Craig Rail has marked down one of Chris Lang's young trotters as a horse to follow after an eye-catching trial at Kilmore recently.
Courage Stride joins Ideal Dan (Emma Stewart), Notnegotiable (Gary Lawlor), Bonnie Belle (Allan McDonough) and Beneath The Shadow (Col Latter) as the names added to the Blackbook this week.
Scroll down for replays of their trials and Rail's analysis, and roll to the bottom for his updated Blackbook.
SHEPPARTON 25/02/21
Trial 1: - LOVE GUN settled three back on the markers, moved up without cover from the 500m and was able to cruise to victory without being extended at any stage. COMANDANTE was able to roll to the top shortly after the start and set up a slow tempo. He couldn’t repel the challenge of LOVE GUN in the latter stages but he managed to hold down second. IMA DESTROYER finished third after trailing the leader throughout and VIOLETTA GIFT (Andover Hall – Shez Allrighty 2.2.4, $85,431) was in fourth position throughout. VIOLETTA GIFT strikes a suitable assignment in the opening event at Kilmore on Tuesday night. ALOTTA SPUR was five back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 600m, ended up being in the one out and one back trail then broke stride with 50m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.3 Final Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 4m, 3m
Trial 2: - Only two horses contested the second trial with the open class pacer REACTOR NOW defeating the former New Zealand mare CHEVRON FLIES after leading throughout. It was a slowly run trial and a dash home for the final 200m and CHEVRON FLIES was holding on well. She is due to make her Australian debut at the Wangaratta meeting at Shepparton on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.3 Final Half: - 58.2 Margin: - 4m
Trial 3: - BEE GEE CEE was without cover in the early stages before moving into the lead with 1700m remaining. He set up a reasonable tempo and was able to hold on at the finish. He was heavily supported at Shepparton on Tuesday night and ran home reasonably well from off the speed. STAR OF TIMPANY makes her return to racing at the Wangaratta Cup meeting at Shepparton on Sunday and she produced a good performance to finish second. She led out, took a trail at the 1700m and used the sprint lane over the final stages. APHRODISIAC was three back on the markers early and ended up being four back on the inside mid-race. He ran a distant third in front of MAJOR ZONE (Art Major – Here Comes Zoe 1.55.2, $113,996), which was three back on the markers for the majority of the trial. APHRODISIAC competes in the final event at the Wangaratta Cup meeting on Sunday. TINAS DELIGHT (Bettors Delight – Garden Gate Tina CA $146,804) settled fifth on the inside but broke stride with 800m remaining and FOXBOROUGH (Grinfromeartoear – Fox Dream) was very slow in the score up hence was last throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.6 Final Half: - 57.6 Margins: - 3m, 40m
Trial 4: -MAURLEEN (Captaintreacherous – Arctic Fire 1.51.6, $357,872) is a nicely bred filly and looked good in leading throughout over her stable mate SCRITTORE (Sportswriter – Macray Amore), which trailed her throughout and started to race roughly when the speed increased on the home turn. IDEAL TAO (American Ideal – Matao Bromac) broke stride in the score up and lost 50m early, was 10m away at the 700m and finished a distant third with SERENGETI SUNRISE (Somebeachsomewhere – Jo Louleonie 2.0.6, $30,650) finishing last after being slow in the score up, chasing hard then breaking stride several times in the run.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Final Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 3m, 40m
Trial 5: - SWEET ON YOU began nicely from the standing start and was able to slide to the lead shortly after the start. She set up a slow tempo and was able to slip well clear over the final stages. She backed up at Shepparton on Tuesday and was running a big race before breaking stride in the latter stages so she definitely has ability. YORKSHIRE started off the handicap of 50m and was driven quietly considering he was taking on the trotters. He settled down last, gained a one out and one back trail at the 600m and was without cover shortly afterwards before giving chase. ILLAWONG MANOOKA (Muscle Hill – Illawong Helios 1.57.2, $272,867) settled three back on the inside, moved away from the markers at the 600m and battled away in the latter stages. ADJURE (Majestic Son – Castleton Command 2.7.3, $9,600) trailed the leader but was under pressure from the 600m and finished last of the four runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.9 Final Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 15m, 25m
