Has trainer Matthew Gath unlocked the secret to his trotter Hillside?
Harness Racing Victoria form analyst Craig Rail liked the trial performance from the Quaker Jet gelding, who was “doing his best work at the end” in a hit-out at Bendigo on Monday.
“Hillside is still a maiden from eleven starts but he has shown enough ability to win races and has a low National Rating of 48 so he is worth following,” Rail wrote.
Hillside was slipped straight into Rail’s Blackbook after the display alongside fellow newcomers Prioritise, Bart Bentley and Rocknallovertheworld.
TRIAL REPORT
MILDURA 23/03/23
Trial 1: – The open class trial was won by STARVIN MARVIN after he trailed the leader and came to the outside at the 600m. He got up to win by a narrow margin over CAULONIA TERROR, which came from last of the three runners and the early leader CEMETERY BAY finished a close third.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.8 Last Half: – 59.4 Margins: – Short ½ head, Short ½ head
Trial 2: – MODERN GINGER was a runaway winner over PUMPT NZ and ANOTHER SPARKY. He showed gate speed to lead and dashed well clear over the concluding stages to win in handy time. PUMPT NZ settled three back on the markers and rolled past ANOTHER SPARKY (trailed leader) over the latter stages.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.4 Last Half: – 59.0 Margins: – 25m, 8m
SHEPPARTON 23/03/23 (The Shepparton results for this meeting have not been uploaded onto the Harness website)
Trial 2: – FRANCO NOVELIST NZ was slow to begin, settled in the running lane (1-2) and came out three horses wide at the bell before moving up without cover at 800m. He was too strong in the run to the finish and will take beating at Yarra Valley this afternoon. HEREHECOMES ran home well from four back on the markers to finish in second with MOMENTUM SWING being in third after being in the one out and one back trail for most of the journey.
Mile Rate: – Not given Last Half: – Not Given Margins: – 5m, 8m (approximately)
Trial 3: – ROCKFORD PEACH began well to trail the leader, obtained an inside run at the 400m and finished off best to win. He won another trial at Shepparton on Tuesday night to move back into the draw and looms as a good winning chance. MONEY TALKS settled five back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 700m and came out wide on the home turn. He finished second with LOVIN GINA (3 back pegs) doing her best work at the end. LOVIN GINA backed up at Bendigo on Wednesday night with a narrow but decisive victory.
Mile Rate: – Not Given Last Half: – Not Given Margins: – 6m, 1m (approximately)
Trial 4: – FELLINI settled three back on the markers, came to the outside at the 300m and finished fast to record an impressive win. KELLYS DELIGHT finished second after setting the speed and OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS came from five back on the markers to finish third.
Mile Rate: – Not given Last Half: – Not given Margins: – 3m, 15m (approximately)
Trial 5: – BITTA IRISH LUCK settled three back on the markers, came to the outside at the 400m and proved too strong in the run to the finish. It was an impressive display and he appears ready for a prosperous campaign. LETTUCE TROT finished second after setting the speed and SPIDER BLOOD was third after trailing the leader throughout. SPIDER BLOOD backed up at Bendigo on Wednesday and finished in second spot.
Mile Rate: – Not Given Last Half: – Not Given Margins: – 2m, 12m (approximately)
BACCHUS MARSH 25/03/23
Trial 1: – SHES THEBEEKNEES is a filly by Hurrikane Kingcole out of Amberlu Hanover and stems from the same maternal family as the champion sire Holmes Hanover USA. She was able to win the opening trial over MIDNITE DESIRE, which broke at the start at her debut performance in February. TWINKLE TWINKLE finished third and SKEDADDLE SHANNON finished fourth on his way to resuming at Bendigo on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.3 Last Half: – 61.0 Margins: – 3m, 3m
Trial 5: – ALBY TWO CHAINS hasn’t raced since December but he was able to take out the open class trial from ROCKNROLL WALLA, which remains undefeated from two starts and returns from a spell at Bendigo on Tuesday night. SEBS CHOICE hasn’t raced since a fifth in the Yarra Valley Cup in November and finished in third position.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.6 Last Half: – 58.8 Margins: – 2m, 3m
Trial 6: – DARING ANGEL hasn’t raced since a fourth in September and was able to take out the final trial over MADENA BAY. MOREFLINGTHANBLING was a distant third and WILCANNIA ended up in fourth position on his way to his effort at Bendigo on Tuesday, where he is not without a chance.
