Craig Rail is looking for an instant return from two Blackbook additions at Melton this Saturday night.
The Harness Racing Victoria form student has good opinions of Gracias and Keayang Stuka, and considers both winning prospects on the all-trotting card at headquarters tomorrow.
Gracias, who hails from the Chris Svanosio barn, performed well in a trial at Bendigo on Monday, while the Marg Lee-prepared Keayang Stuka impressed at Terang on Wednesday.
Other Blackbookers from the week’s Victorian trials circuit include Mister Blindside, Myamco and Kimcando.
TRIAL REPORT
SHEPPARTON 15/02/24
Trial 1: - ALDEBARAN DINO enjoyed a strong hit out leading up to his performance in tomorrow night’s Australian Grand Prix at Melton. He began very quickly to lead, ran along at a genuine tempo and was untroubled in scoring. LONESTAR LAD finished in second after trailing the leader throughout. SEBASTIANS BOY was last of the seven runners early, moved into the one out and one back trail at the half mile marker and picked up ground late for third. LOCKSLEY LOVER finished in fourth after settling six back on the inside and moving into the death seat at the 800m mark.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.6 Last Half: - 58.6 Margins: - 8m, 8m
Trial 2: - UNCLE TREV began quickly to find the lead and looked good in scoring by fifteen metres. He backed up at Bendigo on Wednesday night with a big debut victory, where he led throughout and trounced his rivals. LA CAVALLETTA finished in second after settling three back on the inside and waiting for the sprint lane. ZERON was last of the three runners to cross the line after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.5 Last Half: - 57.8 Margins: - 15m, 2m
Trial 5: - THE VICARS GIRL trailed the leader and used the sprint lane before finishing off nicely to grab the lead in the shadows of the post. SKY LINDY began quickly to lead and was nicely clear turning for home before being run down on the line. DESIGNER VICI finished in third after being three back on the markers throughout. He backed up to win a trial easily at Shepparton on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.7 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - Neck, 30m
MARYBOROUGH 18/02/24
Trial 2: - SWEET AGENDA has recently joined trainer David Murphy and looked good in winning her trial. She was the clearly the class runner of the trial on the National Rating scale but she settled down last of the seven runners, circled around the field from the 1700m to find the lead at the 1100m and ran away from her rivals at the finish. She makes her debut for her new trainer at Charlton on Monday. BINNO MAJOR was four then five back on the markers, moved into the death seat in the back straight and battled on okay for second. He is also competing at Charlton on Monday. FEELINGOODFREDDIE led out then took cover and finished third ahead of HOOTN HOLLA (3 then 4 back markers).
Mile Rate: - 2.0.2 Last Half: - 59.3 Margins: - 12m, 3m
Trial 4: - PERFIDIOUS SUE settled down five back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 700m mark and scored softly. She galloped at her last race track appearance but she is a very smart mare when she is able to put it altogether and she is backing up at Melton tomorrow night. MASSIF CENTRAL finished second after racing keenly in behind the leader and coming to the outside in the home straight. He is also backing up at Melton tomorrow night. PRIMZ LUCK finished in third after setting the speed with CADENCE LANE (4 back markers) being fourth across the line. CADENCE LANE is another trotter that will be competing on Australian Grand Prix night at Melton tomorrow.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.0 Last Half: - 60.7 Margins: - 3m, 2m
KYABRAM 18/02/24
Trial 1: - CRESCO CASHFLOW finished fifth at her latest race track appearance and was able to win her trial at Kyabram by a large margin. MISS PENALOPY is an unraced mare by Majestic Son out of Makarewa Lil (2.7.3, $14,247) for trainer Donna Castles. She finished second ahead of VITOR LEME and KAMARAN.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.4 Last Half: - 63.2 Margins: - 15m, Neck
Trial 2: - ZIEGFELD hasn’t raced since May but has had a few trials at Kyabram recently and was able to take out his trial by a large margin. LITTLE RAIN CLOUD is an unraced filly by Art Major out of the good mare Little Red Cloud (1.52.0, $170,042), which has produced the two smart performers Shoshone Brave (1.53.6) and Cherokee Jac (1.55.9). She finished second ahead of the juvenile pacer BEAU DEREK, which is by Poster Boy out of Elegant Art, making her a close relation to Burning Hot (1.55.6), Tino Tere Maori (1.55.3) and Four Mens Folly (2.1.6).