Trial 6: - BELLAROSA (Blissfull Hall – Demille) began quickly to find the lead, set up an even tempo and was able to hold off her rivals in the run to the finish. She backed up at Shepparton on Tuesday night and finished in fifth position. DILETTO dropped back to last, gained a one out and one back trail, switched in behind the leader and was held up for the majority of the straight. He went to the line jogging with plenty to spare so it was a good performance. YELLOW STONE prepared for his comeback performance at the Wangaratta meeting on Sunday with a close up third. He broke stride 50m after the start, tacked on at the 1400m, settled sixth on the outside (1-2) and came out wide on the home turn. He is a talented type when he puts it altogether. ROCKWITH THEDEVIL raced without cover for the majority of the journey and finished fourth ahead of JUSCALLMECHIEF, which settled fifth on the markers and lost 15m when caught behind a tiring runner in the back straight. He strikes a suitable assignment at the Wangaratta meeting on Sunday. MILLY PATONE trailed the leader and was under pressure from the 800m before dropping out to last position.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Final Half: - 59.5 Margins: - 1m, 5m
BACCHUS MARSH 27/02/21
Trial 1: - ZAMBA DEVILLE hasn’t raced since competing at the historic Wayville meeting back in December 2019. He is usually a very fast beginner from the standing start and he was able to take out the opening trial. FLING IT ALL ABOUT filled second position in front of the qualifier TANISHAS DREAM (Conch Deville – Gina Dawn) with BRANDONS PRICE being third. The Metropolitan class pacer BULLYS DELIGHT failed to complete the course but went around in the second trial of the morning.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.8 Final Half: - 62.8 Margins: - 4m, 8m
Trial 2: - MAJOR EXCLUSIVE hasn’t raced since November but he is the winner of eleven races and is on the verge of earning $100,000 in stakes. He scored in the fast class trial ahead of the honest performer FRANCO with BULLYS DELIGHT being last of the three runners but he wasn’t far away at the finish. MAJOR EXCLUSIVE is resuming at Kilmore on Tuesday night and considering he finished off in a final 800m of 57.4 seconds at Bacchus Marsh, he should be competitive.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Final Half: - 57.4 Margins: - 1m, 4m
Trial 3: - RIGHT OF REPLY hasn’t raced since a fourth at Cranbourne in November. He won at Melton during his first campaign of racing and comfortably took out the third trial of the morning. YANKEE VELVET hasn’t raced for over a year but was able to pick up second ahead of BRANDONS PRICE, which also took part in the opening trial on the program.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.0 Final Half: - 62.1 Margins: - 8m, 70m
Trial 4: - DEADLY ERROR hasn’t raced since October but he enjoyed a very good juvenile season and should have a prosperous campaign. He scored over the qualifier HAMELDAEME (Betterthancheddar – Nova Arama 1.57.2, $75,588), which is out of the former classy race mare Nova Arama with the Ian Caruana trained RAINBOW REACTOR (Auckland Reactor – Mystical Rainbow) being in third position. STRAPPING RED (Stunin Cullen – Littlemisshollywood), which is a stable mate to the winner filled fourth spot with PLAIN ED (Heston Blue Chip – Shalackin 1.56.8, $27,125) being the last of the five runners to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.3 Final Half: - 61.1 Margins: - 2m, 6m
Trial 5: - GOZO SUNSHINE has only had two career starts to date and was able to score on debut so he obviously has some potential. He finished off in a quick final half to get the prize and he should go well first up at Kilmore on Tuesday night. AIMFORTHESTARZZZ is quite handy when racing at her best form and now she has dropped to a National Rating of 49, she can be well placed when she next steps out onto the track. She finished second ahead of ZARAS ALL GOOD with BETTERTHANFLYHIGH being last of the four runners to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Final Half: - 58.7 Margins: - 3m, 6m
Trial 6: - LITTLE WEDNESDAY hasn’t raced since an unplaced effort back in July but he was able to win his trial by a comfortable margin over LADY OLIVIAS FOLLY, which also is returning from last Winter. ITEKA ROSE was six metres away in third position and beat home the qualifier CIVIS ROMANUS (Julius Caesar – Aldebaranblissbomb).
