A last placing at the Terang trials was good enough for Harness Racing Victorian form analyst Craig Rail to add Old Dominion to his Blackbook.
Rail was impressed with the Xavier O’Connor-trained trotter before he galloped in the concluding stages of Tuesday’s hit-out.
“Old Dominion might have been the last runner to cross the line but the unraced son of Skyvalley showed some potential,” Rail noted.
“He trailed the leader early, was four back on the markers from the bell, obtained an inside run before the home turn and was trotting stylishly before breaking stride and losing his chance.”
Old Dominion was joined in the Blackbook by this week’s other new entries Thunda Struck and Jimmy Breeze.
TRIAL REPORT
SHEPPARTON 01/08/24
Trial 1: - DANGEROUS began quickly and pushed forward to find the lead at the 1800m mark. He ran along at a genuine tempo and was strong at the finish, winning impressively. He is returning from a spell at Menangle tomorrow night. ROARFORROSCOE led out then took cover and lost the back of DANGEROUS in the initial stages of the home straight but rallied nicely in the final 50m. LITTLE MISS LILY finished a distant third after being three back on the markers and JILLIBY FABIO was last of the four runners for the duration. JILLIBY FABIO is backing up at Wagga this afternoon.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.0 Last Half: - 55.6 Margins: - 8m, 30m
Trial 2: - A LOT LIKE PENDLES was three back on the markers in the early stages, moved into the death seat with a mile remaining, got in behind the leader shortly afterwards and made his winning move at the 500m mark. He drew away over the concluding stages and won impressively. He has been showing a lot of ability at the trials and makes his debut at Shepparton on Tuesday night. MAD PUNTA settled five back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 700m mark then gained cover behind A LOT LIKE PENDLES. He couldn’t go with the winner over the latter stages but beat the remainder of the field by a reasonable margin. He is competing against A LOT LIKE PENDLES at Shepparton on Tuesday night. BROADWAY BRENDA was third after attempting to lead throughout and JUSTCALLHIMREX was fourth after trailing the leader early but racing greenly and ending up being three back on the markers.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.7 Last Half: - 57.8 Margins: - 10m, 4m
Trial 3: - LILLY LOTUS was without cover early, progressed forward to find the lead at the 1700m and dashed well clear before the home turn. She recorded reasonable time and appeared to have something in reserve so it was a handy performance. CALEXICO continues to show ability at the trials and made good ground in the straight. He was sixth on the inside, moved into the running lane (1-2) and made up many lengths in the straight. He should go well at his debut performance on Tuesday night at Shepparton. ALTA BAYAMO finished a distant third after leading out then taking cover ahead of MISTER BOOMBASTIK (3 back markers).
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Last Half: - 58.6 Margins: - 10m, 20m
Trial 4: - AMIGOES began very quickly to find the lead and was able to fend off his rivals to win by a narrow margin. DEREK THE JET began quickly to trail the leader, used the sprint lane and picked up ground in the straight. ESS KAY HOLLYWOOD was three back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 300m and battled on fairly for third. IKIGAI ran a great race for fourth after she galloped away, tacked on with a lap remaining and kept on fighting in the home straight. She is meeting a strong field at Melton this evening but she is racing in peak form.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.5 Last Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 1m, 8m
MARYBOROUGH 04/08/24
Trial 1: - SLICE OF CHEDDAR has been going very nicely at the trials but hasn’t been able to convert at the races. He was able to lead throughout and hold off MAJOR ANNIE NZ, which trailed the leader and used the sprint lane. WOW YOU CAN DANCE settled last of the three runners, came to the outside at the 600m mark and finished a close up third.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.7 Last Half: - 60.2 Margins: - Short Head, Neck
Trial 3: - HELLOVATIME began quickly and was without cover early, progressed forward to find the lead and held off the challengers to win by a narrow margin. THE STEEL DRAGON settled three back on the inside, used the sprint lane and finished off solidly for a close second. JOHN VINCENT finished in third after leading out then taking cover. He backed up at Ballarat on Thursday night. MAJOR FANTASY settled midfield on the markers, moved into the death seat at the bell and battled on reasonably well for fourth.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Last Half: - 58.6 Margins: - 1m, 1m
Trial 5: - BUCKLES FOR BERRY is a daughter of Majestic Son for trainer David Murphy and was able to take out the trial for juvenile trotters after leading throughout. ZARSKI settled three back on the markers, used the sprint lane and finished off nicely for a narrow second. SASSY GALLEON settled five back on the markers early, ended up being four back, was very wide on the home turn and ran home well to finish in third. She is making her debut against a strong field at Melton this evening. ALDEBARAN BRIANNA was fourth on the markers, moved into the running lane at the 300m and battled on okay for fourth.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.7 Last Half: - 62.1 Margins: - Short ½ head, head
