Harness racing form guru Craig Rail noticed several standout performers at the recent trials.
At Shepparton, Bettorbust recorded an impressive victory. He settled last of the five runners, moved into the death seat at the 800m and speared to the front with 600m remaining. He is backing up at Wagga this afternoon.
At Melton, Coltrane was without cover early and restrained to be last of the four runners. He made his move approaching the home turn and finished off strongly to record an impressive victory.
River Storm produced a big finishing burst to record an impressive win.
SHEPPARTON 01/10/26
Trial 1: – RUGGARDS GEE TEE has returned from a successful Queensland campaign and looked good at his trial success. He trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 300m and slipped home in a final half of 57.3 seconds to win untouched. He is competing in a heat of the Victoria Derby at Melton on Saturday night. THE WISE GUY settled last of the three runners and was able to pick up the early leader PAS GUARANTEE over the final stages.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.4 Last Half: – 57.3 Margins: – 8m, 1m
Trial 2: – IM BIG BUSINESS began quickly to lead, took cover at the 1800m and ended up being three back on the markers from the 1100m. He came to the outside in the back straight on the final occasion, pressured the leader and was able to sustain the run to win well. POSTER PERFECT was three then four back on the markers from the 1100m and finished off well to be beaten by a narrow margin. He is backing up at Wagga this afternoon. SAHARA SEAKRET was without cover early, pushed forward to find the lead then took cover mid-race. He finished a distant third with OUR SWEET JEANNIE being in fourth after working forward to find the lead with just over a lap remaining and peaking late. SAHARA SEAKRET is competing at Wagga this afternoon and OUR SWEET JEANNIE will be backing up in a heat of the Victoria Oaks tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.4 Last Half: – 59.2 Margins: – 1m, 25m
Trial 4: – BETTORBUST recorded an impressive victory. He settled last of the five runners, moved into the death seat at the 800m and speared to the front with 600m remaining. He finished off in a slick final quarter of 28.0 seconds to win easily. He is backing up at Wagga this afternoon. TECHYS WISH settled four back on the markers, came to the outside at the 600m, got in behind the leader at the 500m and chased hard over the final stages. She was beaten by about a length on the line and finished a long way clear of the remainder of the group. MADAM SASS began quickly to lead and dashed away to a clear lead in the early stages. She then took cover mid-race and ended up being three back on the markers from the 1400m. She finished a distant third at the end.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.3 Last Half: – 57.1 Margins: – 3m, 30m
BLACKBOOKER: – Bettorbust
Trial 5: – AUSSIE JAY MAC NZ settled six back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 700m and sustained a long run to continue his good recent form to win the trial nicely. TALKNPLAY began quickly and worked to the front shortly after the start. He set up a moderate tempo and was claimed over the latter stages. The trotter RAPID RETURN trailed the leader and used the sprint lane. He tried hard over the final 100m to finish in third position. FINANCIAL BURDEN finished in fourth after being three back on the markers for the majority of the trial. The good trotter PASTOR DUNBAR finished fifth after settling four back on the markers but he never peeled to the outside at any stage and appeared to have something in reserve.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.1 Last Half: – 58.8 Margins: – 1m, head
Trial 7: – MAGIC BULLSEYE trailed the leader, came to the outside with 300m remaining and went on to win the trial comfortably. She is scheduled to compete at Shepparton on Tuesday night. JASPER JAY settled three back on the markers, followed MAGIC BULLSEYE throughout and tried hard in the straight to finish in second spot. ASHANTE MAJOR finished a distant third after setting the speed and ISLAND BECKHAM was last for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.7 Last Half: – 59.1 Margins: 10m, 12m
KYABRAM 04/10/26
Trial 1: – OUR CHEEKY DEVIL won three races in South Australia during August and finished fifth at Kilmore when he last appeared on the race track. He recorded the fastest time out of the three trials when he defeated CRACKIN PHILTRA by a slender margin. He is racing at Maryborough on Monday afternoon. CRACKIN PHILTRA hasn’t started since a Bendigo victory back in June but is resuming at Shepparton on Tuesday night. DESTINY KEPT was beaten by approximately ten lengths and was last of the trio to greet the judge. She will also be competing at Shepparton.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.0 Last Half: – 60.4 Margins: – Nose, 30m
Trial 2: – NELLS ALL BLISS hasn’t started since October 2025 but has had fourteen trials since. She has joined trainer Rachel Stephenson Duryea since her latest race track appearance and won her trial by a comfortable margin. GOODMORNING MIKI followed a second at the Echuca trials a week earlier with another second placed effort and SUNSHINE MILLIE was a close up third.
