A spirited duel between Megeve, who recovered after breaking, and Kaudo at Tabcorp Park Melton this week proved an eye-catcher and earned both places in Craig Rail's Trial File Blackbooker.
Scroll to the bottom for his updated list.
WARRAGUL 14/11/20
Trial 1: - CHRISKEN KIOSK stepped away slowly but safely and was able to stroll to the front after SOVEREIGN TIGER was poorly into stride. He set up a very slow tempo and did everything right to win the trial. SOVEREIGN TIGER bounced in front but galloped shortly after the start, got back into a trot momentarily then galloped again. He lost approximately 30m early but with the very slow tempo, was able to catch up to CHRISKEN KIOSK without any problems. He then came to the outside to pursue and looked a big threat on the home turn but galloped again just as he was able to hit the front. He has ability but he can do a lot wrong and that trial wasn’t very encouraging for his effort at Warragul on Sunday where he has drawn the pole position.
Mile Rate: - 2.26.0 Final Half: - 64.56 Margin 30m
Trial 2: - MYSTIC CASTLE settled three back on the inside and came away from the markers with 400m remaining. He worked home best to win in a slow mile rate of 2.7.1. MAGIC CRAFT (Betterthancheddar – Magic Music 2.1.9, $28,855) raced without cover early before pushing forward to lead at the 1500m mark. He wanted to hang out approaching the end of the back straight but he was able to get back to a straight course and finished in second position. He is still learning and is drawn awkwardly at Warragul on Sunday. ALL HONOUR began quickly and drew 2m in front at the start but broke stride and lost 15m. He was last of the four thereafter and claimed third on the line due to ILLAWONG DANNY (Rock N Roll Heaven – Breenys Lady 2.3.3, $6,120) breaking stride in the latter stages. ILLAWONG DANNY led early then took a trail, probed for an inside run with 500m remaining but couldn’t get through then broke stride in the home straight. He makes his debut at Warragul on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.1 Final Half: - 58.72 Margins: - 3m, 15m
BACCHUS MARSH 14/11/20
Trial 1: - GOZO SUNSHINE (Sunshine Beach – Stone Chip 2.3.0, $26,129) is a Tim McGuigan trained gelding, which qualified in style with a runaway victory. He dashed home in a quick final quarter of 28.4 seconds so he obviously has some ability. He has drawn the pole position at Warragul on Sunday and would have to be a chance on his trial statistics. BREATHE EASY (Live or Die – Ayr Affair 2.2.1, $4,376) finished second after starting from a wide draw and the nicely bred filly ROCKONHEAVENSHADOW (Rock N Roll Heaven – Art Shadow 1.57.5, $114,488) filled third position. The last pair across the line were OUR CHEEKY DEVIL (Shadow Play – Riverside Oakes) and MISTER GLEE.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.8 Final Half: - 58.90 Margins: - 30m, 2m
Trial 2: - CYCLONE S ADAMS is a former New Zealander, which has been trialling nicely. He won at his last two attempts across the Tasman so he has ability and he won his trial on Saturday by a comfortable margin. He was a very game run at Ballarat on Thursday and probably would have won had he not trotted roughly approaching the home turn so he is worth following. SLEEPEE galloped away from the mobile start in the Matchmaker Mile and was placed outside of the draw. She headed to the trials to be able to get back into the draw in time for the Breeders Crown 4yo Mares Championship at Melton tonight but came up with barrier six. She finished in second position and was well clear of FROSTY RECEPTION with YANKEE VELVET being last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.9 Final Half: - 61.5 Margins: - 10m, 20m
Trial 3: - BULLYS DELIGHT is a proven metropolitan performer and appeared to be well placed in the third event. He was able to secure victory over FOREVER AND A DAY, which hasn’t started since August. OHOKA MAXIMUS was placed at his last seven starts in the end of his latest preparation. He hasn’t raced since June but he was able to fill third position ahead of CARMY DAN with BIT OF A DREAM being last of the five runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.3 Final Half: - 59.1 Margins: - 4m, 5m
Trial 4: - CONFESSION has been unplaced at his three starts to date and was freshened after his latest sixth at Kilmore. He won his trial by a large margin over CONFUSIONANDDELAY, which hasn’t raced since June. THE REGULATOR and MONTY MAJOR were beaten by a long way and finished third and fourth respectively.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.2 Final Half: - 60.6 Margins: - 15m, 15m
Trial 5: - THAT’S NOT MY GAIT is a smart filly, which won the John Ashby Memorial on Redwood Day and followed with a fourth in a heat of the Breeders Crown. She was the class runner of the trial and was able to defeat the qualifier COOGNPETE (Skyvalley – Gordon Idol) by a narrow margin. EURYPHAESSA has made a few errors lately and finished in third position ahead of COPACABANA (Andover Hall – Broadacrossthebeam 2.0.2, $34,203).
