Harness Racing form guru Craig Rail noticed several standout performers at the recent trials.
At Bendigo, Delightful Miki settled last of the six runners early and ended up being five back on the markers at the 1300m. She moved up without cover at the 500m mark and finished off strongly to win well.
At Mildura, Kyoretsu had the lowest National Rating of all runners in the field and came from last to finish a handy third.
At Melton, The Last Trip used the sprint lane and darted through to miss out by a narrow margin and High Rider backed up his recent Melton trial third with a comfortable victory over his older rivals.
SHEPPARTON 11/06/26
Trial 1: – GATSBY began quickly and angled in behind the leader shortly after the start. He came to the outside at the quarter pole and finished off best to snare victory. SABALENKA began fast to find the lead and backed off the tempo mid-race. She kicked on well in the run to the finish and was beaten by a narrow margin. STARWISH was having his first trial performance and finished nicely from three back on the markers with seemingly something left at the finish. He is by Bettor’s Wish out of Thisiswhoiam (1.56.1, $46,384) and is related to the handy performer Surfsup (1.56.5, $27,535). MY ACES HIGH was also making his first public appearance and finished in fourth. He is by Ride High out of Deal To The Left, an unraced daughter of the handy mare Left A Dream (1.55.6, $116,946), which has also been a good producer. Deal To The Left has left two good winners herself in Easy Rolling (1.56.3, $76,140) and Norms Lady (1.54.0, $109,449). CRACKERSATMIDNIGHT settled four back on the markers and was last of the five runners across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.0 Last Half: – 60.0 Margins: – Head, 10m
Trial 2: – ALLOA settled three back on the markers, came to the outside at the quarter pole and finished off best to score easily. JASPER JAY settled last of the five runners, angled wide on the home turn and finished off nicely to gain second position. She is backing up at Shepparton on Tuesday night and is making her debut. MY BECA was having her first trial performance and finished in third after trailing the leader throughout. She is a filly by Soho Tribeca out of an unraced mare Shezaawesomelover, whose first foal Myshania (2.1.1) has had one win to date. SWEETSUCCESS settled four back on the markers, moved off the pegs at the 500m and finished in fourth ahead of the early leader VINNI BAY. She backed up with a third placed effort in a heat of the Australian Pacing Gold at Kilmore on Thursday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.5 Last Half: – 58.9 Margins: – 8m, 1m
Trial 5: – TELERN LOFTY settled three back on the markers, angled out three horses wide on the home turn and finished off solidly to gain the prize. He backed up at Bendigo on Wednesday night and ran a huge race for second. REPELLING led out then took cover at the 1800m and came to the outside at the quarter pole. He loomed up to hit the lead in the straight and was run down at the end. He is backing up at Melton tomorrow night. PARISIAN ARTISTE settled four back on the markers, moved through to trail the leader on the home turn, used the sprint lane and ran to the line under his own steam for a game third. SCHEMING settled five back on the markers and filled fourth in a good finish. She is competing at Wagga this afternoon. The early leader ROCKINWITHATTITUDE set up a genuine tempo and broke stride under pressure in the final 100m when being challenged. She was last of the five runners across the line. She is competing in the free for all at Melton on Saturday night.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.9 Last Half: – 57.4 Margins: – Neck, 4m
Trial 6: – FOURTH RESPONSE began quickly to find the lead, backed off the tempo mid-race and scored comfortably. He is backing up at Wagga this afternoon. NORMS LADY was very wide early, restrained to be four back on the markers and raced keenly throughout the middle stages. She came to the outside at the 600m and worked home fairly well second. She is also at Wagga today. HALF PRICE BRIDE settled five back on the markers, gained a one out and one back trail at the 600m and came out three horses wide when leaving the back straight on the final occasion. She worked into third and TA KALCHE (3 back markers) was the fourth horse to greet the judge. WONGA LAKE hasn’t raced since 2023 and finished fifth after settling last of the six runners but she did go to the line under a hard hold. She returns at Shepparton on Tuesday night. KATIES LEGEND was the last horse across the line after trailing the leader throughout. She backed up at Kilmore on Thursday night and finished ninth behind Sweet Gem.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.6 Last Half: – 58.9 Margins: – 5m, 5m