Mile Rate: – 2.14.1 Last Half: – 64.0 Margins: – 3m, Neck
MARYBOROUGH 04/10/26
Trial 1: – THE SPARKLER began quickly and worked to the front shortly after the start. He ran along at an even tempo and was able to hold off his rivals to win the opening trial. He is racing at Melton this evening. THIS TIME NZ settled three back on the markers, came to the outside at the 500m and chased hard for a close up second. She is making her Victorian debut at Maryborough on Monday. RAKAROMPA NZ settled last of the five runners, was held up for a run at a vital stage and finished off swiftly for an eye-catching third. SPORTS NARRATOR finished fourth after trailing the leader throughout and HOLD THAT MOMENT (4 back markers, 1-1 from 500m) was the last horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.9 Last Half: – 57.2 Margins: – 1m, 1m
Trial 2: – EL UNO began quickly and was able to find the lead shortly after the start. He set up an even tempo and was able to hold on and score narrowly. He followed with a handy third at Kilmore on Thursday night. SKYVALLEY BOY was without cover early, angled into the trail behind the leader at the 1800m and used the sprint lane. He made a late lunge but failed by a narrow margin. He backed up at Kilmore on Thursday night and struck bother in the race won by Koufax. FAR AS POSSIBLE settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 700m and locked wheels in the home straight when attempting to make ground. He is backing up at Maryborough on Monday. HOLD THAT MAGIC was caught wide early and restrained to be fourth on the markers. He moved into the one out and one back trail in the back straight before coming out three horses wide at the quarter pole. He locked wheels in the home straight and broke stride so he should have finished closer. He followed with a fifth placed effort at Kilmore on Thursday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.3 Last Half: – 61.0 Margins: – ½ head, 4.25m
Trial 3: – BANIA began very quickly to find the lead and rolled along at a genuine tempo. He was always nicely clear of his rivals and won comfortably at the end. MAGGIEJAYNE settled three back on the markers and worked home well for second, finishing well clear of the third placed JANSEN, which came from last of the five runners. JANSEN is scheduled to compete at Maryborough on Monday.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.9 Last Half: – 60.7 Margins: – 6m, 20m
Trial 4: – QUEEN ISABEAU trailed the leader throughout and came to the outside on the home turn. She finished off best and was able to win by a comfortable margin. She is competing at Melton this evening. NORTHERN SKYE finished in second after attempting to lead throughout. STATELY STAR and SIR LIGHTFOOT both made errors and finished third and fourth respectively.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.3 Last Half: – 60.3 Margins: – 10m, 25m
Trial 5: – CELESTIAL STARLET began quickly to find the lead shortly after the start. She backed off the tempo mid-race and was able to dash home to win comfortably. She was untouched going to the line and looked to have plenty in reserve. Trainer Damien Burns produced two rising 2yo pacers early for next season and both performed well. DASH OF SPICE trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 300m and battled on okay for second. She is by Lather Up out of Princess Dilinger (1.58.2, $65,263) and is related to six winners including three $100,000+ earners in Top The Ace (1.52.9, $175,603), Youaremy Sunshine (1.53.8, $166,610) and Solesseo Matuca (1.50.8, $377,899). ROSE RUNNER was three back on the markers and was third across the line. She is by Vincent out of Ourlittle Princess, an unraced daughter of Princess Dilinger and is the second foal. The first foal Themidnightexpress (1.55.6, $21,352) has won two races as a juvenile this season. SOME REACTION was last of the four horses for the majority of the trip.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.9 Last Half: – 59.8 Margins: – 2m, 10m
Trial 6: – MAHEO trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 500m and was too good in the run to the finish. He is backing up at Maryborough on Monday. BONAVISTA BOY settled three back on the markers, angled wide on the home turn and worked into second position. LOAN SAILOR began quickly to lead and attempted to lead throughout but was run down over the latter stages. MUTTABURRA MISS settled last of the four runners, was battling to keep in touch with a lap remaining and was retired out of the trial.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.3 Last Half: – 58.5 Margins: – 6m, 10m
HORSHAM 05/10/26
Trial 2: – BLACK OPAL JACK hasn’t raced since a second at Horsham in June. He finished sixth in the Nutrien Final during his last campaign of racing and commenced his new preparation with a trial victory. WICKED HANGOVER recorded a win at her latest race track appearance at Mildura in June. She finished in second position with TALLARAS SHADOW being the third horse across the line. HILLCROFT HUSTLER finished last of the four runners but he wasn’t beaten by far.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.4 Last Half: – 58.3 Margins: – 1m, 4m
TERANG 06/10/26
Trial 2: – JILLIBY DREAMLOVER trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 150m and sprinted quickly at the end to win nicely. It was a good hit-out leading up to her performance in the Dullard Cup at Melton tomorrow night. JILLIBY ECLIPSE began quickly to find the lead and set up a solid tempo. He was run down at the end but beat the others by a large margin. ALLGOOD VINNIE settled three back on the markers and finished third with KEAYANG CHUCKY being last of the four runners for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.0 Last Half: – 57.2 Margins: – 3m, 15m
Trial 4: – IDEAL HIGH broke at the start at his race track debut but was able to atone at the trials by winning the fourth event by a clear margin. BATTON ROUGE was unplaced at Terang when resuming and continued to build on his fitness with a second placed effort. KEAYANG MARICRUZ finished unplaced as favourite when he parked without cover throughout at Cranbourne at his second race start. He was third across the line and was just ahead of JILLIBY UTAH.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.6 Last Half: – 59.5 Margins: – 4m, 1m
