Twenty-four horses now feature among Craig Rail's Trial File Blackbook after a further three were added this week, having caught the form analyst's eye on the Victorian trials circuit.
And three members of the select 24 will go around at Tabcorp Park Melton tonight, when the Tatlow Stakes and Angelique Club Pace headline affairs.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for Craig's updated Trial File Blackbook.
TERANG 18/10/20
Trial 1: - ENLIGHTENED GIFT was behind the leader but broke stride 50m after the start and lost approximately 30m. She settled down in fourth position and moved into the one out and one back trail momentarily at the quarter pole. She angled out three horses wide with 300m remaining and dashed home to win untouched so it was a tidy display. DOUBLE HELIX led out then took a trail and moved away from the inside at the 500m mark. He hit the lead before the home turn but couldn’t repel the challenge of ENLIGHTENED GIFT over the concluding stages. KYVALLEY SHERRIF was without cover and pushed forward to find the lead on the first turn. He enjoyed a nice run throughout and was run down over the latter stages. ARABELLA SHOWDOWN (Great Success – Alabama Showdown) broke stride in the score up and lost 30m then moved into third position on the markers. She galloped again with 300m remaining and lost all chance. The former pacer MAJOR MAD made an error in the score up and was tailed off throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.7 Final Half: - 60.1 Margins: - 2m, 8m
Trial 2: - MAJOR MOTH was out three horses wide in the early stages and pushed forward to find the lead at the bell. He was always in control of the trial and ambled away to win comfortably. His run in the Home Grown Classic Final to finish third was outstanding and he is a chance in the Tatlow Stakes tonight if he gains a start. ANAHITA (Somebeachsomewhere – Arterial Way 1.55.8, $37,258) began quickly and had a brief battle with ANGEL I AM before working to the lead with 1300m remaining. She then took cover behind MAJOR MOTH at the bell and tried hard at the end. BEACH MUSIC was eased at the start and ended up being in the one out and one back trail. She peeled to the outside with 500m remaining but was never really asked to sprint up in what was just a hit out for the Tatlow Stakes at Melton tonight. NOTNEGOTIABLE (Badlands Hanover – Total Credits) was four back on the markers, moved away from the inside in the last lap (1-2) and trailed up behind BEACH MUSIC but couldn’t sprint as quickly. He finished fourth with ROCKINTHECITY being fifth after racing without cover for the majority of the trip. ANGEL I AM used some energy to try and hold the lead early, was shuffled back on the markers mid-race and ended up finishing last of the six runners.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.0 Final Half: - 57.6 Margins: - 12m, 1m
Trial 3: - BAKERS BANDIT began nicely and took a trail behind EL BANCO with SHEZAROCKNROLLIN settling in third position. The trio raced in the same formation until BAKERS BANDIT left the back of the leader with 500m remaining. He quickly joined EL BANCO turning for home and dashed clear in the straight to win comfortably. It is a good form reference for BAKERS BANDIT as EL BANCO led throughout when resuming from a long spell at Ballarat on Thursday night. EL BANCO held down second with SHEZAROCKNROLLIN using the sprint lane but remaining last of the three competitors.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.0 Final Half: - 59.3 Margins: - 4m, 3m
Trial 4: - COVER OF DARKNESS was an extremely impressive winner. He broke stride at the start and lost approximately 30m. He chased to quickly find the back of the front runner VICTREE HILL and waited in the trail before moving away from the markers on the home turn. He quickly sprinted past VICTREE HILL and won with plenty in reserve. Considering VICTREE HILL is a quality horse that has been placed in four of his seven starts (2 wins), it was an outstanding performance by the winner. Both COVER OF DARKNESS and VICTREE HILL are contesting a heat of the Victoria Derby at Maryborough on Sunday. BETTOR ROMANCE also performed extremely well after making an error in the score up. The former pacer hasn’t raced since winning at Mildura in March but she did show ability in the trotting gait as she broke stride in the score up and missed the start by approximately 60m then didn’t finish too far away.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.8 Final Half: - 60.1 Margins: - 7m, 12m