Mile Rate: - 2.8.9 Final Half: - 61.6 Margins: - 2m, 6m
Trial 7: - JOY MAC is a speedy mare and has been freshened since her latest effort at Horsham back in December. She ran home in a handy final quarter of 28.9 seconds to defeat BRONSKI MOMENT with ZALTA being in third position. WONDERFORCE was last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.9 Final Half: - 58.7 Margins: - Head, 5m
ECHUCA 28/02/21
Trial 1: - LOYOLA TRIOS has recently returned from Queensland and joins trainer Michael Watt. He settled five back on the inside, moved up without cover at the bell and hit the front with 400m remaining. He sustained the run to win comfortably from ANGUS BROMAC, which settled three back on the inside before moving into the one out and one back trail at the 700m mark. LET’S SAVE THE DAY finished in third position after trailing the leader throughout and the early leader DESIRE TO LIVE dropped out to be fourth. MILLY PATONE settled four back on the inside and was the last horse to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.0 Final Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 7m, 2m
Race 2: - STORMBOY STAR (Follow The Stars – We Remember) is a Geoffrey Allen trained qualifier, which showed plenty of potential. The final sectionals weren’t fast but there was a lot to like about how he hit the line. He was three back on the inside early, found the one out and one back trail and came out three horses wide on the home turn. APHRODISIAC trailed the leader, obtained an inside run and finished in second position with HEEZALITTLECAESAR filling third spot after being out of position at the start and moving up without cover with 1500m remaining. The early leader KEAYANG REMI was the last of the four runners to complete the journey.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.2 Final Half: - 63.8 Margins: - 12m, 5m
MARYBOROUGH 28/02/21
Trial 1: - I AM MARQUEZ settled last of the three runners, moved into the one out and one back trail with 500m remaining and ran home well late to grab victory on the line. He is a strong type and should give a forward showing at Horsham on Monday. FLYING SCRIBE trailed the leader and moved to the outside half way down the back straight on the final occasion. He hit the front on the home turn but couldn’t repel the late challenge of I AM MARQUEZ. SIXTY attempted to lead throughout but was run down from the home turn.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.1 Final Half: - 56.7 Margins: - Neck, 2m
Trial 2: - BONNIE BELLE began quickly to find the lead, set up a reasonable tempo and dashed home in quick final sectionals to get the prize comfortably. HES GONESKI showed a return to form with a handy finishing second. He settled down in last position, moved into the one out and one back trail and came out wide on the home turn. He should run a big race at Horsham on Monday based on that performance. ISABELLA PRINCESS settled four back on the inside, moved up without cover at the 800m mark and finished in third position. She struck a small but quality field when last of five runners at Ballarat on Thursday night. VAPAR FIRE was three back on the markers before moving into the running lane (1-2) at the quarter pole. He beat home OPHELIA CARMEN, which trailed the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.0 Final Half: - 57.4 Margins: - 3m, 4m
BLACKBOOKER: - Bonnie Belle
