Trial File followers could be set to enjoy immediate returns with Craig Rail blackbooking two who step out in the next three days.
The master caller and form analyst added Tequilla Bree, who races at Melton tonight, and Ima Cherished Stride, who steps out at Cranbourne on Sunday, to his coveted short-list.
See their trials efforts below, read Craig's analysis and then scroll to the bottom for his updated Blackbook.
MILDURA 17/01/21
Trial 1: - PUOPOLO trailed the leader and came to the outside approaching the home turn. He ran to the lead in the straight and proved too strong in the run to the finish. He is awkwardly drawn against a stronger field at Mildura on Tuesday night. BEAU BRONSKI settled three back on the inside and moved through to trail the leader on the home turn. He came to the outside in the straight and ran to the line quite well for second. THE TOOTH FAIRY ran in third position after setting the speed and finished ahead of MISSBLISSFULLBEACH, which raced without cover throughout. BEAU BRONSKI, THE TOOTH FAIRY and MISSBLISSFULLBEACH are all racing in the same race at Mildura on Tuesday night but they might need to lift on their trial effort to be able to beat a reasonable field including Glens of Tekoa. HES A MODERN BOY gained a one out and one back trail and broke stride with 700m remaining, losing his chance and CULLENS COPY failed to finish after striking trouble in the early stages of the event.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Final Half: - 61.7 Margins: - 3m, 3m
Trial 2: - COCO BEACH was without cover in the early stages, dropped back to be fourth on the markers then came to the outside with 600m remaining. She was approximately 30m behind the leader MEXICAN STANDOFF (Changeover – Cindy Shiraz) when she commenced her run so it was a tidy performance to get up and win. MEXICAN STANDOFF looked to be the winner turning for home but just peaked on his run in the final 50m. BEAUDIENESGOLD (The Gold Ace – Beaudiene Riviera 2.0.6, $37,578) finished third after trailing the leader throughout and RUBY REACTOR (Auckland Reactor – Larilla Lace 2.3.2, $13,585) was fourth past the post after racing three back on the markers for the duration. EZZEE STREET (Live or Die – Washingtons Legacy 2.6.7, $7,970) was slow away and missed the start by approximately 15m then raced greenly so he was last of the five runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.8 Final Half: - Not given Margins: - 1/2m, 12m
KYABRAM 17/01/21
Trial 1: - BACARDI WOOD is a handy trotter, which has won six races and finished second on New Year’s Night at Echuca at his latest performance. He took out the opening trial from BAD AS NOW, which is a maiden from three starts and hasn’t raced since June. LITTLE TEDEY hasn’t raced since a debut second in a juvenile event in November and finished in third position ahead of COUNT BACARDI.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.6 Final Half: - 63.8 Margins: - 3m, Head
Trial 2: - HALUNKE (Yankee Spider – Miss Eliza 2.5.9, $43,000) has had numerous trials recently and has been well mannered. She scored over WATTS UP SKYE (Skyvalley – Rainbow Maori) with MONTANA MUSCLE (Down Under Muscles – Madiskita 2.6.3, $31,875) being a distant third. MONTANA MUSCLE is a close relation to the winner of the opening trial in BACARDI WOOD. LOOK FOR TASCOTT (Skyvalley – Hands of a Star) was last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.16.5 Final Half: - 63.1 Margins: - 15m, 30m
Trial 3: - CODYS COLT (Artspeak – Keep Watching Me) is an unraced pacer and was taking on several proven winners so it was obviously a good performance to get the prize. WANDANAS ADVICE was placed after racing without cover throughout at Cobram on January 10 and continued the flow with a trial second. ROCKWITH THEDEVIL is a former Queensland pacer, which had a Victorian campaign of five starts including a Kilmore victory with trainer Alison Chisolm back in 2017. He finished in third position ahead of FLAMIN ALICE, which was a winner at Shepparton in July and DIDN’T MIDGE was the last horse to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.0 Final Half: - 61.3 Margins: - 5m, 1m
BENDIGO 17/01/21
Trial 1: - JAY BEE FLEX stepped away very quickly from the standing start and led clearly. She was always a comfortable margin ahead of her two rivals and shot clear over the concluding stages to win easily. LADY LIL stepped away slowly but safely and settled down in last position. She moved away from the markers at the 600m mark and gradually got the better of ALLENS DELIGHT (trailed leader) over the concluding stages to pick up second place.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.5 Final Half: - 60.1 Margins: - 40m, 5m
