Our Luciano hasn't competed since running third in a Vicbred Super Series Final during September last year, but Harness Racing Victoria form analyst Craig Rail is expecting good things from the Keith Cotchin-trained pacer this preparation.
Rail was impressed with the three-year-old's trial at Bendigo on Monday and will be keeping a close eye on the son of Sweet Lou when he steps out for a first-up assignment at the same track on Wednesday next week.
He joined Sanchez, Netra and Harleequin as Rail's new Blackbook additions from this week's Victorian trial circuit.
TRIAL REPORT
SHEPPARTON 29/02/24
Trial 1: - NIGHT SCHOOL began quickly to lead and ran along at a genuine tempo. He kicked clear on the home turn and despite getting a little weary late, scored nicely and in fast time. He is resuming at Melton tomorrow night and is perfectly drawn on the pole position. MONGIANA trailed the leader and was starting to gather momentum on the line, finishing second and well ahead of WESTERN SONADOR, which came from last of the five runners to pick up third spot. MONGIANA will be competing at the Wedderburn @ Maryborough meeting this afternoon.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.3 Last Half: - 55.3 Margins: - 4m, 12m
Trial 3: - SUPER SERVICE has been performing very nicely at the trials for new trainer Kylie Sugars and resumes at Melton tomorrow night. He began well to trail the leader, broke stride at the 1600m, losing approximately five lengths and ended up being four back on the markers before making his winning move at the 600m mark. He sustained a strong run to win clearly. VAN DOREN was five back on the markers and followed behind SUPER SERVICE for the majority of the trial. He was able to get into second position just ahead of STAR DOWN UNDER, which trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and was making ground at the end. SEBASTIANS BOY began quickly to find the lead but was run down from the 200m mark and finished in fourth. He is resuming since a third in the Breeders Crown at Melton tomorrow night and STAR DOWN UNDER will competing in the last event on the program. DHONI TROUBLE settled six back on the markers and finished in fifth prior to heading to Cobram on Monday and running a close second at his Australian debut.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.5 Last Half: - 59.5 Margins: - 6m, head
Trial 6: - KIMCANDO continues to perform extremely well at the trials and should prove hard to beat at her race track return at the Wangaratta Cup program on Sunday. She trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 600m mark and shot to the lead before holding off the late challenge from CANNON BEACH to win in fast time. CANNON BEACH settled four back on the markers, came to the outside at the quarter pole and ran home well despite hanging in a little over the concluding stages. NOMORELYING came from last of the five runners to finish in third with THAT MAJ YA LOOK NZ being in fourth after settling three back on the inside. THAT MAJ YA LOOK NZ is taking on a much easier field at Wangaratta in the opening event on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.1 Last Half: - 56.5 Margins: - 2m, 18m
Trial 7: - SILVER SPOON prepared for his effort at the Wedderburn @ Maryborough meeting this afternoon with a victory over HURRICANE JANE. He trailed the leader, came to the outside at the quarter pole and finished off best to win by a comfortable margin. HURRICANE JANE settled four back on the markers, moved through to trail the leader on the home turn and battled on well for second. MIDNIGHT AVENGER was third after setting up a reasonable tempo in the leading role.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Last Half: - 60.4 Margins: - 2m, 5m
Trial 8: - FELLINI settled five back on the inside, moved away from the pegs at the 600m mark and was able to get home best to collect the prize. She won with plenty in reserve and it was a soft victory at the end. MAHINDI NZ settled three back on the markers and made a move in the back straight on the final occasion. He was narrowly beaten into second place with AMYS BABY ANGEL being in third after trailing the leader early before rolling to the front at the 1400m. AMYS BABY ANGEL will make her debut at Wangaratta on Sunday afternoon and is not without a chance. MAHINDI NZ has headed back to Queensland and will be competing at Redcliffe on Monday afternoon.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Last Half: - 59.2 Margins: - Head, 6m
Trial 9: - GOOD TOBE LOCKSLEY settled four back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 600m mark and sustained a strong run to win in handy time. ROLLING REMONA trailed the leader and came to the outside on the home turn, chasing gamely into second position. She beat the remainder of the field by a large margin and it was a very good hit-out for her performance at Wangaratta on Sunday, where she must be given a winning chance. MAJORS CREEK finished off well from last to finish in third position.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.8 Last Half: - 57.8 Margins: - 1m, 20m
ARARAT 01/03/24
Trial 1: - STRAIGHT UP was a winner at Boort three starts ago and was given a freshen up after finishing ninth in early February. He was able to win the opening trial from OUR BETTER BRO, which hasn’t raced since a debut sixth at Yarra Valley in August. ZERO DOUBT finished in third ahead of the two Matthew Craven prepared juveniles ACT FAST and HARBOUR SPRINGS. STRAIGHT UP will be competing at Horsham on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.1 Last Half: - Not given Margins: - 7m, 13m
