Trots form expert Craig Rail delivers his detailed Trial File every Friday morning at thetrots.com.au to give punters the edge.
Check the bottom of the article for a list of Blackbookers to follow.
SHEPPARTON 18/04/19
Trial 1: - CRAZY DAVE recently returned to Victoria after a long stint in South Australia. He is now with trainer David Aiken and he seemingly had something in reserve when he led from the 1800m and defeated DEAREST. DEAREST wasn’t overly extended either in the run to the finish and was nicely clear of ALLNIGHT MLADY, which followed the markers throughout and PINK PONDER, whom moved up to death seat from the 500m.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Final Half: - 58.2 Margins: 6m, 6m
Trial 2: - FINAL CATEGORY (Caribbean Blaster) led throughout and fought on well once challenged in the straight but the mile rate was a slow 2.8.7. BALLTERRA settled four back on the markers and moved up without cover from the 600m but couldn’t peg back the winner late. COMMON PEOPLE (Mach Three) stems from a nice maternal family in which trainer Peter Donohoe had success in Queensland. He ended up being three back on the markers and was finishing nicely without being extended. RECIPROCATE (Totally Ruthless) trailed the leader throughout and finished fourth while JEREMIAH SKEETS was last of the five runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.7 Final Half: - 60.2 Margins: 4m, 6m
Trial 3: - FEELING ENERJETIC (Mr Feelgood) showed very good gate speed to lead comfortably and went on to win the trial. He was having a good look around from the home turn into the straight so there is more improvement in him. SHADES OF HEAVEN (Shadow Play) settled three back on the markers and finished off solidly out wide on the track for second. FLUORO trailed the leader throughout and finished third in front of LASTING BOND (Shadyshark Hanover), which began slowly and moved up without cover in the final circuit. WICKED AZZ (Pet Rock), which settled four back on the markers finished last of the five runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.5 Final Half: 61.0 Margins: 1m, 1m
Race 4: - ILLAWONG SUNNY is a veteran of 65 starts and has won two races so he looked well placed against an inexperienced field. He led throughout to win by a large margin. TULSA SAMURAI, which has had four starts in New South Wales trailed the leader throughout and finished second. MYNAMESGRAHAM (Imperial Count) began quickly but galloped shortly after the start and settled a distant third. STICK WITH ME (Majestic Son) is well named being out of the good mare Adhesive. The grand dam is the broodmare gem Styx and he did make up a lot of ground after galloping away from the pole position. DIZZYSJET (Quaker Jet) also missed away and finished last of the five runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.4 Final Half: - 61.8 Margins: 60m, 8m
MARYBOROUGH 21/04/19
Trial 1: - OUR SUMMER BAY is a strong C4 assessed mare and was taking on the C1 class so she was entitled to win. She settled four back on the markers and never went around a horse, scooting through along the sprint lane to win well. WATERBOY showed excellent gate speed to lead comfortably and rolled along at a genuine tempo. The third quarter was 28.0 seconds so it was a nice trial performance. HARPOCRATES trailed the leader and moved up without cover from the 600m to finish third. SUCRALOSE (three back markers) finished fourth well ahead of AVA MAY (last throughout).
Mile Rate: - 2.1.8 Final Half: - 57.9 Margins: Neck, 4m
Trial 2: - TOPSIES DANCIN gained a nice run in the one out and one back trail throughout and scored comfortably with something to spare. BE A GOOD SCOUT (B G’s Folly) began quickly to lead and enjoyed a reasonable run throughout the middle stages. FRESCO BROMAC is a former New Zealander for trainer Rebecca Wardlaw and finished third after trailing the leader. KIEDIS (Jet Laag) settled three back on the markers and held down fourth in front of the trotter HOT JANE BLING, which finished well after using inside runs throughout. ABBEYDALE ROAD raced without cover throughout and finished sixth in front of STYLISH GEM (1-2).