Mile Rate: - 2.14.8 Final Half: - 65.7 Margins: - 1m, 6m
Trial 6: - It was a slowly run trial and OCEANIQUE was able to win by a comfortable margin after dashing home in the final 400m. She has shown ability in three starts to date having already posted a win and a second placing. MEGIDDO has been trialling well for trainer Joe Pace and finished in second position with TRENT FROM PUNCHY being the last of the three runners across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.7 Final Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 4m, 10m
Trial 7: - EXCELLENT DROP hasn’t quite been able to recapture her best form as yet this preparation but she would have built up some confidence with a comfortable win over AUNTY ETHAL, which hasn’t raced since July. She steps out at Warragul on Sunday in a very evenly balanced standing start event. UNKNOWN SON (Majestic Son – Im Anonymous 2.4.8, $56,143) is a well named gelding for trainer Jess Tubbs and finished in third position with WILCANNIA being last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.3 Final Half: - 61.2 Margins: - 5m, 6m
Trial 8: - LA PUDDIE posted another trial success in a lead up to his racing return at Warragul on Sunday. He posted a handy final half around the Bacchus Marsh circuit to win the trial by a comfortable margin. SOMEGLITZSOMEWHERE was in fine form at the end of his last preparation and will also resume at Warragul on Sunday, where he has drawn on the pole position. He was safely beaten by LA PUDDIE but his National Rating is seven points less. SHADOW HUNTER won first up from Queensland then was unplaced at his next four attempts and was spelled. He finished third in the trial and MAJALINER failed to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.5 Final Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 15m, 20m
OUYEN 15/11/20
Trial 1: - MISS CULLENREACTOR has recently joined trainer Scott Garraway. The daughter of Auckland Reactor has been unplaced in all of her four starts to date but was able to win the trial of just two horses by five metres. CHEVAL CHARETTE has raced in several States of Australia and is now being prepared by Allan MacDonald. She finished last of the two runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Final Half: - Not given Margin: - 5m
Trial 2: - CARLOAD is a National Ratings 72 assessed pacer and appeared to be ideally placed in the trial. He went on to post an expected and easy victory ahead of SKIPPERS SWAN SWONG (NR46), which is a former New South Wales pacer that finished fifth at Young in October and joins trainer Scott Garraway. LAST ARTIST was last of the three runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.0 Final Half: - Not given Margins: - 10m, 15m
MARYBOROUGH 15/11/20
Trial 1: - DANCEFORME began quickly from the outside of the front line to find the lead and rolled along at a reasonable tempo. She dashed well clear from the 400m mark and scored easily. ASHFORD SECRET broke at the start and missed away by approximately 20m. He was last of the three runners before moving away from the markers at the 600m and trying to chase down the leader in the straight. AN FELLA MOR (Major In Art – Mumsthaword Lombo 2.0.9, $17,758) trailed the leader but wanted to hang in on the corners. He was uncontrollable on the final corner and ended up being well inside of the pegs turning for home. It took him some time to get balanced in the home straight.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Final Half: - 58.0 Margins: - 25m, 2m
Trial 2: - IKARA settled down last of the three competitive chances, made a lightning move from the 700m to hit the front shortly afterwards and established a big lead approaching the home turn. He appeared to lose concentration by being so far in front with 100m remaining but he still won by a good margin at the end. VINEESHA LYN (Fling It – Kirsly Kept $12,925) trailed the leader, came to the outside at the quarter pole and picked up ground late. IMA LOUIE TOUIE (Louey Louey Louey – Feng Shui 2.9.4, $10,480) finished third after setting the speed and JESSICAS STORY (Imperial Count – Im Rite Or Wrong 1.58.0, $39,690) was tailed off throughout after galloping away.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.8 Final Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 20m, 20m
