New Zealand import Tango Tara looks a "good bet" at Tabcorp Park Melton tomorrow night, following his strong trial at Geelong early this week.

That is the opinion of Craig Rail, who has added Andy Gath's new acquisition to his Blackbook ahead of the horse's maiden Australian run.

Rail also included Common Courtesy (Wayne Ronan), Humble Ladd (Alex Ashwood) and Riley Moment (Jodi Quinlan) to the Blackbook, which can be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of the page.

SHEPPARTON 27/05/21

Trial 1: - SOFALA appeared to be well graded in the trial having a National Rating of 81 with his nearest rival being SOME CHANGE, which has a rating of 58. He was able to slide to the lead shortly after the start and strolled away at the finish to win easily. LET’S DIG IT began quickly and trailed the leader. He finished in second position with KEAYANG ALEX coming from four back on the markers to snare third. GALACTIC GAL ran a nice trial. She was last of the seven to settle down and had no clear run at the finish. GOODLOOKIN ROOSTER was three back on the markers and moved to the outside with 500m remaining. He finished fifth ahead of SOME CHANGE (5 back markers, 1-1 at 500m), which backed up to win at Melton on Tuesday night. CHANGEOVER GIRL was without cover early and eased into a trailing position to be sixth on the markers. She was last of the seven runners to greet the judge.

Mile Rate: - 1.59.3          Final Half: - 57.5              Margins: - 10m, 2m

Trial 2: - ALWAYS LOCKSLEY (Always B Miki – Vouvray 2.0.4, $8,555) was without cover early and eased back to last. He followed inside runs all of the way, got through to trail the leader on the home turn and darted along the sprint lane to win impressively. NO NEIGH PHILTRA (Sportswriter – Chloes Daughter) trailed the leader, moved away from the inside on the home turn and finished off well. Both the winner and the runner up went to the line with something in reserve. AWAYOVERNIGHT began fast and was able to find the lead shortly after the start. He finished third in front of MAC SHADOW (Shadow Play – Elle Macarty), which settled fifth on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail with 700m remaining. BUS STOP (A Rocknroll Dance – Cunning Kate 1.58.8, $51,735) commenced from the second line and raced very fiercely in the early stages. He was three back on the inside and moved away from the markers with 300m remaining. He finished fifth with the qualifier ROCK PHONE (Pet Rock – Wenona Maggie 1.58.9, $23,856) being the last one home after settling four back on the markers, moving to the outside at the 700m and being out three horses wide from the 300m.

Mile Rate: - 2.6.0            Final Half: - 59.2              Margins: - 3m, Head

Trial 3: - BUILDER BOB was slow away from the standing start and was very wide in the early stages. He settled in fourth, moved away from the inside at the 500m and was three horses wide shortly afterwards. He was able to finish off best to win the trial and wasn’t fully extended in doing so. SEEYOUINMYDREAMS (Muscle Hill – Figment 2.6.1, $44,003) ran a reasonable trial to finish second, considering he is yet to face the starter and he was taking on proven winners. He stepped away nicely to find the lead, took cover and tried hard at the finish. CMON CARL LEE put in a pleasing performance to finish third. He does a lot wrong at times but he overcame adversity and was still able to trot throughout. He was three back on the markers, got checked at the 300m then again turning into the home straight, shifting course abruptly on each occasion and never looked like doing anything wrong. MONTANA MUSCLE was slow to begin and settled last of the five runners. He broke stride in the home straight and was the fourth horse across the line. NICKYS SON worked forward to find the lead and broke stride under pressure approaching the home turn.

Mile Rate: - 2.12.7          Final Half: - 61.0              Margins: - 1m, 25m

Trial 4: - ONE TWO MANY was one out and one back early, got left without cover turning into the back straight on the first occasion and was able to win the trial softly. He backed up that performance with a strong victory at Shepparton on Wednesday night. BUNDLE OF NOTES began quickly to find the lead and set up a reasonable tempo. He found ONE TWO MANY to be too slick for him but he beat the remainder of the field by a large margin. He followed with a second behind Yapper at Bendigo on Thursday night. ALABAMA ICE (Hurrikane Kingcole – Shebas Rocket 2.1.6, $5,626) didn’t run a bad race despite being safely beaten. He was without cover early, angled onto the markers to be three back, pulled hard and wanted to hang out at various stages. OUR EDUARDO DENARIO trailed the leader and finished fourth with SMOOTH ROLLING (4 back markers) being in fifth. NOBLE JULIA settled down last and was able to work past CRYSTAL FLAME, which gained a one out and one back trail and came together with ALABAMA ICE several times in the back straight.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.1            Final Half: - 59.1              Margins: - Neck, 25m

