Craig Rail thinks Andy Gath-trained Highlandhartbreaka has tuned up nicely for his return to racing this evening.
The form guru said the lightly-raced pacer “kicked on strongly at the end and missed out by a narrow margin” in his hit-out at Melton on Tuesday, and feels it was a “good trial leading up to his first-up performance” this evening at the same track.
Other horses added to the Rail black book from the Victorian trial circuit this week were Miki B, Miki Steamed Home and The Priestess.
TRIAL REPORT 350
MARYBOROUGH 04/01/26
Trial 1: – BARBADOS ROSE is a pacer and was taking on the trotters. She showed good gate speed from the outside of the front line to find the lead and backed off the tempo mid-race. She had a good kick left in the run to the finish and was able to get the prize. NIGHT FLIGHT began quickly and ended up being behind the leader. He came to the outside on the home turn and held his own over the concluding stages. He will have a busy week as he backed up with a fourth at Ballarat on Thursday night and is also scheduled to compete at Maryborough on Monday. SO MUCH SWAGGER settled three back on the markers and continued to use inside runs throughout to finish in third position. He is also engaged to race at Maryborough on Monday. KISSMESERENA gained a one out and one back trail, was inconvenienced by the tiring BILLYSOPHIA at the 600m mark but couldn’t pick up at the end and was fourth across the line.
Mile Rate: – Unavailable Last Half: – Unavailable Margins: – 5m, 3m (approximately)
KYABRAM 04/01/26
Trial 1: – NELLS ALL BLISS hasn’t raced since a fourth at Shepparton in October. She was able to take out the opening trial from the maiden trotter ROLY HINSON. BUNGY is an unraced gelding by Ride High out of Kalinda (1.57.5, $46,251) and was the third horse across the line. LAST CHANCE LINDY and LOOKAT SPUNKY TROT finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Mile Rate: – 2.11.4 Last Half: – 63.0 Margins: – 2m, 4m
Trial 3: – EYE SEE PHILTRA has returned to trainer Mick Blackmore after a stint with Naomi Kerr at Mildura. He has had ten victories to date and has earned over $50,000 in Stakes so he has done a good job for his connections. He won the trial over GOPATI NZ, which hasn’t raced since October 2024. WHATS GLENDA GOT was third across the line and beat home LITTLE RAIN CLOUD and SKYFALL BENCHMARK. SKYFALL BENCHMARK made an error at his latest race track appearance and went around again at the Bendigo trials on Monday to get back into the draw. The winner EYE SEE PHILTRA will be competing at Swan Hill on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.4 Last Half: – 61.9 Margins: – 5m, 2m
BENDIGO 05/01/26
Trial 1: – ARCEE PHOENIX was the slowest away from the standing start and was last of the three runners early. He came to the outside at the 300m and finished off quickly in slick final sectionals to win the trial untouched. That win would have given him some confidence leading up to his performance against the star mare Keayang Zahara in the Maori Mile at Bendigo on Saturday night. ALDEBARAN ACRUX USA began quickly and was able to find the lead shortly after the start. She was run down at the end but was still able to record handy final sectionals. LOVEMETO NZ sat in the trail throughout, used the sprint lane and raced roughly under pressure over the latter stages. He was the last horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.8 Last Half: – 56.8 Margins: – 3m, 6m
Trial 2: – MIKI B NZ settled fifth on the pegs, moved into the one out and one back trail at the bell and came to the outside at the 300m. He hit the front in the straight and appeared to switch off once he found the lead but he was able to get the job done. He is poorly drawn but should go well at Swan Hill on Tuesday night. FOLLOWTHEACE began quickly and was three wide early. He continued to progress forward to find the lead at the mile marker and fought on strongly in the run to the finish. DO IT settled down a clear last early, moved up without cover at the bell and battled on well for third in what was a strong trial. He is competing at Bendigo on Saturday night. ATUA MAGIC NZ trailed the leader early, ended up being three back on the markers at the 1600m and angled wide on the home turn. He worked home reasonably well for a close up fourth.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.3 Last Half: – 57.2 Margins: – 2m, Head
BLACKBOOKER: – Miki B NZ
Trial 3: – GRIMSHAW BAY began quickly to lead, set up a slow tempo and went to the line hard held to win easily. KEEP US POSTED trailed the leader, moved to the outside at the 400m and battled on okay for second. OZZIE DIAMOND is a juvenile filly by Raging Bull NZ out of Elegant Jewel NZ (1.54.5, $75,459) making her related to Ozzie Gem (1.55.7) and Ozzie Pearl (2.0.7). She was three back on the markers throughout and finished a distant third. The other early season juvenile competing in the trial OZZIE TART was last of the quartet throughout. She is a filly by Bettors Delight out of the good mare Picobello NZ (1.52.3, $73,194), which has already produced the top performers Interest Free (1.50.2, $344,867) and Ozzie Punta (1.55.4, $118,616).