Trial 3: - HELLO I TEA (Guaranteed – Witchwaywendy 1.57.0, $40,050) gained a one out and one back trail, came out four horses wide on the home turn and finished strongly to record an impressive victory. NERO STRIDE (Bettors Delight – Death And Taxes 1.58.1, $125,300) trailed the leader and moved away from the inside on the home turn. He raced greenly in the home straight and battled on into second position. TASSIEDEVIL STRIDE (Rock N Roll Heaven – Artful Lombo 2.5.3, $7,390) flew out and led clearly. He set up a moderate tempo and battled away in the straight to finish third. SWEET EMMY LOU (Sweet Lou – Inevitable) settled down last and never left the markers, getting back to the sprint lane over the concluding stages. POET LINE (Betting Line – The Princess Poet) was three back on the inside, moved up without cover at the 600m mark and was three horses wide on the home turn. He was last of the five runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.9 Final Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 6m, head
Trial 4: - BUSLIN BRODY began quickly and was able to edge past SHIPS SUCCESS to find the lead around the first corner. He set up a slow tempo and was able to hold off the late challenge of SHIPS SUCCESS to win by a narrow margin. He returns from a spell at Kilmore on Tuesday night. YES MAATE broke at the start and lost 30m, tacked onto the group, came to the outside at the 600m mark and broke stride again. He picked up a lot of ground over the final stages and should have won the trial easily.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.7 Final Half: - 62.1 Margins: - 1m, 10m
Trial 5: - RIOTERRA began quickly to find the lead and enjoyed a nice run in the front running role. He was challenged in the front straight but was able to kick on strongly and get the prize. RAGNA THOR trailed the leader, moved away from the inside at the 400m mark and drew level when turning for home. She tried hard in the straight but couldn’t peg back RIOTERRA in the run to the line. RAGNA THOR takes on the maiden class at Kilmore on Tuesday night. TURTLE was three back on the markers throughout and closed in late to finish a close up third. NIGHT WHISPERER was slow away and missed the start by ten metres. He was last of the four runners for the duration but was never extended at any stage and backed up to win at Ballarat on Thursday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.4 Final Half: - 61.0 Margins: - Head, Head
Trial 6: - BENEATH THE SHADOW began quickly to find the lead shortly after the start. He dashed home in a handy final half and raced away to win by a good margin. He has drawn favourably an should give a forward showing at Horsham on Monday. OVERREACTION was three back on the markers, gained a one out and one back trail at the 900m and switched back to the inside in the straight. He worked through for second with LOCAL ICON being in third after trailing the leader throughout. The trotter MY SKYPOCKET settled last of the four runners, came to the outside at the bell but couldn’t sustain the run and ended up being the last one in. He returns from a break at Melton tomorrow night, where he meets a quality field.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.7 Final Half: - 57.0 Margins: - 10m, Head
BLACKBOOKER: - Beneath The Shadow
Trial 7: - IM ABOVE THE LAW (Lawman – Packed Up Early 2.7.6, $18,588) trailed the leader, moved away from the inside at the 700m and wanted to hang in a little when commencing his run. He picked up nicely once he balanced up and he drew away to win easily in the run to the judge. GOLDEN ACE STRIDE (Amore Stride – Ruby Stride) attempted to lead throughout and battled into a distant second with EARL PATRICK (Louey Louey Louey – Duchess Pat 2.2.8, $28,453) being in third after beginning slowly and being last of the four early. BROOKIES BABE (Tennotrump – Wrath Of Rosie 1.59.2, $112,513) began well but broke stride 100m after the start and dropped out to the tail. She moved away from the inside at the 600m mark but couldn’t pick up any ground.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.3 Final Half: - 64.0 Margins: - 25m, 20m
