One of Craig Rail’s three new Blackbook entries from this week’s Victorian trial circuit will step out for his debut this afternoon.
The Andrew Stenhouse-trained Tough Aint Enough showed promise with a trial victory at Mildura on Monday where he “settled four back on the markers, moved to the outside at the bell and was too strong in the run to the finish”.
The son of Sportswriter opened second favourite for today’s Verde @ The Gateway 3YO Pace at Mildura, which is scheduled to go at 12.11pm.
Others joining Tough Aint Enough in Rail’s Blackbook are Soho The Real Deal (Michael Stanley) and A lot Like Pendles (Laura Wilson).
TRIAL REPORT
MARYBOROUGH 16/06/24
Trial 1: - GHOST OF TIME showed his usual early brilliance and was able to roll to the top with 1700m remaining. He ran along at a genuine tempo and remained strong at the finish to score comfortably. He backed up at Shepparton on Thursday night and led throughout to win in style. NAKULA began quickly to find the markers first then took cover shortly afterwards. She tried hard in the straight and beat the remainder of the field by a handy margin. She is meeting a strong field of mares at Ballarat this evening. MAJOR DRAMA is also competing at Ballarat this evening and did well after settling five back on the markers and working to the line nicely over the latter stages. TOP GUN TED was four back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 700m mark and battled on fairly well for fourth.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.6 Last Half: - 56.3 Margins: - 6m, 12m
Trial 3: - SOHO THE REAL DEAL trailed the leader, moved to the outside at the quarter pole and finished off nicely to score in handy time. She is competing at Yarra Valley on Monday afternoon. SOHO FURY settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside on the home turn and finished off nicely for a close second. ALLTHEWAYTOROYALTY attempted to lead throughout and was a distant third ahead of MY BUCKS NIGHT, which settled six back on the markers.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.3 Last Half: - 57.5 Margins: - 1m, 15m
BLACKBOOKER: - Soho The Real Deal
Trial 4: - PHOENIX RED can have gait issues occasionally but he is a very smart horse when he is able to put it altogether. He trailed the leader throughout, came to the outside and looked very stylish in the run to the post, drawing nicely clear at the end to win by a comfortable margin. He backed up at Shepparton on Thursday night and unfortunately was on his worst behaviour, finishing tailed off. PERFIDIOUS SUE attempted to lead throughout and set up a genuine tempo. She was comfortably run down in the straight but the mile rate was handy and she did beat the remainder of the field by thirty metres so her performance was sound. She is competing at Ballarat this evening. EL UNO was four then three back on the inside, raced roughly at the 800m mark but battled on fairly well to be third across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Last Half: - 58.3 Margins: - 12m, 30m
Trial 6: - CAPTAIN MOORE settled five back on the inside, angled wide on the home turn and finished off well in fast final sectionals to record an impressive victory. He dashed home to defeat stable mate SOHO EMPIRE STATE, which was four back on the markers early before moving into the one out and one back trail at the 600m mark. SOHO EMPIRE STATE is making his debut at Terang on Tuesday night. BINNO MAJOR was three back on the inside and was the first to make a move in the backstraight on the final occasion. He battled on well for third with BETTOR BREEZE ON being fourth across the line after trailing the leader throughout. BINNO MAJOR has drawn perfectly for his performance at Ballarat this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.0 Last Half: - 57.3 Margins: - Neck, 10m
CRANBOURNE 16/06/24
Trial 1: - OCEANIQUE began quickly to find the lead, took cover behind LADY BLOOMFIELD and finished off best to win the trial by a narrow margin. LADY BLOOMFIELD began very quickly to find the lead from a wide draw and went down fighting. LOVE A BELLE finished third after being three back on the markers and LADY IN LINE came from eighth to pick up fourth position.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.7 Last Half: - 58.8 Margins: - Neck, 10.5m
Trial 2: - MEADOW VALLEY STAR broke at the start and lost 30m early, tacked on at the 1200m and moved up without cover at the 700m. She recorded a very strong victory from MAORI DUCHESS, which settled in third position early before moving around to find the lead at the 1300m mark. MAORI FRANKLIN led out, broke momentarily on the first turn and ended up being behind the leader. He was third across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.4 Last Half: - 61.1 Margins: - 6m, 23.5m
MILDURA 17/06/24
Trial 1: - MY ULTIMATE LEVI began quickly to find the lead, ran along at a genuine tempo and was able to dominate his rivals to win comfortably. He boasts a strong record and is racing at Mildura this afternoon. MAJOR ROLL trailed the leader early, ended up being three back on the inside with 600m remaining and moved to the outside on the home turn. He finished just ahead of stable mate HEART OF COOPER, which was three back on the markers before coming to the outside at the bell and getting in behind the leader in the back straight on the final occasion. HEART OF COOPER is resuming from a spell at Mildura this afternoon.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.3 Last Half: - 58.3 Margins: - 15m, Head