Mile Rate: – 2.4.3 Last Half: – 60.7 Margins: – 3m, 25m
Trial 4: – LOOK LIKE DIAMONDS settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside on the home turn and finished off fast to win the trial impressively. She is competing at Bendigo on Saturday night. WESTERN SONADOR trailed the leader and used the sprint lane to finish in second position. BELLA DANZA attempted to lead throughout and looked to be travelling extremely well on the home turn but peaked in the final 100m.
Mile Rate: – 1.56.3 Last Half: – 55.8 Margins: – 4m, 1m
Trial 6: – SUMTHIN ELSE began quickly to find the lead and set up a reasonable tempo. She appeared to be in danger of defeat with 100m remaining but found a good kick when asked for an effort over the latter stages and scored comfortably at the end. GEMMY LOU settled five back on the markers, came out three and four horses wide on the home turn and finished off solidly for second. SEASIDE SHOW settled three back on the inside, came to the outside at the quarter pole and battled on fairly for third. He is competing at Swan Hill on Tuesday night. KORENGAL VALLEY was four back on the markers and was the fourth horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.3 Last Half: – 58.3 Margins: – 2m, 7m
Trial 8: – CENTURION DREAM began quickly and found the lead shortly after the start. She backed off the tempo mid-race and was able to score by a comfortable margin. She is competing at Bendigo on Saturday night. ROCKINWITHSTYLE trailed the leader throughout and was second past the post. DOSSIER was without cover early, restrained to be five back on the markers shortly after the start and was inconvenienced by the tiring PAR BIRDIE EAGLE with a lap remaining. She picked up ground late and was the third horse home. She is also engaged to compete at Bendigo on Saturday night. NIPOTINA settled three back on the markers and finished in fourth. HILLSIDE was six back on the markers, was inconvenienced at the bell and chased hard in the final circuit. He loomed as a threat in the home straight but peaked with fifty metres remaining and ended up finishing in fifth.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.5 Last Half: – 60.4 Margins: – 6m, 14m
MILDURA 05/01/26
Trial 1: – JAXON BEACH began very quickly to find the lead and rolled along at a reasonable tempo. He was nicely clear in the back straight and peaked a little in the final 50m but was able to hold on and get the prize. He is racing at Swan Hill on Tuesday night. KEAYANG MOROCCAN trailed the leader, kept on chasing and was able to get very close at the end. RED HOT MIKI was three back on the markers, broke stride momentarily on the first turn and ended up being last of the four runners. He was able to work into a distant third late.
Mile Rate: – Unavailable Last Half: – Unavailable Margins: – Head, 60m (approximately)
Trial 3: – CALF PEN settled three back on the markers, gained a one out and one back trail at the 700m and made a move half way down the back straight. He quickly hit the front at the quarter pole and dashed away from his rivals to win by a large margin. He is backing up at Globe Derby on Saturday night. RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE began quickly but couldn’t lead early. He raced without cover throughout and battled on well for second position. He is scheduled to compete at Sean Hill on Tuesday night. NAUGHTY BET was third past the post after setting the tempo.
Mile Rate: – Unavailable Last Half: – Unavailable Margins: – 35m, 8m (approximately)
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 06/01/26
Trial 1: – KYVALLEY MICHAEL NZ began nicely from the standing start and found the front. He backed off the tempo mid-race and finished off in a last quarter of 28.7 seconds to get the prize. KYVALLEY MISTY trailed the leader throughout and never peeled to the outside at any stage, going to the line hard held. She is competing at Hamilton on Sunday. HEZA GUN settled last of the three runners, came to the outside at the 300m but failed to run on over the concluding stages.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.1 Last Half: – 58.7 Margins: – 4.25m, 9.5m
Trial 2: – CATCH A WAVE settled last of the quartet, came to the outside at the 300m and produced a scintillating turn of foot to run over the top of his rivals in a last quarter of 26.4 seconds! It is not the first time he has recorded outstanding final sectionals leading up to his first up performance but he does appear to be in good shape for the Summer Carnival. BULLETPROOF BOY attempted to lead throughout and was run down late but sectionally, his effort was still sound. Both horses are competing in the Bendigo Cup on Saturday night. TANGO TARA NZ settled three back on the markers and did well to pick up late ground for third. ROCKNROLL HAMMER NZ was last of the four runners across the line after trailing the leader for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.8 Last Half: – 55.5 Margins: – 1.5m, 4.5m
Trial 4: – GHOST OF TIME utilized his brilliant gate speed to find the lead shortly after the start. He ran along at a genuine tempo and kicked well clear on the home turn. He appeared to be peaking in the final 50m but he was sufficiently clear and was able to get the prize. SOHO DARKNSTORMY finished in second after sitting the trail throughout. WHISKEYDRINKINGBILL finished third after being three back on the markers for the duration. RONNIE THE HAMMER was last of the four runners for the entire journey.
