Craig Rail found Utopia on the Victorian trials circuit this week as three more when into his famed Blackbook, including a new addition who steps out in the last at Mildura today.
Dive into the latest from Victorian trials and scroll to the bottom for Craig's updated Blackbook.
KILMORE 19/06/20
Trial 1: AMOUR FRATERNELLE (Repeat Love – Mybrotherwasastar) began quickly to lead, set up a slow tempo and was safely able to hold her rivals at bay. GOLDEN SUNSET (Skyvalley – Golden Wahine 2.2.2, $26,156) trailed AMOUR FRATERNELLE throughout and held her ground in the straight with KYVALLEY HACIENDA (Andover Hall – Kyvalley Lily) being third after settling last of the four runners and moving into the one out and one back trail at the bell. MAORI MAYHEM (Pegasus Spur – Happy Maori 1.59.6, $89,365) settled down in third position and moved up without cover from the bell before dropping out late.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.4 Final Half: - 61.4 Margins: - 4m, 10m
Trial 2: - ISLAND BLUE CHIP (Heston Blue Chip – Special Needs 2.0.5, $27,578) was three back on the markers early, circled around to find the lead at the 1400m then took a trail behind ISLAND FIRE DANCE (A Rocknroll Dance – Island Under Fire 1.59.3, $19,473) when he zipped through along the sprint lane to score comfortably. ISLAND FIRE DANCE settled fourth early then pushed around to find the lead at the bell. She kicked on for second with BUBBA MARTIN (Betterthancheddar – Rock Melody 2.2.6, $19,300) being in third after pushing forward to lead at the 1600m then being shuffled back on the markers mid-race. MADAME TESS (Western Terror – Madame Lily 1.57.6, $140,824) was in front early but was shuffled back to last mid-race then moved into the death seat at the 700m. She finished ahead of SON OF ZODIAC, which began quickly to lead on the first turn, was shuffled back on the markers to be fourth at the 1400m and finished last of the five runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.2 Final Half: - 61.1 Margins: - 2m, 20m
Trial 3: - RUESLAN (Courage Under Fire – Marfusha) began quickly to lead, set up a reasonable tempo and cruised to an effortless victory. NOTTADOUBT (We Will See – Joelles Dream 1.59.9, $19,253) settled three back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 500m and battled on for second. ANDRES settled fourth on the markers, gained a one out and one back trail and battled into third position. PEPPERBERRY trailed the leader from the pole position and finished in fourth spot with OUR CHEEKY DEVIL (Shadow Play – Riverside Oakes) finishing at the tail after being caught without cover early then drifting back to last on the markers mid-race.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.1 Final Half: - 61.7 Margins: - 12m, 20m
Trial 4: - KISSMELVIS trailed the leader and moved away from the inside at the 300m when he sprinted sharply to win by a good margin. GIANT JACKSON settled three back on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail in the latter stages. He tried hard for second with SPUNKYOLA being in third after being in fourth and using the sprint lane in the home straight. BE MY BABY began quickly to lead but dropped out to finish last of the four runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.7 Final Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 10m, 2.5m
Trial 5: - KHEIRON began quickly to find the lead, set up a slow speed and won comfortably. He was clearly the class runner of the field being a National Ratings 83 assessed trotter so he was expected to win but he did do it easily. GOLDEN SPURS trailed the leader throughout and finished second with MAORI ABOUT TIME (Majestic Son – Happy Maori 1.59.6, $89,365) in third after being inconvenienced at the start and settling three back on the markers. SHADOW JUSTICE was retired out of the trial after galloping wildly at the start.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.1 Final Half: - 60.7 Margins: - 4m, 50m
Trial 6: - FLETCHAS ROY settled sixth on the markers, moved away from the inside to be in the running lane (1-2) and trailed up nicely out 3 horses wide from the 400m (3-1) when he sprinted home too well for his stable mate PENNY ANNE. PENNY ANNE was fifth on the markers before moving into the running lane and coming out three horses wide at the 400m. She hit the front in the straight but FLETCHAS ROY had the perfect run behind her throughout and outgunned her in the straight. BELLISSIMA was four back on the markers before moving into the one out and one back trail then was left stranded without cover from the 700m. She finished third in front of COULD BE WOODY, which was three back on the markers before moving around to hit the lead at the 700m mark. GIGIS GRINNER showed gate speed to lead, took a trail behind MONTY MAJOR and was inconvenienced when that pacer tired in the back straight on the final occasion. He finished in front of MONTY MAJOR at the finish but the pair were beaten by a large margin.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.7 Final Half: - 62.6 Margins: - 2m, 5m