Race 5: - EYES ON FLAIR (Majestic Son – Dream of Flair 2.5.5, $17,484) was last early, moved around the field from the 1200m to find the lead at the bell and was able to stroll to victory, winning with plenty in reserve. ATEGO DAWN trailed the leader early, circled around to find the lead at the 1400m, took a trail again at the bell and finished second. BLACK CAT CLAW was three back on the markers early, ended up being last of the four runners during the middle stages and was able to beat home ATEGO TITAN, which led early then got shuffled back to third mid-race.

Mile Rate: - 2.8.3            Final Half: - 63.6              Margins: - 10m, 10m

Trial 6: - FANTASY BEACH began quickly to lead, ran along at a genuine tempo and was able to dash away in the straight to win the trial nicely. SPENCER raced without cover throughout and battled on gamely for second. He finished well clear of the remainder of the field and backed up to win at Shepparton on Wednesday night. CRESCO THREEPEAT finished third after trailing the leader throughout with WELL WELL being in fourth position after being three back on the markers. GIANNIS AY MACRAY was four back on the markers and dropped off the pack from the 700m mark. ANTIHERO (Red Samurai – Golden Antigone) broke stride at the start and was tailed off throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.0.9            Final Half: - 57.8              Margins: - 12m, 30m

 

MILDURA 30/05/21

Trial 1: - PROMISE TO KEEP began quickly to find the lead and was able to hold off a late challenge from KITCH MACRAY to win narrowly. KITCH MACRAY has recently joined trainer Reece Moore and finished nicely from behind the leader to be beaten by a narrow margin. Both horses are racing at Mildura tonight. AUCKLAND LASS settled three back on the markers and came out three horses wide from the 300m mark. She battled on for a distant third ahead of OLLIE AND BROCK, which was four back on the markers throughout. AGENT CALLAN (Village Jolt – Real Dreamz) raced without cover throughout and beat home LOYOLA ROCKNROLLA (1-1) with TICKLE TICKLE (Sir Galvinator – Happy Easter Lombo) failing to finish after galloping at the start then again at the 700m mark.

Mile Rate: - Not Given   Final Half: - Not Given   Margins: - Not Given

 

MARYBOROUGH 30/05/21

Trial 1: - COMMON COURTESY began quickly to find the lead and ran along at a genuine tempo. She was able to safely hold her rivals at bay without being fully extended. She appears to be a very good chance at Ararat based on that trial win. ROQUEFORT CHEESE trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and tried hard in the straight to finish a close second. I AM MARQUEZ settled three back on the markers and finished third with GOBSMACKED being in fourth after settling down last and gaining a one out and one back trail behind MISTER JIMARINGLE from the 800m mark. MISTER JIMARINGLE tried to make a run from four back on the markers at the half mile marker but peaked on his run late.

Mile Rate: - 1.58.4          Final Half: - 58.3              Margins: - Neck, 2m

BLACKBOOKER: - Common Courtesy

Trial 2: - SUNDONS COURAGE settled last of the three runners, moved to the outside at the 700m, dropped in to trail the leader at the 500m and came to the outside again on the home turn. He was able to get home best and win the trial on the line. He makes his return at Melton tomorrow night. The former New Zealand trotter HUMBLE LADD finished in second and created a good impression. He trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 600m and dashed to the front. He went to the line with something in reserve and was only beaten by a narrow margin. SAVANNAH JAY JAY shot to the front at the start and broke stride at the 600m mark hence finishing last of the three runners.