Trial 5: - REACTOR FACTOR began quickly but raced greenly coming up to the first turn. He was able to get across to the markers on the first bend and set up a slow tempo early before being allowed to stride in the final half. He drew away to win easily. GOTTA SMUDGE settled last of the four runners and moved away from the inside with 400m remaining. He worked into second position with HEAVENLY CHARM (Rock N Roll Heaven – Sentimental Charm) being third after settling three back on the markers and using the sprint lane. KEAYANG REMI was the last one to greet the judge after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.3 Final Half: - 56.7 Margins: - 20m, 3m
Trial 6: - BAD BILLY settled three back on the inside before moving into the death seat with 600m remaining. He hit the lead approaching the final corner and was able to sustain the run to win the trial nicely. LUVYOUBABE settled down in fourth position and moved into the one out and one back trail behind BAD BILLY. She never peeled to the outside at any stage and went to the line with plenty in reserve on the back of the winner. FATHER JUDGE finished in third position after trailing the leader throughout and the early front runner ITMADEMYDAY faded to come in last of the four runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Final Half: - 58.3 Margins: - 5m, 4m
Trial 7: - THE SUSPECT began quickly to lead, raced fiercely throughout the middle stages and established a huge lead. He was noticeably tired in the straight but he remained a large margin in front of his rivals and won easily. MAORI AMOUR was without cover early, drifted back to last and came to the outside on the home turn. She was never going to catch the leader but she did trot to the line nicely in the straight suggesting she isn’t without a chance at Stawell this afternoon. LIGHTNING BLUECHIP was three back on the markers and came to the outside at the half mile marker. He finished in third position ahead of FIRE OFFICIAL, which was second on the markers for the majority of the journey.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.2 Final Half: - 62.9 Margins: - 60m, 6m
Trial 8: - CELTIC CASH stepped away safely and was second early. He left the markers to move up without cover and found the lead at the 1500m mark. He dominated the race from that point and won untouched, although he did want to shift away from the markers at various stages of the event. He will run a big race at Maryborough on Sunday if he can deliver a fool proof display. FREMARKSKUZO is improving every time he steps out onto the track and is also a chance at Maryborough on Sunday. He settled third early, ended up behind the leader and never peeled to the outside at any stage, finishing on the back of the winner without being extended. ALLAWART BOB settled last early, ended up being three back on the markers and finished in third. JIMMY BINTANG (Allawart Ray – Cathrins Image) stepped away nicely to lead, broke stride when being challenged by Celtic Cash with a lap and a half remaining and was tailed off for the remainder of the journey.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.5 Final Half: - 62.4 Margins: - 7m, 10m
OUYEN 18/10/20
Trial 1: - MAXWELL JOHN (Village Jolt – Queen of the World 1.58.9, $18,200) is a Max Francis trained gelding out of the speedy little grey mare Queen of the World, which won four races for Shane Gilligan. He was able to take out the opening trial by a narrow margin from CHALKNCHEDDAR (Betterthancheddar – Carly Michelle). OUR LITTLE ROCK (Pet Rock – Buckland Belle 2.1.4, $37,646) is out of the former handy mare Buckland Belle, which won seven races for trainer Frank Cavallaro. He finished in third position ahead of the Bob Hawkes prepared MEXICAN STANDOFF (Changeover – Cindy Shiraz).