Mile Rate: – 1.56.6 Last Half: – 57.6 Margins: – 4.5m, 1m
Trial 7: – ONYX began well and trailed the leader early. He circled around to find the lead at the 1100m and was able to hold on to score by a narrow margin. HIGHLANDHARTBREAKA was without cover early, restrained to be last of the six runners then came to the outside at the 700m. He kicked on strongly at the end and missed out by a narrow margin. It was a good trial leading up to his first up performance at Melton on Friday night. BULLETPROOF KID began quickly to lead then took cover coming up to the bell lap. He angled wide in the home straight and held his own over the concluding stages. He is also competing at Melton this evening. The first three horses finished well clear of the others headed by LOTAKEVI (3 back markers).
Mile Rate: – 2.2.0 Last Half: – 57.9 Margins: – Nose, 4m
BLACKBOOKER: – Highlandhartbreaka
Trial 8: – THESTING was without cover early and pushed forward to find the lead at the 1300m. He dashed home in a slick last quarter of 28.2 seconds and was able to skip well clear of his rivals at the end. MADEMOIZELLE led out then took cover and finished in second. BLISSFULL RED settled last of the five runners and finished a distant third. WEE GEORGIE WOOD was second past the post but was disqualified. He was three back on the markers, pulled very hard and went inside the pegs in the last quarter of the event.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.2 Last Half: – 57.8 Margins: – 14m, 25m
TERANG 06/01/26
Trial 1: – GOLDEN TRIBE was freshened after his unplaced effort in the Super Series Final. He was racing in great form during his last preparation and was able to deliver a win in handy time in the opening trial. MIKI STEAMED HOME performed really well at the trials before his unplaced effort first up for trainer Matthew Craven in June. He was spelled after that performance and returned with another good trial effort, where he was taking on Metropolitan performers and finished a close second. He might be worth following this campaign and is resuming at Hamilton on Sunday. JILLIBY ILLUMINATE NZ was a close up third and finished ahead of TOMAHAWK BART and KEAYANG WASABI.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.1 Last Half: – 59.0 Margins: – 1m, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: – Miki Steamed Home
Trial 2: – DOUGS TRIBE has been unplaced twice since returning from New South Wales. He was able to take out the trial in reasonable time over the unraced mare KATUNTI for trainer Jason Camilleri with MUFASA BART being third across the line. DOUGS TRIBE is competing at Hamilton on Sunday. KATUNTI will have a busy week as she competed nicely for fifth at Ballarat on Thursday and will be racing again at Hamilton on Sunday.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.8 Last Half: – 58.1 Margins: – 2m, 10m
Trial 3: – HAVADASH JOH broke stride and was stood down to trial from his latest Melton attempt. He was able to quickly bounce back with a trial victory by a narrow margin. THE PRIESTESS has joined the Margaret and Paddy Lee stable after a ninth at Bendigo in May 2025. That was her first run since September 2024 so she lacks recent racing. She has always shown some ability however and she finished a close second with the last half being a handy 58.0 seconds so this could be a breakout campaign for her. TUKURUA is a former New South Wales pacer, which joins trainer Amy Day and will make her Victorian debut at Hamilton on Sunday. She finished in third ahead of the trotters KEAYANG GYPSY and CRUSHER CLYDE NZ, which are also competing on Sunday’s Hamilton Cup program.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.3 Last Half: – 58.0 Margins: – Head, 3m
BLACKBOOKER: – The Priestess
SHEPPARTON 08/01/26
Trial 1: – DAY TWO settled last of the three runners and came to the outside with 300m remaining. He finished off best and considering the final half was recorded in a slick 56.03 seconds, his run was very good. HES CHARLIES ANGEL finished in second after setting up a genuine tempo and FRUGAL FARE was last of the three runners across the line after leading out then taking cover.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.2 Last Half: – 56.03 Margins: – 1m, 2m
Trial 3: – SHEZARAGER settled three back on the markers, came to the outside at the 500m and finished off strongly to win well. SUMMER SCHOOL began quickly to find the lead and set up an even tempo. He was run down over the latter stages but he beat the remainder of the field by a large margin. ROSCOES RESCUE settled five back on the markers, commenced his run in the turn out of the back straight and worked into a distant third. BYRNESIDE BOOM settled in fourth and remained in fourth position at the end.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.0 Last Half: – 58.01 Margins: – 1m, 15m