Trial 3: - It was a Sunday morning stroll for the two handy pacers IM SIR BLAKE and HUGO ROCKS with IM SIR BLAKE leading comfortably and showing his electrifying speed at the end. The most satisfying part of the trial would have been the way he settled in the run but there was no pressure on him early however. He defeated HUGO ROCKS by twenty metres.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.4 Final Half: - 57.2 Margin: - 20m
Trial 4: - MULBERRY PIE trailed the leader THE PENNY DROPS throughout and was able accelerate beautifully along the sprint lane to post a victory on the line. THE PENNY DROPS appeared to be coasting and was holding MULBERRY PIE in the initial stages of the home straight but the mare really knuckled down to snare victory in the shadows of the post. MULBERRY PIE is probably at her career best form but she takes on a very strong field in the Breeder Crown 4yo Mares Championship tonight. THE PENNY DROPS also faces a tough task in the Entires & Geldings section of that series. SMART CHA CHA (Feng Shuis Image – McKillop 2.5.7, $7,395) is a qualifier and was taking on the winners of multiple races so she had a tough task and was last throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.8 Final Half: - 60.6 Margins: - 1m, 150m
Trial 5: - MOTU TIGERS EYE is a smart horse having won three of his six starts to date. He trailed the leader SOHO SENNA, came to the outside with 600m remaining and sprinted nicely over the final stages. SOHO SENNA began brilliantly to find the lead, rolled along at an even tempo and ran a reasonable trial but found MOTU TIGERS EYE to be too fast up the straight. MY SHADY MATE (Shadyshark Hanover – Tarzar Jah) broke at the start and missed 40m early, tacked on with 700m remaining and didn’t put in a bad performance under the circumstances. SURBITON CHARDONAY (Safari – Corksapoppin 2.3.0, $5,915) settled three back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the quarter pole but was under pressure shortly afterwards, running in last of the four competitors.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.2 Final Half: - 59.1 Margins: - 4m, 40m
BLACKBOOKER: - Motu Tigers Eye
Trial 6: - SHESMYBABY settled three back on the markers, moved away from the inside at the 300m and was three horses wide on the home turn. She produced a good finish and got up to win the trial from SUMMERHILL, which trailed the leader early before moving to the lead at the 1700m mark. LEOTARDANDLACE led out, took a trail and moved to the outside on the home turn. She finished third in front of the mistake makers HUEY TREVOR (Auckland Reactor – Eastern Art), which broke stride at the start and made up a bit of ground, and BONAVISTA BOY, which galloped with 1300m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.7 Final Half: - 59.2 Margins: - 2m, 8m
Trial 7: - IONA SPIDER started from the handicap of 20m but was inconvenienced by both MUMSTHEWORD and CORK, which stood still before turning sideways at the start. She was fourth early but pushed forward to find the lead at the 1600m and was too good in the run to the finish. CORK ran a nice second after missing away. He was five back on the markers, came to the outside with 600m remaining and picked up good ground for second. SURBITON ARMISTICE was third after being three back on the markers throughout and getting past THIS QUAKER (Quaker Jet – This Way) (lead, behind leader at 1600m) in the home straight. SUGAR HIGH (Peak – Sugar Times) was four back on the markers throughout and beat home MUMSTHEWORD, which came from tailed off to tack onto the group but tired again in the latter stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.8 Final Half: - 61.1 Margins: - 15m, 12m (approximately)
COBRAM 15/11/20
Trial 1: - DEL PORT began well and trailed the leader BUNDLE OF NOTES for the majority of the trial. He came to the outside with 600m remaining and applied pressure leaving the back straight. He hit the front on the home turn and edged clear in the straight to win nicely. BUNDLE OF NOTES kicked on well after being challenged a long way from home but is meeting a strong field at Cobram on Monday and JITTERBUG ARDEN (A Rocknroll Dance – Fantastic Arden 2.0.3, $13,975) finished third after being three back on the markers throughout. SPORTY FRANK settled four back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 900m to try and make up ground but remained last of the four runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.3 Final Half: - 58.9 Margins: - 5m, 5m
