Harness Racing Victoria form guru Craig Rail noticed some standout runners at recent trials.
At Cobram, Go Easy On Me went to the line with something to spare
At Terang, Keayang Renegade and Keayang Sweetheart showed they have come back to racing in great form.
At Melton, You Gotta Believe was impressive in victory, zipping home in a sizzling final quarter of 26.9 seconds.
COBRAM 26/02/26
Trial 1: AUSSIE JAY MAC NZ trailed the leader early before working around to find the front at the 1600m mark. He finished off in a slick final half of 56.2 seconds and was able to win by a comfortable margin. He backed up with a handy second at Shepparton four nights later. GO EASY ON ME settled five back on the markers, moved off the inside at the 600m and chased hard. He dropped in behind the winner in the home straight and went to the line with something to spare. He is competing at Wagga this afternoon. CEE CEE LOU led out then took cover at the 1600m and finished in third position. He is competing at Mount Gambier this evening. THE MAHARANI NZ (3 back markers) and BOUY (4 back markers) finished fourth and fifth respectively. BOUY is racing at the Wangaratta @ Shepparton meeting on Sunday night.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.2 Last Half: – 56.2 Margins: – 4m, 10m
BLACKBOOKER: – Go Easy On Me
Trial 2: – JUST MY LUCK settled three back on the markers and moved to the outside at the 300m mark. He finished off well to grab victory on the line and will be making his debut at the Wangaratta @ Shepparton meeting on Sunday. LOIERO attempted to lead throughout and was beaten on the line. She backed up at Boort several days later and finished in fourth after racing without cover throughout. BEEJAYS STAR was last of the three runners across the line after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.0 Last Half: – 57.5 Margins: – Nose, 1m
Trial 3: – INTERESTINME began quickly to lead and raced greenly on the first turn but held the inside advantage. He finished off in a handy final half of 57.4 seconds and was hard held across the line so it was a good display. He endured a tough run and finished unplaced on debut several days later. MADAM MARCHETE finished in second after trailing the leader throughout and will be having her first start at the Wangaratta @ Shepparton meeting on Sunday. ALL GUSSIED UP was last of the three runners for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.2 Last Half: – 57.4 Margins: – 8m, 25m
BACCHUS MARSH 28/02/26
Trial 2: – XLENDI STAR is an unraced gelding by Follow The Stars out of Five Star Belle (1.59.4, $18,488), a race winning daughter of the top mare Ladyinred (1.56.0, $240,501). XLENDI STAR is the second foal with the first being Flowertop Mountain (1.59.1, $14,100). He won the trial by a comfortable margin over REMARKABLE ME, an unraced gelding by Guaranteed with ROCKADILLY being in third. TOSWEETTOTAME and STYLISH SAINT finished fourth and fifth respectively with the unraced juvenile colt VINNYBRAY being the last horse across the line. He is by Vincent out of The Night Terror, which only had one start back in 2019. VINNYBRAY is her only foal and the second dam Music Of The Night remained a maiden but the great grandam Listen To The Rhythm NZ (1.57.9, $132,852) was very handy.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.6 Last Half: – 59.2 Margins: – 8m, 2m
Trial 3: – Only two pacers contested the Fast Class event with the Emma Stewart trained pacer OLIVER DAN being the victor. He galloped away and was placed outside of the draw at his latest race track appearance in the Hunter Cup. He recorded reasonable time in defeating ROCKNROLL WALLA, which hasn’t raced since an unplaced effort at Melton back in September. ROCKNROLL WALLA is making his comeback at Melton tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.9 Last Half: – 57.1 Margin: – 3m
Trial 4: – HEAR ME MAJOR TOM is an unraced entire by Skyvalley NZ out of the Group 1 winning mare Skye Rocket (2.5.1, $118,885), which has produced six winners including the in-form trotter Off Your Faceski (1.59.2, $47,495) and Skyeski (2.2.9, $54,395). He was able to win the trial by a narrow margin over WHISKEY DAWN, an unraced mare by Creatine for trainer Tim McGuigan. SYNTAX ERROR finished in third and the unraced juvenile trotter EL BANDOLERO was the fourth horse across the line. EL BANDOLERO is by Dancinginthedark M USA out of Emilys Vacation (2.3.2, $48,045) with the second dam being Arnikas Pride NZ being a handy performer having won twelve races (2.3.6, $48,645). The winner HEAR ME MAJOR TOM will be making his debut at Birchip on Sunday afternoon.
