Four blackbookers have been added to Craig Rail's Trial File.
Rail has identified Mykorona, Give Us A Wink, Just Hope and Argh Me Hearty as worth serious consideration for any upcoming races after their respective trial efforts during the past week.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for the updated Blackbook.
SHEPPARTON 11/02/21
Trial 1: - BELLA LUCY was able to step to the lead from the standing start and set up a slow tempo. She was in control of the trial throughout and cruised away in the straight to score comfortably and without being pushed. She commences from the handicap of 10m at Maryborough on Monday but is a winning chance based on her trial victory. SUPER ANGUS trailed the leader and raced a little roughly over the latter stages but was able to hold down second position. MALHANA MUSCLES (Down Under Muscles – Hanabration 2.6.9, $6,119) was three back on the markers throughout and finished third. The juvenile trotter BOHEMIAN DREAM (Dreamcatcher Swe – Bohemian Queen 2.4.1, $13,170), which is by the lightly raced Swedish bred trotter Dreamcatcher that last raced at Melton in December, was last of the four competitors to cross the line after being slow away. He missed the start by over 30m then raced greenly for the remainder of the trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.4 Final Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 16m, 10m
Trial 2: - LETTUCEVENTILATE settled four back on the markers before moving into the one out and one back trail with 550m remaining. He finished off solidly to get the prize. After that trial performance, he was heavily supported at Bendigo on Wednesday but raced fiercely when without cover and yielded ground from the 600m mark. LIFES GET BETTER settled five back on the inside, moved away from the markers to trail LETTUCEVENTILATE and picked up some ground at the end to finish in second position. He appears to be a winning hope at Cobram this afternoon. OUR EDUARDO DENARIO trailed the leader early before ending up being three back on the markers. He moved away from the inside in front of LETTUCEVENTILATE when leaving the back straight and tried hard over the concluding stages. UP THE ANTE (Pet Rock – Fijian Smile) showed very good gate speed to lead from barrier seven before taking cover behind SHAKATIE with 1300m remaining. He was held up for a run at a vital stage and was picking up ground via the sprint lane late so his effort to finish fourth was sound. He has some ability but is racing against a strong field at his debut effort at Cobram this afternoon. SHAKATIE raced without cover early, pushed forward to find the lead mid-race but tired late and finished fifth. SWEET ON YOU settled in seventh on the markers for the majority of the journey and beat home ALLVICTORY HANOVER (6 back markers) and MARENGO BAY (I’m Stately – Escandolo) was the last one home after breaking stride at the start and losing approximately 40m.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.6 Final Half: - 59.9 Margins: - 5m, 5m
Trial 3: - BEACH MEMORIES (Somebeachsomewhere – Distant Memory 1.55.1, $173,155) was five back on the markers in the early stages, moved up without cover at the 600m, got in behind the leader leaving the back straight and used the sprint lane to win comfortably. MADE TO ROCK began quickly and progressed forward to find the lead shortly after the start. He set up a reasonable tempo and battled on quite well to finish in second position. CALL HER ARI (Sunshine Beach – Lady Jillet Lombo 2.2.9, $8,290) settled three back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail on the home turn and held her ground in straight for third. She was headed off at the start from the pole position and finished unplaced on her debut at Bendigo on Wednesday. JANG PEL was without cover early, dropped back to be sixth on the inside at the 1400m and ended up being in the one out and one back trail. He finished fourth ahead of WELL WELL, which was four back on the inside, trailed forward in the running lane (1-2) and was out four horses wide on the home turn. LOPEZ (A Rocknroll Dance – Chenille) was in the running lane early before dropping back to be last on the markers. She finished sixth ahead of SERENGETI SUNRISE (Somebeachsomewhere – Jo Louleonie 2.0.6, $30,650) (7 back markers) and TANGAROA was last after leading out then taking a trail. LOPEZ returns from a spell at Kilmore on Tuesday and is drawn on the pole position but is meeting a very strong field.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.2 Final Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 6m, 4m