Mile Rate: - 1.59.6          Final Half: - 58.2              Margins: - Head, 50m

BLACKBOOKER: - Humble Ladd

Trial 3: - EXTRINSIC (Betting Line – Flying Miss Mac 1.57.8, $12,854) began quickly to find the lead and was unchallenged from the start to the finish. He raced away to win by a large margin. BIONIC STRIDE (Always B Miki – Cougar Bromac) settled three back on the markers and moved to the outside in the back straight on the final occasion. He ran into a distant second with HUNTRESS STRIDE (Excel Stride – Sapphire Stride 1.52.2, $134,115) being last of the three after trailing the leader and yielding ground from the 600m.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.0            Final Half: - 60.2              Margins: - 20m, 50m

Trial 4: - JILLIBY DINGO began quickly and trailed the leader throughout. He used sprint the lane and dashed through to score nicely. It was a good effort in preparation for his first up performance at Ballarat on Friday night. KEILAH began swiftly to find the lead and rolled along at a genuine tempo. He hung out on the home turn but kicked on for second position. AUSSIEPRIDE was five back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail and worked into third with BILLABONG MADI (3 back markers) being in fourth spot. GOZO COURAGE was four back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 700m and finished last of the five runners.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.3            Final Half: - 59.0              Margins: - 2m, 5m

Trial 5: - YES MAATE was without cover early, moved to the front at the 1500m and took cover at the 1200m. He moved away from the markers on the home turn and got home best to win by a narrow margin. He appeared to have something in reserve in the run to the finish and looks hard to beat at Ballarat tonight. The pacer THE BOOST was taking on the trotters and went down narrowly. He was slow to begin but moved around the field to find the lead at the 1200m and kicked on reasonably well in the straight. He recently joined trainer Kate Hargreaves after being prepared by Andrew Vozlic in Mildura. PARISIAN BANDIT (Love You – Le Chabanais 2.3.6, $56,600) led out, took a trail and was shuffled back on the markers before moving into the breeze at the 600m mark. He ran a nice trial for third albeit galloping just after the post. SMART CHA CHA settled five back on the markers and was able to beat home ELISE HALL (Angus Hall – Tender Annie 2.3.9, $23,650), which was six back on the inside and MISTER RICHARD CEE was last throughout after making an early error.

Mile Rate: - 2.6.6            Final Half: - 60.0              Margins: - 1/2head, 6m

Trial 6: - ANGEL OF HEAVEN (Rock N Roll Heaven – Arty Alice $16,274) is a nicely bred 3yo for trainer Luke Stapleton. She trailed the leader and quickly dashed to the front with 500m remaining then sustained the run to win comfortably. SPANGLED SHADOW (Shadow Play – Spangled Art) settled four back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 700m mark and worked home well for second in front of the early leader VAPAR FORTUNE (Used To Me – Pocket of Fortune 2.1.8, $36,703) with RUSTIC RUBRA (Union Guy – Fire Lilly) (3 back markers) being the last horse to complete the course.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.2            Final Half: - 59.1              Margins: - 8m, 2m

Trial 7: - BULLAPARK BENO began quickly to find the lead and always appeared to be in control of the affair, winning softly by just over a length. The former South Australian trotter SKYRITA finished in second position after being three back on the markers throughout. BELLMAC BAMBI ended up being five back on the markers and worked home nicely for third with SIMULANT being in fourth spot after moving into the death seat from last at the bell. SHIPS SUCCESS was four back on the markers throughout and beat home CRONK, which trailed the leader and galloped approaching the home turn. JIMMY BINTANG was slow to begin and was last of the seven runners throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.2            Final Half: - 61.2              Margins: - 4m, Head

 

ECHUCA 30/05/21

Trial 1: - KEAYANG DA VINCI trailed the leader SHOWGUN THOMAS, moved to the outside with 400m remaining and got home best to narrowly get the prize. SHOWGUN THOMAS kicked on strongly and lost no admirers with MARKLEIGH JEAN being last of the three runners throughout but wasn’t beaten by far and was giving away a large number of points on the National Ratings scale.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.0            Final Half: - 59.0              Margins: - ½ Head, 3m

Trial 2: - YESMISSJANE was three back on the markers for the majority of the trip and came out three horses wide from the 400m mark. She was able to draw clear at the end to win nicely and backed up that trial victory with a second at Shepparton on Wednesday night. SHES GOING PLACES finished second after trying to lead all of the way with SHES LUSH (Betterthancheddar – Morcheeba Bromac 2.2.9, $2,895) being third after trailing the leader throughout. STORMBOY STAR raced very greenly and did a lot wrong in the trial hence he was last of the four for the duration.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.2            Final Half: - 61.0              Margins: - 5m, 6m

 

BENDIGO 30/05/21

Race 1: - LOLA DEVEREAUX trailed the leader ENDSIN A PARTY, came to the outside on the home turn and was able to jog to victory. ENDSIN A PARTY raced very roughly on the home turn and lost momentum but LOLA DEVEREAUX always appeared to have him covered. THE RED WARRIOR was slow to begin from the standing start and missed away by approximately 20m. He was always detached from the leading pair but held his own in the run to the finish.