Trial 7: - MAJESTIC SPEED began very fast from the standing start and led comfortably. She was able to dominate proceedings at raced away for a big win but her mile rate was a slow 2.12.1 at the end. HEZ COOLAZ (Zooma – Peps Pride) settled down third, ended up being second and approximately 50m behind the leader in the back straight on the first occasion, broke stride momentarily at the bell then broke stride again on the home turn but managed to hold down second. TRUMPIT LIL jumped in second behind MAJESTIC SPEED but broke stride on the first bend and ended up in a distant third. KYVALLEY COPYCAT broke at the start and was galloping wildly out wide on the track. He lost valuable ground but was able to work past the juvenile trotter MANGUITO (Great Success – Bras Dhonneur 2.7.9, $14,163) (distant fourth the markers) in the final circuit.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.1 Final Half: - 64.8 Margins: - 80m, 25m
CRANBOURNE 20/06/20
Trial 1: - KATACHA MAN (Bettors Delight – Breeze On Bronski 1.56.8, $47,397) trailed the leader CORA MOR, moved away from the markers on the home turn and sprinted home too well to record a soft victory. CORA MOR finished second after trying to lead throughout in slow time and SANDYS SPARKLE (Conch Deville – Gina Dawn) finished a distant third after being last on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.9 Final Half: - 61.3 Margins: - 12m, 70m
Trial 2: - ILLAWONG LORD was much better behaved then his recent attempt at the races and he was able to zip to the lead in the early stages. He set up a reasonable tempo and was able to hold on in the run to the finish. NIGHTMARES (Roll With Joe – Dream Allulike) trailed the leader for the majority of the journey, moved away from the markers on the home turn and raced greenly in the final stages to finish a close second. He is still learning but he did show some ability. SUNDANCER RAINBOW settled three back on the markers and finished in third position with PRINCESS RIDER (Sportswriter – Impressiveprincess 2.0.2, $28,750) running in fourth after being slowly into stride and missing the start by approximately 20m.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.7 Final Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 1.5m, 2m
Trial 3: - BULLETPROOF BOY began very quickly to lead, rolled along at a genuine tempo and scored effortlessly. Being a National Ratings 85 assessed pacer, he was entitled to win but he was comfortable throughout. MY SUPERANNUATION was last of the three runners and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He worked home well into second place with GLENLEDI BOY being in third position after trailing the leader and failing to run on over the concluding stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.1 Final Half: - 57.7 Margins: - 8m, 15m
MILDURA 21/06/20
Trial 1: - LAST ARTIST was formerly prepared by David Aiken and is now with trainer Allan MacDonald. He showed good gate speed to lead and rolled along at a genuine tempo. He held on to win from KENSINGTON MAID, which trailed him throughout and came to the outside in the home straight. WESTERN CRISIS was the last one following the markers, gained an inside run on the home turn and was three back on the inside behind KENSINGTON MAID on the home turn. He held his ground in the straight and finished third. PROMISE ME HEAVEN was fourth after racing without cover throughout, beating home THE VERGINIAN, which settled three back on the markers before moving into the one out and one back trail with 500m remaining. THE ANT KILLER (Killer Carson – Perfectworkofart 2.4.6, $5,178) was in the one out and one back trail, came out three horses wide at the 500m but lost ground and finished last of the six runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Final Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 1m, 10m
Trial 2: - OUTA CONTROL settled fifth on the markers, was inconvenienced at the 800m but was able to run home well out wide on the track and gain the prize. THOMAS HEIGHTS began quickly and was without cover momentarily before angling in behind the leader. He was held up for a run at a vital stage and finished off strongly via a late inside run. PARISIAN PRIDE began fast and tried to lead throughout but was run down in the final 100m. He finished third in front of SHADOW TERROR, which settled three back on the markers before moving into the one out and one back trail at the 300m mark. EEZEE STREET (Live or Die – Washingtons Legacy 2.6.7, $7,970) was four back on the markers but raced very greenly and wanted to hang in during the final circuit. He finished in fifth position ahead of SPEEDY REACTOR (Auckland Reactor – Gottalotofspeed 2.0.0, $26,493), which broke at the start and was trailed off throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.8 Final Half: - 61.5 Margins: - 2m, 3m