Mile Rate: – 2.8.1 Last Half: – 62.9 Margins: – Head, 2m
Trial 5: – The speedy trotter GEE CEE CALDER won the fast class trial for the trotters. He has been freshened since breaking stride and finishing unplaced at Geelong on December 12 but he was able to win the trial by a comfortable margin. SHAQ THE ANVIL finished in second position just ahead of the in-form local trotter SCAR. CALL ME JACK was last of the four runners across the line but wasn’t beaten by far and will be resuming at the Wangaratta @ Shepparton meeting on Sunday.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.5 Last Half: – 59.5 Margins: – 3m, ½ head
Trial 6: – MATRIARCH DAISY hasn’t raced since a debut fifth at Melton in September. The daughter of Soho Tribeca was able to dash home in a slick final quarter of 28.0 seconds and scored easily over ARZALI ROCKSTAR, which has been performing fairly well trials and finished fourth at Cranbourne on debut. ONYX was recently made outside of the draw after galloping two starts ago. He was fourth at Shepparton at his next attempt and finished in third at his trial performance, which placed him back in the draw for his effort at Ballarat on Thursday night, where he broke through for a victory. SUNRISE RUBY finished in fourth but was beaten by twenty-two metres at the finish. The second placed ARZALI ROCKSTAR will be competing at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.4 Last Half: – 58.1 Margins: – 6m, 8m
MARYBOROUGH 01/03/26
Trial 1: – ROCKNROLL WILLOW hasn’t raced since an unplaced effort in the Breeders Crown Final on December 13. She trailed the leader and came to the outside at the 400m before sprinting home best in a slick final quarter of 27.6 seconds. She is a speedy filly and performed very well during her freshman season so she might have a good campaign. She is resuming at Melton on Saturday night. DELIGHTFUL CHARM has returned from New South Wales and has joined trainer Basil Dooley. She attempted to lead all of the way and missed out by a narrow margin. HEZ NOTTHE MESSIAH settled five back on the markers and worked into a distant third ahead of ALL IN TIGERPIE (3 back markers) and the handy trotter DON’T CARE, which settled down last of the six runners and picked up VALLA BRECCIA over the latter stages.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.0 Last Half: – 56.7 Margins: – Head, 20m
Trial 3: – THEROUX raced without cover early before pushing forward to find the lead at the bell. He shifted out under pressure on the home turn but was able to hold on and win over the latter stages. TOPSIE BEWARE led out then took cover and ended up being three back on the markers at the bell. He angled out wide on the home turn and finished off nicely to be beaten by a narrow margin. IM THE WILD ONE began quickly to find the lead, took cover and obtained an inside run approaching the home turn. He battled on fairly well for third with HAROLD BY THY NAME (5 back markers) being the fourth horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.8 Last Half: – 58.8 Margins: – Nose, 8m
Trial 4: – KING KASEY hasn’t raced since an Ararat victory in November. He won three of his six starts during his freshman season and looked sharp in winning his trial after leading out then taking cover and sprinting quickly from the 500m mark. He has been withdrawn from his assignment at Melton on Saturday night. BLUE MIKI began quickly to find the lead and ran along at a reasonable tempo. She finished in second with JUST LIKE NUGGET being the third horse across the line after settling four back on the inside and running home quite well. SOHO TIGER LILY was fourth home after settling three back on the inside.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.01 Last Half: – 57.8 Margins: – 8m, Head
ECHUCA 01/03/26
Trial 1: – UPRIGHT has had an extensive trial campaign and was able to lead throughout and win the opening event. He established a clear lead mid-race and was never in any danger of defeat. He is competing at the Wangaratta @ Shepparton meeting on Sunday night. LITTLE WONDER settled last of the four runners, circled around to be three back on the markers mid-race and picked up ground on the winner late to finish in second. MYLA GIRL was third after trailing the leader throughout and JOSIE TRE was battling a long way from home.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.3 Last Half: – 62.0 Margins: – 10m, 50m
Trial 2: – WILBEE DUNN began quickly to lead from a wide alley and backed off the tempo mid-race. He was able to kick on well in the run to the finish and scored by a comfortable margin. LOOK AWAY raced without cover early then restrained to be last of the five runners. He moved into the one out and one back trail at the 700m and battled on fairly well in the straight to finish in second. METRO MEMORY trailed the leader, moved to the outside at the 700m and ended up being the third horse across the line. He is backing up at Echuca on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.6 Last Half: – 60.5 Margins: – 4m, 1m
TERANG 03/03/26
Trial 2: – KEAYANG RENEGADE won on debut at Terang a year ago and indicated that he has come back to racing in great form considering he dashed home in a slick final quarter of 27.9 seconds in defeating a field of horses that boast much higher National Ratings in his trial victory. GOLDEN TRIBE prepared for his effort in the Running Of The Bulls at Birchip on Sunday with a close second. His latest race track performance was a seventh placed effort in the 4yo Bonanza. NANCYS BOY NZ continues to build on his fitness after a long time off the scene and finished in third ahead of KEAYANG PAYTON. KEAYANG PAYTON is competing at Mount Gambier this evening.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.4 Last Half: – 56.4 Margins: – ½ head, 10m
BLACKBOOKER: – Keayang Renegade