Trial 7: – LITTLE MISS MORGAN ambled to the front shortly after the start and set up a slow tempo. She had a good kick left in the run to the finish and scored clearly. MAJESTIC SKY settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside with 600m remaining and loomed up alongside LITTLE MISS MORGAN in the home straight but couldn’t get past. SEBS GAL finished third after trailing the leader throughout and RIPPING RONALDO was last for the duration. SEBS GAL finished fourth at Kilmore on Thursday night and RIPPING RONALDO unfortunately galloped several times in the run on the same night but he did show a good turn of speed when chasing the pack.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.0 Last Half: – 59.8 Margins: – 5m, 6m
BACCHUS MARSH 13/06/26
Trial 1: – MORRIS BROWN was runner up in a slick mile of 1.54.3 at Geelong back in early May. He was able to dominate his two rivals and recorded good time in winning the opening trial. He is backing up at Geelong this evening. WOTDIDUSAAAY hasn’t raced since being unplaced at Ballarat back in August. He was placed at a Melton trial in April and was able to finish second at his latest trial performance, despite a lack of recent racing. JUSJOHN finished in third position. He hasn’t raced since January.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.1 Last Half: – 57.7 Margins: – 8m, 4m
Trial 3: – STORM VENDETTA won at his latest Melton attempt back in December. He has had multiple trials leading up to his first up performance and was able to win the trial by a narrow margin in reasonable time. MY BEAUTIFUL LIFE was placed at Geelong two starts ago and was only a half head behind the winner in her trial performance. She is competing at Geelong this evening. RIDE HIGH CAPTAIN hasn’t raced since November and finished a close up third. DANNARIE was ten metres away in fourth position.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.0 Last Half: – 60.2 Margins: – ½ head, 2m
Trial 5: – MET WITH A SHRUG galloped away and lost her chance when unplaced at Ballarat back in December. She is a speedy mare when racing at her peak form and recorded reasonable time at her trial success. ACOOL INVESTMENT has been freshened since an eighth at Melton back on May 01. She finished second and was well clear of the third placed MAGIC LAW. ACOOL INVESTMENT is backing up at Geelong this evening.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.3 Last Half: – 59.6 Margins: – 8m, 40m
MARYBOROUGH 14/06/26
Trial 1: – OUT TO STAY settled fifth on the markers, moved into the running lane (1-2) at the 800m, trailed into the race out three horses wide coming up to the home turn and angled out four deep turning for home. He produced a strong finish and was able to get the prize. He is resuming at Horsham on Monday afternoon. BIGBASHASH settled four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail with a half mile remaining and angled out wider on the track approaching the home turn. She hit the lead in the straight but was gunned down by her stable mate in the run to the judge. She is also racing at Horsham on Monday afternoon. COCOSWORLD was without cover early, pushed forward to find the lead at the 1800m and was run down at the end. MAHEO led out then took cover and finished in fourth.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.5 Last Half: – 59.8 Margins: – 1m, 4m
Trial 2: – AI SEDHAI began quickly and was able to get in behind the leader shortly after the start. She came to the outside with 500m remaining and sustained a strong run to win narrowly. He is backing up at Geelong this evening. ZOOLU produced a good effort for second. She settled last of the six runners, moved to the outside at the 700m and continued to make ground in the final circuit. She missed out by a slender margin. COLUMBIAS GONZALES settled three back on the markers and filled third position ahead of FAR AS POSSIBLE, which settled five back on the markers. BETTOR MAN began quickly to find the lead, ran along at a very genuine tempo early and tired over the latter stages. COLUMBIAS GONZALES is scheduled to compete at Horsham on Monday afternoon.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.6 Last Half: – 62.2 Margins: – Head, 4m