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Final Half: - 58.3 Margins: - 3m, 2m
Trial 3: - ROMANY BROWN led early before taking cover at the 900m. He came to the outside on the home turn and finished on too well. EPHALUMP settled one out and one back early but made a move in the front straight when she was shuffled back to last and quickly gathered momentum to find the lead. She kicked on well for second. IT’S A BORG settled at the rear of the field before making a move to race without cover from the bell. He finished a clear third in front of GLENAVRIL KING, which trailed the leader but galloped on the final bend. GLENAVRIL KING did trial very nicely before striking bother at Mildura first up and he was picking up ground late in this trial so he has ability. SUNDAR KALI finished fifth after racing without cover from the bell and HOME JULIE was last throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.3 Final Half: 60.3 Margins: - 3m, 8m
Trial 4: - TROUBLE ROCKS (Pet Rock) is out of the good mare No More Trouble and showed handy gate speed before taking cover behind CARRAMAR KASIANO. She sprinted sharply in the final 100m and went on to an impressive victory. CARRAMAR KASIANO easily held down second in front of ASH PARK (Lincoln Royal), which settled three back the markers but raced a little greenly in the latter stages. TRIPLE ZED (Four Starzzz Shark) settled last and was picking up a bit of ground late with LADY DE VEQUE (four back markers) being last of the five runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.6 Final Half: - 59.1 Margins: - 8m, 6m
Trial 5: - RAGNA THOR (Fling It) did a lot wrong but showed ability at the trials a week earlier and showed improvement on his manners with a convincing all of the way victory. He wasn’t fluent in his gait at times but he did trot throughout to win by a large margin. CHER AMI settled three back on the markers and was able to snare second when BLACK AND GOLD (Shipps Spur), which trailed the leader, galloped on the home corner. Both SHEZAGEM (Dejarmbro) and WHOS COUNTN (Imperial Count) struck trouble in the early stages and finished tailed out.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.4 Final Half: - 61.8 Margins: - 20m, 25m
Race 6: - SOHO HAMILTON and SOHO SINARTRA wrapped up their Australian Gold preparation by enduring a hard hit out with SOHO HAMILTON leading throughout in a sizzling mile rate of 1.54.4. SOHO SINARTRA settled three back on the inside and moved up without cover from the 700m when a brave second. He did hang in under pressure in the straight but his effort was encouraging. FINAL PEACE showed good gate speed and wasn’t asked for an early effort. He ended up behind the leader and performed soundly. SHADY AZZ was four back on the inside and didn’t chase in the hectic tempo but he did find the line well late. AMMICHI was last of the five runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.54.4 Final Half: - 57.6 Margins: - 3m, 10m
Trial 7: - MISS CULLY delivered a completely dominant front running display. She ran along at a genuine tempo and established a massive lead before the home turn. She was getting tired late but the winning margin was still very large. TURTLE eased to be last of the four runners and picked up ground late to be second. FOREVER KRONOS (Yield Boko) showed plenty of speed but galloped several times at the trials a week earlier. She trailed the leader throughout and was never extended thus achieving the goal of trotting throughout. She does possess ability. MY AMBITION settled in third position and followed the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Final Half: - 62.4 Margins: 50m, 15m
Trial 8: - LOUIEVILLE LASS trailed the leader and moved away from the inside at the 700m before drawing away to win the trial easily. LADY HAHA (Grinfromeartoear) is out of the good mare Kate Au Penny, which won races both as a pacer and a trotter. She showed good gate speed to lead but was headed off by LOUIEVILLE LASS at the 300m. ABILINE (Shoobees Place) settled three back on the markers and finished a distant third while ARRJAYS TRAPPER (Conch Deville), out of the handy mare Trapper’s Gift, galloped in the score up and was always tailed out.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.3 Final Half: - 60.4 Margins: - 10m, 50m