Trial 2: - MOONSHINE LINDA began quickly and speared to the lead in the early stages. She set up a moderate tempo but rushed home in a slick final 800m of 56.8 seconds to claim the prize. HOLLY MISS MOLLY has switched to the trotting caper after 330 pacing attempts, which yielded 37 victories and prizemoney earnings of $274,676. She settled down last, raced without cover from the 1200m and produced a really good performance to finish second. ZAREM was three back on the markers throughout and finished third with MAR PACIFICO being in fourth after settling four back on the markers and being one out and one back from the bell. BALL PARK was last of the five runners to complete the course after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.3 Final Half: - 56.8 Margins: - 12m, 5m
Trial 3: - Only two runners contested the third trial with REVA leading throughout and defeating WENTHESTARZZZALINE, which won at Charlton on January 11. REVA was always nicely clear of WENTHESTARZZZALINE, which appeared to jump a shadow and lost five metres early in the first lap and remained in the trailing position. WENTHESTARZZZALINE went close to winning at Bendigo on Thursday night where she led and was narrowly beaten by Belittled.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.0 Final Half: - 62.2 Margin: - 40m
Trial 4: - TEQUILA BREE began well and followed her stable mate WILLDOMXAV across the field going around the first corner. She pushed past WILLDOMXAV to find the front and never looked like being run down, scoring nicely. WILLDOMXAV led out then took a trail before moving to the outside at the half mile marker. He maintained his ground over the final stages and finished at the wheel of the winner in second placing. Considering WILLDOMXAV ran a cracking race for second in a strong event at Bendigo on Thursday night, TEQUILA BREE would have to be a big winning chance at Melton this evening. MAKIN GOOD raced three back on the markers throughout and finished in third position with MANGUITO (Great Success – Bras Dhonneur 2.7.9, $14,163) being in fourth spot after trailing MAKIN GOOD throughout. RYMES (Majestic Son – Genayas Girl) was slow in the score up and settled down a clear last. He moved around two horses at the 1200m mark to be fifth on the markers and moved into a trailing position (1-2) away from the inside in the last lap. She finished fifth ahead of TRUMPIT LIL, which was in sixth position for the majority of the trial. QUEEN JANE (I’m Stately – Wendy Robyn) was fifth on the markers but was unable to maintain her position and dropped back to last approaching the bell. She saw the field to be safely home.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.0 Final Half: - 61.1 Margins: - 3m, 10m
BLACKBOOKER: - Tequila Bree
Trial 5: - OUR DOREEN DAYS hasn’t had much luck at the races recently but he has been performing very well at the trials. He settled down last of the five runners, moved up without cover at the bell, gained a one out and one back trail shortly afterwards and came out three horses wide from the 600m mark. He finished off strongly and scored by an increasing margin of ten metres. FOUR LONELY NIGHTS began quickly but was restrained to take cover behind the leader A ROCKNROLL WALTZ. He moved up without cover from the 800m mark and battled on well but couldn’t match OUR DOREEN DAYS in the run to the finish. A ROCKNROLL WALTZ finished in third position after setting the speed. SPECULATOR finished in fourth after being four back on the markers throughout. WHATA ROCKSTAR trailed the leader, angled away from the inside in the back straight on the final occasion but was pulling very hard and unfortunately choked down with 300m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.2 Final Half: - 58.3 Margins: - 10m, 5m
Trial 6: - MASQUERADING (Pet Rock – Pressplay 1.56.8, $138,974) is a nicely bred juvenile pacer for trainer Craig Turnbull and was an impressive winner of the final trial. He pushed forward to find the lead from three back on the markers at the bell and raced away at the finish to score comfortably. MAURIES BONUS settled last of the four runners and moved up without cover at the bell. He battled on well for second in front of OUR CHRISTIANO (Alta Christiano – Our Odette 1.58.1, $17,253), which trailed the leader for the majority of the journey and angled out wider on the track turning for home. TANKANYIKA showed very good gate speed to lead and appeared to a bit lazy in the front running role. She was overtaken coming up to the bell, was three back on the markers and ended up being in the one out and one back trail from the 600m mark. She was the last horse to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Final Half: - 57.6 Margins: - 10m, 4m
MARYBOROUGH 17/01/21
Trial 1: - RADIUS began quickly to lead, rolled along at a genuine tempo and recorded handy time. GOBSMACKED trailed RADIUS throughout and didn’t really chase in the final stages, going to the line hard held and never being pushed at any stage of the trial. It was just like track work for the two Metropolitan class performers.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.1 Final Half: - 56.3 Margin: - 20m