Mile Rate: - 2.9.0 Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - 1m, 5m
Trial 2: - MIRADERO did a big job to win the final trial considering she is a National Ratings 48 assessed pacer and defeated CARLOAD (NR73) and OHOKA DIESEL (NR60). She did show a lot of speed at her last campaign of racing but wanted to race fiercely. She might be worth following at Mildura or Swan Hill in the next few weeks. YA BOWEN DELIGHT was the last horse to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.0 Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - Head, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: - Miradero
COBRAM 18/10/20
Trial 1: - UBETCHA began quickly to get across to the markers and was happy to take cover behind JANJUC, which was the fastest to begin and was two metres in front approaching the first turn. The pair dominated the trial throughout and UBETCHA came to the outside with 300m remaining to try and run down JANJUC in the run to the line. He made up ground and drew level right on the post. STARESS was fourth on the markers and came to the outside approaching the home turn. He ran into third with REDBANK TOMMY (3 back markers) being in fourth. The trotter PATCHWORK struggled to keep up with the pacers and was last of the five runners to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.6 Final Half: - 59.6 Margins: - Dead Heat, 25m
Trial 2: - FLY BYE EDEN trailed the leader, gained a run through the middle in the final 150m of the trial and dashed through to win without being fully extended. BUNDLE OF NOTES finished second after setting a slow tempo in the lead. WEMADE FREO (McCardle – No Apology 2.2.4, $13,810) showed ability but raced very greenly. He settled in third position and broke stride momentarily with 1200m remaining. He came to the outside at the 700m, moved up to join the leader in the back straight but hung in badly and lost a length before picking up again. He then veered out on the home turn and lost more ground so there is plenty of improvement left in him. CRYSTAL FLAME (Courage Under Fire – Crystal Reign 2.3.3, $33,714) raced greenly at the start and angled onto the markers to be in fourth. She beat home BELLA LUCY, which broke stride at the start and was tailed off throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.0 Final Half: - 59.6 Margins: - 1m, 8m
BENDIGO 18/10/20
Trial 1: - BUILDER BOB is a smart horse when he puts it altogether and was able to win easily. He showed very good early pace to lead comfortably and dashed away from his rivals to win untouched. He is a big chance of winning at Maryborough on Sunday if he delivers a fool proof display. MISS BROOMFIELD was three back on the inside before moving up without cover at the 600m mark. She was beaten by a long way but she chased hard and beat her other two rivals by a large margin. She starts from the pole position at Maryborough on Sunday. IRENE ROSE finished third after trailing the leader and WILL PATRICK (4 back markers) was last of the four runners to greet the judge after racing roughly throughout the final circuit.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.7 Final Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 35m, 35m
BLACKBOOKER: - Builder Bob
Trial 2: - REVA trailed the leader CHOOZ REACTOR and came to the outside at the quarter pole. She was able to finish off best and scored by a little over a length as the judge called a halt. CHOOZ REACTOR finished second and NUREYEV was last of the three runners throughout, dropping off approaching the final corner.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.5 Final Half: - 58.2 Margins: - 4m, 40m
Trial 3: - THREE SHADOWS trailed the leader THE TOOTH FAIRY before coming to the outside approaching the home turn. She was able to cruise on past in the straight and won comfortably. THE TOOTH FAIRY held down second and CULLENS COPY was third after racing fiercely in the early stages but was able to settle better when the field found a single file formation.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.1 Final Half: - 60.7 Margins: - 4m, 35m
Trial 4: - WHATA ROLLER began best and found the lead comfortably with YELLOW BOW trailing. YELLOW BOW came to the outside on the home turn to try and issue a challenge but WHATA ROLLER sprinted up nicely and was able to get away in the final 50m to win by a comfortable margin.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.8 Final Half: - 59.0 Margin: - 8m