Trial 2: - FLY BYE EDEN began quickly to lead and enjoyed a nice run throughout. She kicked away with 500m to travel and sustained the run to win by a large margin. She backed up at Echuca on Wednesday night and was able to post her maiden success. SUMMERDAYS (Village Jolt – Catchthat 2.1.8, $22,165) trailed the leader throughout and finished second with SHES GOING PLACES (Grinfromeartoear – Shesa Kendall) being in third for the entire journey. AMARANDA showed some early speed but broke stride 50m after the start, losing approximately 15m. She was last of the four for the remainder of the journey and dropped off the pack over the concluding stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Final Half: - 59.3 Margins: - 25m, 2m
BENDIGO 15/11/20
Trial 1: - ANDYOU stepped away well from the standing start and trailed the leader. She waited for the sprint lane and accelerated very quickly at the end to win by three metres. KYVALLEY CLICHY attempted to lead throughout and copped some pressure from COMANDANTE, which left a trailing position from four back on the markers at the 900m to pursue. He fought off the challenge of COMANDANTE approaching the home turn but couldn’t match ANDYOU late. He was trotting roughly at the end. His gait would need to improve if he is to be competitive in the Breeders Crown 4yo Entires & Geldings Championship tonight. The winner ANDYOU is drawn poorly in a strong field in the Breeders Crown Graduate Trotters FFA this evening. COMANDANTE didn’t run a bad trial considering he is a National Ratings 44 assessed trotter. He showed high speed in the back straight but got a little tired at the end. He has had gait issues but he does have ability when he puts it altogether. THE RED WARRIOR settled down last but was able to get around LADY LIL, which was three back on the markers but broke stride with 700m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.0 Final Half: - 56.0 Margins: - 3m, 20m
Trial 2: - MANASSA SKY was the class runner of the trial being a National Rating 73 assessed pacer and he was able to come from last of the four runners to score. He made his move 500m from home and picked the leaders up in the shadows of the post. He did want to turn his head and hang in a little on the line however. REVA led out then took a trail at the 1600m mark. She wanted to pull hard but she was able to have a kick left and used the passing lane to finish in second position. LUCKIE trailed the leader early and moved around the outside to take the lead at the mile marker. He went down fighting and finished a close third. DYNAMITE DOZER was three back on the markers and dropped off a little in the run to the post. He has drawn awkwardly at Cobram on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.5 Final Half: - 57.3 Margins: - 1m, 1m
Trial 3: - ADAM CROCKER settled last of the five runners and was able to gain a nice trail into the race on the back of JOEYS HANGOVER. He peeled to the outside on the home turn and sprinted home quickly to score. JOEYS HANGOVER settled four back on the markers and was the first to make a move at the half mile marker. He was able to get some cover behind KNOW REPLY (Heston Blue Chip – That’s All Right 1.59.9, $24,127) in the back straight before moving to the outside approaching the home turn. He finished on nicely for second. He meets a strong field but he could show improvement at Cobram on Monday based on that performance. KNOW REPLY trailed the leader and came to the outside with 600m remaining. He sprinted fast in the back straight but once he hit top gear, he paced extremely roughly and did so for the remainder of the trial, which halted his momentum. A ROCKNROLL WALTZ (A Rocknroll Dance – Our Waltzing Mathilda 1.57.7, $12,131) settled three back on the markers and finished fourth. KEEP WATCH began very quickly to lead despite racing roughly at the start. He set up a genuine tempo but was overtaken with 400m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.9 Final Half: - 57.2 Margins: - 4m, Head