Mile Rate: - 2.6.4            Final Half: - 60.4              Margins: - 1m, 26m

Trial 2: - ILLAWONG BARMAH trailed the leader WAIKARE COLLEEN, moved away from the inside at the 700m and was able to get the better of that trotter over the concluding stages to get the prize. MUDFLINGA (Fling It – A Red With Ruby) is a juvenile trotter and was taking on two 3yo’s. He missed away by 30m and the overall time was handy so it was a decent performance, even though he was last of the three runners to complete the course.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.8            Final Half: - 60.0              Margins: - 10m, 10m

Trial 3: - RULES DON’T APPLY trailed the leader ILLAWONG STARDUST and came to the outside with 400m remaining. He was able to edge clear in the run to the post and scored with something in reserve at the finish. ILLAWONG STARDUST did her best to go with RULES DON’T APPLY and beat the remainder of the field by 50m. PARTYTIME was four back on the markers and finished in third position ahead of SUNNY SPIDER (Yankee Spider – Sunshine Annie 2.7.8, $6,538), which was out of position at the start by approximately 15m and settled down last. WILL PATRICK saw the field to be safely home after settling three back on the markers.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.3            Final Half: - 58.3              Margins: - 1m, 50m

Trial 4: - MON BEL ANGE (A Rocknroll Dance – Alita Paree) settled three back on the markers, was last of the four runners at the 500m mark (1-2) and came out four horses wide on the home turn. She produced a good finish to get the prize. She finished seventh at her debut on Bendigo on Thursday night. SABOTAGE began quickly but couldn’t find the lead and angled across to the markers behind the pace. He came to the outside with 600m remaining and battled on well for second. He also finished seventh at Bendigo on Thursday night. WHATA JOURNEY (Rock N Roll Heaven – Whata Avenue 1.53.3, $92,536) settled down last of the four runners, moved into the one out and one back trail and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He raced greenly on the final corner but was able to work into third with the early leader LAVENDI RICKY (Betterthancheddar – Julies Equity 1.58.4, $197,969) being the last horse to finish.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.1            Final Half: - 59.8              Margins: - 3.5m, 8m

Trial 5: - LARA BAY was sixth on the markers, gained a one out and one back trail at the 700m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. She finished well and defeated MISS MORAINE, which moved into the death seat from four back on the markers in the back straight on the final occasion. MISS MORAINE trialled well enough to be competitive at Shepparton on Tuesday night. TRUMP THE ACE led out then took a trail at the 1600m. He battled on quite well for third and is returning from a spell at Mildura tonight where he appears to have a winning chance. BLISSFULL DONNA was three back on the markers and finished in fourth position with RINELLA (Village Jasper – Sharnica) coming from last of the seven runners to be in fifth. BLISSFULL DONNA backed up with a victory at Bendigo on Thursday night, which gives this trial a good form line. MY SHADY MATE was five back on the markers and beat home TELLMESUMTHINGRL, which was without cover early before working to the front at the 1600m.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.0            Final Half: - 59.8              Margins: - 1m, 5m

 

GEELONG 31/05/21

Trial 1: - The former New Zealand trotter RILEY MOMENT trailed the leader early before moving to the lead at the 1700m mark. He was very impressive in the run to the finish and considering he has a National Rating of just 52, he should prove very hard to beat when he makes his Australian debut. The pacer JACKS COMMAND commenced from the handicap of 40m and settled last of the five runners. He moved away from the markers at the 900m mark and was able to drop in behind the leader half way down the back straight on the final occasion. He tried hard and finished well ahead of the remainder of the field. ONE MUSCLE HILL was three back on the inside and moved away from the markers at the quarter pole. He finished in third sport with ROI DU SOLEIL being in fourth position for the majority of the trip. LUCKY PATS SON led out then took a trail before yielding ground from the 600m mark.