Trial 5: - CASH BOOST (Blissfull Hall – Hayza) began quickly and was able to find the lead before the first turn. She set up a moderate tempo and was able to cling on at the finish. CEE OH DEE (Roll With Joe – Ay Tee Em 1.58.0, $117,865) settled last of the three runners, came to the outside with 300m remaining and tried hard in the straight. MADAM AUCKLAND (Auckland Reactor – Madam Altissimo 1.56.4, $44,825) trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and missed out narrowly in third position.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.1 Final Half: - 59.3 Margins: - Head, 1m
Trial 6: - VIOLETTA GIFT (Andover Hall – Shez Allrighty 2.2.4, $85,431) trailed the leader and came to the outside on the home turn. She sprinted home too well and scored softly at the end. HIGHLAND HILL led easily but couldn’t withstand the challenge of VIOLETTA GIFT in the run to the post.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.3 Final Half: - 61.9 Margin: 6m
MARYBOROUGH 18/10/10
Trial 1: - ZADAKA dropped back to be last of the four runners in the early stages and gained a great run through to trail the leader HOT BREAKFAST on the home turn. He used the sprint lane and was able to amble through to score with plenty in reserve. He has been going nicely at the trials but he is on a tough mark. He did find the line nicely when coming from last at Ballarat on Thursday night however. HOT BREAKFAST just held down second after setting a reasonable speed with RAANI being in third after gaining a nice run in the trail and moving away from the inside approaching the home turn. ALLIES MATE settled three back on the inside and was three horses wide on the home turn. He finished last of the four runners but wasn’t beaten by far.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.9 Final Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 2m, Head
Trial 2: - SAVANNAH JAY JAY was able to lead throughout in the small field of three runners. He was unchallenged throughout and was able to cruise down to the line to win easily. He has drawn very awkwardly against an elite field in the True Roman FFA at Melton tonight. DEALERS KNOCK was last early but ended up trailing the leader when FORGOT TO REMEMBER made an error and lost approximately 40m with 1200m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.2 Final Half: - 59.2 Margins: - 10m, 12m
Trial 3: - CEE CEE IN AMERICA settled four back on the markers and was held up for a run at a vital stage before weaving a passage and ducking back to the sprint lane to score. It was a nice win and he is a hope when resuming at Shepparton on Monday but he is awkwardly drawn in a handy field. COMMON COURTESY settled down last of the five and was able to gain the one out and one back trail in the back straight on the final occasion before coming out three horses wide on the home turn. He finished off well but not as quickly as CEE CEE IN AMERICA. DYSLEXIC began quickly to find the lead. He tried to kick away when leaving the back straight but was run down in the final stages. VAN GOGH was third on the inside before moving into the death seat at the 800m mark. He wasn’t far away in fourth and beat home CLEM MCCARDLE, which trailed the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Final Half: - 58.7 Margins: 1m, Neck
Trial 4: - SONNYBOY began quickly to find his favourite role of being the pacemaker and enjoyed a nice run throughout the middle stages. He had a good kick left at the finish and won easily. THIS QUAKER (Quaker Jet – This Way) trailed SONNYBOY throughout and came to the outside in the straight. He tried hard and held his ground in the final stages. PARIS FAITH (Majestic Son – Aldebaran Etta 2.6.1, $7,760) broke stride in the score up, losing approximately 40m, was able to tack onto the group then ended up being third when ROGUE GENTLEMAN broke stride with 900m remaining. She then moved away from the markers with 400m remaining and battled into a distant third at the end. ROGUE GENTLEMAN sprinted quickly in the back straight after making his error, was able to catch the group but galloped again when switching into the sprint lane on the home turn.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.0 Final Half: - 62.6 Margins: - 3m, 12m
Trial 5: - LAY THE SMACKDOWN settled four back on the markers, moved up without cover from the bell and dominated his rivals in the final quarter of the event. He bolted away to win by 20m. TELEMACHUS (Somebeachsomewhere – Our Narissa Franco 2.2.3, $13,928) showed brilliant gate speed to lead clearly early. She rolled along at a reasonable tempo but was no match for the winner in the latter stages. NONE GRATER settled down last of the six runners, moved into the one out and one back trail behind LAY THE SMACKDOWN and tried hard in the latter stages to finish third. SPORTSSEAL was a distant fourth after settling three back on the inside and moving around the tiring INFERRNO from the 600m mark. ROCKYBOMBA (5 back markers) was second last and INFERRNO (Courage Under Fire – Allfouru), which trailed the leader, was under pressure 600m from home and dropped out to finish at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Final Half: - 57.2 Margins: - 20m, 3m