Mile Rate: – 2.10.7 Last Half: – 62.8 Margins: – 2m, 15m
ECHUCA 26/03/23
Trial 2: – IZZ ROSA is an unraced filly by Sunshine Beach and began fast to find the lead before running along at a reasonable tempo and won comfortably at the end. CHEROKEE JAC finished second after trailing the leader throughout and coming to the outside at the 300m. STRAWBERRY BLING finished in third position after settling three back on the inside.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.3 Last Half: – 61.5 Margins: – 5m, 20m
Trial 3: – PIRATESOF ZANZIBAR and MAC ALMIGHTY NZ are both scheduled to compete at Bendigo on Tuesday after performing nicely in their trial performance. PIRATESOF ZANZIBAR was able to lead all of the way and MAC ALMIGHTY NZ came from three back on the markers before appearing to be the winner with 100m remaining then stumbled and almost came to grief. STORMBOY STAR settled four back on the markers and worked home reasonably well for third.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.6 Last Half: – 61.0 Margins: – 5m, 1m
CRANBOURNE 26/03/23
Trial 1: – PERSHING began quickly to lead and ran along at an even tempo. He raced well clear at the end to win easily. He returns from a spell at Yarra Valley this afternoon. SPARKLING SUE began quickly and drew two metres in front but couldn’t get across to the markers then ended up angling in behind the speed. She held on for second with the trotter CAPTAIN MCCRAW being in third position after settling three back on the inside.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.2 Last Half: – 58.3 Margins: – 20m, 25.5m
BENDIGO 27/03/23
Trial 2: – The pacer DIDSHEDOIT NZ was able to defeat the trotters after settling last of the eight runners and starting her run out three horses wide from the 800m. She backed up at Cobram on Friday afternoon but finished sixth behind Warrantee. HILLSIDE is still a maiden from eleven starts but he has shown enough ability to win races and has a low National Rating of 48 so he is worth following. He settled seventh on the markers and was doing his best work at the end to finish second. BULLAPARK BENO trailed the leader and was held up badly behind the tiring leader before finishing off fast for an eye-catching third.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.6 Last Half: – 61.9 Margins: – 3m, 4m
BLACKBOOKER: – Hillside
Trial 4: – TROPICAL STORM began quickly to find the lead, kicked well clear on the home turn and peaked late but was still able to hold on and win. He recently joined trainer Alex Ashwood and has a very low National Rating of 41 so he should be competitive the next time he steps out onto the track. CARLOAD settled last of the six runners, came out three horses at the 400m and ran home well late. OPEN THE VALVE settled four back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the quarter pole and did well to finish a close up third. The trotter ZAREM finished fourth after coming from five back on the inside.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.1 Last Half: – 60.1 Margins: – Head, 3m
Trial 6: – COURAGES LAW is by the grand Victorian campaigner Sundon’s Courage, which is still racing competitively at the elite level. He settled three back on the inside and moved to the death seat at the 600m. He dashed past the early leader HESTUFFENOUGH to win nicely. He makes his debut at Bendigo on Tuesday night, where he appears to be one of the leading chances. HESTUFFENOUGH finished second, MAJESTIC AVENUE finished third after trailing the leader and STAR OF PATRICK lost his chance after galloping away. All four horses competing in this trial are competing in the juvenile trotting event at Bendigo on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.19.6 Last Half: – 65.6 Margins: – 4m, 24m
MELTON 27/03/23
Trial 2: – MIKI TO SUCCESS was able to lead throughout and record reasonable time to win over PRIORITISE, which is closely related to the classy performers Petacular (1.55.6, $454,083) and Idyllic (1.52.9, $216,440). PRIORITISE settled down five back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 500m and made good ground without being pushed. GOODTIME LOIS led out then took cover at the 1200m before moving away from the inside at the 400m and finished third.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.9 Last Half: – 58.73 Margins: – 4m, 3m
BLACKBOOKER: – Prioritise
Trial 5: – IDEAL PERFECTION is by champion American sire Western Ideal out of the handy race mare Modern Girl. He began quickly to find the lead, ran along at a rapid rate and was able to win comfortably. SNOW HUNTER settled six back on the inside, angled out wide on the home turn and finished fast for a game second. IM WESLEY finished third after trailing the leader and using the sprint lane.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.8 Last Half: – 58.28 Margins: – 3m, Head