Trial 8: - NO TELLING HEATHER began brilliantly to find the lead and dashed home in a slick final quarter of 28.5 seconds to win easily. She appeared to be back to her best form and might be in for a good campaign. KOUFAX also began well and angled in behind the leader. He battled on fairly well for second and was well clear of the third placed CASA ALBERTA, which came from last of the five runners and was doing her best work late.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.5 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 15m, 10m
KYABRAM 04/08/24
Trial 2: - LITTLE RAIN CLOUD is a nicely bred filly that is yet to make her debut but has had an extensive trial campaign and was able to take out the final trial. She defeated CARRERA SERENA NZ, which is a New Zealand bred mare for trainer Michael Watt and is yet to face the starter. UPRIGHT finished a close up third ahead of CASA BRILLARE.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.3 Last Half: - 60.9 Margins: - 1m, head
MILDURA 05/08/24
Trial 1: - WHATS GLENDA GOT had the benefit of race experience over most of her rivals and was able to lead throughout. She dashed to the lead, was a clear leader throughout and scored by a large margin. IM FIT TREASURE, an unraced pacer by Sportswriter for trainer Jaccob Kerridge, was second throughout and the juvenile gelding POTTSY THE GURU finished in third. The trotter SPRINGVALE QUEEN was last for the duration.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.4 Last Half: - 60.5 Margins: - 40m, 30m
Trial 3: - I’M ALRIGHT JACK began quickly to find the lead and rolled along at a genuine tempo. He was getting a little weary over the concluding stages but was able to hold on and win. HESASTAR broke stride and lost his chance at Mildura several days earlier but bounced back with a handy trial effort. He settled three back on the inside, moved off the markers at the 700m mark and chased hard to go down by a narrow margin. KEAYANG CRIPPA finished in third spot after settling last of the four runners early and racing fiercely throughout the middle stages of the event.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Last Half: - 59.7 Margins: - Head, 25m
Trial 5: - SUNSHINE WARRIOR settled last of the four runners with the field being in single file early before moving into the one out and one back trail at the 600m mark. He came out three horses wide at the 300m and finished off best to score comfortably. A CHIP OF IMPALA showed very good gate speed to lead, took cover at the 1200m and tried hard for second with SHANDIIN BEACH being third across the line after sitting in the trail early and circling around to find the lead mid-race. The winner SUNSHINE WARRIOR and the third placed SHANDIIN BEACH are both backing up at Mildura this afternoon.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.1 Last Half: - 60.7 Margins: - 6m, 2m
TERANG 06/08/24
Trial 1: - KEAYANG TOKYO was able to take it out in a very strong trial to commence the program. He led out, took cover and ended up being three back on the markers with a mile remaining. He commenced his winning run at the 500m mark and got up to win by a narrow margin. JILLIBY WILLOW pushed forward to lead, took cover in the back straight on the first occasion and tried hard for second place. YOUNG BLUEY was caught without cover in the early stages, progressed forward to find the lead and fought on well for third. FIDES came from last of the seven runners to pick up fourth place and KOWALSKI ANALYSIS (5 back markers) was fifth. BETTOR ISOLATE (6 back markers) and BANKSOFTHEMURRAY (4 back markers) were sixth and seventh respectively.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.5 Last Half: - 55.9 Margins: - Neck, 4m
Trial 2: - KEAYANG KURKI began quickly to lead, took cover and ended up being three back on the markers at the bell. She came to the outside with 400m remaining and was able to win softly. KEAYANG MINNESOTA settled four back on the markers, circled around the field from the 1300m to the 1100m to find the front then took cover at the bell. She battled on well for second with CASHOUT coming from last of the six runners to finish in third. OLD DOMINION might have been the last runner to cross the line but the unraced son of Skyvalley showed some potential. He trailed the leader early, was four back on the markers from the bell, obtained an inside run before the home turn and was trotting stylishly before breaking stride and losing his chance.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.4 Last Half: - 62.6 Margins: - 5m, 10m
BLACKBOOKER: - Old Dominion
Trial 3: - SUPER CODE began quickly to find the lead and kicked well clear at the quarter pole. He was getting tired late but was able to prevail by a slender margin. RESURRECTS settled three back on the inside, gave SUPER CODE a healthy start when leaving the back straight and finished off nicely for second. Both horses will be backing up at Melton this evening. LIFE ONA HIGHWAY came from last of the four runners and ran into a distant third.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.7 Last Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 2m, 30m