Mile Rate: - 2.7.5            Final Lap: - 59.3               Margins: - 10m, 20m

BLACKBOOKER: - Riley Moment NZ

Trial 2: - TANGO TARA is a former New Zealand pacer, which was racing against the Cup Class across the Tasman so he comes to Australia very well placed with a National Rating of 69. He trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and fired through to win easily so he is worth following. He appears to be a good bet at Melton tomorrow night. RACKEMUP TIGERPIE began quickly to lead and ran along at an even tempo. He finished second ahead of GOODTIME HEAVEN, which settled four back on the inside and moved to the death seat at the 600m mark. PRESTONPANS was the last one to finish after being three back on the markers throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.0.6            Final Lap: - 57.7               Margins: - 3m, 2m

BLACKBOOKER: - Tango Tara NZ

Trial 3: - STYLISH IN BLACK (Village Jolt – Romantic Impulse 2.4.4, $4,800) began quickly to find the lead, backed off the tempo in the early stages and sprinted home too well in the run to the finish. She is awkwardly drawn for his debut at Yarra Valley on Monday but she appears to be a winning chance. POWERLINC (Sir Lincoln (Lincoln Royal) – Powerful Princess 1.57.9, $95,245) finished in second position after trailing the leader and using the sprint lane. OUR SUMMER WIND was three back on the markers and moved to the outside at the 500m. He battled on well in the run to finish. REEDS VISION (Art Major – Reeds May GBR 1.51.7, $42,137) is a nicely bred pacer being out of the fast European bred mare Reeds May. She was four back on the markers before moving into the one out and one back trail behind OUR SUMMER WIND. He came out three horses wide on the home turn and finished in fourth position. MONTEPULCIANO (Sportswriter – Long Black 1.57.2, $8,088) was last of the five runners for the duration and was under pressure from the 600m mark.

Mile Rate: - 2.7.6            Final Lap: - 59.2               Margins: - 5m, 5m

Trial 4: - COBBER trailed the leader and moved to the outside at the 500m mark. He sprinted quickly to win by a large margin over ROCKANDANCE (A Rocknroll Dance – Now And Forever 1.58.2, $26,850), which settled last of the three runners. SAPPHIRE GAMBLER (Betting Line – Sapphire Lil 1.58.6, $58,225) set the speed but was overtaken leaving the back straight on the final occasion and ended up being a distant third.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.8            Final Half: - 58.6              Margins: - 20m, 15m

Trial 5: - AMUNET began quickly to lead, set up a very slow tempo and kicked on too well in the run to the finish. SILENT REVERIE broke stride and lost 40m at the start, gained a one out and one back trail in the last lap and came out three horses wide on the turn then ran home well for a game second. COURAGE STRIDE (Muscle Hill – Nitengale Stride USA) trailed the leader and moved to the outside at the 500m mark. He finished third in front of GOODTIMEDONTHESTASH (Skyvalley – A Poem Kept 2.6.0, $16,385), which settled three back on the markers and followed inside runs all of the way.

Mile Rate: - 2.13.6          Final Half: - 64.4              Margins: - 2m, 2m

Trial 6: - TINKA TERROR was three back on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail in the back straight. He finished strongly to get the prize over SIR ROMAN, which pushed forward to find the lead and ran along at an even tempo. STUNNING I AM led out then took a trail and moved to the outside on the home turn. She tried hard in the straight and was beaten by a narrow margin. THE BIG END OFTOWN settled three back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 700m and battled on fairly well for fourth with GOTTA SMUDGE (4 back markers) being last of the five runners to cross the line. THE BIG END OFTOWN is backing up at Ballarat this evening, where he will appreciate a front row draw.

Mile Rate: - 2.0.7            Final Half: - 58.7              Margins: - Head, Head

Trial 7: - MAJESTIC COURTNEY was three back on the markers, pulled hard, moved to the outside at the 400m and finished off strongly to beat the pacers impressively. She is meeting a strong field at her first up performance tomorrow night at Melton. BIT OF A DREAM trailed the leader and used the sprint lane to finish in second position with MISS DANGERFIELD being third after setting the pace. SURFSUP TIGERPIE was four back on the markers and finished fourth with BEACH HARMONY (Somebeachsomewhere – Christian Melody 1.56.2, $212,580) being last of the five runners after breaking at the start and being tailed off throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.0.8            Final Half: - 59.3              Margins: - 3m, 2m