Trial 3: – NOT IDEAL led throughout in slow time to take out the trial for juvenile pacers. He is by American Ideal out of Shadow Scooter (1.58.7, $13,120), which has produced the three winners You Beauty (1.55.0), Forty Love (1.51.8, $160,147) and Scooter Lou (1.55.3). SHAMBOLIC trailed the leader throughout and waited for the sprint lane. He tried hard in the straight and finished a close second. He is by Poster Boy out of Keayang Savannah, which has produced the race winner Parisian Art (2.0.5). ADVANCE ATEGO settled three back on the markers and filled third position. He is by Village Jolt out of Dance With Mia (2.0.0, $27,405), whose first foal Atego Shades (1.57.3, $80,990) has won thirteen races. DIGGING DEEPER was last of the four runners for the duration. He is by Stay Hungry out of Macey Jayde (1.52.9, $123,029) and is the second foal.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.2 Last Half: – 61.0 Margins: – 1m, 3m
Trial 5: – WHOSHOTTHEPIEMAN began fast to find the front, ran along at a genuine tempo and established a clear leading margin mid-race. He sustained a strong run and was able to win by a large margin in a handy mile rate of 2.2.5. BREDBY BRUCE settled four back on the markers, worked through the middle approaching the home turn and was able finish off well enough to snare second. LOVE DANCIN settled three back on the inside, moved away from the markers at the 400m and battled on fairly for fourth. BERET STRIDE trailed the leader and broke under pressure on the home turn, finishing a distant fourth.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.5 Last Half: – 60.1 Margins: – 30m, 1m
Trial 6: – COCO MILLER began quickly to find the lead, copped plenty of pressure down the back straight on the final occasion and kicked on strongly to collect the prize. IDEAL MIKI was without cover early, angled in behind the leader then came to the outside at the half mile marker and pressured the leader in the back straight. He fought hard in the straight for a game second. MEGSY settled four back on the markers and worked into a distant third. She is by Downbytheseaside out of the unraced mare Life Charm, whose first foal Sports Charm (1.59.6) was a race winner. BAZOOKA CHARLIE came from last of the five runners to finish fourth. He is by Art Major out of Madazhell (2.0.7), which has produced six winners including the classy performers Madazalways (1.54.7, $201,136), Sporty Azz (1.58.4, $75,004) and Mykorona (1.56.4, $64,120). FOXY BY DESIGN trailed the leader early and ended up being three back on the markers. She dropped out at the end and was the last one across the line at her second trial performance. She backed up with a sixth placed effort in a heat of the Australian Gold at Kilmore on Thursday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.1 Last Half: – 60.6 Margins: – 1m, 10m
Trial 7: – TICTOK settled last of the three runners, came to the outside at the 400m and sprinted quickly. He dashed to the lead on the home turn and raced well clear over the concluding stages. He is competing at Melton on Saturday night. EBONYS AVENGER began sharply and led clearly in the early stages. She set up a reasonable speed and finished a distant second. SOSO MAJESTIC trailed the leader, pulled hard and broke stride on the home turn, losing his chance to finish closer. He is resuming at Horsham on Monday afternoon.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.7 Last Half: – 60.6 Margins: – 25m, 25m
BENDIGO 15/06/26
Trial 1: – HUNGRY HIPPO is a former Tasmanian pacer, which has had several trials leading up to his first up Victorian performance. He settled three back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m and was able to get home best despite hanging in noticeably in the home straight. SERGEANT LOU trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 500m and dashed to the front before the home turn. He was headed with 150m remaining but kicked back strongly over the latter stages. He is competing at Melton tomorrow evening. WICKED MITZI began quickly to lead but was run down at the end and finished last of the four runners. WILD IDEAL was last of the four runners for the majority of the trial but got past WICKED MITZI at the end.
Mile Rate: 1.57.5 Last Half: – 57.8 Margins: – 1m, 2m
Trial 2: – LATHER IN GOLD was able to lead throughout to win the trial for juvenile pacers and was comfortably clear over the latter stages. MUDDY gained the trail behind leader, came to the outside on the home turn and fleetingly appeared to be a winning chance before LATHER IN GOLD kicked clear at the end. He is by Poster Boy out of Ponder Girl (1.52.9, $84,320), which has produced the two winners Centofellie (1.55.6) and Krissy (2.1.2). STOLEN ONE settled down last of the four runners and MY MAJOR was three back on the markers before trying to make a run from the 700m mark.