Trial 2: - SUPREME DOLL hasn’t raced since a debut seventh at Terang in December, where she galloped away. She won the trial from GLORIOUS FINALE with MAJESTIC ACT being in third. MAJESTIC ACT is by Majestic Son out of the former outstanding mare Claudy’s Princess (1.55.5, $401,803) and is scheduled to make his debut at Ballarat this evening. The winner SUPREME DOLL will be resuming at Birchip on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - Not given Last Half: - Not given Margins: - ½ head, 10m
MILDURA 04/03/24
Trial 1: - JAXON BEACH was able to lead throughout and dominated his rivals, winning untouched by ten metres in slick time, so it was an impressive display. He is an emergency for the Horsham Pacing Cup on Monday. NATIONALDRAFT began quickly and was able to angle in behind the leader to be second throughout. RIO ROCK produced a very good performance to finish third considering she was very slow to begin and was a clear last early. She made good ground for third and finished ahead of NEDS BEACH NZ (3 back pegs) and MY MAGIC MERLIN (4 back pegs). RIO ROCK is badly drawn in the Birchip Cup on Sunday but she is racing well and NEDS BEACH is backing up at Mildura on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.4 Last half: - 57.6 Margins: - 10m, 2m
Trial 2: - SINISTER began quickly and was without cover early before angling in for the trail shortly after the start. He moved out wide on the track in the home straight and produced a big finish to win nicely. It was a good display but he is competing outside of his class range at Mildura on Tuesday. QUARTZITE finished second after settling five back on the inside and moving into the death seat with 1000m remaining. LOSEASHOE attempted to lead throughout and finished third ahead of MARTHA LAVINIA (3 back markers).
Mile Rate: - 2.2.6 Last Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 1m, 3m
Trial 3: - SOUTHPAW SLUGGER paced roughly at the start but was able to gather enough momentum to just hold the lead around the first turn. He raced fiercely throughout but still had a good kick left at the finish and dashed away to win nicely. He is backing up at Birchip on Monday and is a good chance of leading throughout from his good draw. IM ALRIGHT JACK was second after racing without cover for a good portion of the journey and GOJOE was third after settling in fourth and moving into the running lane (1-2) at the bell. GODSGIFT began fast but just couldn’t get across SOUTHPAW SLUGGER early so he angled in for the trail behind the speed and was the fourth horse across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Last Half: - 59.2 Margins: - 15m, 10m
BENDIGO 04/03/24
Trial 2: - FLYIN TIME was in the second half of the field and without cover early before pressing forward and ending up being behind the leader ALABAMA MAY albeit a good distance behind. She continued to chase hard and was aided by the leader galloping on the home turn, leaving her a long way clear at the end. ALABAMA MAY did make a costly error on the home turn but she is showing some ability and was running along at a decent tempo for the majority of the trial. She was second across the line and is competing at the Wedderburn @ Maryborough meeting this afternoon. STARTEDASAWHISPER came from last of the six runners to pick up third spot.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Last Half: - 62.4 Margins: - 24m, 35m
Trial 3: - IN AN IDEAL WORLD won the trial for the juvenile pacers after coming from last of the four runners and finishing off well. He is by American Ideal out of the Group 1 winning mare Life Inthefastlane (1.54.7, $264,566) and comes from a very strong maternal family. MIDNIGHT ALIBI finished in second after being three back on the markers and coming to the outside at the 800m. She raced greenly, hung out and broke stride momentarily on the home turn but recovered to finish in second. TRY CATCHING ME finished in third after trying to lead throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.5 Last Half: - 58.9 Margins: - 2m, 9m
Trial 7: - OUR LUCIANO settled three back on the markers, moved through to trail the leader on the home turn and finished off strongly to win untouched. He hasn’t started since finishing third in the Super Series Final but looks to have come back in fine fettle. ALAMO attempted to lead throughout and finished in second with SOAR being third after settling four back on the markers and using the sprint lane. SOAR will be competing at the Birchip meeting on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.8 Last Half: - 59.2 Margins: - 8m, 4m
BLACKBOOKER: - Our Luciano
Trial 8: - MONTANA FLASH prepared for his performance at Melton tomorrow night with a handy trial victory. He settled four back on the inside, moved off the markers at the 500m mark and sprinted quickly to win by a comfortable margin. TOORAM CEE CEE came from last of the five runners and was doing his best work at the end without being fully extended. RIMU VALLEY NZ trailed the leader NOTHINGBUTWAVES throughout and was able to run into third position.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.0 Last Half: - 58.2 Margins: - 6m, 1m
MELTON 06/03/24 (Unfortunately, no trial replays from Melton Entertainment Park were available at the time this report was compiled.)