Trial 8: - ANGELS BREATH settled three back on the inside and was able to coast to an easy victory. She did have the early leader BACARDI CHARDY covered with 50m remaining but her job was made easier when BACARDI CHARDY broke stride. She has been trialling nicely and should run a good race first up at Birchip on Sunday. SMART CHA CHA jumped sideways at the start and was slow to begin. She settled last of the four runners and picked up SURBITON ARMISTICE, which trailed the leader but broke stride at the bell then again in the home straight.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.0 Final Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 8m, 10m
MELTON 01/03/21
Trial 1: - THE FALCON PRINCE settled last of the four runners, came to the outside at the 600m and was out three horses wide on the home turn. He finished off strongly to win over BORNTOBOOM (Betterthancheddar – Infinite Grace 2.3.7, $4,000), which trailed the leader, came to the outside on the turn and was never asked for the supreme effort. The early leader POPCORNFRIDAY finished in third position with OUR SENORITA (Pet Rock – Major Celebration) (3 back markers) being the last horse to cross the line. POPCORNFRIDAY takes on a strong field in the Premiere Stakes at Melton tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Final Half: - 59.81 Margins: - 1.5m, 2.5m
Trial 2: - BULLETPROOF BOY showed very good gate speed to lead then backed off the tempo. He dashed home in a slick final quarter of 27.42 seconds and held off the challenge of DIAMONDS N CASH to get the prize. ZOLIVER was three back on the markers behind DIAMONDS N CASH and moved through to trail the leader approaching the home turn. He never peeled off the back of the winner BULLETPROOF BOY and went to the line with plenty in reserve so it was an eye-catching performance. TECHYS ANGEL was last of the four runners throughout and found it difficult to make up ground in fast final sectionals.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.8 Final Half: - 55.49 Margins: - Neck, 4m
Trial 3: - TANGOINGWITHSIERRA led out then took a trail at the 1700m and used the sprint lane to claim victory in the final 30m. MANTHADEE was third to begin but pressed forward to find the front shortly after the start. She raced keenly and set up a genuine tempo but she tired over the latter stages. MISTER MACEDON began quickly then took a trail behind TANGOINGWITHSIERRA and ended up being three back on the markers shortly afterwards. He finished third with the trotter PANTZUP being last of the four runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.3 Final Half: - 60.73 Margins: - 2m, 14.5m
Trial 4: - EURYPHAESSA showed very good gate speed to lead and zoomed away at the end to win by 50m. SIX NATIONS trailed the leader throughout and finished second with MYRNIONG STAR (Lawman – Lincoln Bay) being last of the three after hanging in, racing roughly and losing valuable ground mid-race.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.8 Final Half: - 61.74 Margins: - 50m, 136m
Trial 5: - IDEAL DAN produced an impressive display to take out the fifth event. He raced without cover, dropped back to be fourth on the inside at the 1800m before being held up for a run at a vital stage. He angled out wide in the home straight and finished off strongly to get the prize. MOMENTSLIKETHESE was six back on the inside and moved into the death seat at the 800m. He moved up to hit the lead in the straight but was run down by IDEAL DAN in the latter stages. COLERNE settled three back on the markers, moved away from the inside at the 400m and finished off fairly well for third position. MUSZTANG settled sixth on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 800m and got up to second in the back straight. He finished fourth in front of LET’S GO LOHI, which trailed the leader early before moving into the lead at the 1800m. VALLANI MAGIC led out then took a trail and finished ahead of RUN FOR STIKKA (Somebeachsomewhere – Belief Is Bettor) (5 back markers).