Trial 4: - WILLEM was three back on the markers before moving up without cover at the mile marker and finding the lead at the 1100m. He cruised away in the straight and won by a large margin. CHANGEOVER GIRL finished second after leading out then taking a trail. WENTHESTARZZZALINE was behind the leader early, got relegated to last when WILLEM found the front and dropped out over the latter stages.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.9 Final Half: - 59.3 Margins: - 25m, Dist
BACCHUS MARSH 13/02/21
Trial 1: - The opening event was for the 2yo pacers and the nicely bred filly CLASSIC ANGELINA (Pet Rock – Classic Bliss 1.53.0, $103,898) was able to take the prize by a comfortable margin but in slow time. The first three place getters across the line are out of handy race mares with SHARKATTACK (Four Starzzz Shark – Nats Survival 1.56.6, $37,575) being in second position and FLOWERTOP MOUNTAIN (Highview Tommy – Five Star Belle 1.59.4, $18,488) filling third. LEVI EDISON (Betting Line – Bonton Lady) was fourth for trainer Chris Romanidis and JAGUAR JAY (Guaranteed – Black Cougar 1.56.9, $60,405), which is by the former Emma Stewart trained star Guaranteed was last of the five runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.17.8 Final Half: - 62.7 Margins: - 3m, 15m
Trial 2: - JUSLIKEROYALTY is a former New South Wales trained pacer and is out of the former very good race mare Juslika. She took out the second trial in preparation for her effort at Ballarat on Thursday, where after being checked at the bell, she finished off reasonably well late. MASAKE was placed several times back in December and was able to fill second position ahead of the Tim McGuigan prepared ROCKARIA. BRONSKI LAD hasn’t raced for nearly a year and was the fourth horse across the line with ITEKA ROSE being the last one to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.3 Final Half: - 59.9 Margins: - 10m, 3m
Trial 3: - SEBS CHOICE showed plenty of ability during his first season of racing and could be ready for another prosperous campaign. He defeated the former New South Wales pacer FOOTLOCK, which stepped out two days later to win at Warragul. JUST AS WELL (Well Said – Justlittlebettor) trialled well a week earlier and finished third ahead of ALBY TWO CHAINS and SLEEPEE backed up from her last position to win at Bendigo on Wednesday night so this trial should be considered as a very strong form reference.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.0 Final Half: - 57.6 Margins: - 1m, 3m
Trial 4: - HURRICANE HUSSLER (Warrawee Needy – Im Sue Pernatural) is a Craig Demmler trained 3yo pacer, which took out his trial by a comfortable margin and finished off in a handy final quarter of 28.8 seconds. ROYAL HART (Sir Lincoln (Lincoln Royal) – Miss Sweethart) finished in second position with HAMELDAEME (Betterthancheddar – Nova Arama 1.57.2, $75,588) being fifteen metres back in third. ROYAL HART makes his debut at Melton this evening where he is drawn on the pole position. STRIKER STRIDE (Betting Line – Precocious Stride USA) is a juvenile pacer and was taking on older horses. He was the last horse to go past the winning post.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.8 Final Half: - 59.1 Margins: - 4m, 15m
Trial 5: - BULLYS DELIGHT prepared for his performance at Melton tonight with a runaway victory. He has had a poor run with the barrier draw recently and that trial performance would have given him a lot of confidence for Melton tonight. BETTER EXCLUSIVE was in second position and finished well ahead of FRANCO with CHRISSY DIVINYL filling fourth spot. OCEANIQUE was last of the five competitors to finish but she is a National Ratings 55 assessed pacer and was taking on much harder opposition. Both BETTER EXCLUSIVE and OCEANIQUE have drawn awkwardly at Cranbourne on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.3 Final Half: - 58.4 Margins: - 15m, 15m
Trial 6: - BRANDONS PRICE has made a few errors at the races during his current preparation but he has shown improvement at the trials over the past few weeks. He was able to defeat ALDEBARAN MIDORI, which subsequently finished unplaced against a very strong field at Ballarat on Thursday. YANKEE VELVET hasn’t started since January 2020 and was able to beat home THE SARGENT, which has drawn favourably at Maryborough on Monday. TELEPHONE TILLY was last of the five runners to cross the line and was subsequently unplaced at Ballarat on Thursday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.7 Final Half: - 61.5 Margins: - 2m, 10m
Trial 7: - HURRICANE ED hasn’t raced since finishing fourth at Cranbourne twelve months ago. He recorded slow time in his victory over HIGHLAND HILL but the form line stacks up as HIGHLAND HILL was very unlucky in his third placing at Ballarat on Thursday night. TANISHAS DREAM (Conch Deville – Gina Dawn) finished twenty-five metres away in third position with ERO CARPE DIEM being last of the four horses to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.2 Final Half: - 60.3 Margins: - 2m, 25m
OUYEN 14/02/21