Trial 3: - NATIONALDRAFT was formerly prepared by David Farrar and is now with trainer Boris Devcic. He was three back on the markers, moved up without cover momentarily at the 900m before dashing to the front at the 700m. He sustained the run to win nicely. THERMAL REACTOR settled four back on the markers, trailed forward behind NATIONALDRAFT then was left without cover from the 700m. He battled on well for third position. EYESDOWN AND LOOKING showed good gate speed to lead and went quickly early but was overtaken with 700m remaining. He finished a distant third with LEONARDOS SON being retired from the trial after trailing the leader and dropping out from the bell.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Final Half: - 63.0 Margins: - 3m, 65m
BLACKBOOKER: - Nationaldraft
MARYBOROUGH 21/06/20
Trial 1: - GOLLAHGOLD began quickly to lead, took a trail at the 1900m and moved away from the inside on the home turn. She was edging away at the leader RAANI down the home straight and was able to claim victory right on the line. RAANI fought hard in the straight and went down narrowly. IT’S A BORG settled three back on the inside, moved off the markers on the home turn and fleetingly appeared to be a chance before peaking late. THELONGROADNOWHERE (Artesian – Hope Williams) settled four back on the markers and dropped off the bunch late but he was the only horse in the trial that hadn’t raced previously.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Final Half: - 59.3 Margins: - Head, 15m
Trial 2: - IGNITING STRIDE (Peak – Rosemaryz Luck) was able to lead throughout and win softly. He does stride out nicely when he is in full flight and in the end, he scored by a large margin. SCOFFLAW (Majestic Son – Insulated 2.8.1, $15,640) is related to some outstanding trotters including Aleppo Sunrise ($204,930), Aleppo Midas ($142,804), Aleppo Murphy ($91,590) and Aleppo Jewel ($107,185). She settled three back on the markers, moved away from the inside at the 900m and finished second, without being pushed. RIGHT TURN CLYDE (Julius Caesar – Lady Jade Skipper) trailed the leader and was being driven along from the 700m before dropping back to finish last of the three runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.8 Final Half: - 62.2 Margins: - 20m, 10m
Trial 3: - Only two runners took part in the final trial with the open class trotter ALEPPO MURPHY taking on the unraced qualifier OUTBACK LOU (Louey Louey Louey – Bella Swan 2.6.1, $11,165). ALEPPO MURPHY started 100m behind from the standing start, took his time to tack on then steered a very wide course in the final 800m but got the job done comfortably at the end. OUTBACK LOU trotted throughout but was no match for ALEPPO MURPHY in the run to the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.19.0 Final Half: - 64.4 Margins: - 15m
BENDIGO 21/06/20
Trial 1: - EDWIN BROMAC was without cover early, dropped back to be last of the three runners and came out three horses wide on the home turn when he got up to win on the line. EMIJAY trailed the leader MONASH, moved into the death seat at the 500m and went down fighting in the straight. The early leader MONASH was last of the three runners but was only beaten by a metre in a close finish.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.4 Final Half: - 58.2 Margins: - Nose, 1m
Trial 2: - REALY UNDER FIRE showed his usual gate speed to drive across and find the lead in the early stages. He set up a slow tempo and had a good kick left at the finish. LONGASULOVEME (Pet Rock – Aniteattheopera 2.1.6, $13,300) was third on the markers and worked through to trail the leader on the home turn. He picked up ground late and just failed to secure victory. CAYMANGONE trailed the leader and moved away from the inside at the 400m mark. He boxed on reasonably well in the straight to finish in third position. MAGIC REACTOR settled four back on the markers, broke stride momentarily at the 300m and recovered to finish in fourth. BIT OF A DREAM settled in fifth and finished in that position with BE WHO YOU ARE being last of the six runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.2 Final Half: - 57.8 Margins: - 1m, 3m