Mile Rate: - 2.10.2 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 40m, 2m
WARRAGUL 19/02/24
Trial 1: - STRZELECKI SUN is an unraced 3yo trotter for trainer Chris Hunter. He is by Peak out of Lazy Sunday (2.3.8, $23,778), making him a close relation to the second placegetter in SUNDAYS SHADOW (2.8.6, $6,750). There was only a narrow margin between the pair with ROZEE RIPTIDE, a daughter of Flightpath and Our Lucky Girl (1.57.7, $22,215) being last of the three runners across the line after commencing from the handicap of 30m.
Mile Rate: - 2.21.0 Last Half: - 62.4 Margins: - ½ Neck, 12m
MILDURA 19/02/24
Trial 1: - MARTHA LAVINIA set up a slow pace in the leading role and was untroubled in scoring over NATIONALDRAFT, which came from last of the three runners and picked up ground in the dash to the line. COURTNEY KATARINA was last of the three horses home after being behind the leader for the duration. MARTHA LAVINIA and COURTNEY KATARINA will both be competing at Mildura on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.4 Last Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 3m, 2m
Trial 2: - LOSEASHOE began quickly to find the lead and ran along at a rapid rate. He was clearly the class runner of the field on the National Ratings scale and ran his rivals ragged with big margins between each of the runners across the line. OPAL CROWN began fast from a wide draw and ended up being behind the leader. He finished well ahead of ILLAWONG LORD, which was three back on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.7 Last Half: - 61.3 Margins: - 30m, 50m
Trial 3: - FOXY TWO GLOVES was in the one out and one back trail early, ended up being three back on the outside and sprinted quickly from the 600m mark to win the trial convincingly. WHATS GLENDA GOT settled five back on the markers, moved away from the inside at the 300m and finished off nicely for a game second. INDIANAS SON finished third after trailing behind the leader ROCKNROLL RANGER, which ended up being fourth past the post. ROCKNROLL RANGER is resuming from a long spell at Mildura on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.8 Last Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 40m, ½ head
Trial 4: - AUCKLAND LASS began quickly to find the lead and dominated her rivals in the final trial, winning by a large margin. PUMPT trailed the leader and finished second just ahead of SELF BELIEVER, which settled last of the four runners and EGBERT (3 back markers, without cover from 1100m) saw the field to be safely home. PUMPT is resuming from a spell at Mildura on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.6 Last Half: - 61.2 Margins: - 35m, ½ head
GEELONG 19/02/24
Trial 1: - MISTER BLINDSIDE made several errors and cost himself any chance of winning at Terang on Saturday night but he quickly bounced back at the trials with a dazzling display. He settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m and extended beautifully in the straight to win very impressively. BALTIC SPIRIT NZ was second after attempting to lead throughout and DICKO DIXON was third after being three back on the markers and making a move half way down the back straight on the final occasion. DICKO DIXON has been nominated for the meeting at Melton tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.8 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 12m, ½ head
BLACKBOOKER: - Mister Blindside
Trial 4: - MEGA SPUR was without cover in the early stages, pushed forward to find the lead at the 1500m and won with plenty in reserve. DORA LEE progressed forward to find the lead, took cover behind MEGA SPUR and battled on well for second place. SHES SKY HIGH is a juvenile filly for trainer Tyrone Abela, which did well at her first trial. She led out, took cover and ended up being three back on the markers before coming wide into the straight. She is by Skyvalley and is the first foal out of the unraced mare Peggyhall. SKY FLAIR was five back on the markers and worked past stable mate SHEZALOVER (4 back markers) in the latter stages. SKY FLAIR is by Volstead out of Gypsy Flair, a daughter of the top mare Fionas Flair, which has produced two good winners in Banglez (1.57.8, $127,350) and Just A Bit Touchy (1.59.3, $135,290). SHEZALOVER is by Pastor Stephen out of the Group 1 winning mare Shezoneoftheboyz (2.0.5, $91,849), which has produced four winners including Gunning (2.2.3, $64,735).