Trial 4: - KEAYANG ZAHARA settled down last of the five runners, angled wide on the home turn and finished off fast to take out the final event. FOUROUTOFFIVE settled last of the four runners, waited for the sprint lane and finished off hard for a close up second. He is backing up at Melton this evening. The early pacemaker TRICKY DIAMOND finished in third with TEN NO SPUR being fourth across the line after making a move from three back on the markers at the 600m mark. KEAYANG TWEETYBIRD settled last of the six runners and lost all momentum after racing roughly when trying to make ground in the straight.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.6 Last Half: - 60.2 Margins: - Head, 2m
MELTON 06/08/24
Trial 1: - THUNDA STRUCK began fast to find the lead and dominated his rivals to win comfortably. ROCKY VALLEY was four back on the markers early, ended up being three back when MEGHAN NZ galloped ahead of him at the 1400m and waited for the sprint lane. He finished off nicely for second and is backing up at Melton this evening. CENTURION DREAM trailed the leader and came to the outside with 500m remaining. She battled on fairly well for third placing. PROHIBITED BID NZ broke stride in the score up and lost approximately 15m, settled last of the six runners and was working home nicely at the finish to be in fourth placing. He makes his Australian debut at Cranbourne on Sunday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Last Half: - 57.85 Margins: - 7.5m, 5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Thunda Struck
Trial 2: - SCHERGER THAT was able to lead throughout to get the prize. He hasn’t started since a Bendigo victory in May and should have taken benefit from that trial performance. CARLY PEREZ settled three back on the markers, waited for the sprint lane and finished off boldly for second. MY LITTLE BO was four back on the inside, came out three horses wide at the quarter pole and finished off nicely in handy final sectionals to pick up third. She is backing up at Shepparton on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.9 Last Half: - 57.34 Margins: - 2m, 2m
Trial 4: - WATTS UP PARTYTIME has been on his worst behaviour recently having broken stride at his past three attempts. He was given a confidence building trial after he ambled to the lead, set up a slow tempo and scored with something in reserve. He is backing up at Melton on Saturday night. EASY PICKINGS NZ trailed the leader throughout and used the sprint lane to finish a close up second. HES A HAMMER galloped away and missed the start by approximately 40m. The mile rate was very slow but he did well to finish as close as he did.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.7 Last Half: - 58.40 Margins: - 1.5m, ½ neck
Trial 6 – SAM NIEN trailed the leader and came to the outside with 300m remaining. He finished off nicely and took out the trial for juvenile trotters by a comfortable margin. SEBASTIANS WAITING attempted to lead throughout and was able to hold down second position. KINVARA KATE settled four back on the inside and was doing her best work late in third position.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.5 Last Half: - 61.02 Margins: - 5.5m, 2m
Trial 7: - OUR SAYDIE KAY settled three back on the markers and moved to the outside at the quarter pole. She dashed home in a slick final quarter of 27.38 seconds to win the trial nicely. LENARD ESS finished in second after setting the tempo. The eye-catching run of the trial came from the New Zealand bred pacer JIMMY BREEZE NZ for trainer Michael Coulter. He settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 300m and went to the line hard on the back of OUR SAYDIE KAY, seemingly with plenty in reserve. Considering he is yet to make his debut and the two horses that finished in front of him OUR SAYDIE KAY and LENARD ESS have won five races and thirteen races respectively, his performance was excellent.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.1 Last Half: - 57.25 Margins: - 1.5m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: - Jimmy Breeze NZ
Trial 10: - Australasia’s champion trotter JUST BELIEVE made an appearance in Trial 10 but the trial fast became a walkover as his only other rival POWDERKEG galloped at the start and was retired immediately. Greg Sugars allow the champion to stroll around at his leisure and the trial went along just like trackwork, where he went to the line without being pushed.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Last Half: - 60.19
Trial 11: - SON OF MAC NZ began very quickly to find the lead and backed off the tempo in the early stages of the event. He was able to produce some brilliant final sectionals including a last quarter of 27.09 seconds to win the trial nicely. SERGEANT LOU settled last of the five runners, moved up without cover at the 1200m mark and fought on gallantly for a brave second. MAGNETIC TERROR NZ trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and finished a close up third. He is backing up at Melton tomorrow night. BACH NZ settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 1200m and raced roughly at the 400m mark before eventually rolling into a gallop on the home turn.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.0 Last Half: - 55.32 Margins: - 2m, 2m