Trial 4: - POLLY PEACHUM began very quickly to lead comfortably then backed off the tempo mid-race. She had a good kick left at the finish and cruised away to win easily. AMELIA ROCKS settled three back on the markers and angled into the one out and one back trail behind RINGER RUSS in the back straight on the final occasion. She was doing her best work at the end and finished second. RINGER RUSS settled down last of the quartet, moved into the death seat at the 900m and got up to second approaching the home turn but just peaked a little late. ROWANROLLMILLAR was last of the four runners to greet the judge after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.5 Final Half: - 57.6 Margins: - 6m, 1m
Trial 5: - CRUISIN AROUND was able to progress forward and find the lead quite comfortably around the first corner. He was unchallenged from the start and was able to dash home in a quick final half to win. ALEPPO MURPHY started from the second line, settled last of the four runners and pulled hard for most of the journey. He came to the outside turning for home and stormed home late for an eye-catching second. KYVALLEY CHIEF settled down in third position, came to the outside and was sprinting with ALEPPO MURPHY at the end. SLEEPEE began quickly and found the markers first before taking cover behind CRUISIN AROUND. She remained on the back of the leader all of the way down the straight and went to the line being last of the four but under a strong hold. Each of the competitors in this trial were having a hit-out for the Breeders Crown this evening and all of them trialled up to expectations.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.3 Final Half: - 56.9 Margins: - 3m, head
Trial 6: - JENNYSFAVOURITE dashed out at the start to find the lead but wanted to over-race badly throughout the middle stages. She established a lead over approximately 50m mid-race but was starting to get very leg weary at the finish. She had a big enough lead however and was able to get to the line in first position. LOTTA FUSS settled four back on the inside, moved to the death seat at the 500m and chased after the tearaway leader. He was getting close at the end but he ran out of time. IRENE ROSE trailed the leader and finished in third position with YANKEE MAUREEN being fourth after being three back on the markers. DRAGONFLY (Skyvalley – My Lady Posh $9,850) settled down in last position behind ANGSKI but was able to glide on by when that trotter broke stride with 800m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Final Half: - 65.2 Margins: - 5m, 3m
TABCORP PARK MELTON 16/11/20
Trial 1: - EURYPHAESSA eased at the start to be last of the three runners. She followed IMASOCIALBUTTERFLY throughout, came to the outside at the 400m mark and quickly hit the lead. She had a good lead turning for home and scored without being extended. IMASOCIALBUTTERFLY trailed the leader, dashed to the front with 800m remaining but hung in and broke stride at the quarter pole, losing approximately 20m. She made up ground once she got back into the correct gait and it would have been interesting had she trotted throughout. TOUCH OF BRINBA (I’m Stately – Brinba 2.9.4, $10,045) began quickly to lead, set up a slow tempo and was overtaken with 800m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.9 Final Half: - 63.93 Margins: - 3.5m, 160m
Trial 2: - IDYLLIC was a very impressive winner of the second trial. He was without cover early and dropped back to be third on the markers, made a move at the 1400m mark and found the lead turning into the front straight with just over a lap remaining. He left his rivals lamenting in the final 400m of the trial and dashed away to win by almost 50m! He is the emergency for the Breeders Crown 2yo Colts & Geldings Final tomorrow night. HEAVENLY BRIGADE (Rock N Roll Heaven – Trigirl Brigade) settled five back on the markers and picked up ground on the beaten runners, grabbing second on the line. ROCKNROLL UPTON (A Rocknroll Dance – Upton) began quickly to trail the leader, was shuffled to three back on the markers mid-race and finished in third position. DOUBLE HAPPINESS (Rock N Roll Heaven – Our Waltzing Mathilda 1.57.7, $12,131) was four back on the markers, moved away from the outside at the quarter pole and finished fourth ahead of PRAY TELL (Western Terror – Virtuosy), which settled down last of the six runners. QUICK DAN began quickly to lead, took a trail mid-race and tried to stick with IDYLLIC but became very leg weary late and was the last one to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.4 Final Half: - 56.72 Margins: - 49.5m, Neck
