the 600m mark and sustained a strong run to win impressively. She has drawn nicely for her debut effort at Horsham on Monday afternoon. COGNAC COWBOY showed very good gate speed to lead, backed off the tempo in the early stages and was run down at the end but the final half was handy. GIDGETT KAY settled four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m and tried hard for third. She is competing at Cranbourne on Sunday. BANIA was out of position at the start by fifteen metres, settled last of the six runners and did well to pick up ground for fourth. THREETWENTYTHREE trailed the leader and was the fifth horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.0 Last Half: – 57.3 Margins: – 3.75m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: – Bad Grandma
Trial 7: – TWIGSTAR began quickly to lead, took cover at the 1200m, came away from the inside at the 300m and sprinted very quickly. She won comfortably, seemingly with plenty in reserve so it was a very impressive performance. She looms as a strong winning hope at Cranbourne on Sunday. LANIKAI WARRIOR began quickly and was without cover early before pushing forward to find the lead at the 1200m. He ran along at a genuine tempo and was gunned down at the end but the winner appears to be pretty smart. WINCHESTER BOY settled last of the six runners, gave the leaders a big start and picked up ground without threatening the leading pair to run a creditable third. DIMITRI finished fourth after trailing the leader early and ending up being three back on the markers from the 1200m mark.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.4 Last Half: – 57.1 Margins: – 6.5m, 29m
BLACKBOOKER: – Twigstar
Trial 8: – STORMS delivered a nice performance to take out the eighth event. He was four back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 900m and drew well clear at the end in a last quarter of 28.7 seconds. SWEET FLORABEL was third into the first turn but broke stride. She ended up being last of the six runners, broke stride again at the bell before working up into the one out and one back trail in the final circuit. She did well to recover and finish in second place. HOLLOW LOG showed very good gate speed to lead in the early stages before backing off the tempo mid-race. He finished in third ahead of DELTA STARZ, which was three back on the markers for the majority of the trial. DELTA STARZ is scheduled to compete at Cranbourne on Sunday.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.3 Last Half: – 58.0 Margins: – 13m, 2.5m
Trial 9: – VERBICI is the outstanding juvenile trotter of the season and backed up from his Super Series victory with another good success. He settled six back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 900m and sustained a long run to win impressively, seemingly with plenty in hand. COLTRANE was in the one out and one back trail before being left in the death seat momentarily. He pushed forward to find the lead at the 1200m and was run down over the latter stages but beat the remainder of the field by a handy margin. JETZ was behind the leader in the early stages but was shuffled back to fourth at the bell. He finished a distant third with DESERT ROYALE being in fourth after leading out then being shuffled to three back on the markers.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.3 Last Half: – 60.1 Margins: – 3.5m, 14m
Trial 10: – EL RESAMO was able to assume his favourite role as being the pacemaker and ran along at a genuine tempo. He continued to extend on his lead in the final quarter and scored by over thirty metres. CHAMPAGNE GEMMA settled last of the three runners, came to the outside at the 300m and worked past UNKNOWN SON (trailed leader). She is competing at Geelong tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.7 Last Half: – 57.2 Margins: – 30m, 39m
Trial 11: – BIRMINGHAM GIRL began quickly to lead, took cover at the 1200m and waited for the sprint lane. She accelerated sharply in the straight and was able to get up to score on the line. DESERT VIPER was five back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 1600m and angled out wide on the home turn. He worked home well for second. HEIR JAURDON was three back on the markers, circled around to find the lead at the 1200m and was run down over the latter stages. THE FIERY DUCHESS trailed the leader early, got shuffled to three back on the markers at the 1200m and finished in fourth.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.9 Last Half: – 61.1 Margins: – Neck, 6m
Trial 12: – FORT LEVENWORTH began quickly to find the lead shortly after the start. He ran along at an even tempo and was too good in the run to the finish. KIANA finished in second after trailing the leader throughout. CRUNCHIE GAMBLER was four back on the markers early and ended up being three back at the bell. He finished in a distant third. TEECEE NARELLE was three back on the markers but was battling to keep up mid-race and dropped out to a tailed off last.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.4 Last Half: – 59.2 Margins: – 6m, 59m
MILDURA 30/09/26
Trial 1: – NOBLE TRICK was stood down to trial after a tiring sixth at Mildura back in June. He is yet to win a race this season but he boasts 14 victories and a career best mile rate of 1.54.1 so he is a smart horse when racing at his peak. CORNELIUS has joined trainer Naomi Kerr since a last start victory at Penrith when being prepared by Kevin Pizzuto. He finished in second place with POTTSY THE GURU being last of the three runners across the line but he wasn’t beaten by far. POTTSY THE GURU has drawn nicely for his return to racing at Mildura on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.4 Last Half: – 58.5 Margins: – 6m, 1.75m
Trial 2: – LITLMAX is an unraced mare for trainer Brendan Tune. She is by Mel Mara out of Racey Blue Chip (2.5.7) and is the first foal out of the mare. She was able to win the trial by a comfortable margin over I WANT MARY, which was stood down to trial after a tiring ninth at Mildura on September 18. I WANT MARY will be competing at Mildura on Tuesday night. BETTY CAROLINE is an unraced filly by Betting Line for trainer Fred Posgate, which has had four trials. She was able to finish in third with another unraced pacer THE MIGHTY CAESAR being last of the four runners across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.8 Last Half: – 61.4 Margins: – 2.5m, 4m