Mile Rate: - 2.5.1 Final Half: - 58.27 Margins: - Head, 7.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Ideal Dan
Trial 6: - EMERALD HILL was able to make up for his luckless defeat at the Geelong trials a week earlier with a victory over a handy field. He was three back on the markers for most of the journey before gaining a run through the middle and slicing through to score. MEYDAN settled four back on the markers, continued to use inside runs throughout and finished strongly via the sprint lane to finish second. CHEVRON ACTION trailed the leader, moved away from the inside on the home turn and wanted to hang out before balancing up and coming again in the straight. She finished a close up third with DON ABRASCO being the last horse home after setting the speed from the 1700m. DON ABRASCO is resuming from a break at Kilmore on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.6 Final Half: - 59.86 Margins: - Head, Head
Trial 7: - Only two horses contested the standing start trial for the trotters with CHIEF RUNNINGCLOUD defeating ORLANDOS PRINCESS. CHIEF RUNNINGCLOUD stepped away swiftly and made up the ground from his handicap of 20m before the first turn. He moved away from the markers with 500m remaining and chased down ORLANDOS PRINCESS over the latter stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.9 Final Half: - 59.15 Margin: - 3.5m
BENDIGO 01/01/21
Trial 1: - FORM ANALYST is a Metropolitan class pacer and was taking on maiden trotters from a level mark so naturally he strolled to an effortless victory. He did run handy time and recorded a last half of 56.7 seconds but it was really just a time trial for him. MY MATE MAX (Wind Cries Maori – Marong Miss) jumped in second position, raced roughly shortly after the start but remained in second throughout. TRUMPIT LIL was last of the three runners for the entire journey.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.9 Final Half: - 56.7 Margins: - 180m, 15m
Trial 2: - MISS MORAINE prepared for her effort at the Wangaratta @ Shepparton meeting on Sunday with a sound victory over ISOLATION. She settled in last of the four runners, came to the outside with 500m remaining, was planted out three horses wide before the home turn and sustained the run to win well. ISOLATION trailed the leader and came away from the inside at the quarter pole. He tried to go with MISS MORAINE in the home straight but found her to be a little too quick in the run to the post. CAYMANGONE settled three back on the markers and finished third ahead CARL MATTGREGOR, which attempted to lead throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.4 Final Half: - 61.3 Margins: - 1m, 8m
Trial 3: - ZAREM settled three back on the inside and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He produced a big finish at the end and scored nicely. He is meeting a very strong field at Melton on Saturday night but he has the speed to run a bit of a race at odds. JACKSON SQUARE attempted to lead throughout and finished in second position as a lead up to his effort in the Wangaratta Cup on Sunday. MAR PACIFICO finished last of the three after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Final Half: - 58.7 Margins: - 4m, 3m
Trial 4: - FETCH IT trailed the leader and moved away from the inside on the home turn when he scored over the qualifier VIOLETTA GIFT (Andover Hall – Shez Allrighty 2.2.4, $85,431). VIOLETTA GIFT settled three back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 700m and boxed on bravely to be beaten by a narrow margin. MY HIGH PEAK (Peak – Yankee Poem 2.4.2, $5,300) attempted to lead all of the way but broke stride at the 500m mark and lost his winning chance. He finished in third position ahead of THE CHOOK (Life Sign – My Classical Bell), which was four back on the markers for the majority of the trial. SHEZA SAILOR (Roll With Joe – Numismatic) settled down six back on the markers and ended up in fifth position when SAN ANTONIA ROSE (Bacardi Lindy – Rosetta) galloped at the mile marker. SAN ANTONIA ROSE couldn’t recover after breaking stride and was the last one to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.7 Final Half: - 60.5 Margins: - Head, 40m
Trial 5: - PRAY TELL dropped back to be last of the four runners, moved away from the inside at the 1100m, raced roughly and wanted to hang in but pushed forward hard. She dashed to the lead and was given a good hit-out over the latter stages, drawing away to win by a good margin. She has ability but is still learning and she will probably be headed off at the start from the pole position in her effort at the Wangaratta @ Shepparton meeting on Sunday. JOLTED JOURNEY trailed the leader early, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 400m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He finished second with the early leader TRUMP THE ACE dropping back into third position over the latter stages. EMMENTALER (Betterthancheddar – Our Last Holme) was three back on the markers and was under pressure from the 500m before yielding ground and finishing last of the four runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.6 Final Half: - 59.4 Margins: - 10m, 15m