Mile Rate: - 2.8.2 Last Half: - 63.1 Margins: - 4m, 4m
Trial 5: - KEAYANG SANTIAGO was without cover early, progressed forward to find the lead at the 1400m and was always a clear leader thereafter. He was able to defeat the trotter I AM PEGASUS, which began quickly but pulled hard early, took a trail behind the winner and tried hard in the straight. I AM PEGASUS will be racing at Melton tomorrow night. IRISH JONZIE was in the one out and one back trail early, got left stranded without cover then angled onto the markers to be three back at the 900m mark. He finished a clear third ahead of SIR FLOYD (5 back pegs). IRISH JONZIE is scheduled to compete at Cranbourne on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.6 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 8m, 8m
BENDIGO 19/02/24
Trial 3: - MYAMCO hasn’t started since missing away on debut in December. He is out of the fine trotting mare Edge Hill and showed a touch of class at the trials by winning easily. He trailed behind the leader MAGIC LAW, came to the outside on the home turn and finished off fast to win easily. MAGIC LAW finished second and was well clear of the third placed LAWS OF MOTION, which is an unraced 3yo trotter by Father Patrick out of the French bred mare Elusive Jet, whose first foal Mister Jet made it into the horse to follow list after going very nicely at the trials but has been posted as being retired from racing on the harness website prior making his debut. LAWS OF MOTION was three back on the markers for the majority of the trial. The second placed MAGIC LAW will be resuming at Melton tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.9 Last Half: - 61.1 Margins: - 10m, 12m
BLACKBOOKER: - Myamco
Trial 4: - The former New Zealander FULLOFFIGHT NZ continued his good trial form with a victory over ONE LAST BELLE. He was three back on the markers, moved off the inside at the 800m and was too quick in the run to the finish. ONE LAST BELLE was four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 300m mark and tried hard for second, which was a good hit out for her effort at Charlton on Monday. BOWLA BOYS settled five back on the markers and worked into third position. SWEET DIXIE settled last of the six runners and finished off very nicely for an eye-catching fourth.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.5 Last Half: - 58.4 Margins: - 7m, 6m
Trial 5: - GRACIAS NZ trailed the leader, came to the outside with 500m remaining and produced a solid finish to win nicely. It was a very good effort leading up to his first up run at Melton tomorrow night, where he appears to be a strong wining chance. The Breeders Crown winner VAL THORENS settled three back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail behind GRACIAS NZ and tried hard in the straight to finish in second spot. MAGIC MAID set the speed and was the third horse to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.6 Last Half: - 61.1 Margins: - 2m, 13m
BLACKBOOKER: - Gracias NZ
Race 6: - CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD settled three back on the inside, moved to the outside with 500m remaining and finished off fast to win without being fully extended. He has drawn on the pole position for the Paleface Adios Stakes at Menangle on Saturday night, where he will be aiming for a berth in the Chariots of Fire. DHAULAGIRI NZ settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m mark and came wide into the straight. He tried hard in the straight and went down by a narrow margin. It was a good form reference for his first up run at Mildura on Tuesday night. MIRAKURU was third after trailing the leader throughout and RORYVILLE was the last one home after setting up a genuine tempo.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.5 Last Half: - 56.7 Margins: - Head, 14m
BALLARAT 20/02/24
Trial 1: - SKYZ ABOVE trailed the leader, moved off the markers at the half mile marker, quickly worked past the early leader THE BORIS and sustained the run to win comfortably. MERLINS ILLUSION settled last of the four runners, came to the outside with 400m remaining and worked into second with THE BORIS kicking on quite well for third.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.2 Last Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 2m, 4m
Trial 2: - TOP GUN TED raced without cover early, progressed forward to find the lead at the 1300m and won comfortably in the run to the post. EMILY MEAGAN showed very good gate speed to lead, took cover and found the pacer to be too quick for her but she battled away gallantly. SEKARDA was last of the three runners for the majority of the journey.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.8 Last Half: - 59.9 Margins: - 4m, 50m
SHEPPARTON 20/02/24
Trial 1: - KIMCANDO hasn’t raced since finishing fourth in the Homegrown Classic Final and has recently joined trainer Kylie Sugars. She trailed the leader WARRANTEE in very fast time and was able to get up in the last few strides. WARRANTEE went down fighting and both horses performed exceptionally well. BYRNESIDE BOOM settled last of the four runners, moved around COCOSDREAM and finished a distant third.