Trial 9: - CROWN DREAM was clearly the class runner of the trial and was entitled to win but he did step away slowly and add to his handicap of 40m so it was a tidy effort. THE NIGHT KING (Danny Bouchea) trailed the leader and loomed up to hit the lead at the 200m but found CROWN DREAM to be too quick up the straight. GREAT CHANCE from three back on the markers finished third. The early leader MUMSTHEWORD tired to finish in sixth position. The other three trotters FROM THE WEST, WALKERVILLE STAR and COUNTESS CHIRON (Imperial Count) all broke stride in the trial. WALKERVILLE STAR was a nice effort after being checked early, making up the ground and hitting the lead momentarily before galloping under pressure.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.3 Final Half: - 60.6 Margins: - 2m, 10m
MELTON 23/04/19
Trial 1: - ALICE KAY had race experience to her advantage and being a winner already this season, she appeared to be well graded. She led throughout and won very comfortably. HIGHCLERE (Art Major) settled three back on the markers and moved into second late. He will be improved by the outing. SAFE JEWELS (Safely Kept) settled last of the four runners before moving up without cover in the back straight on the final occasion. She finished third with A ROCKNROLL WALTZ (A Rocknroll Dance) finishing last of the four after leading out then taking cover.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.7 Final Half: - 58.2 Margins: - 26m, 7.5m
Trial 2: - TRE COOL settled last of the seven runners and moved to trail FIRST AND ERST, which raced one out and one back, in the final circuit. FIRST AND ERST charged to the lead on the home turn but TRE COOL followed all of the way and launched a winning claim in the final 50m. OCEANIQUE (Somebeachsomewhere) led out then took cover but when the sprint lane appeared, the first two horses were away and gone. LORIMERKYLIE picked up some ground late for fourth ahead of BLACK EIGHT, which worked to the lead at the 1600m. NICKY PINK LILY finished sixth after being left without cover and the classy trotter CONTINENTALLADY settled four back on the markers and remained in that position throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.8 Final Half: - 58.1 Margins: - 1.5m, 13m
Trial 3: - The form of the three runners in the open class trial is well exposed and there were no surprises. HICKSTEAD led and set up a slow tempo before zipping home in a last half of 55.4 seconds. MAGICAL MARN settled last of the three, finished off fast, and seemingly had something in reserve so it was a pleasing effort. SPRINGFIELD TATTOO trailed the leader and finished last of the three but he is a M1 assessed pacer and he wasn’t beaten by far.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.9 Final Half: - 55.4 Margins: - 4.5m, Neck
Trial 4: - OL TITCH (Sportswriter) settled three back on the markers and was shuffled back to last on the home turn before finishing very quickly to record a narrow but decisive victory. VALIANT CHARGER settled last, trailed up nicely behind MONA MIA (Sportswriter), which death seated from the 800m, and hit the lead at the 150m but was gunned down late. The early leader FALCONS RIZING finished third with MONA MIA in fourth. WIL HE STAR (Trailed leader) and SPEED DATING (four back markers) finished fifth and sixth respectively.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.0 Final Half: - 58.4 Margins: - 1/2head, 3.5m
Trial 5: - It was a quality trial for the open class trotters with PIZZA QUEEN adopting her favourite role as being the pacemaker and setting up a slow tempo before blasting home in a sizzling final half of 56.7 seconds. MAJESTIC PLAYER trailed the leader throughout and tried hard for second with INTO THE UNKNOWN finishing third after moving into the death seat at the 600m. DANCE CRAZE was never asked for an effort at any stage and looked good in fourth with KYVALLEY BLUR following the markers throughout in fifth.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Final Half: - 56.7 Margins: - 1.5m, 1.5m
Trial 6: - ROCKTAGONAL (Western Terror) is out of the good mare Mossdale Gabby and took out the sixth trial. THE PANTHEIST (Bettor’s Delight) is also out of a handy mare in Paintball and wasn’t beaten by far in second. EASY ROLLING, the only horse in the trial to have raced and was placed previously finished third with OLLIES MOLLY (Jet Laag) being last of the four runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Final Half: - 60.4 Margins: - 1.5m, 2m
Trial 7: - It was only a field of two runners but the former New Zealander AHA REACTION, a proven winner across the Tasman, was impressive. He moved up alongside WHATS IN THE ESKY at the 600m and was always travelling powerfully. It was a quick final half and he did run out to be very wide on the home turn.