Trial 6: - FOX FORCE FIVE settled four back on the markers, moved up without cover from the bell and asserted her superiority in the straight to score easily. She won well enough to suggest she can be competitive at Maryborough on Sunday. KAYLASISTER was three back on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail at the 700m. She lost the position behind FOX FORCE FIVE coming out of the back straight, allowing RAGNA THOR to work into the clear but she knuckled down in the straight to run into second position. RAGNA THOR trailed the leader, came to the outside with 300m remaining and got to second but peaked in the final 50m. JORDANS MATE finished fourth after setting the speed and ELLEN RUVAL (Danny Bouchea – Joan Ruval) was last of the five runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.9 Final Half: - 60.2 Margins: - 20m, 10m
Trial 7: - NAI HARN BAY settled in fourth position, came away from the inside in the back straight on the final occasion and was just able to get up and defeat POLAR LIGHTS, which trailed the leader throughout. OSCAR BRAVO came from last to pick up third in front of MY SHADY MATE (Shadyshark Hanover – Tarzar Jah), which was five back on the markers before moving up without cover from the half mile marker and making up ground in the back straight. HEEZALITTLECAESAR settled three back on the markers and broke stride with 600m remaining, losing approximately 20m. He beat home LOST FOUR WORDS, which should have won the trial but was on her worst behaviour in the latter stages. She led, dashed well clear in the back straight and was approximately 40m in front when she broke stride approaching the home turn.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.7 Final Half: - 58.8 Margins: - Head, 8m
Trial 8: - SUMMERHILL dropped back to be last of the four runners in the early stages. She was giving the leader HOWS THE SERENITY a big start at the quarter pole but made up a lot of ground approaching the home turn. She was probably peaking a little on her run late but she had more momentum than HOWS THE SERENITY and was able to get the prize. SHARKBITE ALTO was three back on the markers before moving up without cover from the 700m mark. He switched back to the sprint lane in the straight and finished off fairly well. THUMP began quickly to find the lead early, took cover behind HOWS THE SERENITY with a mile remaining and yielded ground at the end to finish last of the four runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.9 Final Half: - 62.5 Margins: - 1m, 10m
Trial 9: - BLUE COMAN started off the handicap of 30m and took some time to tack onto the group. He was four back on the markers from the 1400m, moved up out three horses with from the 600m and sustained a strong run to win easily. He resumes from a spell at Shepparton on Monday where he is a strong chance. TENLILFONZIES (Fling It – Idoido 2.1.3, $60,713) is a juvenile trotter that is yet to make his debut. He settled three back on the inside, moved away from the markers with 600m remaining and tried to sprint with BLUE COMAN. He raced very greenly and lost momentum in the home straight but he did show some ability. BACARDI CHARDY tried to lead throughout and finished third ahead of SHAKARA, which trailed but stared yielding ground with 600m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.4 Final Half: - 60.4 Margins: - 10m, 12m
TABCORP PARK, MELTON 20/10/10
Trial 1: - PARISIAN ARTISTE began quickly to find the lead and set up a reasonable tempo. She was being challenged late but was able to hold on and get the prize without being fully extended. BANGLEZ (Majestic Son – Gypsy Flair) settled five back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 700m mark, gained a one out and one back trail when leaving the back straight and came out three horses wide on the home turn. She finished off nicely out wide to pick up second position. CENTRAL OTAGO trailed the leader and used the sprint lane to finish in third spot but he appeared to have something left in reserve. KYVALLEY HOTSPUR settled three back on the markers and moved up without cover at the quarter pole. He finished a close up fourth from TIPSY TURVY, which settled four back on the markers and ran up behind the leaders on the home turn. CONSTANTINOPLE (Trixton – El Scorcho 2.2.6, $14,255) was last of the six runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.2 Final Half: - 59.65 Margins: - 1.5m, ½ Head