Trial 2: - TOUGH AINT ENOUGH is a very talented pacer, which is making his debut at Mildura this afternoon. He settled four back on the markers, moved to the outside at the bell and was too strong in the run to the finish. FOXY TWO GLOVES settled five back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the bell and loomed as a chance on the home turn but couldn’t go with TOUGH AINT ENOUGH in the home straight. FOXY TWO GLOVES is also competing at Mildura this afternoon. INDIANAS SON led out then took cover behind THE WAITING at the 1600m before working into third spot at the end.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.9 Last Half: - 59.2 Margins: - 15m, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: - Tough Aint Enough
Trial 3: - ALIENFROMARMSTRONG recently joined trainer Jacob Kerridge and makes his debut for the stable at Mildura this afternoon. He was without cover early, restrained to be three back on the markers before moving into the death seat again at the 900m mark so it was a good display. HALF MOON BEACH is also racing this afternoon and finished in second after attempting to lead all of the way. OPAL CROWN finished in third after racing in the trail throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.5 Last Half: - 60.5 Margins: - 4m, 1m
HORSHAM 17/06/24
Trial 1: - CURYO GENTLEMAN is a smart pacer that put together two wins in succession prior to being unplaced at his latest attempt in March. He was able to win his trial in fast time and beat a reasonable field so it appears he has come back in very good order. BLAKE BOLAC hasn’t raced since a Geelong victory in August. He has since joined trainer Kelly Stuart-Mitchell and finished in second with GEMAEADDE being twenty-five metres away in third position.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.3 Last Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 25m, 25m
BENDIGO 17/06/24
Trial 1: - PARISIAN ARTISTE was clearly the class horse of the trial and was able to win comfortably. He was four back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 500m and sprinted very quickly over the concluding stages. MIDNIGHT EAGLE finished in second after leading out then taking cover with EXALTED LADY NZ coming from three back on the markers to fill third position.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Last Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 8m, 7m
Trial 2: - TASMA FLASH settled four back on the markers, moved away from the inside at the 500m then switched to the sprint lane when she dashed home late to win the trial over NINEDOLLA TOASTIE, which settled last of the five runners and ran home strongly out wide in the latter stages. SWEET ARPEGGIO, which makes her debut for the Alex Ashwood stable at Mildura this afternoon, settled three back on the markers before sprinting quickly at the 400m and hitting the lead approaching the home turn. She was run down late but ran a close up third.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.8 Last Half: - 60.8 Margins: - Head, 1m
Trial 5: - CONISTON finished off in slick final sectionals to take out the trial impressively. She settled three back on the inside, pulled hard and still had a good kick left in the run to the finish. ONE LAST BELLE finished in second position after trailing behind the leader CHASING REX, which battled on reasonably well to fill third spot.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.0 Last Half: - 58.3 Margins: - 6m, head
Trial 6: - THESUNANDTHEMOON is competing against strong company at Melton tomorrow night but has been racing in great form at Mildura. She kept the momentum rolling with a trial victory over THE ANSWER after she settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail and sprinted quickly from the 300m mark. THE ANSWER did well after settling three back on the inside and moving into the death seat at the 600m. OUR LUCIANO trailed the leader throughout and was third across the line. OUR LUCIANO is competing against a strong field at Melton tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Last Half: - 57.5 Margins: - Head, 3m
SHEPPARTON 18/06/24
Trial 1: - HES CHARLIES ANGEL settled last of the three runners and was suited by a genuine tempo throughout. He powered home out wide on the track to win untouched. AMERICAN LEGACY NZ trailed the leader but wanted to pull hard throughout and came to the outside to have a crack at the leader from the 1400m mark. He was unsuccessful in that challenge and dropped in behind the leader again but refused to settle so he did a good job to finish in second. The early leader HIGH FLYING HARRY NZ finished in third spot.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.1 Last Half: - 58.0 Margins: - 2m, 10m
Trial 2: - ALOT LIKE PENDLES is by McWicked and is out of the Group 1 winning mare Shake It Mama so he is nicely bred. He appeared to be very impressive after trailing behind the leader CROCODILE SOCKS and sprinting brilliantly in the home straight to win by a large margin. CROCODILE SOCKS attempted to lead throughout and was second ahead of BACK PAGE WRITER (3 back pegs) and ELIZAJANE (4 back pegs).