Mile Rate: 1.59.6 Final Half: - 57.7 Margins: - 3m
Blackbooker: - Aha Reaction
Trial 8: - BETTER EXCLUSIVE (Bettors Delight) settled four back on the inside and came away from the markers in the back straight on the final occasion to trail forward behind PUNTARNO STRIDE. He finished off best in a good finish. PUNTARNO STRIDE wanted to lay out at the start from the pole position but he showed gate speed and ended up behind the leader. He boxed on well for second with the early leader MILLAH JOY finishing third just in front of JESSIES GIRL, which made ground via the sprint lane. PRINCE BRONSKI and ALCATRAZ LASS settled fifth and sixth respectively and finished in that order.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Final Half: - 58.2 Margins: - Neck, 1.5m
Trial 9: - MATADEROS has always shown immense potential but his manners have let him down. The son of the champion mare La Coocaracha settled last in the trial before circling around to lead mid-race and kicking strongly to win narrowly. SOBOMBA (Majestic Son) showed brilliant gate speed to lead by a clear margin early before taking cover and chasing home late. JUST BELIEVE (Orlando Vici) and PETITE LOVE (Repeat Love) both showed ability by sprinting home from third and fourth on the markers and finishing just behind the winner.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.7 Final Half: - 60.5 Margins: - Nose, 2m
Trial 10: - SEW WHAT, which was runner up on debut, led and set up a slow tempo before sprinting home in a sharp final quarter. RADICAL MAJOR (Art Major) raced greenly but showed determination to come out wide on the track from last of the four runners and finish second. He looks to have ability. EXPRESS BEAUTY (Art Major) trailed the leader and came to the outside approaching the final corner. She finished third with stable mate PRIDDY ARTFUL (Art Major) following the markers through on the turn.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.7 Final Half: - 58.1 Margins: - 12.5m, 2.5m
Blackbooker: - Radical Major
Trial 11: - GATESYS GIFT was allowed time to balance up before pushing forward to get around the early leader ZIPPIN AROUND. He dashed well clear on the home turn and scored comfortably. IS THAT A BID, which was runner up at his debut, was able to work into second place with ZIPPIN AROUND being last of the three runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.9 Final Half: - 61.5 Margins: - 7.5m, 5m
Trial 12: - There were only two horses in this trial with AUNTIE POPPY trailing the leader GATESYS ALLEY before challenging at the 700m and drawing away to win easily. GATESYS ALLEY wasn’t really extended at any stage.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.9 Final Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 17.5m
Trial 13: - All of the four runners stepped away safely from the standing start with BACARDI CHARDY jumping to the front from SONNY BROOKE, THE DEBATER and the 2yo trotter VAN SANK (Trixton) being last of the four. They ended up finishing in that order with THE DEBATER trotting a little roughly in the latter stages and VAN SANK breaking stride at the 600m.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.7 Final Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 2m, 6m
Trial 14: - CRUISIN AROUND stepped away safely but was last of the main group for the majority of the journey. He produced a big finish from the home turn to win impressively. NEEDABACARDI stepped to the front but couldn’t hold off the challenge of CRUISIN AROUND, which was the only proven metropolitan winner contesting the trial, in the latter stages. GUILTLESS used the sprint lane and almost grabbed NEEDABACARDI on the post with DERRIE AIRE (3 back markers) being in fourth. KANO IMOGEN was always tailed out after breaking stride shorty after the start.