Trial 2: - LENNY TEE (Betterthancheddar – Our Pocket Princess) settled down last of the four runners and came out four horses wide with 300m remaining. He finished off best out wide on the track to get the prize from CARRAMAR KASIANO, which came out three horses wide from third and TWO TELL was in third spot. TWO TELL led coming up to the first turn, took cover behind SALSBOY and moved into the death seat with 700m remaining. SALSBOY was run down on the home turn after setting up a moderate speed mid-race.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.3 Final Half: - 60.8 Margins: - Head, 2m
Trial 3: - SUN OF SONOKO was stood down to trial at Melton, where he loomed up to hit the front, was going to win but broke stride on the line and was relegated into third placing. He beat the pacers in his re-qualifying trial effort after leading comfortably and rolling along at a reasonable tempo. THUMP finished in second position after trailing the leader and angling out three horses wide approaching the home turn. REEKO REACTOR settled down in third placing, moved to the outside at the 500m mark and finished third ahead of OVERREACTION, which raced very roughly in the early stages and remained last of the four runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.3 Final Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 2m, 6m
Trial 4: - ONWATCH (He’s Watching – Charm Thee) began well and was without cover early before progressing forward to lead 200m after the start. He enjoyed a nice run throughout and was never in any danger of defeat. JAMES IN CHARGE (He’s Watching – Secret Wisdom 1.59.7, $20,284) raced roughly and broke stride momentarily at the start. He was going to finish in fourth position but was aided by trouble in the home straight and was able to work into second. SPEAKOFTHEDEVIL raced without cover throughout and locked wheels with MAJOR MISCHIEF just as he was able to run into second place with 100m remaining. The pair collided and he was lucky to stay on his feet but he ended up finishing in third position as the judge called a halt. AMBER STRIDE (Excel Stride – Galaxy Stride) is a juvenile pacer and was taking on older horses. She was three back on the inside, started to race greenly under pressure when leaving the back straight and lost momentum. She finished a distant fourth with MAJOR MISCHIEF being the last one to complete the course after leading out, taking cover and locking wheels in the latter stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.6 Final Half: - 60.1 Margins: - 30m, 6m
Trial 5: - PIESRIDINGSHOTGUN trailed the leader and came to the outside on the home turn. He forged to the lead in the straight and was able to hold off SURPRISE TO ME late to land the prize. SURPRISE TO ME was without cover early and angled onto the markers to be three back. He came out three horses wide approaching the home turn and finished off solidly without being fully extended so it was a good performance. It was a handy enough effort to suggest he can be competitive at Melton this evening. CANADIAN ALM began quickly to find the lead and finished in third spot ahead of CHANTILLY DEE, which was fourth on the markers for the majority of the trip. THEHUNTSMAN (Yankee Spider – Front And Square 2.1.9, $34,183) was one out and one back early before being left stranded without cover with a mile remaining. He wanted to turn his head a little in the run but he did everything right and boxed on for fifth ahead of THAT’S MY ARMBRO (Armbro Variable – Hickory Trick), which commenced in fourth but made an error at the 1600m mark.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.2 Final Half: - 63.4 Margins: - 2m, 2m
Trial 6: - DANCINGALLALONE stepped away well from the standing start and pushed forward to lead at the 1900m. He rolled along at an even tempo and got away from his rivals over the final stages, despite drifting right out to the centre of the track in the home straight. DYNAMIC DIESEL stepped away best to lead early, trailed the leader on the first bend and had plenty of room in the straight. CHARLIE WALKER began slowly but safely from behind the tapes, occasionally trotted roughly and lost ground each time he did hence he was last of the three competitors throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.8 Final Half: - 60.4 Margins: - 20m, 20m
COBRAM 17/01/21
Trial 1: - TALK TO ME BABY began quickly and found the lead shortly after the start. She rolled along at a solid tempo and was able to sustain the run to win nicely. The juvenile filly CALL HER ARI (Sunshine Beach – Lady Jillett Lombo 2.2.9, $8,290) ran a great race for second. Admittedly, she trailed the leader and used the sprint lane but the pace was strong and she stuck to her task nicely over the middle distance, beating more experienced rivals by a large margin. VILLANELLE raced without cover throughout and finished a distant third ahead of MYBOYMYBOY, which settled down in last position and was sixth on the markers at the bell. He ran into a fifth in the back straight but couldn’t stick with the leaders. BUS STOP (A Rocknroll Dance – Cunning Kate 1.58.8, $51,735) was four back on the markers early, and was last at the bell but was able to pick up LOMBO EYE WATCH (Lombo Pocket Watch – Soft Classic) (3 back markers) and BONNY TAYLAH (1-1) in the final circuit.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Final Half: - 60.3 Margins: - 2m, 20m
