Harness Racing form guru Craig Rail has compiled his weekly in-depth report from the state’s trials circuit.
SHEPPARTON 15/10/26
Trial 1: – THE PRIVATE DEAL is a former New South Wales pacer, which has joined trainer Julie Douglas. She trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and accelerated nicely to win the trial. She is competing at Melton this evening. MISTER THREEOFIVE finished in second after attempting to lead throughout. LET’S HIT IT settled four back on the markers and worked into third position. ARTIES COURAGE finished in fourth after settling five back on the markers but he went to the line hard held with plenty in reserve. He backed up at Shepparton on Tuesday night and ran a game race for second.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.2 Last Half: – 58.1 Margins: – 2m, 5m
Trial 2: – GO EASY ON ME is a very smart filly and impressed again with a devastating display. She began quickly to lead, set up a genuine tempo and raced away at the end to win with plenty in hand. He is nicely drawn in a Semi-Final of the Breeders Challenge at Menangle tomorrow night and should go well. TED settled four back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 400m and chased hard for a distant second. KEAYANG SANTIAGO showed his customary gate speed to get across to the markers, sat in the trail behind GO EASY ON ME and finished a distant third. He is competing at Wagga this afternoon. The handy trotting mare MAORIS MAC was fourth after settling five back on the markers and working past EAGLE MAJOR (3 back markers) over the latter stages. She is returning from a break at Melton tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.5 Last Half: – 57.2 Margins: – 20m, 8m
Trial 3: – IM DOWNBYTHEBEACH NZ began very quickly to lead and was able to hold off his rivals to win the trial. He is returning from a spell at Melton tomorrow night. GENERAL ROCKER settled last of the five runners, came to the outside at the 600m and battled on strongly for a game second. The speedy trotter RAPID RETURN settled four back on the markers, came to the outside at the 500m and ran home well late. He is competing at Melton on Saturday night. MUSSEL SHOALS trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and finished fourth with RANGER RON (3 back markers) being the last one home but he wasn’t beaten by far. RANGER RON is resuming at Wagga this afternoon and he is meeting a tough field.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.4 Last Half: – 58.9 Margin: – 1m, 1m
Trial 4: – MADAM SASS began well and was without cover early before pushing forward to find the lead shortly after the start. She ran along at a genuine tempo and was able to hold on and get the prize. OZZIE TART was three then four back on the markers and came away from the inside at the quarter pole. She chased hard and ran a game second at the end. She is engaged at Melton this evening. MILLIES BOY settled six back on the markers and finished off solidly for a handy third. FLYING JACKIE was five back on the markers, hung in under pressure and finished in fourth.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.8 Last Half: – 58.1 Margins: – 1m, 12m
Trial 5: – ELITE ASSASSIN began sharply but broke stride 100m after the start. He settled three back on the markers, moved through to trail the leader at the 700m and finished solidly to win clearly. ITS HYDROMATIC settled four back on the markers, chased hard and did well to finish in a clear second. HEAVENS LOVE STORY was without cover early, progressed forward to find the lead at the 1700m, pulled hard and established a clear lead mid-race. She peaked at the end but was able to hold down third place. MILLIONDOLLARMARTY came from last of the seven runners to work into fourth position.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.1 Last Half: – 60.7 Margins: – 6m, 12m
CRANBOURNE 18/10/26
Trial 1: – SOLS ME NAME began quickly and was able to lead comfortably. He backed off the tempo mid-race and finished off in a slick final quarter of 28.1 seconds to hold on and win. SEA FURY NZ sat in the trail, came to the outside at the 300m mark and chased hard. He did very well to finish as close as he did, having been beaten by a nose margin. SWEET DIOR NZ was last of the three runners for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.5 Last Half: – 57.2 Margins: – Nose, 5m
Trial 2: – MEVIA settled three back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 400m and was able to sustain a good run to win on the line. GATESYS DELIGHT trailed the leader and moved to the outside on the home turn. He hit the lead in the straight but couldn’t repel the challenge of MEVIA over the concluding stages. STREAK ON BY finished in third after setting the speed and KLYMENE was last of the quartet throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.4 Last Half: – 61.6 Margins: – ½ head, 2m