Mile Rate: 1.58.9 Last Half: – 60.9 Margins: – 3m, 11m
Trial 3: – DELIGHTFUL MIKI settled last of the six runners early and ended up being five back on the markers at the 1300m. She moved up without cover at the 500m mark and finished off strongly to win well. THE TRAWLER was three back on the markers, waited for the sprint lane and finished off well for a handy second. He is backing up at Shepparton on Tuesday night. COOL STORY was in a rearward position most of the way and angled out wide on the track in the home straight. She did well to pick up good ground over the latter stages and get into third position. The trotter TRIPOD settled four back on the markers and moved away from the inside at the quarter pole, finishing in fourth. STAR OF THE SHOW set the speed and was run down over the latter stages, finishing in fifth.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.5 Last Half: – 59.2 Margins: – 9m, 6m
BLACKBOOKER: – Delightful Miki
MILDURA 15/06/26
Trial 1: – NOBLE TRICK was successful in the opening trial after the perfect drive from Luke Watson. He was four back on the markers, one out and one back at the 1300m, went back in to trail the leader at the 700m and angled to the outside on the home turn. He finished off best and scored comfortably. OUR ART WORK copped plenty of pressure in the leading role and did a good job to kick on and finish second. KYORETSU had the lowest National Rating of all runners in the field and came from last to finish a handy third. The first three runners across the line are all competing at Mildura this afternoon. WIPEOUT raced without cover, pressured the leader throughout and kicked on well for fourth position. KEAYANG SHADOWBOX (trailed leader) was last of the five runners across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.1 Last Half: – 60.6 Margins: – 6m, 12m
BLACKBOOKER: – Kyoretsu
Trial 2: – BIG BAD CHAD settled a lot better in the trial than he did at the races on the Friday afternoon and was able to re-qualify to race at the Mildura card this afternoon. He was one out and one back for the majority of the trial, came out three horses wide at the 600m and sustained a strong run to win well. PUNTO CALIENTE trailed the leader, was held up for a run at a vital stage and finished off strongly for a game second. EGBERT began quickly to find the lead, backed off the tempo mid-race and finished a distant third. AUCKLAND LASS raced without cover throughout and ended up finishing a distant fourth. The first four runners across the line are all competing at Mildura this afternoon. HIGHWAY HUSTLER was slow to begin and was last for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.1 Last Half: – 62.5 Margins: – 3m, 25m
Trial 3: – STARZZZOFTERRY began quickly to find the lead, set up a slow tempo and never appeared to be in any danger of defeat. RONZEL RAFA settled last of the five runners, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m and finished off fairly for second. POSTER ART was four back on the markers, came off the inside at the 600m and finished in third. The first two runners across the line are racing at Midura this afternoon.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.1 Last Half: – 61.0 Margins: – 8m, ½ head
Trial 5: – BAZZAS LEGACY settled three back on the markers, was giving the leaders a healthy start when he commenced his run with 300m remaining but finished strongly and was able to win well. ALS CHOICE settled down last of the five runners and made a long run from the 900m mark. He hit the lead in the straight but was run down in the final 50m and finished a game second. IMA ROCKET MAN set up an even tempo in the leading role throughout and peaked late but finished in third and was well clear of ALIENFROMARMSTRONG (behind leader) and IDEAL DELIGHT (4 back markers). The third placed IMA ROCKET MAN is making his debut this afternoon.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.3 Last Half: – 59.8 Margins: – 3m, 2m
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 16/06/26
Trial 2: – ARRHYTHMIA began quickly to lead, backed off the tempo mid-race and finished off in a sharp final quarter of 27.2 seconds to win, seemingly with something in reserve. ENJOY LIFE trailed the leader, came away from the markers on the home turn and chased hard for a game second. He is undefeated from five Tasmanian starts and should go well in Victoria. PATIRO NZ was last of the three runners for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.7 Last Half: – 56.0 Margins: – Nose, 9m
Trial 3: – KYVALLEY DIABLO continued his good form with a strong victory, where he led out then took cover and made his move from the 600m. CLOUDY CANYON was without cover early, pushed forward to find the lead and broke stride when still in the fight at the 100m mark but still managed second place. QUEEN OF THE SUMMIT trailed the leader early, ended up being three back on the markers and finished a distant third. NONREMARKABLE was last of the four runners for the duration. She is by Majestic Son out of Justatrixta (2.4.1) and is the first foal.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.9 Last Half: – 61.1 Margins: – 12.25m, 15m