Trial 3: - JOHNNYS CASH (Bettors Delight – Tess Franco) began quickly to lead, started to hang out and do things wrong at the 900m and continued to race greenly throughout the last lap. He was able to hold off his rivals however and scored in slow time. BEACH COMBER trailed the leader and moved away from the markers at the 500m mark. He battled on well for second placing in front of GOT NO IDEA (Rock N Roll Heaven – Im Smouldering 1.55.3, $327,967), which wanted to hang in shortly after the start and settled three back on the markers. ART FINEST remained last of the four runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.5 Final Half: - 62.4 Margins: - 2m, 6m
Trial 4: - DOUBLE DOT was able to lead throughout and never looked like being beaten in the run to the finish. COBBLER CREEK showed good gate speed and was without cover early, took a trail behind the leader at the 1800m and held her own in the straight to finish second. ALDEBARAN PHOEBE settled down last of the four runners, moved into the death seat at the 700m and battled way for third position. She galloped just after the winning post. JENNYSFAVOURITE (Skyvalley – Aldebaranfavourite 2.5.4, $38,062) trailed the leader early, eased to allow COBBLER CREEK onto the markers in front of her and was three back on the inside for the remainder of the journey.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.9 Final Half: - 60.9 Margins: - 5m, 1m
Trial 5: - ROGUE GENTLEMAN (Majestic Son – Yankeeiron $13,674) ran very quick time for a juvenile trotter when he led throughout to win clearly. The Bendigo track is really fast at the moment so it is hard to determine how that mile rate compares with other tracks. PNEUMA (Sebastian K – Ifu Seek Flight 2.3.2, $28,563) trailed the leader and moved away from the markers on the home turn. She tried hard for second and was well clear of IRENE ROSE, which was last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.2 Final Half: - 59.9 Margins: - 8m, 22m
TABCORP PARK, MELTON 23/06/20
Trial 1: - UTOPIA (Trixton – Gluteus Maximus 1.59.6, $104,855) has been extremely impressive at the trials and continued his good form with a runaway victory over JAHBELLA (Angus Hall – Noopy Dua 2.0.6, $66,349) where he began quickly and led throughout. JAHBELLA was fast away and took cover behind UTOPIA. She chased hard and was well clear from the remainder of the pursuers before getting a little weary late. TIPSY TURVY (Bacardi Lindy – Titillate 1.59.7, $36,675) was beaten by a large margin but did a good job to finish in third position. She broke stride in the score up and missed the start by approximately 30m, settled at the back and came out three horses wide at the 500m to work around into third place. TOUCH OF BRINBA (I’m Stately – Brinba 2.9.4, $10,045) was slow away and missed the start by 15m. She settled fourth on the markers, moved away from the inside at the 500m and battled on fairly well for fourth. ROSIES PRIDE finished fifth after being three back on the markers throughout and SHE SAILZ broke stride at the start then again at the 400m mark hence failing to beat a runner to the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.5 Final Half: - 59.03 Margins: - 52.5m, 30.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Utopia
Trial 2: - PUFFA MAN raced without cover in the early stages, found the lead at the 1800m and ran along at a genuine tempo when he scored comfortably over VALLEY OF TERROR, which settled three back on the markers and moved up without cover from the 600m. VALLA REINE finished in third position after settling four back on the markers and coming to the outside with 300m remaining. PUNT FOR PLEASURE was five back on the markers and was able to pick up fourth ahead of BRONSKI MOMENT (trailed the leader) and DISTINCTIVE MISS (Rock N Roll Heaven – Mystery Moment) finished at the tail after being without cover early, restraining to last at the 1600m and finding the one out and one back trail half way down the back straight on the final occasion.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.5 Final Half: - 57.58 Margins: - 6m, 10.5m
Trial 3: - CORK settled three back on the markers, moved through to trail the leader on the home turn and used the sprint lane to dash through and score. FLOATING MOUNTAIN was four back on the markers and picked up good ground after coming out three horses wide from the 400m. He appeared to be the winner until CORK gained the inside run. MAJESTIC JEWEL began quickly to lead and enjoyed a good run mid-race but was gunned down in the latter stages. HOMONYM (Majestic Son – A Touch of Sun) was five back on the markers for most of the trip and finished fourth with DARING ANGEL in fifth after trailing the leader and leaving the pegs at the 350m mark. RUM AN ROYAL broke at the start and was tailed off early. He chased hard and did a good job to tack on at the 800m mark but he tired at the finish.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.1 Final Half: - 59.05 Margins: - Head, 7.5m