Trial 1: - ACE STAR (A Rocknroll Dance – Future Sign) is a Joe Costa trained filly by A Rocknroll Dance, which defeated SHORTYS MATE MAL (Julius Caesar – Gracious Pearl 2.7.1, $6,593), whom was unplaced at a Mildura trial a week earlier. It was a slowly run trial of just two competitors.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.0 Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - Not Given
Trial 2: - ENCOSTA STAR (Art Major – Badlands Beauty 2.5.8, $11,498) completed a double for the Joe and Don Costa combination with his victory over the National Ratings 68 assessed runner SMYNANNA MICKEY so it was obviously a good effort to score considering she is yet to make her race track debut. OPAL CROWN was last of the three runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - Not Given
MARYBOROUGH 14/02/21
Trial 1: - MYKORONA (Four Starzzz Shark – Madazhell 2.0.7, $42,350) led out, took a trail and used the sprint lane to win. She jogged home and looked impressive. She backed up at Ballarat on Thursday and appeared to be a good thing beaten after being held up for a run at a vital stage and flying home late. She is a future winner on that evidence. WHATSWRONGNOW (Art Major – Beach Kat) settled four back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 600m mark and battled on well for second. OURBEACHBABE (Somebeachsomewhere – Tallulah Bay 1.57.6, $102,444) finished third after setting the speed. ASHFORD SHARK (Four Starzzz Shark – Secret Twirl 2.0.4, $44,703) was three back on the markers and beat home SWEET EMMY LOU (Sweet Lou – Inevitable), which was last on the inside and broke stride with 1200m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Final Half: - 59.8 Margins: - 1m, Head
BLACKBOOKER: - Mykorona
Trial 2: - THE DEFIANT is now with trainer Aaron Dunn. He settled last of the four runners, moved up without cover from the 700m and dashed to the front before holding off a late challenge from VALENTINA BRAVE. VALENTINA BRAVE was three back on the markers, allowed THE DEFIANT to go past her in the back straight then angled into the one out and one back trail. The former New South Wales trained pacer FLYING SCRIBE finished third after setting up a reasonable speed and VAN GOGH was in fourth after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.7 Final Half: - 57.2 Margins: - 1m, 5m
Trial 3: - SUN OF SUNOKO was clearly the class runner of the trial being a National Ratings 58 assessed trotter with his nearest rival being a 44. He jogged to the front without being pushed and was untroubled in getting the prize. RAGNA THOR finished in second position after she settled down last of the four early, moved up without cover from the 1300m, pushed up alongside of the leader at the bell then found enough room to slot in behind. SHIPS SUCCESS was behind the leader but dropped back a little when the pace slackened and ended up being three back on the markers with 900m remaining. ELLEN RUVAL followed SHIPS SUCCESS all of the way and saw the field to be safely home.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.2 Final Half: - 64.1 Margins: - 8m, 10m
Trial 4: - BIT OF A DREAM began quickly to lead and ran along a genuine tempo. She had a big lead in the back straight on the final occasion and never appeared to be in any danger of defeat. SKYE CRUISER (Julius Caesar – Mia Equity) put in another fine trial display for second. He settled down in last position, was giving BIT OF A DREAM a big start when he came to the outside in the back straight and sprinted quickly. He may have been peaking a little in the final 50m but he made up a lot of ground on the winner. He has drawn on the pole position at Maryborough on Monday and is trialling well enough to be competitive. KATIES WAY (BG’s Folly – Rileys Way) was three back on the markers throughout and beat home OUR RUBY ROSE (Shadyshark Hanover – McCardle Lassie 1.58.1, $39,817), which had the task of bringing the field closer to the tearaway leader.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Final Half: - 64.1 Margins: - 10m, 25m
Trial 5: - Only two runners contested the fifth trial of the morning with COCOROCKS defeating SUNDAY MORNINGS (Julius Caesar – Black Magic Lady 2.2.7, $7,850). SUNDAY MORNINGS was the best away and led but COCOROCKS came to the outside at the 700m mark and hit the front shortly afterwards, drawing away at the finish.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.8 Final Half: - 60.1 Margin: - 25m