Trial 4: – BETTOR BEACH had two starts last season for a win in a heat of the Breeders Crown and a fourth in the Final. She led throughout to win the trial by a narrow margin. THE LAST TRIP settled three back on the markers, used the sprint lane and darted through to miss out by a narrow margin. LOWRIDER trailed the leader, moved away from the markers on the home turn and battled on fairly well for third. MORRIS BROWN settled six back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 400m and worked into a distant fourth. He was backing up from his trial effort at Bacchus Marsh on Saturday. GOODTIME CAPTAIN settled last of the seven runners, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 400m and was able to run into fifth.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.0 Last Half: – 57.9 Margins: – ½ head, 3.5m
BLACKBOOKER: – The Last Trip
Trial 5: – SIR EROS began quickly and raced without cover early before finding the lead. He backed off the tempo in the early stages and finished off in a respectable final quarter of 29.0 seconds to win clearly. SUFFARELL HILL settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 300m and battled on fairly well for second. UNCLAD was slow to begin, settled last of the five runners and angled out four horses wide on the home turn. He was doing his best work at the end and ran an eye-catching third.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.9 Last Half: – 58.6 Margins: – 7.5m, 2m
Trial 6: – SUSAN IS HER NAME began quickly and was out three horses wide in the early stages before progressing forward to find the lead at the 1800m. She dominated a good field of pacers and dashed home in slick final sectionals to win impressively. It was a terrific start to her Inter Dominion Trotting campaign. PRE EMINANT led out then took cover at the 1800m. She moved away from the markers with 150m remaining and tried hard in the straight to finish in second. HITTHEROADJACK NZ was without cover early, eased to be four back on the markers at the 1800m and used the sprint lane for third. He is backing up quickly at Melton tomorrow night. ROCKY PACIFIC NZ settled three back on the markers and finished in fourth with STEEL THE MOMENT being last of the five runners throughout.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.1 Last Half: – 56.6 Margins: – 3.5m, 7m
Trial 8: – KAHULA was on her worst behaviour in the Rising Star at Ballarat, causing a false start on the first attempt then breaking stride at the start as the race commenced. She led out then took cover and found the front again at the 1100m and was a dominant winner of her trial. She did shift out under pressure noticeably over the concluding stages but she was never in any danger of defeat. WAZZANT ME began fast to lead, wanted to hang into the sprint lane with a lap remaining and lost the front, sat in the trail and battled on okay for a distant second. MISTER DUGFORD settled three back on the markers and was a distant third at the finish. The former Queenslander GOODTIME FLETCH settled four back on the markers, moved up without cover at the quarter pole and finished a distant fourth at his first Victorian trial attempt. TOSWEETTTOTAME was out of position at the start, lost 15m and was last for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.5 Last Half: – 57.1 Margins: – 14.5m, 15m
TERANG 16/06/26
Trial 1: – SMACK BANG BART kept the momentum rolling after his brilliant Nutrien Classic win at Wagga with a trial victory in fast time. BOULEVARD BART is also a last start winner at Wagga and finished only a head behind his stable mate at the end. The time was very fast so both horses performed very well.
Mile Rate: 1.55.2 Last Half: – 57.2 Margin: – Head
Trial 2: – KATUNTI hasn’t raced since having two starts early in the season, the latest being a seventh at Terang in February. He won the trial by a narrow margin over PAKIKAU, which hasn’t started since November. Both horses are resuming in the same race at Horsham on Monday afternoon. KEAYANG SUPREME finished in third position ahead of BATTON ROUGE and the juvenile pacer WOTTAWIZARD was last of the five runners across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.9 Last Half: – 58.7 Margins: – Head, 8m
Trial 4: – HIGH RIDER is a juvenile pacer, which backed up his recent Melton trial third with a comfortable victory over his older rivals. MUFASA BART finished in second position with the last start Ballarat victor BOBBYS ROOM NZ being the third horse across the line. BOBBYS ROOM NZ is backing up at Horsham on Monday afternoon. KEAYANG VIPER was the fourth horse to greet the judge in front of HAVADASH JOH. The unraced juvenile pacer KEAYANG PHANTOM was the last horse across the line. He is by Sweet Lou out of Keayang Liberty (1.52.8, $56,030) and is the second foal.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.8 Last Half: – 58.3 Margins: – 10m, 3m
BLACKBOOKER: – High Rider
Trial 5: – NANCYS BOY NZ was the only pacer in the trial and was able to get the job done after dashing home in a sizzling final quarter of 27.6 seconds. He is backing up at Horsham on Monday afternoon. JILLIBY DREAMLOVER has been placed at her past two Group 1 performances in the Sumthingaboutmaori at Melton and in the MacArthur Mile at Menangle. She finished in second, less than a length from the winner. KEAYANG KURKI won the Breeders Crown last season and wasn’t far away in third position. NO MONEY NO HONEY has joined trainer Antti Ruokonen after previously being with Jess Tubbs. She was the fourth horse across the line in what was a quality trial.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.5 Last Half: – 58.3 Margins: – 2m, 2m