Trial 2: - ALBY TWO CHAINS started from the second line and settled three back on the markers at the start. He moved away from the inside at the half mile marker, sprinted quickly to find the front 100m later and outclassed his rivals to win easily. He is a smart horse but he is meeting a very tough field in the Tatlow Stakes at Melton tonight. WUNDERLAND (Western Terror – Awesome Mattjesty 1.56.2, $53,832) trailed the leader for the majority of the trip but was shuffled to last of the four runners with 500m remaining. He worked home nicely late for second and it wasn’t a bad performance. DEVIL OF A SMILE was third after setting the speed and VAPAR FIRE was the last horse to great the judge after settling four back on the markers and trying to keep on the back of the winner ALBY TWO CHAINS in the final circuit.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.4 Final Half: - 56.44 Margins: - 12.5m, 1.5m
Trial 3: - WHIZZBANG DAN began quickly to find the lead, set up a slow tempo and was just able to hold on at the finish. MAJESTICAL BELLE began quickly and went with WHIZZBANG DAN early but was content to take a trail. She used the sprint lane and dashed through late but just failed. ROI DU SOLEIL settled three back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 800m mark and battled on solidly into third position. RUM AN ROYAL was slow to move and missed away by approximately 10m. She was last on the markers, followed inside runs all of the way until the home turn and held her ground late for fourth. LUTETIA was the last one to greet the judge after being four back on the markers and moving into the one out and one back trail at the half mile marker.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Final Half: - 59.12 Margins: - ½ Head, 4.5m
Trial 4: - YAMBUKIAN began quickly and was able to zoom to the front shortly after the start. He wanted to hang out on the turn out of the front straight with a lap remaining but he always appeared to be travelling strongly and held his rivals safely at bay. DOUGS BABE began quick enough to be able to slot in behind YAMBUKIAN on the first corner. She went back into the sprint lane over the final stages and tried hard in the straight. DEADLY ERROR settled three back on the markers and moved up without cover from the 600m mark. She finished third and was well in front of WELEASE WOGER (Barna Straide – Seven Nations 1.59.5, $63,000), which broke stride at the start, losing approximately 20m and was last of the four runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.3 Final Half: - 56.24 Margins: - 2.5m, 4.5m
Trial 5: - ELITE STRIDE wrapped up his preparation for the Victoria Derby heats on Sunday with an effortless victory. He trailed the leader, moved away from the inside with 400m remaining and was travelling extremely well in the dash up the straight. The former French colt HOLZARTE VEDAQUAIS finished second and will make his Australian debut in a heat of the Victoria Derby at Maryborough on Sunday. He showed good early pace to lead and was run down in the latter stages but he wasn’t knocked around in the run to the finish. ANDOVER SUN began very quickly and was two metres in front of HOLZARTE VEDAQUAIS at the start but he hung out badly and didn’t handle the first corner too well. He was without cover early, switched onto the markers in third and left the inside to follow behind ELITE STRIDE at the quarter pole. He held his ground nicely in the straight to finish third in front of ZIGZAGZOO, which was four back on the markers, moved through to trail the leader before the home turn and finished off via the sprint lane. ROYAL CHARLOTTE was slow away and missed the start by 15m so she was last of the five runners throughout but it was a very strong field.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Final Half: - 58.20 Margins: - 5.5m, 1.5m