BLACKBOOKER: - Call Her Ari
Trial 2: - FANTASY BEACH began quickly and was able to slide to the lead with 1800m remaining. He was clearly the class runner of the trial considering he is a National Ratings 54 assessed pacer and he dominated from the front, racing away to win easily on the line. SINGER SNAP (Shadow Play – Zora Paree) was fourth on the inside, worked into the one out and one back trail at the 700m mark and came out three horses wide approaching the home turn. She worked into second with WELL SAID JESS (Well Said – Sickle Mond 2.0.4, $67,626) being in third position after coming from last and being the widest runner into the home straight. OLYMPIC GEM settled seventh on the markers and came out wide turning for home. She worked home nicely for fourth ahead of JUST CALL ME BILL (Fly Like An Eagle – Nedra Nova 1.59.1, $12,728), which hung in badly at the start and also during the running from his position of being fifth on the markers. WINGING GRIN was three back on the markers and moved up without cover when the field turned into the back straight on the final occasion. He finished sixth ahead of ERNESTO (Grinfromeartoear – Laras Theme Lombo), which led out then took a trail.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.9 Final Half: - 57.6 Margins: - 30m, 8m
TABCORP PARK, MELTON 18/01/21
Trial 1: - The Metropolitan class pacers ALPINE STRIDE and LET’S STRIKE THE GOLD started from the handicap of 40m but they were clearly superior to their trotting rivals. ALPINE STRIDE settled down last of the five runners, trailed behind LET’S STRIKE THE GOLD for the first lap then pushed forward to find the lead at the bell. He rolled along at a genuine tempo in the final circuit and was well clear at the finish. LETS STRIKE THE GOLD was four back on the inside, pushed around to trail the leader then worked to the front coming up to the bell lap before being challenged by ALPINE STRIDE. He was happy to take cover for the final circuit but couldn’t go with the winner late. It is hard to see LET’S STRIKE THE GOLD turning the tables on ALPINE STRIDE at Ballarat tomorrow night but both horses are racing against an extremely strong line up. KRAZE jumped away quickly and led by a good margin early. He took cover behind the two pacers mid-race and tried to stick with them in the final circuit but dropped off late. It was a good enough perform to suggest he can be competitive at Cranbourne on Sunday, particularly with how fast he was able to get away from the standing start. JUST OSCAR and TELEPHONE TILLY both were a large distance away after making errors in the run.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.5 Final Half: - 57.79 Margins: - 23m, 23.5m
Trial 2: - IMA CHERISHED STRIDE (Muscle Hill – Miss Pegasus) began nicely and angled in behind the leader ALDEBARAN LEROY. She travelled beautifully in the run before coming to the outside just before the home turn. She got to the lead in the straight and appeared to be jogging at the line, winning with plenty in reserve. She makes her debut at Cranbourne on Sunday and is taking on proven winners but she has shown enough ability to suggest she will go very well. ALDEBARAN LEROY gained a soft trip when leading but met a better horse on the day and finished in second position. ASTRO (Love You – Auravale 2.8.2, $30,650) began quickly and was in second but without cover early. He eased back to last then circled around EMU BOB (Im Stately – Biggies 2.7.1, $28,806) at the bell. He was in a distant third during the final circuit but unfortunately broke stride in the latter stages. He remained in third with EMU BOB finishing last of the four runners after making an error with 900m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.1 Final Half: - 60.07 Margins: - 5.5m, 129m
BLACKBOOKER: - Ima Cherished Stride
Trial 3: - MITZI SAID (Well Said – Mitzi M Hanover USA) is a juvenile pacer for trainer Rita Burnett and was quite impressive. She trailed the early leader and when she moved away from the markers to pursue, ULTRA STRIDE (Art Major – Heavenly Cullen 1.54.8, $26,493) had dashed approximately 15m in front of her. She chased hard in a third quarter of 27.8 seconds, hung out on the home bend and was able to win, drawing away in the straight. ULTRA STRIDE was last of the three, dashed to the front at the half mile marker and set up a good lead in the back straight but was run down late. The early leader STARZZZLASS (Four Starzzz Shark – Sports Lass) couldn’t go with the leading duo when the place went on in the final circuit.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Final Half: - 58.21 Margins: - 10m, 114m