Trial 6: - JET JOCKEY took out the last trial by showing good gate speed to lead and kicking back strongly when challenged in the home straight. He has drawn on the pole position at Horsham on Monday so he should give a forward showing. LOVEN LAUGHTER settled last of the four runners, moved up without cover at the 800m and loomed up to win but probably peaked on the run in the final 100m. YELLOW BOW was third for the majority of the journey and was able to work past SALS BOY, which trailed the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Final Half: - 59.0 Margins: - Head, 2m
KILMORE 02/01/21
Trial 1: - PERFECT POLLY (Muscle Hill – Dream Interest) settled three back on the markers and was able to run home best to get the prize. TOUGH LOVE (Love You – Tough Tussle 2.3.4, $105,135) is a nicely bred filly from New South Wales and did well to finish second. She worked to the lead at the 1800m, took a trail at the 1500m and used the sprint lane over the latter stages to work into second without being pushed. ASTRO (Love You – Auravale 2.8.2, $30,650) was out three horses wide early, pressured the leader, broke stride at the 1400m and ended up being four back on the markers. He finished in third ahead of TELEPHONE TILLY, which raced on the outside of TOUGH LOVE early and put on the pressure before working to the front at the 1500m. ATEGO DAWN (Kvintet Avenger – Atego Lilly 2.3.0, $48,992) broke stride at the mile marker and lost approximately 60m. TRANQUIL BILL (Danny Bouchea – Aldebaran Stiltz 2.7.9, $9,074) jumped to the front but was travelling awkwardly and eventually rolled into a gallop on the first turn, losing all chance.
Mile Rate: - 2.16.6 Final Half: - 64.0 Margins: - 10m, 6m
Trial 2: - JO ROCKS settled last of the four runners, moved up without cover from the 600m and sustained a strong run to win nicely. GRAPHITE STRIDE trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and worked through into second position with NIKEKALON EAGLE (Shadow Play – Piece of my Heart 1.55.3, $41,112) (3 back markers) being the third horse across the line. CHINDORSCHA (Pet Rock – Tee Time USA $57,630) set up a slow speed and was collared in the straight but wasn’t beaten far by the winner. She is awkwardly drawn for her debut effort at Kilmore on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.9 Final Half: - 61.6 Margins: - 1m, 2m
Trial 3: - PATRIOT STRIDE led out, took a trail and moved away from the inside at the 300m. He hit the front on the turn and drew clear in the straight to win nicely. CELEBRATION STRIDE settled four back on the inside, moved away from the markers at the 500m and ran home well late for an eye-catching second. The juvenile trotter COURAGE STRIDE (Muscle Hill – Nitengale Stride USA) has been performing very nicely against older horses at the trials and finished off well via the sprint lane from four back on the markers to be in third position. HOTEL KYVALLEY pushed forward to find the lead at the 1800m and finished fourth with PETRICHOR PHOENIX (Trixton – Maple Eve Phoenix) being five back on the markers throughout in fifth. STRATEGIC STRIDE (Love You – Glory Stride) settled down last, moved away from the inside at the 700m to make up ground but broke stride with 300m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.5 Final Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 8m, ½ head
BLACKBOOKER: - Courage Stride
Trial 4: - SHANIA TEE began very quickly to find the lead and set up a moderate tempo. She had a good kick left at the finish and scored by a comfortable margin. PADDY MACH was five back on the markers, moved up without cover early from the 700m and battled on well for second position. SPLIT EAR trailed the leader, looked to be travelling well coming up to the home turn and held his ground in the straight for third. He returns from a spell at Kilmore on Tuesday night. POWER PASS finished fourth after being three back on the markers throughout and ROCKIN BETTOR (4 back markers) saw the field to be safely home.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.9 Final Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 4m, 4m