Mile Rate: - 2.1.5 Last Half: - 57.0 Margins: - 12m, 6m
BLACKBOOKER: - Alot Like Pendles
Trial 3: - SIRLOU settled four back on the markers, came to the outside at the 400m mark then switched into the sprint lane. He finished off well to record a nice win. COUNTRY ROCKSTAR settled five back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 700m and chased hard for a game second. He is competing at Yarra Valley on Monday. NELSON BAY broke stride in the score up, missed the start by approximately twenty metres, worked into the death seat at the 800m and hit the front in the back straight. He battled on gamely for a brave third.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.4 Last Half: - 57.1 Margins: - 1m, 10m
Trial 4: - LOTS OF CHANGE began very quickly to find the lead and was able to lead throughout to win impressively. PRETTYBOY HARRY settled five back on the markers, waited for the sprint lane and finished off fast to gain second position. He is racing at Yarra Valley on Monday and performed well enough in the trial to warrant respect. CABIN CREW was four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m mark and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He finished third ahead of LIZZIES SON, which settled three back on the inside.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Last Half: - 59.2 Margins: - 8m, 3m
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 18/06/24
Trial 1: - SOSOMAJESTIC began quickly to find the lead from the standing start and was always in control. He went to the line hard held to win very comfortably. BACARDI SPIRIT finished in second after trailing the leader throughout and CORK was third across the line after being the slowest into stride and settling last of the four runners around the first turn.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.8 Last Half: - 59.04 Margins: - 4m, 4m
Trial 4: - VERY PRETTY continued her outstanding run of form. She hasn’t raced since winning the New South Wales Oaks in early May thus keeping her undefeated record of eight starts for eight wins intact. She settled three back on the markers, came out three horses wide on the home turn and beat a very strong field with ease. KINGMAN trailed the leader and came to the outside with 300m remaining. He tried valiantly to go with VERY PRETTY and finished less than a length behind her. WAR DAN BUDDY was third after setting the speed and FIGHTER COMMAND was last of the four horses throughout but each of the runners performed extremely well.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.2 Last Half: - 54.96 Margins: - 1.5m, 5.5m
Trial 5: - MUFASA METRO NZ was clearly the class runner of the field but was able to win with ease and recorded very handy sectionals. He settled six back on the inside, moved off the pegs at the 1200m and dashed well clear in the run to the finish. KYVALLEY MAVEN was four back on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail behind the eventual winner. He finished second with RUBYS DREAM doing a fantastic job for an unraced 3yo trotter taking on an Inter Dominion standard horse in MUFASA METRO NZ to finish in third position after settling five back on the inside.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.6 Last Half: - 57.95 Margins: - 13.5m, 12.5m
Trial 6: - SWEET IDEAL has shown a lot of raw talent at the trials and produced a big finishing burst from three back on the markers to win easily in fast time. She dashed home in a last quarter of 27.7 seconds to defeat TENACIOUSLY, which trailed the leader and came to the outside on the home turn. LUVTHAT was third across the line after setting up a genuine tempo in the leading role. SWEET IDEAL makes her debut at Terang on Tuesday night and will prove very hard to beat.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.3 Last Half: - 57.36 Margins: - 3.5m, 6m
Trial 8: - THE HIGHLIGHT REEL is a very impressive juvenile pacer and dominated the older horses to win with ease. He trailed the leader, came to the outside at the quarter pole and won untouched. KARTIARE settled three back on the markers and worked home well for second with the early leader HES FROM HEAVEN NZ being third across the line.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.0 Last Half: - 57.17 Margins: - 5.5m, head
Trial 10: - THE LOST STORM was able to dash home in sizzling final sectionals to take out the last trial of the afternoon. He settled three back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 500m and rolled home in a last quarter of 26.49 seconds to win without being fully extended. MAJOR DELIGHT pushed forward to find the lead shortly after the start and set up a genuine tempo. She finished second with FIAMMA being in third position after leading out then taking cover. SAHARA BREEZE was last of the four runners throughout but it is fair to say that all four runners performed very well in the event.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.0 Last Half: - 55.37 Margins: - 1.5m, 4m