Trial 6: - SHARKBITE ALTO began quickly and was able to find the lead. He set up a moderate tempo mid-race and was able to hold on in the run to the finish. MYPARIS settled down last of the five runners, raced without cover for the final 700m and chased after the leader. She would have been successful in the trial had she not have had a tendency to hang in over the latter stages. HES GONESKI trailed the leader and finished in third position. All of the first three place getters are competing at Maryborough on Monday afternoon and MYPARIS was probably the best performance out of the three horses in the trial. SCHNAPPSHOT was fourth past the post after being three back on the markers and moving into the one out and one back trail behind MYPARIS in the back straight on the final occasion. MARLA finished last of the five runners after being four back on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.3 Final Half: - 59.2 Margins: - Head, 4m
Trial 7: - EDS DREAM (Dreamcatcher – Xena Hest) trailed the leader early, moved to the outside with 600m remaining and with his head held high in the air, dashed to the front at the quarter pole. His job was made easier when his two other rivals both broke stride but it seemed he was going to win the trial at that stage anyway. GOODGIRLSAVENGER (Kvintet Avenger – Goodgirltruscott) settled last of the three runners and broke stride with 400m remaining. ZEUSES VENGEANCE (Kvintet Avenger – Truscott Photo 2.7.5, $12,606) led and broke stride in a similar position just as EDS DREAM was applying some pressure.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.8 Final Half: - 61.8 Margins: - 80m, 15m
Trial 8: - FUN ON RUM prepared for her effort at Ballarat on Thursday with a trial victory over the Metropolitan class pacer HASHTAG. She was three back on the inside, moved up without cover at the 700m mark and hit the front with 500m remaining. She galloped on the home turn at Ballarat but she wasn’t in a winning position at the time. HASHTAG commenced from the handicap of 30m and settled last of the four runners, some distance off the pack. He tacked onto the group at the bell and was only allowed to stride in the final 100m, where he finished off fast. THE GIRLS GOTFLAIR began quickly and pushed to the front shortly after the start. She set up a slow tempo and was run down late. She resumes from a spell at Melton this evening where she will use her good manners to find a prominent position early but she will have to go a lot quicker than the mile rate of 2.8.4, which she set up in the trial. DYNAMIC DIESEL was last of the four runners after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.4 Final Half: - 57.0 Margins: - 4m, 5m
Trial 9: - EBONYS AVENGER (Kvintet Avenger – Death Defying 2.0.4, $87,493) began quickly and was able to find the lead. She dashed away in the straight and scored comfortably. STINGOFAWASP (Kvintet Avenger – Just Spur On Me 2.3.5, $20,141) stood still at the start and lost thirty metres. She was three back on the markers and was able to push into second position over the concluding stages. LUCY SAWYER stepped away slowly but safely and was approximately twenty metres behind EBONYS AVENGER at the start. She wanted to hang out at the 500m mark, which presented STINGOFAWASP a nice run through and she ended up dropping back to be last of the three runners to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.5 Final Half: - 64.8 Margins: - 8m, 15m
BENDIGO 14/02/21
Trial 1: - OZZIE SUNSHINE began quickly to lead, rolled along at a decent tempo and was able to score comfortably. She is drawn to find a prominent position at Kilmore on Tuesday night but she is competing against a reasonable field. The trotter MARVELLOUS MAX finished in second position after settling five back on the markers and moving up without cover from the 600m mark. HONEY CULLEN trailed the leader and finished in third position while SPECULATOR began yielding ground from three back on the markers at the quarter pole.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.7 Final Half: - 58.00 Margins: - 3m, 4m
Trial 2: - SHAQ settled four back on the markers, gained a late run through the middle and sprinted home sharply to get the prize. REVA was three horses wide early, dropped back to be third on the markers, moved into the running lane at the 500m (1-2) and came out four horses wide on the home turn so she put in a tidy performance for second. CARL MATTGREGOR was one out and one back early then dropped to six back on the markers and returned to his original position at the bell. He angled to the outside on the home turn and finished off quite well at the finish. EMIJAY trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and finished fourth. The eye-catching run of the trial came from the former New South Wales trained pacer GIVE US A WINK, which has recently joined the Glenn Douglas stable. He settled fifth on the markers and had no clear run at the finish, going to the line under a throttle hold. He was unlucky and considering most of his rivals have a National Ratings assessment over ten points higher, it was a big performance. He will take beating from the pole position at Maryborough on Monday. THE PAUA DIVER finished sixth after trying to lead throughout and VAN NIEKERK moved into the death seat from seventh at the bell but faded over the final stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Final Half: - 56.60 Margins: - Nose, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: - Give Us A Wink