SHEPPARTON 23/04/19
Trial 1: - THE CRIMSON PRINCE is a former New Zealander for trainer Amanda Turnbull and looks promising. He came out of the gate under a strong hold and could have led early but elected to trail the speed before circling to find the front running position at the 1600m. He was always in control and appeared to have something in reserve. MAJOR DELICO settled five back on the inside but was racing fiercely and popped into the death seat at the 1100m. He battled on well for second just in front of AXINITE (Roll With Joe), which trailed the leader. BEE GEE CEE (B G’s Folly) settled four back on the inside and finished fourth in front of ONE MORE NO MORE (Betterthancheddar) (three back markers), RECIPROCATE (Totally Ruthless) (slow away, last markers) and MYNAMEISRUBY (six back markers).
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Final Half: 58.2 Margins: 5m, Neck
Trial 2: - CATCH A MOMENT led comfortably and established a big lead in the final 400m for a most impressive win. RORY MCHINSON hasn’t raced for over a year and even though the trotter was beaten by a long margin, it was still a nice effort as he was without cover at various stages of the event. PLAYING IT COOL had the perfect run on the back of RORY MCHINSON throughout and finished third. The eye-catching trial was by LUNCHWITHARTHUR. He settled five back on the inside and was held up for a run until very late where he motored along the sprint lane to finish fourth. HIDDEN FIGURE (fifth) and NOMORELYING (eighth) both produced reasonable efforts considering they galloped early.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.6 Final Half: 57.0 Margins: - 50m, 5m
Blackbookers: - Catch A Moment, Lunchwitharthur
Trial 3: - LOCHINVAR FIRE (Art Major) was without cover early, eased to be four back on the inside then made a big surge from the 500m. The time wasn’t startling but he won with his ears pricked and didn’t appear to be concentrating hard when he was well out in front. WICKED AZZ (Pet Rock) looked a bit sharper than his trial a week earlier. He trailed LOCHINVAR FIRE throughout and beat the remainder of the field by a good margin. SECRET IDENTITY (A Rocknroll Dance) settled three back on the markers and finished third in front of IMA DROUGHTBREAKER, which trailed the leader. LAST ARTIST (Art Major) showed good gate speed to lead but tired from the 400m.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Final Half: - 60.5 Margins: 18m, 30m
Blackbooker: - Lochinvar Fire
Trial 4: - ALL THE MUSCLES competed at a high level when he was last in work and produced a powerful display after settling at the tail of the field early then circling around into the breeze at the 1200m. HATEITWHENYOURRITE (Lucky Chucky) was second last at the 800m and worked up to a distant second in the straight before holding off MISS TIPSY, which settled three back on the markers. HATEITWHENYOURRITE did go to the line under a nice hold so he should keep improving. LITTLE MISS CLO trailed the leader SAN SEVERO, which couldn’t get her to the passing lane after over-racing during the early and middle stages, and worked home reasonably for fourth. DURANTEE (Majestic Son) did some work at various stages in the trial, finishing fifth ahead of SAN SEVERO, the juvenile trotter EVERYSECONDCOUNTS (Trixton), and another unraced 2yo MILLYS MAGIC (Majestic Son) ran at the tail of the field after galloping early.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.8 Final Half: 60.5 Margins: - 30m, 3m
Blackbooker: - All The Muscles
Trial 5: - WAYONBYE trailed the leader ALLNIGHT MLADY throughout and quickly pounced on the home turn to win effortlessly. TRENDY BROMAC was slowly away and settled 20m behind the leading trio before starting his run on the home turn. He made up many lengths on the winner and without really being extended. ALLNIGHT MLADY finished third and CHICKA CHICKA was last of the four runners after being three back on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.6 Final Half: - 57.9 Margins: - 8m, head
Craig Rail's Trial File Blackbook
Aha Reaction
All The Muscles
Artemede
Catch A Moment
Dream Mastar
Im Daddy Warbucks
Jobells Image
Lochinvar Fire
Lunchwitharthur
Luvyoubabe
Maajida
Radical Major
Sammy Showdown
Sleepee