Trial 3: – HARLEY LANE settled last of the four runners, moved off the inside at the quarter pole and finished off strongly to get the prize. ILLAWONG PHOENIX trailed the leader early, gained the lead at the 800m mark and was run down over the latter stages. JAMALA KHAN settled three back on the markers and finished a distant third. FORT LEVENWORTH began quickly to lead, pulled hard and established a big lead during the middle stages. He hung out badly at the half mile marker and pulled out of the trial.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.2 Last Half: – 58.7 Margins: – 1.5m, 29m
KYABRAM 18/10/26
Trial 1: – ENABLE ME NZ hasn’t raced since a fourth at Charlton in April. He was a winner at Boort during his last campaign and was able to take out his trial by a comfortable margin. LOOK AWAY finished in sixth at her latest unplaced performance back in May. She finished in second and was well clear of COOKIE CRUMBLE. The juvenile filly DONNA FORTE was last of the four runners across the line. She is backing up at Maryborough on Sunday afternoon.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.8 Last Half: – 60.9 Margins: – 3m, 7m
MARYBOROUGH 18/10/26
Trial 1: – ROCKNROLL WILLOW produced a very good performance to take out the opening trial. She settled four back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 900m mark and sustained a good sprint in a swift last quarter of 27.4 seconds to win the trial. KING KASEY began quickly to find the lead, ran a quick last half and produced a good performance but couldn’t repel the challenge of the winner in the final 50m. CHAINSMOKE settled three back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 700m and angled wide approaching the home turn. He finished a close up third. SPORTS NARRATOR trailed the leader and finished in fourth position, less than a length from the winner.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.1 Last Half: – 56.7 Margins: – Neck, 1m
Trial 2: – MAHEO settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 400m and was able to sprint home best to win on the line. POLLY PEACHUM utilized her natural gate speed to lead comfortably. She backed off the tempo mid-race and finished off in a quick last quarter of 27.8 seconds but had to be content with second place. She is competing at Kilmore on Tuesday night. SHE REALLY MATTERS trailed the leader and used the sprint lane to finish in third and SHARP CYGNET was last of the four runners for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.0 Last Half: – 56.8 Margins: – 1m, 1m
Trial 5: – GLORIFIED was four back on the markers in the early stages and progressed to third on the inside at the mile marker. He popped away from the inside on the home turn and finished off best to score. He went well enough to run a good race at Maryborough on Sunday afternoon. LEZAMA trailed the leader early, found the front at the 800m and finished in second, well ahead of the remainder of the field. He is also backing up at Maryborough on Sunday. EL UNO began quickly to lead but broke stride at the 800m and swung wide on the track. He then moved up without cover and galloped again at the 300m mark. He finished in third ahead of WHATSTHEGOSS and SIR LIGHTFOOT, both of which made errors during the trial. WHATSTHEGOSS will be competing at Maryborough on the weekend.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.7 Last Half: – 60.0 Margins: – 3m, 20m
Trial 6: – The nicely bred juvenile filly NORTHERN SKYE took out the final trial. She began quickly to lead, set up a slow tempo and was able to hold on at the end. SUMMIT MEETING settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the quarter pole and tried hard in the straight to finish a close second. STATELY STAR finished in third after trailing the leader throughout. BREDBY BRUCE (4 back markers) was the fourth horse across the line and CHELSEA LANE was last after galloping away.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.4 Last Half: – 61.2 Margins: – Head, 15.25m
TERANG 19/10/26
Trial 1: – JILLIBY CONNECTION began well from the standing start and trailed the leader shortly after the start. She came to the outside at the 300m and finished off best to score. WHY NOW began quickly to find the lead, backed off the tempo mid-race and was run down at the end but defeated the others by a large margin. He commences off a big handicap of 40m when he competes at Hamilton on Monday afternoon. SINCEILEFTYOU was slow out and lost twenty metres shortly after the start. He finished in third with KEAYANG JUNIOR (3 back markers) being the last one across the line after breaking stride with 500m remaining.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.7 Last Half: – 59.3 Margins: – 2m, 25m
BLACKBOOKER: – Jilliby Connection
Trial 2: – FLY HIGH MICKEY settled three back on the markers, angled out three horses wide on the home turn and finished off fast to win impressively, seemingly with something in hand. He makes his debut at Hamilton on Monday afternoon. ALLGOOD VINNIE showed very good gate speed to lead, ran along at an even tempo and finished in second. OCEAN STORM trailed the leader, came to the outside on the home turn and battled into third. The leading trio got well clear of ROCKSTORM (4 back markers) and SHORT MAC (5 back markers).