Trial 4: - BILLIE BRONSKI began best and was able to slide to the lead shortly after the start. She was left fifteen metres in front when SHEEZ A DOOD, which was trailing, broke stride with 900m remaining. She didn’t have to be extended at any stage and cruised down to the line to win easily. LA SERENA settled last of the four runners, was inconvenienced by the galloping SHEEZ A DOOD when turning into the back straight but came to the outside with 300m remaining and picked up many lengths in the latter stages to go down narrowly. KING JEWELIEN was three back on the markers until trailing the leader from the 900m mark. He finished third and SHEZ A DOOD ended up being tailed off after her error in the final circuit.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.9 Final Half: - 62.07 Margins: - 1.5m, 14.5m
Trial 5: - ACT NOW showed his usual brilliance at the start and zipped to the lead within 100m. He ran along at a genuine tempo and skipped well clear over the final stages to win easily. PRESTIGE STRIDE trailed the leader throughout and was second in front of his stable mates PLATINUM STRIDE (3 back markers) and VANQUISH STRIDE (4 back markers). The field remained in the same order from the start to the finish. PRESTIGE STRIDE was a very suitable assignment first up at Ballarat tomorrow evening.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.1 Final Half: - 56.77 Margins: - 13.5m, 1.5m
Trial 6: - C K SPUR settled last of the three runners and came to the outside with 300m remaining. He never looked like picking up the leader MAORI LAW until the final 30m of the trial where he really knuckled down and showed a great tenacity to get to the line. It was an impressive display and he should go very well first up from a break at Ballarat tomorrow night. MAORI LAW always appeared to be travelling like a winner but was picked up right on the line. He returns from a break when on the outside of the front line in the Cochran Cup at Ballarat on Saturday night so he faces a tough task. IMPERIAL WHIZ finished last of the three horses after trailing the leader throughout but he took on quality opposition.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.6 Final Half: - 58.35 Margins: - Head, 6m
Trial 7: - WHATS STANLEY GOT trailed the leader and came to the outside with 300m remaining. He had a good kick left at the finish and dashed home to win comfortably. CHRISSY DIVINYL was able to hold down second after showing good gate speed to lead and backing off the tempo mid-race. She returns from a spell at Cranbourne on Sunday but is widely drawn against a strong field. YANKEE GOLD settled fifth on the markers and came out three horses wide approaching the home turn. He hit the line strongly for an eye-catching third. THE GOLDEN CROSS was four back on the markers and was working home well at the finish. ENDEAVOUR STRIDE was very slow to move from the pole position, settled down last and raced keenly mid-race, came to the outside with 700m remaining and picked up good ground in the back straight. He was overtaken by several others over the concluding stages but he was never fully extended. He returns from a spell at Melton tonight and his trial form is better than it looks on paper. GOODTIME LOLLIE was the last horse to greet the judge after being three back on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Final Half: - 57.46 Margins: - 6.5m, ½ Neck
Trial 8: - NORTHERN STRIDE (Art Major – Mirella) showed good gate speed to lead, backed off the tempo mid-race and finished off in a quick final quarter of 27.65 seconds to win comfortably. He did appear to have plenty left in reserve at the finish. TURQUOISE STRIDE settled three back on the markers and came to the outside with 600m remaining. He chased hard but couldn’t peg back his stable mate in the run to the finish. FULLER CEE ESS trailed the leader and used the sprint lane to be in third position ahead of WHATISAYGOES (Grinfromeartoear – Crystal Journey 2.0.2, $113,185), which settled down last before moving into the one out and one back trail at the 800m mark. MIDNIGHT DANCER (McCardle – Chick At The Bar 1.57.6, $26,425) settled four back on the markers and started yielding ground in the final 600m.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.1 Final Half: - 57.48 Margins: - 3m, 5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Northern Stride
Trial 9: - AMPLE POWER showed good gate speed to lead and ran along at a genuine tempo. He dashed home in a slick final quarter of 27.51 seconds and was able to get the prize. ASSASSINATOR was without cover in the early stages, angled onto the markers to be in third position and moved away from the inside at the 300m mark. He finished off strongly and produced a very good effort to be in second position. He performed well enough in that trial to suggest he is a big chance in the final event at Melton this evening. TYPHOON STRIDE was third across the line after trailing the leader throughout and was well ahead of the remainder of the field, which was headed by PICK UP LINE. PICK UP LINE settled in last position, moved into the death seat at the 600m and tried to make up ground in fast final sectionals. CAPTAIN BRONZIE settled five back on the markers and was able to work past TOP THE ACE (4 back markers) over the concluding stages to pick up fifth.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.3 Final Half: - 55.51 Margins: - 1.5m, 4.5m
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