Trial 5: – COLOSIMO is a smart pacer, which hasn’t started since a fourth at Terang in June. He dashed home in a slick final quarter of 27.6 seconds and was able to score so it was a promising start to his campaign. KEAYANG ALABAMA is a maiden from seven starts but he has been runner up three times to date. He hasn’t raced since enduring a tough run and finishing ninth at Terang in March but managed to hold down second position. MISS ADELIA was a winner at Charlton two starts ago and finished a close up third.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.4 Last Half: – 58.0 Margins: – 2m, 4m
Trial 6: – The nicely bred filly JILLIBY CONNECTION continued her good trial form with a victory in the final trial. KEAYANG ZABRINA backed up her trial sixth two weeks earlier with a close up second. Both fillies are backing up at Menangle on Saturday night in the $75,000 Yabby Dam Farms Classic. KEAYANG MARCUS finished third in the Super Series Silver event when resuming from a spell. He should be building on his fitness and finished in third with KEAYANG JUNIOR being last of the four runners across the line but he wasn’t beaten by far. KEAYANG MARCUS is also off to Menangle on Saturday, where he will take on the outstanding colt Verbici in the Colts and Geldings section of the Yabby Dam Farms Classic.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.9 Last Half: – 60.1 Margins: – 1m, head
MILDURA 06/10/26
Trial 1: – Only two runners contested the opening trial with DALLAS MIKI leading throughout to win comfortably. He has done a good job in strong races at Mildura previously and he recorded handy time at his trial success. CORNELIUS sat in the trail throughout and finished approximately ten metres behind at the end.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.0 Last Half: – 59.2 Margin: – 10.5m
Trial 2: – BIG BAD CHAD began quickly to find the lead and was always in control of the trial. He was able to defeat BETTY CAROLINE, which sat in the trail and attempted a move with 300m remaining. LARACHA broke stride on the first turn, settled down last of the three runners and didn’t chase the leading pair.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.2 Last Half: – 59.7 Margins: 5.5m, 150m
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 06/10/26
Trial 2: – SMOKEN ACE NZ began fast to find the lead and ran along at a rapid rate. He recorded a sizzling mile rate of 1.53.3 and scored clearly at the end so it was a good performance leading up to his effort in the Smoken Up Sprint on Saturday night. HOORAH PHILTRA was the first horse across to the markers and gained the trail behind SMOKEN ACE NZ. He tried hard in the straight and finished in second. HESITATE dropped out to be last of the five runners early and did a very good job to run into third position. Both HOORAH PHILTRA and HESITATE are also competing in the Smoken Up Sprint at Melton. JUSTALITTLESIP NZ was three back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 300m and battled on fairly for fourth. HES FROM HEAVEN NZ (4 back markers) was the last horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 1.53.3 Last Half: – 55.5 Margins: – 7.5m, 3m
Trial 4: – COLTRANE was without cover early and restrained to be last of the four runners. He made his move approaching the home turn and finished off strongly to record an impressive victory. OUR TINKA BELLE settled three back on the markers and moved to the outside with 700m remaining. She finished in second and was well clear of DESERT ROYALE, which trailed the leader and the early pacemaker CLAUDYS HERO was the last horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.4 Last Half: – 61.7 Margins: – 7m, 24.25m
BLACKBOOKER: – Coltrane
Trial 5: – RIVER STORM was three back on the markers, moved into the running lane (1-2) at the 400m mark and angled out four horses wide on the home turn. He produced a big finishing burst and recorded an impressive win. MIGHTY BLING was four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail in the back straight on the final occasion and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He didn’t finish as fast as the winner but was still hitting the line nicely. COGNAC COWBOY began quickly to find the lead, backed off the tempo mid-race and was run down at the end. SPRINGFIELD RIVER broke stride at the start and was detached from the pack in the early stages. He was able to catch up to the group and was five back on the markers from the 800m before battling on well to finish as close as he did in fourth.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.1 Last Half: – 56.2 Margins: – 4m, 4.5m
BLACKBOOKER: – River Storm
Trial 6: – WINCHESTER BOY began quickly to find the lead, kicked well clear at the 600m mark and sustained the run to win impressively. MILEY KAY settled four back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 500m and battled into a distant second. FEAR THE MISSUS settled three back on the markers and finished a distant third. KELCH trailed the leader and was the last horse across the line. He is backing up at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.7 Last Half: – 57.2 Margins: – 22m, 34m
Trial 7: – I AM WILMA settled three back on the markers, came to the outside at the 300m mark and finished off quickly to beat a strong field in fast time. TWISTING BY NZ began quickly to find the lead, kicked clear on the home turn but peaked in the final 50m and was run down at the end. MISTER HUNTER settled last of the four runners and worked home really well at his second trial back from a long spell. GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW trailed the leader but never looked comfortable in his gait over the final 800m, racing roughly and dropping out over the latter stages to finish last of the quartet. He is resuming since his second in the Inter Dominion Final in the Dullard Cup at Melton tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.9 Last Half: – 57.8 Margins: – 3m, 2m