Mile Rate: – 2.2.4 Last Half: – 60.3 Margins: – 7m, 5m
BLACKBOOKER: – Fly High Mickey
GEELONG 19/10/26
Trial 1: – MISTER DEVEREAUX raced without cover in the early stages, dropped back to trail the leader at the 1600m and waited for the sprint lane. He finished off fast and got up to win on the line. HEAVENLY GLOW began quickly to find the lead and backed off the tempo mid-race. She fought hard in the straight and went down by a narrow margin. She will have a busy week as she has been nominated for Maryborough on Sunday and also Kilmore on Tuesday night. PASTOR JAY JAY finished in third after being three back on the markers for the majority of the journey. LA QUICK was one out and one back until parking without cover at the 1600m. She battled on fairly well over the latter stages to finish in fourth. She is scheduled to compete at Kilmore on Tuesday.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.8 Last Half: – 61.5 Margins: – Head, 4.25m
Trial 2: – CALABASAS trailed the leader for the majority of the journey, came to the outside with 150m remaining and finished off best to win the trial. It was a good hit-out for his performance at Melton tomorrow night. DIMITRI finished second after attempting to lead throughout and is backing up at Kilmore on Tuesday night. ANGELS DAUGHTER was last of the three runners for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.8 Last Half: – 61.8 Margins: – 2m, 30m
MILDURA 20/10/26
Trial 1: – NOBLE TRICK was clearly the class runner of the field and was able to dominate his rivals after leading throughout. He dashed home in a slick final half of 57.2 seconds with the last quarter being run in 28.4 seconds so it was a good display. WINSHEMAY was the last horse to settle down, angled around to trail the leader at the 1800m and ran a distant second. MISS BALBOA and DAVE AND TOMMY were both struggling to keep in touch a long way from home and finished third and fourth respectively.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.7 Last Half: – 57.2 Margins: – 53m, 90m
Trial 2: – RAYS DAUGHTER trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 600m mark and sustained a strong run to win the trial easily. STARZZZOFTERRY was three back on the markers, followed RAYS DAUGHTER all of the way and finished a distant second. DARK AT MIDNIGHT settled last of the four runners, and worked into a distant third with the early leader THE MIGHTY CAESAR being the last horse to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.4 Last Half: – 60.3 Margins: – 9m, 16m
KILMORE 20/10/26
Trial 2: – DOMINANT FEELING is an unraced filly by Soho Lanikai, which has had several trial performances with her effort at Kilmore on Thursday being clearly the best. She was four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail in the back straight and came out three horses wide at the 300m before finishing off fast to win clearly. KEEP US POSTED was three back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 700m and tried hard for second. He is racing at Kilmore on Tuesday night. CAPTAINS RUSH attempted to lead throughout and finished in third with the trotter KYVALLEY MAVEN being in fourth after settling last of the five runners in the early stages. UN WOUND was the last horse home after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.5 Last Half: – 58.8 Margins: – 5m, 2m
Trial 3: – KYVALLEY DAYTONA had a trial back in May then was put away. He trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and accelerated beautifully to get the prize. He won with something in reserve so he appears to have a promising future. KYVALLEY DANNY began quickly to find the lead, backed off the tempo mid-race and was run down over the latter stages. WATSON THE WIZARD settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 300m mark and finished in third. WITH A LITTLE HELP was last of the quartet for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 2.9.9 Last Half: – 63.1 Margins: – 4m, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: – Kyvalley Daytona
Trial 4: – COCONUT MICKEY trailed the leader in the early stages and progressed forward to find the lead at the 1500m. He had a good kick left in the run to the finish and scored easily. OUR TINKA BELLE was three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 600m and tried hard for second. She is backing up at Kilmore on Tuesday night. KYVALLEY JUDGE was four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail then never peeled to the outside at any stage. He went to the line with plenty in reserve. THIRD EYE led out then took cover at the 1500m before battling into fourth position. DEEP LOVE NZ was the last horse across the line after galloping several times in the run.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.3 Last Half: – 59.9 Margins: – 3m, 4m
Trial 5: – CALYPSO MISTRESS trailed the leader, moved to the outside on the home turn and finished off best to win comfortably. MAJOR MANBAR pushed forward to find the lead shortly after the start. He backed off the tempo during the middle stages and was run down at the end in a slick last quarter of 28.4 seconds. MASON JOLIE settled last of the five runners, circled around to be three back at the bell and battled into a distant third.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.2 Last Half: – 59.4 Margins: – 4m, 15m
Trial 8: – RYMES was without cover early, pushed forward to find the lead at the 1700m and broke stride at the bell, losing ten metres. He trailed the leader from that point and came to the outside approaching the home turn, finishing off best to win the trial by a comfortable margin. OSCAROO trailed the leader, found the front when RYMES galloped and was run down in the final 150m. He was second across the line and BLONDIES BLIS was third after being three back on the markers throughout. ALDEBARAN MIGUEL finished a distant fourth after being four back on the markers for the duration. The second placed OSCAROO is backing up at Kilmore on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.7 Last Half: – 63.4 Margins: – 5m, 12m