Trial 6: – ULTIMATE STRIDE NZ began fast to find the lead and ran along very fast tempo. He raced well clear at the end and recorded a blistering mile rate of 1.56.2 so he looms as a strong winning chance at Melton tomorrow night. BRANDLO PRINCE came from last of the four runners and finished a distant second with CUCHULAINN NZ being third after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: – 1.56.2 Last Half: – 57.68 Margins: – 32m, 7.5m
Trial 8: – COBBER produced a brilliant performance to win in a sizzling mile rate of 1.55.8. He settled four back on the inside, circled around the field to lead at the 1200m and kept on rolling in the run to the finish. He returns from a break at Melton tomorrow night and is a strong winning chance despite being drawn out wide on the track. EVER HOPING produced a great effort to finish second and is one of the leading chances at Melton tomorrow night. He was three then four back on the markers, waited for the sprint lane and finished off fast. WHERES SEGGY was third after ending up being three back on the markers and CODE BLACK NZ (Led out then took cover) was last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: – 1.55.8 Last Half: – 55.84 Margins: – 8.5m, ½ head
KILMORE 28/03/23
Trial 1: – SWEET MIRACLE trailed the leader and moved to the outside to race without cover at the bell. She was able to outstay her rivals and the win would have given her confidence leading up to her performance in a heat of the E K Bray at Bendigo on Tuesday night. BETTER BROTHER settled three back on the inside, moved away from the pegs at the 500m and ran home well late for a close second. CANNON BEACH settled four back on the inside and worked into third position.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.1 Last Half: – 58.0 Margins: – Neck, 12m
Trial 2: – GRACIAS NZ was three back on the inside, came out three horses wide on the home turn and finished off best to get the prize. ONE MUSCLE HILL has drawn on the pole position for his resumption at Bendigo on Tuesday night and showed good gate speed in the trial to lead clearly. He battled on well over the concluding stages to finish in second spot.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.8 Last Half: – 60.4 Margins: – 2.5m, head
SHEPPARTON 28/03/23
Trial 1: – BEE GEE CEE began quickly to find the lead, ran along at a genuine tempo and coasted down to the line to win with plenty in reserve. AL FRESCO settled four back on the inside and came away from the markers at the quarter pole. He tried hard for second with INSIDE LEG (3 back pegs) being third across the line.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.5 Last Half: – 57.4 Margins: – 3m, 10m
Trial 2: – JUSTCALLMEAZA began quickly to find the lead, set up a moderate tempo and finished off in handy final sectionals to win. OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS trailed the leader throughout and finished second with CAESAR NERO (four back pegs) being third across the line. BART BENTLEY put in an eye-catching performance and is nicely bred so he might be worth following. He settled three back on the inside, restrained with 300m remaining, became held up for a run then angled wide to make ground in the final 100m. Considering the fast final half, it was a nice effort.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.8 Last Half: – 57.4 Margins: – 4m, 15m
BLACKBOOKER: – Bart Bentley
TERANG 29/03/23
Trial 2: – SELLUNE hasn’t raced since March 2022 but has always shown some promise and might be able to improve on his numerical form this campaign. He was able to lead throughout and win his trial comfortably. The juvenile trotter THE FIERY SUNSET was able to finish second after trailing the leader. She is making her debut at Bendigo on Tuesday.
Mile Rate: – 2.8.9 Last Half: – 61.3 Margins: – 35m, 15m
Trial 4: – ROCKNALLOVERTHEWORLD NZ is a New Zealand pacer with trainer Paddy Lee. He settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail and came out four horses wide approaching the home turn so it was a tidy display to get up and win. BROADWAYS GIRL was three back on the inside and came out three horses wide on the home turn. She finished off well but not as fast as the winner in the straight. KEAYANG MOON SHINE finished in third position after leading out then taking cover.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.4 Last Half: – 59.2 Margins: – 3m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: – Rocknallovertheworld NZ