Trial 3: - MEGEVE put in a big performance after breaking stride on the first turn. She lost approximately 30m, chased to tack onto the group at the 1400m and launched an attack with a half mile remaining. She dashed clear coming out of the back straight but she started to tire when tackling the strong head wind in the final 100m. She only just prevailed on the line but it was still a top effort. KAUDO performed extremely well. He started from the second line and settled fourth early before moving into the one out and one back trail. He raced without cover from the 1400m, was overtaken by MEGEVE with 500m remaining but came again in the straight and was flying home at the end. Both trotters are worth following. JUST OSCAR settled down three back on the markers and finished a distant third in front of CALEDONIAN SPIRIT, which set the speed early, took a trail then regained the lead again momentarily at the bell. BAARLINEE (Peak – Drop Us Aline 2.0.4, $103,393) pushed forward and was without cover early, progressed to the lead at the mile marker but broke stride with a lap remaining. She galloped again in the back straight on the final occasion. BREAKER OF CHAINS (Fling It – Carmelasoprano $9,806) broke stride at the start and lost his chance, remaining detached from the pack for the remainder of the trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.2 Final Half: - 60.67 Margins: - Neck, 48.5m
BLACKBOOKERS: - Megeve, Kaudo
Trial 4: - ROCCO AMERICANO (American Ideal – Wya Mya Macray 1.57.4, $84,650) backed up his impressive trial victory at Kilmore with another win against solid opposition. He showed good gate speed to lead, rolled along at an even tempo and had a good kick left at the finish. He went to the line with plenty in reserve so he appears to be very promising. ROCKAROUND THE CLOCK settled in the running lane (1-3, 1-2 at the 700m), came out wide on the home turn and finished swiftly to grab second placing. GEE SMITH settled one position ahead of ROCKAROUND THE CLOCK and was in the one out and one back trail for most of the final lap. He finished off quite well at the end for third. JASPERINE (Artistic Fella – Tiny Treasure) was one out and one back early then switched to the markers to trail the leader from the half mile marker. She finished fourth ahead of GOOD GUY MACK, which pushed through from the second line to park without cover for the duration. BIGJIMVALENTINE may have finished sixth but it was an eye-catching performance. He settled four back on the markers, was inconvenienced and galloped at the 600m, losing valuable ground but was able to hit the line very well at the end. SUMMER GRIN settled three back on the markers but was carted back by the tiring FROSOS GIRL (trailed leader) and couldn’t recover.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Final Half: - 58.16 Margins: - 1.5m, 5m
Trial 5: - EMERALD STRIDE settled six back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail with 700m remaining and was still a large margin behind on the home turn but produced a brilliant finish to score. She has unfortunately come up with the outside of the front line in the Final of the Breeders Crown 4yo Mares Championship but she has the speed to be in the finish. HALLABOUTME began quickly, took the trail behind the leader and battled on well for a close second. FULL NOISE was fifth on the inside, moved to face the wind with 700m remaining and was sprinting with EMERALD STRIDE at the end, missing out narrowly. ILLAWONG BYRON began very quickly and was rolling along at a handy tempo in the windy conditions. He still looked to be a winning chance on the home turn but was gunned down late. ONE OVER DA SON was four back on the inside and moved around WILLIAMS FLING, which was struggling to keep up with the strong tempo at the 1100m, to get into third. He ended up finishing fifth in a good finish and WILLIAMS FLING was last of the six runners to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Final Half: - 61.37 Margins: - ½ neck, ½ neck