Trial 3: - LOVEN LAUGHTER trailed the leader in the early stages, moved up without cover when leaving the back straight and was able to edge past the National Ratings 66 assessed mare BARBIE MATTGREGOR to win nicely. She should be competitive first up at Maryborough on Monday. LONGASULOVEME is also racing at Maryborough on Monday but is drawn widely. She settled last of the six runners and moved forward out three horses wide in the back straight, angled onto the markers for a breather and tried hard in the straight. MISS MORAINE was fourth after being four back on the markers throughout. JET JOCKEY was five back on the markers and was able to get past SALSBOY (3 back markers) over the concluding stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.3 Final Half: - 60.60 Margins: - 1m, 2.5m
Trial 4: - INTEREST FREE (Art Major – Picobello 1.52.3, $73,194) was last of the three runners, came to the outside at the 700m, pressured the leader at the 500m and quickly dashed to the front. He zipped away over the final stages to win easily. ILLAWONG KELLIE tried to lead throughout and finished a distant second with the juvenile pacer IDEAL TAO (American Ideal – Matao Bromac) being the last runner to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.2 Final Half: - 58.20 Margins: - 22m, 35m
Trial 5: - LADY LIL began quickly, broke stride momentarily on the first turn but maintained the lead and was able to hold on to get the prize. GRACIE ROSE (Pegasus Spur – Sister Beep 2.12.3, $6,360) trailed the leader, moved up without cover from the 500m and finished second with ILLAWONG MANOOKA (Muscle Hill – Illawong Helios 1.57.2, $272,867) being a distant third. He is a beautifully bred juvenile and was taking on older horses. He broke in the score up, galloped again on the home turn and lost valuable ground before tacking onto the group with 800m remaining. He then tried to come out wide on the track so it wasn’t a bad performance even though he was beaten by over 50m. ELISE HALL (Angus Hall – Tender Annie 2.3.9, $23,650) settled three back on the markers and broke stride with 400m remaining but didn’t appear to be a winning chance at the time.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.3 Final Half: - 59.80 Margins: - 2m, 50m
Trial 6: - ALLENS DELIGHT stepped to the front and did everything right whereas his two rivals both made errors. He won the trial by 150m but he only needed to record a slow mile rate of 2.16.3 to complete the task. TRUMPIT LIL was very slow to begin and missed the start by approximately 40m. She was able to trail forward behind ADJURE (Majestic Son – Castleton Command 2.7.3, $9,600) but they both lost ground on the leader and ADJURE broke stride with 1300m remaining, which left ALLENS DELIGHT to be a long way in front.
Mile Rate: - 2.16.3 Final Half: - 63.80 Margins: - 150m, 2m
TABCORP PARK, MELTON 16/02/21
Trial 1: - BRUTALLY HANDSOME (Art Major – Life Inthefastlane 1.54.7, $264,566) began very quickly to find the lead shortly after the start. He enjoyed a good run mid-race and finished off in a quick final quarter of 28.57 seconds to win comfortably. ANDREW (Always B Miki – Drewsam 2.2.7, $6,875) began well and was content to take cover after commencing from the pole position. He was just able hold down second in a close finish for the minor issue. BEHOLD (Sir Lincoln (Lincoln Royal) – Amen 2.5.1, $5,433) was four back on the markers early before moving into the one out and one back trail on the home turn. He finished off well for third with LADY GAR (American Ideal – I’m Elsa 1.56.2, $112,754) being fourth after she made the first move from three back markers at the quarter pole. FLIRTING (Art Major – Endeared 1.56.7, $244,650) broke stride at the start and lost 25m in the early stages. He was always last of the five runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.5 Final Half: - 58.42 Margins: - 5.5m, Short ½ head
Trial 2: - CENTRAL OTAGO ambled to the lead in what was a very slow start to the trial. He enjoyed a nice run throughout and dashed well clear at the end to win by a large margin. PERFECT POLLY (Muscle Hill – Dream Interest) settled three back on the markers, came to the outside on the turn and finished off well in the final 100m to snare second ahead of FREMARKSMITZI (Muscle Mass – Gladys Emanuel 2.3.9, $78,049), which trailed the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Final Half: - 58.41 Margins: - 32m, 4.5m