Trial 6: - OUR GEORGINA ROSE (Changeover – Our Georgia Reign $4,319) settled down in third position early, moved away from the markers and quickly dashed to the front at the 1500m then raced keenly in the lead. She had to fight hard to hold off the challengers in the straight. THE BIG END OFTOWN began quickly and trailed the leader MICTON MOUSE early, ended up being three back on the markers and moved to the outside with 600m to travel. He chased hard in the straight and just failed. CHEDDAR VALLEY was a good run in third position. He settled fifth on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m but wanted to hang in and was unbalanced coming up to the home turn. He was able to flatten out in the straight and made up ground, missing out narrowly. MICTON MOUSE pushed forward to lead, took a trail and used the sprint lane. He finished a close up fourth from CUT FROM ROCK, which settled down last and was never extended at any stage. QUIETACHIEVER was four back on the markers and started yielding ground over the final 300m.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.2 Final Half: - 58.10 Margins: - Short ½ Head, ½ Neck
Trial 7: - PERFECT STRIDE was extremely impressive in a strong trial where he settled three back on the inside, moved up without cover with 600m remaining and was seemingly coasting to victory in a sizzling final quarter of 26.3 seconds! It was a brilliant performance and he appears to be right at his peak at present. DR SUSAN began quickly and was able to angle in behind the leader. She wrapped up her preparation for the Argent 3yo Classic tonight with a game second. She also went to the line with something in reserve. AMPLE POWER tried to lead throughout and finished third in front of EUREKA (4 back markers, 1-1 at 600m), which went to the line hard held. ARDEN VOYAGER was last of the five runners throughout but he was never going to be able to make up too much ground in outstanding final sectionals (55.09, 26.30).
Mile Rate: - 1.57.9 Final Half: - 55.09 Margins: - 4.5m, 7m
Trial 8: - IM JOLLYGOOD settled three back on the markers and moved into the death seat with 800m remaining. He kept on grinding away in the straight and was able to get up right on the line. ROGERVALERIO LOMBO began quickly but wanted to hang in going around the first corner. He was able to get clear of SNAZOLA and got across to the markers in front with 1800m remaining. He looked the winner in the home straight but was nabbed on the line. ROYAL APOLLO settled four back on the markers and was held up for a run at a vital stage. He angled to the outside when turning for home and finished quickly for third position. THE BIG YIN settled down last of the five runners but was able to land the one out and one back trail behind the winner IM JOLLYGOOD at the half mile marker so he appeared to have every chance. SNAZOLA led out then took a trail but was struggling coming up to the home turn and was the last horse to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Final Half: - 57.64 Margins: - Head, 20.5m
Trial 9: - SHESSKYLAH began quickly from a wide draw and was able to run to the front on the first corner. She rolled along at a genuine tempo and was able to hold off the late challenge of SOEXTRA, which finished solidly from three back on the markers on the home turn. MISS DANGERFIELD was racing well outside of her class range and produced a terrific effort for third. She showed good gate speed to lead, took a trail and held on in the straight. MINUSCULE was four back on the markers and finished fourth with PUNTARNO STRIDE coming from last to snare fifth in front of ARTS DASH (5 back markers). The field did race in single file formation until SOEXTRA moved to the outside on the home turn.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.8 Final Half: - 56.94 Margins: - Neck, 10.5m
Trial 10: - GATESYS GIFT stepped away well from the standing start and was without cover early before finding the lead at the 1400m. He took cover shortly afterwards and moved to the outside on the home turn. He was able to win narrowly over FLING ABOUT, which was one out and one back early, got left stranded without cover then pushed forward to find the front at the 1300m. She gave a great sight and went down narrowly. The eye-catching run came from the former New Zealand juvenile trotter in QUEEN ELIDA. She stepped away quickly to lead, was shuffled to three back on the markers then dashed through along the sprint lane for third. She should prove hard to beat at Maryborough on Sunday based on that performance. EXPRESS YOURSELF ended up being six back on the markers and moved away from the inside at the quarter pole. She trotted home reasonably well and beat home UTOPIA, which settled five back on the markers and ALDEBARAN THOR (Skyvalley – Countessa Hest 2.1.5, $137,858) (trailed leader, 3 back markers, 4 back markers at 1300m) was the last one to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.8 Final Half: - 61.61 Margins: - Head, 1.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Queen Elida
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