Trial 6: - BRONSKI ROYAL produced a very solid performance to win the sixth event. He settled in fourth position, got up to third at the 1200m and moved up without cover from the half mile marker. He progressed forward to join his stable mate and leader TREMBITA half way down the back straight and was able to outstay that pacer in the run to the line. He would have to be a chance at Warragul on Sunday based on that performance, despite drawing on the second line. TREMBITA beat the remainder of the field headed by BE A GOOD SCOUT, which trailed the leader, by a large margin. CALCULATING DANCER was in fourth position after settling down in last position early. POWER PASS was fifth on the markers before getting around KISSOFDEATH and running into fourth at the 1200m mark. KISSOFDEATH settled third on the markers but was yielding ground with 1200m remaining and finished a distant last.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.7 Final Half: - 58.74 Margins: - 5.5m, 46m
Trial 7: - MONARO MARO produced a dominant display after finding the lead shortly after the start. She finished off in a quick final half and won by a large margin. IMPERIAL WHIZ trailed MONARO MARO throughout and tried hard for second position. ILLAWONG ARMSTRONG broke stride at the start and lost approximately 25m. He settled down a clear last and remained at the tail of the field before coming to the outside with 300m remaining. He tried hard in the straight and just failed to pick up second. MAGICOOL settled 3 back on the inside and used the sprint lane in the final stages but ran in last of the four runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.7 Final Half: - 57.84 Margins: - 11m, 1.5m
Trial 8: - LADY LAGERTHA is a former New Zealand pacer for trainer Tayla Nicholson. She showed good gate speed to lead, backed off the tempo mid-race and coasted to victory without being extended at any stage. She looms as a big chance of winning at Warragul on Sunday. IM SHORT AND SWEET settled three back on the markers and came to the outside at the quarter pole. She was also untouched going to the line in second position. HAWAIIAN BEACH filled third spot after trailing the leader throughout and ROCKABELLA STARZ was fourth after settling four back on the markers and never peeling to the outside at any stage. TOTALLY SHATTERED was slow away and settled down last of the five runners and he remained in that position for the duration.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.8 Final Half: - 58.57 Margins: - 4.5m, 1.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Lady Lagertha
Trial 9: - ARDEN VOYAGER began quickly and was able to amble to the lead shortly after the start. He enjoyed a nice run in the front running role and was able to finish off in a slick final half of 56.71 seconds to score softly. He has drawn poorly in the Breeders Crown Graduate FFA this evening. JAMIESON STEELE trailed the leader and came to the outside on the home turn. He tried hard in the straight and finished second with ENCHANTED STRIDE being last of the three runners throughout but dropping back to the sprint lane and finishing close up at the end. It is fair to say that all of the three runners had something left in reserve at the finish. JAMIESON STEELE is set to run his usual honest race from barrier two in the Breeders Crown Graduate Cup this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.0 Final Half: - 56.71 Margins: - 2m, 1/2Neck
Trial 10: - ROI DU SOLEIL stepped away swiftly from the standing start and led clearly. He continued to build on his lead mid-race and appeared to be approximately 100m in front with half a lap remaining. He lost a bit of momentum against the strong wind in the home straight but he was never going to lose and scored by a massive margin. ALDEBARAN JAYTEE was three back on the markers for the majority of the trial and wasn’t perturbed in chasing after the leader. Once he came to the outside with 300m remaining, he finished off strongly. COPACABANA (Andover Hall – Broadacrossthebeam 2.0.2, $34,203) was third early and dropped back to be last of the four runners. She was able to pick up BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE (Great Success – Whatta Tussle 2.3.7, $5,288), which trailed the leader, over the concluding stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.7 Final Half: - 62.29 Margins: - 31.13
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