Trial 3: - SET ABLAZE settled three back on the markers at the bell, moved into the death seat with 600m remaining and was able to peel off a handy final quarter of 27.59 seconds to score nicely. The former New Zealander DOUBTLESS BAY attempted to lead throughout and battled on well for second. He appeared to be lazy in the front running role but kicked on well at the finish. SAFE UNDER FIRE (Courage Under Fire – Talk Safely 1.58.1, $20,103) settled in last position and came out wide on the home turn before finding the line strongly in the straight. Both DOUBTLESS BAY and SAFE UNDER FIRE are competing at Maryborough on Monday afternoon from favourable barrier draws and should perform strongly. TOP GUN TILLY (Art Major – Tara Toplady 1.56.9, $122,455) was three then four back on the markers and used the sprint lane to finish fourth. She appears to be a chance despite being drawn the extreme alley at Melton tonight. GOODTIME MADDIE (Sportswriter – Married To The Mob 1.56.1, $119,775) was five back on the inside, moved away from the markers to race without cover at the 1300m mark, pressured the leader coming up to the bell and was able to find enough room to angle in for the trail shortly afterwards. She peaked on her run late and finished fifth ahead of ESCAVADOR, which was five back on the markers with a lap remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.7 Final Half: - 57.21 Margins: - 6m, 9.5m
Trial 4: - PINEVALE VICTORIA has only recently joined trainer Chris Lang and has been performing well at the trials. She scored by a comfortable margin and based on her nice first up third for the new stable, it shouldn’t be long before she breaks through for a win. ME PAT MALONE was formerly with David Murphy and is now being prepared by Matthew Horsnell. He followed a handy Terang trial performance with a second placing with the nicely bred trotter CLAUDYS ICEMAN (Pegasus Spur – All Finesse) being in third position. JADE NIEN was last of the four horses to cross the line but wasn’t beaten by far.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.5 Final Half: - 60.03 Margins: - 8m, 1.5m
Trial 5: - VALLEY OF TERROR prepared for his performance at Melton tonight with narrow victory over the Fred Spiteri prepared pacer LETS GO LOHI. The former New Zealander DREAMERS DELIGHT was spelled after an unplaced Australian debut at Ballarat in November. She finished in third position and was well ahead of BIGJIMVALENTINE with WHATA GRANT being the last horse to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - Short ½ Head, 5.5m
Trial 6: - It was a very slow early tempo and none of the runners were seriously pushed at any stage of the trial, which ended up being a mere training exercise. ALL CASHED UP trailed the leader early, ended up being three back on the markers then moved to the outside with 400m remaining. He was able to get home best to beat ANYWHERE HUGO, which started off in third position before strolling to the front at the 1700m. NORQUAY began best to lead, took a trail and used the sprint lane to finish a close up third. PANTZUP was four back on the inside before moving into the one out and one back trail at the bell. She finished ahead of NEXT THRU, which was last of the five runners for the duration.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.5 Final Half: - 58.85 Margins: - Short ½ Head, Neck
Trial 7: - It was a very slow start to the seventh trial also but the winner TRIPLE EIGHT produced a dazzling last half of 53.08 seconds (last two quarters 26.7, 26.3) to score. He was three back on the markers, circled around to find the lead at the 1400m and appeared to be very impressive at the end. It was a very good performance to lead into his bid for victory in the Terang Cup tomorrow night. LIKE A WILDFIRE led out, took a trail and moved away from the markers to pursue with 700m remaining. He did a good job to stick on as well as he did in the sizzling final sectionals. VEE ROCK couldn’t sprint with the leading pair after trailing the leader early and being relegated to last position mid-race. He is racing in a claiming event at Cranbourne on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.1 Final Half: - 53.08 Margins: - 7.5m, 29.5m
Trial 8: - NIGHT SPIRIT showed very good gate speed to lead, pulled hard throughout and dashed away over the final stages to win easily. He likes to lead and is drawn awkwardly at Kilmore on Tuesday night but his trial performance was impressive. MISS DANGERFIELD was five back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail and came out three horses wide on the home turn to finish in second position. She has drawn awkwardly at Melton this evening. MUSZTANG finished third after being three back on the markers throughout. LONG WEEKEND dropped out to last early, moved in the running lane (1-2) and came out four horses wide on the home turn. She picked up some ground over the latter stages to finish fourth. DISTINCTIVE MISS (Rock N Roll Heaven – Mystery Moment) was four back on the markers and moved into the death seat with 600m remaining. She was able to beat home PUNT FOR PLEASURE, which trailed the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.3 Final Half: - 57.29 Margins: - 20m, ½ Neck