Trial 4: - OUR KINKY BOOTS (Pet Rock – Lauper 1.57.2, $40,638) settled fourth on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. She appeared to be bolting on the home corner and was able to forge clear in the straight without being pushed. SEASIDE SISTER (Sunshine Beach – Indigo Smile 1.59.1, $28,550) was three back on the markers and moved away from the inside at the 600m. She moved up to hit the lead on the final corner but found OUR KINKY BOOTS to be too slick up the straight. RUBY WINGATE (Union Guy – Alberts Belle) trailed the leader early before moving away from the inside and finding the front at the 1100m. She finished third in front of ROSIES RISING, which led out then took a trail with ROYAL HART (Lincoln Royal – Miss Sweethart) failing to complete the course after showing gate speed before hanging out badly to the outside fence.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.7 Final Half: - 59.11 Margins: - 3m, 5.5m
Trial 5: - SAFE UNDER FIRE (Courage Under Fire – Talk Safely 1.58.1, $20,103) settled four back on the inside, moved away from the markers at the 600m and was able to outgun her rivals in the run to the finish. ATEGO SHADES began quickly to lead, was copping pressure from the trotter FORGOT TO REMEMBER and took cover at the 1400m mark. She then gained an inside run with 300m remaining and moved through to join SAFE UNDER FIRE but couldn’t go with that pacer late. JIMMY HAMBONE (A Rocknroll Dance – Truffieres) settled last on the markers before moving into the one out and one back trail at the 600m. He worked into third in front of FORGOT TO REMEMBER, which worked hard to lead and hung out under pressure with 300m remaining. NELLIESLITTLEANGEL settled three back on the markers and came in last of the five runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.7 Final Half: - 59.18 Margins: - 4m, 2.5m
Trial 6: - RISHI began quickly to lead and was able to fend off the challenge of SOMEBEACHSHADOW to take out the trial. Considering he is better known as a staying type rather than a sprinter, his final sectionals (54.91, 26.64) were impressive. SOMEBEACHSHADOW settled three back on the markers and moved to the outside at the 500m. He launched a claim before the home turn and was able to stick to his guns down the straight. BEACH GARDEN began well and took the trail behind RISHI in the early stages. She didn’t make an impression in the straight but she didn’t lose ground either so sectionally, her run was very good. She has returned to trainer Geoff Webster after a short stint with Emma Stewart. ROCK N ROLL CHAPEL was four back on the markers before slotting onto the back of SOMEBEACHSHADOW in the back straight (1-1). She finished fourth ahead of VEE ROCK, which was last throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.1 Final Half: - 54.91 Margins: - 1.5m, 5m
Trial 7: - FINAL PEACE settled five back on the markers and moved through to trail the leader on the home turn when she dashed through to score over DIAMOND GRACE, which trailed the leader before obtaining an inside run to drive to the lead at the quarter pole. MAXINES DELIGHT was a good effort in third position as she settled last of the seven runners and was out five horses wide on the home turn before finishing off stoutly. SMILE LYLE settled three back on the outside, came out four horses wide on the home turn and finished off fairly well for fourth. OUR MEMPHIS MAC made a bid to try and lead throughout but hung away from the markers at the 400m and finished in fifth. The trotter MY SKYPOCKET pushed forward to race without cover, was forced out three horses wide when OUR MEMPHIS MAC hung out in the turn out of the back straight, and dropped back to sixth late. HEADLINE ACT gained a one out and one back trail for the majority of the trial but finished last of the seven runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.4 Final Half: - 56.72 Margins: - ½ Neck, 5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Maxines Delight
Trial 8: - BE MAJOR THREAT began quickly and was without cover early before angling onto the back of the leader. He moved away from the markers at the 500m mark and looked the winner a long way from home. He wanted to switch off when he found the front but he was able to get the job done. UNTITLED began quickly to lead, ran along at the reasonable tempo and fought hard in the straight when headed. BOPPER JET settled last on the markers and picked up some ground in fast final sectionals with COURAGEOUS AFFAIR coming in at the tail after being three back on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.2 Final Half: - 56.46 Margins: - 2m, 7.5m
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