Trial 2: - FOX DAN backed up his very good second at the Melton trials a week earlier with a victory in fast time. SANCHEZ is a son of Captaintreacherous and did a good job to go with FOX DAN, particularly given the final quarter was run in a sensational 26.34 seconds. GALAXY LASS finished a distant third ahead of MY LITTLE BRO and CAPTAIN BART.
Mile Rate: - 1.56.7 Last Half: - 55.26 Margins: - 1.5m, 14m
BLACKBOOKER: - Sanchez
Trial 3: - NETRA NZ is a former New Zealand pacer, which has only had one start at Ashburton. She has joined trainer Leilani Justice and was able to beat a reasonable field so a maiden success could occur in the near future. EUREKA JO hasn’t started since being unplaced in the Breeders Crown Final in November but finished in second with DANCE AFFAIR being the third horse across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.5 Last Half: - 58.74 Margins: - 1.5m, 5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Netra NZ
Trial 5: - WAZZA backed up his trial placing a week earlier with a win in slick time. He is a juvenile colt by Art Major and is the third foal of War Dan Bad Girl (1.55.2, $75,650) with the first two foals Scheming (1.56.6) and Heavens Badgirl (1.57.0) both being race winners. HARLEEQUIN finished a close second in fast time so she showed some ability. She is a filly by Betting Line out of the race winning mare Wha Hae (1.53.8, $23,710) and stems from an outstanding maternal family that has had great success in Queensland. DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS continued her reasonable trial form and finished in third spot.
Mile Rate: - 1.56.9 Last Half: - 58.44 Margins: - ½ Neck, 5.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Harleequin
Trial 6: - OLLIVICI NZ was given a month away from the race track after a fifth in a heat of the Great Southern Star. That effort was after the Inter Dominion in Queensland and a fourth in the Dullard Cup. He is an outstanding trotter and was able to win the trial from COURMAYEUR with ONE OVER ALL NZ being last of the three runners in a quality field.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Last Half: - 59.44 Margins: - 2m, Neck
Trial 7: - VAGUE BEAUTY hasn’t started since a third in the Super Series Silver event back in September. She is a lightly raced filly with a lot of ability and was able to win the trial from MIKI TO SUCCESS, which had a good freshman season having finished fifth in both the Super Series and Breeders Crown Finals. MAXNJAX finished in third position with TOPSIES BLING being the fourth horse across the line.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.2 Last Half: - 56.76 Margins: - 1.5m, 7m
Trial 10: - The outstanding filly VERY PRETTY was able to win at her comeback trial performance. She remained undefeated in five starts last season with her wins including the Tatlow Stakes and the Breeders Crown Final. WAR DAN BUDDY was second across the line with GAWN, which is now being prepared by trainer Rodney Petroff, finishing twelve metres away in third position.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.5 Last Half: - 55.13 Margins: - 5.5m, 12m
Trial 11: - NOBLE COUNT NZ is a former New Zealander, which has won four races on the North Island and joins trainer Dianne Giles. He was able to win the final trial from NELLIE JOY, which hasn’t started since June with SOSO MAJESTIC being the third horse to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.0 Last Half: - 60.62 Margins: - Neck, 1.5m
TERANG 06/03/24
Trial 1: - IMPERIAL MONARCH NZ was three back on the inside early, dropped to five back on the inside and ended up being four back on the markers before making his winning move from the 600m. He hit the lead in the straight then just held off the challenge of FOUROUTOFFIVE, which trailed behind him throughout and made a late charge. OLD VILLA BOY led out then took cover, was shuffled to three back on the markers mid-race and was behind the leader again when OUR DENEUVE broke stride at the 1100m. He waited for the sprint lane and tried hard in the straight. MAJESTIC ACT was five back on the markers early, circled around to find the lead at the 1300m and broke under pressure with 150m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.0 Last Half: - 60.3 Margins: - Head, 5m
Trial 2: - JILLIBY ILLUMINATE NZ is a quality filly that remains unbeaten in two starts. She settled last of the three runners but showed very good speed at the end to win clearly. JILLIBY ADORE trailed the leader KEAYANG HONEYJOY and worked into second place.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.6 Last Half: - 57.4 Margins: - 10m, 5m