Trial 9: - LUVYOUBABE led out, took a trail behind UNTITLED at the 1700m and came to the outside on the home turn. She finished off best to win narrowly with UNTITLED being second after setting up a reasonable tempo. UNTITLED has drawn to find a prominent position early at Melton this evening. HULI NIEN settled three back on the markers, moved out three horses wide on the home turn and finished off strongly for an eye-catching third. LOORRIM LAKE is now with trainer Chris Svanosio and finished last of the four runners but wasn’t beaten by far.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.5 Final Half: - 56.20 Margins: - Head, 1.5m
Trial 10: - WHERES SEGGY began quickly to lead and dashed home in fast final sectionals to win nicely. He returns from a spell at Maryborough on Monday afternoon and is drawn favourably over the sprint distance so he should give a bold showing. THE BIG END OFTOWN finished second after trailing the leader. He tried hard in the straight and performed well but is very awkwardly drawn on the inside of the second line at Melton this evening. LETHERHAIRDOWN was three back on the markers and moved to the outside with 500m remaining. She finished in third position ahead of TOP THE ACE (4 back markers) with YANNARIE being the last one home after settling down five back on the markers and moving into the one out and one back trail with 500m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.3 Final Half: - 56.41 Margins: - 2.5m, 2.5m
Trial 11: - OUTSIDE WIRE (Guaranteed – Playboys Dream 2.0.7, $25,125) trailed the leader, angled out three horses wide in the home straight and finished off nicely to get the prize on the line. COURAGE STRIDE (Muscle Hill – Nitengale Stride USA) was three back on the markers before moving up without cover at the 600m mark. He hit the lead in the home straight but was gunned down at the end. The early leader IM WALKERVILLE (I’m Stately – Starlight Beau) finished last of the three runners but wasn’t beaten by far.
Mile Rate: - 2.14.0 Final Half: - 61.46 Margins: - ½ Neck, 2m
Trial 12: - FLING ABOUT took out the last trial, which comprised of just two runners. She stepped away slowly but safely from the standing start and trail the leader CYCLONE S ADAMS. She dashed home in a quick final half and did it mostly on her own as CYCLONE S ADAMS was having an off day, refusing to accelerate at any stage of the event. FLING ABOUT returns from a spell in the same race as CYCLONE S ADAMS at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.2 Final Half: - 57.86 Margins: - 202m
KILMORE 17/02/21
Trial 1: - LIFEINTHEBALANCE indicated that he could show improvement on his overall form at Maryborough on Monday with a comfortable victory in the opening trial. He raced behind the leader, moved to the outside and found the lead at the bell before extending nicely in the straight to win by a comfortable margin. LUNA led out then took a trail with a lap remaining and held down second position. STRATEGIC STRIDE (Love You – Glory Stride) was last on the markers, was inconvenienced mid-race and gave the leaders a healthy start at the bell but made good ground in the final circuit to finish third. ASTRO (Love You – Auravale 2.8.2, $30,650) was three back on the markers and broke stride with 100m remaining. The juvenile trotter ADJURE (Majestic Son – Castleton Command 2.7.3, $9,600) settled in fourth position but was gradually losing ground during the first circuit and was last across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.5 Final Half: - 62.30 Margins: - 10m, 8m
Trial 2: - MAESTRO BELLINI is a Metropolitan class pacer and was taking on much easier opposition. He settled seventh on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 1100m then peeled out wide to start his winning run on the home turn. He finished off fast to grab victory on the line. LONGNWINDINGROAD was without cover early before finding the lead with 1800m remaining. She set up a reasonable tempo and kicked on strongly at the finish. BLING THE FLAVE trailed the leader early before being three back on the inside. He ran home well through the middle late and it was a nice hit-out at his first public appearance for trainer David Miles. ULTIMATE ME was four back on the markers throughout and finished fourth ahead of MAJOR COMMENT, which settled down sixth and moved up without cover at the 1100m. WOBELEE was five back on the inside, moved into the running lane at the 600m (1-2) and held his own in the straight. He finished ahead of OUT OF CHARACTER, which led out then took a trail.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.8 Final Half: - 58.2 Margins: - Nose, 2m