Trial 5: - COCORA began quickly to lead and always appeared to be in control. She set an even tempo throughout and held off the challenge of SYMPHONY STRIDE (Well Said – Spicy Stride 1.52.8, $184,635), which trailed and used the sprint lane. HIDDEN VALUE produced a good run to come from last of the six runners and finish third. He moved off the markers at the 700m, sprinted quickly in the back straight and held his ground in the straight without being pushed. HAVEYOUMETDAISY (Allamerican Ingot – Illawong Libby 1.59.0, $34,616) was three back on the inside and had no clear run at the finish. She did appear to have a good kick left across the line. LA KERINGLE (Betting Line – Soho Socialize) was four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail and at the 400m and finished a close up fifth. STORM STRIDE (Excel Stride – Scarlet Stride) was five back on the markers and wasn’t too far away in the run to the post.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Final Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 2.5m, 1.5m
Trial 6: - MADAME ANNIE has been freshened since her latest sixth in the Graham Goffin Memorial. She was able to defeat LIVE ON BROADWAY, which boasts the outstanding record of ten wins from just twelve starts. JIMMY COME HOLME was a nose away in third position just ahead of his stable mate CHEDDAR VALLEY. CHEDDAR VALLEY returns from a break at Birchip on Sunday. HEAVEN ATTRACTS is now with trainer Kari Males and was last of the five runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.2 Final Half: - 60.5 Margins: - 1m, Nose
Trial 7: - OUR THUNDER BUDDY dashed to the lead in the early stages, set up a slow tempo and was never fully extended. He scored from NORQUAY, which trailed and was also given an easy time in the home straight. AMOUR FRATERNELLE raced roughly at the start, settled three back on the markers and galloped on the home turn. She does have ability but is still learning and being drawn on the pole position at Kilmore on Tuesday night might not be ideal considering how she trotted away in the trial. She did take on Metropolitan class runners in the trial and is up against the Maiden class on Tuesday.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.2 Final Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 2m, 80m
Trial 8: - DREAMERS DELIGHT settled four back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 1700m and found the lead at the 1500m. She showed high speed at the finish and drew away to win by a large margin. ANDREW JAY trailed the leader early then was three back on the markers momentarily before getting back in behind the leader again. He finished a distant second with WONDERFORCE being in third position after settling down three back on the markers early. BIGJIMVALENTINE was without cover early, ran to the lead, took a trail and continued to lose ground from the 1200m mark. He dropped out to be a distant last of the four.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.8 Final Half: - 58.7 Margins: - 15m, Head
BALLARAT 02/03/21
Trial 1: - CHEDALAYO trailed the leader, moved away from the inside on the home turn and finished off strongly to win in fast time. She is racing at Horsham on Monday and should perform nicely. GOODTIME HALO (Sportswriter – Goodtime Marjie 1.54.4, $74,543) began quickly to lead but couldn’t repel the challenge of CHEDALAYO over the final stages. VILLAGE LOVER (Village Jolt – Artesian Lover 2.2.8, $14,545) was last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.4 Final Half: - 58.1 Margins: - 12m, 4m
Trial 2: - RELENTLESS ME was able to lead the qualifier GOODTIME CRACKER (Sweet Lou – Cracker Three) in the early stages and was always in control of the trial. She raced clear at the end to win by fifteen metres and recorded handy time in the process. She has drawn barrier two at Horsham on Monday and should give a bold showing based on that trial performance.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.3 Final Half: - 57.0 Margin: - 15m
Trial 3: - NOTNEGOTIABLE led throughout and dashed home in a slick final quarter of 28.0 seconds to get the prize. BE THE ONE settled in third position, came out three horses wide on the home turn and finished strongly for an eye-catching second. CALCULATING DANCER trailed the leader and dropped off over the latter stages but the time was fast.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.2 Final Half: - 56.9 Margins: - 6m, 12m
BLACKBOOKER: - Notnegotiable
Trial 4: - ROCK ON PLAYBOY trailed the leader TOO THE MAX and came to the outside on the home turn. He sprinted home sharply in the dash up the straight to beat his only rival by two metres on the line. He is now with trainer Courtney Slater after formerly being with Matthew Craven.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.7 Final Half: - 58.1 Margin: - 2m