Mile Rate: - 1.56.4 Last Half: - 57.6 Margins: - Head, 30m
BLACKBOOKER: - Kimcando
Trial 2: - ARCHIE MOTH won the trial of two juvenile pacers from DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS. He led throughout and DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS tried hard in what looked to be an impressive last 200m. ARCHIE MOTH is by The Storm Inside out of Arna Ruby, the unraced dam of Music Moth (1.57.5, $18,267). DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS is by Sweet Lou out of the top mare Indigenous (1.59.1, $112,245), which has produced 11 winners! The three one hundred thousand dollars plus earners she has produced are Life Inthefastlane (1.54.7, $264,566), Lanista (1.54.4, $107,415) and Awaitinginstructions (1.57.2, $114,871).
Trial 5: - SUPER SERVICE is a newcomer to trainer Kylie Sugars and appeared to be very sharp at his victory over PRETTYBOY HARRY. He showed brilliant gate speed to lead and ran away at the end to win by a large margin. PRETTYBOY HARRY trailed the leader throughout and finished well ahead of FLYIN TIME, which settled three back on the markers.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.3 Last Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 30m, 20m
TERANG 21/02/24
Trial 1: - BROWN EYED KATE began very quickly from the standing start and was able to lead throughout. HAUTACAM finished second after stepping away in fourth and moving away from the inside at the 300m. He dropped in behind the leader in the home straight and went to the line hard held, seemingly with plenty in reserve. KEAYANG XENA settled three back on the markers and finished in third with CREDIT MASTER NZ making ground from sixth to fill fourth spot.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.6 Last Half: - 60.9 Margins: - 4m, 12m
Trial 3: - MATTYO competed a double for trainer John Meade and emulated his stable mate Brown Eyed Kate by leading throughout to get the prize. KEAYANG TWEETYBIRD settled three back on the markers and showed terrific speed at the end to run an eye-catching second. KEAYANG GYPSY filled third spot after trailing the leader throughout and never peeled to the outside at any stage. KEAYANG FRANCISCO and KEAYANG BRANDY were fourth and fifth respectively for the duration of the trial and were never pushed at any stage. KEAYANG BRANDY does appear to be a chance at Melton tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.1 Last Half: - 60.3 Margins: - 2m, 3m
Trial 4: - KEAYANG HONEYJOY began sharply and ran to the lead shortly after the start. She set up a reasonable tempo and scored nicely over MUFASA BART, which trailed the leader throughout. KEAYANG STUKA delivered a very good performance in third after settling three back on the markers behind the two pacers and going to the line with plenty in reserve, hard on the back of MUFASA BART at the finish. SHADOWLANDZ settled five back on the inside and made good ground late for fourth. KEAYANG STUKA is racing at Melton tomorrow night and must be considered as a winning chance.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Last Quarter: - 28.2 Margins: - 3m, 3m
BLACKBOOKER: - Keayang Stuka