Trial 3: – KEAYANG GYPSY broke stride at the start and appeared to be a good thing beaten when fourth in the Breed for Speed Silver event at her latest start. She bounced back with a comfortable trial victory over MY MOTHER SAID, which was unplaced at Mount Gambier last outing. REGINALDS REIGN finished in third position ahead of HAPPILY, which was runner up at her only start back in May. The winner KEAYANG GYPSY is competing at Melton on Saturday night and the third placed REGINALDS REIGN backed up at Ballarat on Thursday night, where he finished fourth behind Louieville Lass.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.5 Last Half: – 60.1 Margins: – 10m, 3m
Trial 4: – KEAYANG SWEETHEART hasn’t raced since a debut victory back in August. She finished off in a sizzling final half of 55.6 seconds to win her trial by a large margin so she is worth following. MALANI JOH was well beaten when resuming from a break but he won at his two attempts prior to a spell and finished in second position in the trial. KEAYANG DREAMGIRL is an unraced filly by Tall Dark Stranger out of Keayang Shekitout (1.52.7, $100,920) and she finished in third position. The nicely bred gelding KEAYANG SEASIDE was the fourth horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.3 Last Half: – 55.6 Margins: – 20m, 3m
BLACKBOOKER: – Keayang Sweetheart
MELTON 03/03/26
Trial 1: – MASTER LOUEY trailed the leader early and circled around to find the lead at the 1800m mark. He finished off in a quick final quarter of 27.8 seconds to win the prize. FROSTY DROP began quickly to lead and was very fierce in the early stages. He settled better when he gained cover behind MASTER LOUEY and battled on well over the latter stages for second. TAPPY settled last of the five runners and worked to the line strongly for an eye-catching third. THE FINAL DANCE finished in fourth after settling three back on the markers and using the sprint lane.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.7 Last Half: – 56.5 Margins: – 2.5m, 5m
Trial 2: – ROLINGINTHEDEEP is racing in career best form and kept the ball rolling with another very impressive display. He settled last of the four runners, came to the outside with 600m remaining and dashed away in the straight, winning with seemingly plenty in reserve. He is backing up again at Melton on Saturday night. FIRE MARSHALL trailed the leader, pulled hard and used the sprint lane. He battled on reasonably well for second with the early leader SOHO HUDSON being the third horse across the line. KORENGAL VALLEY settled three back on the markers and was last of the four runners across the line. FIRE MARSHALL will be competing at the Wangaratta @ Shepparton meeting on Sunday night.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.9 Last Half: – 57.0 Margins: – 9m, 3m
Trial 3: – YOU GOTTA BELIEVE hasn’t raced since April but he was extremely impressive at his trial victory and is worth following. He settled three back on the inside, moved off the markers at the quarter pole and sprinted very fast to score by a large margin, zipping home in a sizzling final quarter of 26.9 seconds. OUR PINUP GIRL settled four back on the markers and worked into a distant second. STORM VENDETTA showed good gate speed and got across to trail the leader. He finished a distant third in a trial where there were big gaps between first and last.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.7 Last Half: – 57.0 Margins: – 33.75m, 28m
BLACKBOOKER: – You Gotta Believe
Trial 5: – FIGHTER COMMAND won the trial for the fast class pacers after he trailed the leader and came to the outside at the 500m mark. SMOKEN ACE NZ was last of the two runners after setting the speed but he was only beaten by a half a head and the final quarter was run in a sizzling 26.7 seconds so there was nothing wrong with his performance.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.1 Last Half: – 56.7 Margin: – ½ head
Trial 6: – WITH APLOMB settled in a rearward position before moving into the running lane (1-2) mid-race. She produced a big finishing burst and was able to score by a widening margin so it was a strong performance. COLTRANE settled five back on the markers and was doing his best work at the finish to be in second. CHARLIES TACTICS settled last of the seven runners, moved into the one out and one back trail and worked into third position. CALABASAS finished fourth after racing on the outside of the leader throughout. LOVENUS raced fiercely in the front running role and was fifth across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.3 Last Half: – 59.8 Margins: – 14m, 2m
Trial 7: – GOCCIADORO followed up his eye-catching trial performance at Shepparton a week earlier with a dominant front running display. He recorded a mile rate of 1.58.0 and finished off his trial victory with a slick final quarter of 27.8 seconds so he appears to be very promising. He makes his debut at Wagga this afternoon. JACWILL KID settled last of the four runners, followed inside runs throughout and finished off nicely via the sprint lane. He makes his debut at Melton this evening. COUTTAS LAW finished third after settling three back on the markers and BAYSTYLE (trailed leader) was last of the quartet to complete the course.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.0 Last Half: – 56.2 Margins: – 20m, 2m
Trial 8: – HILLTOP HUGH settled down last of the six runners, produced a big burst of speed to work to the lead at the 900m and sustained the run to win clearly. PROHIBITED GRACE began quickly to lead, took cover and ended up being three back on the markers at the 900m. She was held up for a run at a vital stage, used the sprint lane and finished off quickly for a nice second. She is backing up at Melton this evening and should run a good race. NOTANOTHA NAUGHTY was five back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m and battled on well for third. LILYS TIGER was three then four back on the markers and held her ground late for fourth position.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.4 Last Half: – 58.4 Margins: – 11.75m, neck