Trial 3: - JUST HOPE (Bettors Delight – Queen of Pop 1.55.6, $204,527) is a beautifully bred juvenile for trainer Russell Jack and led throughout to win by a large margin. She dashed home in a slick last quarter of 28.0 seconds and is worth following. ONEHANDONEBOUNCE (A Rocknroll Dance – Anna Blue 1.57.8, $11,311) was five back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m and flew late for an eye-catching second. SHEZ BETTORS BABE (Bettors Delight – Beau Ciel 1.56.2, $44,454) was three back on the markers throughout and finished in third position with SPLIT EAR being fourth after moving into the death seat from four back on the markers at the 500m mark. PLAIN ED (Heston Blue Chip – Shalackin 1.56.8, $27,125) was the last horse to cross the line after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Final Half: - 58.6 Margins: - 15m, 8m
BLACKBOOKER: - Just Hope
Trial 4: - ARGH ME HEARTY settled five back on the markers, moved to the outside with 800m remaining, sprinted quickly in the back straight and dashed away from his rivals to score by a large margin. He is now with trainer David Miles and will start off his new campaign on a good mark considering he is assessed as a National Ratings 46. WONDERFORCE was four back on the markers, moved out wide on the turn and picked up ground for second with FRIDAY THIRTEENTH being in third after being three back on the markers for the majority of the event. MY CEDUNA (Modern Art – Manwarra Artemis 2.4.1, $15,825) was without cover early before pushing to the lead with 1800m remaining and finished fourth in front of INSULTING, which took the trail on the first turn. MY CEDUNA is making his debut against a reasonable field at Kilmore on Tuesday night. ROCKIN BETTOR broke stride in the score up, chased hard but still missed the start by approximately 20m. He was last throughout and was always detached from the pack.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.8 Final Half: - 58.8 Margins: - 20m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: - Argh Me Hearty
Trial 5: - COMANDANTE began well and was able to push forward to find the lead shortly after the start. He was being challenged at the finish and was able to hold his composure to win. It was a fantastic training performance from Peter Lane to be able to get him to win at Bendigo last week. It was a very good reward for his perseverance and patience. He has drawn favourably at Cranbourne on Sunday. FIELDS OF KYVALLEY trailed the leader, moved to the outside and tried hard in the straight but was trotting roughly on the line. LADY LIL was three back on the markers throughout and finished ahead of OUR THUNDER BUDDY, which was last for the duration but importantly, remained trotting for the entire journey.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.9 Final Half: - 61.7 Margins: - Head, 12m
Trial 6: - TAY TAY started in second position, pushed forward to find the lead on the first turn and cruised to victory in the straight. She was impressive at the end and dashed home her last quarter in a sizzling 26.7 seconds. GOODMORNING CHERYL (Rock N Roll Heaven – Trend Setter 1.55.6, $199,415) led out then took a trail and finished a distant second but considering the slick sectional times, it was still a good effort for a qualifier. SHEFFIELD PEAK was three back on the inside and wanted to hang in on the corners. He was third with CHINDORSCHA (Pet Rock – Tee Time USA $57,630) being last throughout and was racing greenly for the majority of the trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.9 Final Half: - 56.1 Margins: - 15m, 15m
Trial 7: - HOLLYS MISS MOLLY was three back on the markers early, trailed the leader at the 1500m and moved away from the inside at the 500m mark. She scored by a narrow margin but she was strong at the finish and appeared to have plenty in reserve. BEAT CITY began quickly and was able to find the lead. He set up a slow tempo and was beaten on the line but he was never extended at any stage. GALLEONS VICTORY settled five back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m and battled on reasonably well for third in front of IZMOK, which was three back on the markers for the final 1500m. ERO CARPE DIEM was the only horse to start from the front line with the remainder of the field commencing from the handicap of 30m. He stood still and as broadcaster Dan Mielicki would say, did his impersonation of a statue at the start. He didn’t move off the mark until the remainder of the field got alongside of him and he ended up being four back on the markers. He beat home MASS DESTRUCTION, which trailed the leader but broke stride with 1500m remaining and lost approximately 25m. He was in last position for the remainder of the event.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.2 Final Half: - 59.3 Margins: - ½ Head, 8m
