Shepparton proved a happy hunting on the Victorian trials' circuit this week, with Zeehan, Changeover Girl and Lottie Moon all catching the eye.
The trio have been added to Craig Rail''s Trial File Blackbook, a select group of 20 that you can view by scrolling to the bottom of this page.
Here's this week's report:
SHEPPARTON 19/11/20
Trial 1: - EMRITES began very quickly to find the lead and enjoyed a nice run throughout the middle stages. He had a good kick left at the finish and was able to hold off LIEUTENANT JACK (Art Major – Localize), which settled six back on the markers and moved up without cover from the bell. OUTLOOK began well and ended up settling in behind the leader. He finished a close up third in what was a terrific finish to the opening trial. CAPTAIN DORIAN was three back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail on the home turn and only peeled to the outside with 100m remaining. He finished well for fourth. The eye-catching run of the trial came from ZEEHAN (Live or Die – Under Wraps), a close relation to five winners including Living on Fire (1.56.9, $317,323). He was four back on the markers throughout and appeared to be bolting behind the leaders with no clear run at the finish. MARKLEIGH JEAN (Shadyshark Hanover – Markleigh Gina) was seventh on the markers, gained a one out and one back trail, wanted to hang in and was under pressure from the 700m. She beat home DOROTHYS RIVER (Blissfull Hall – River of Money 1.59.1, $2,992) (5 back markers) and MUCHOS HOMBRES was last for the majority of the journey but was able to come out and win first up from a break at Cobram on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.5 Final Half: - 58.4 Margins: - 1m, Head
BLACKBOOKER: - Zeehan
Trial 2: - WESTERN SONADOR produced an explosive performance as a lead up to his return to racing at Melton on Saturday. He was one out and one back before being stranded without cover at the 1500m and pushing forward to lead shortly afterwards. He raced away in the latter stages to win by a big margin. HEAVEN IN LOCKSLEY began quickly and was without cover early before sliding to the front then taking a trail behind WESTERN SONADOR. He couldn’t go with the winner late but he kicked on well for second with CASTING SHADOW being in third after settling down in fifth and gaining the one out and one back trail at the quarter pole. CASTING SHADOW ran a very good race for second a few days later at Cobram so he might be nearing a winning performance. TWENTY TWO KARAT was four back on the inside for the majority of the journey. He moved away from the inside at the 400m mark but made no impression in the straight. THE RED MOON RISING dropped back to be last of the six runners and followed the field around without being pushed and AXINITE led initially before ending up being three back on the markers and dropped out to the tail of the field late. AXINITE is meeting a strong field at Shepparton on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.2 Final Half: - 56.4 Margins: - 25m, 10m
Trial 3: - ENCRYPTION was in various positions in the run but was able to run home best and win comfortably at the end. He started off being in the one out and one back trail, got stranded without cover, angled in to be fourth on the markers, extricated into the running lane at the 600m (1-2) and was out four horses wide from the 300m. LOPEZ (A Rocknroll Dance – Chenille) was the fastest to begin and led early before taking cover at the 1700m. She was shuffled back to being the third horse on the markers mid-race then gained the one out and one back trail with 900m remaining. She ran a nice trail but she is meeting a very smart field for debut at Yarra Valley on Monday. JITTERBUG ARDEN (A Rocknroll Dance – Fantastic Arden 2.0.3, $13,975) settled in the running lane (1-2 then 1-1), made a move out three horses wide and found the front at the 1400m mark. He ended up finishing a distant third ahead of SO SHE SAID (Western Terror – Bold Comment Lombo), which started off in a nice trailing position but was left stranded without cover. ROYLE BLOOD (Art Major – Christisimo 1.57.2, $48,618) trailed the leader early and was shuffled to mid-field on the markers. He beat home OK TO LOVE, which pushed forward to lead then took cover, and the former New South Wales trained pacer FOLLOW THE ECLIPSE broke stride at the start and was tailed off throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Final Half: - 59.3 Margins: - 4m, 12m
Trial 4: - CHANGEOVER GIRL (Changeover – Shortys Treasure 1.58.8, $24,110) has had an extensive trial campaign but indicated that she is ready to start racing and perhaps winning with a strong front running display. She led throughout, appeared to have a kick left at the finish and held out the subsequent impressive Bendigo winner ESTERNA in the run to the line. ESTERNA settled three back on the markers and moved into the death seat at the 600m mark. She finished second with LUXURY LAD being in third after trailing the leader throughout. KISSMELVIS was last early but ended up being in fourth position when the horse he was trailing JANNALI (Sunshine Beach – Vista Bella 1.57.9, $110,021), hung out badly at the 1400m then raced roughly for the remainder of the trial.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.6 Final Half: - 57.6 Margins: - 2m, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: - Changeover Girl
Trial 5: - LOTTIE MOON is a former New Zealander, which joins trainer Juanita Breen. She followed the markers early and was fifth at the bell, came away from the inside at the 600m and cruised to an effortless victory. She is assessed as a 47 on the National Ratings scale so she should be able to find a winnable assignment in the near future. SHAKATIE (Bettors Delight – Shakali 2.0.9, $16,970) began quickly to lead, took a trail, moved into the one out and one back position at the bell and came out three horses wide from the 800m so it was a tidy effort to finish in second. JUKEBOX JET settled down last and came with a big finish to pick up third. He has performed nicely at the trials several times recently and is definitely a winning chance at Shepparton on Sunday if he can repeat that effort. The trotter CMON CARL LEE is also racing at Shepparton but his manners are always an issue. He started from the second line, came out three horses wide early then pushed forward to the leading role before being overtaken late. ONE MORE NO MORE began quickly to race without cover, took a trail at the 1600m and finished fifth ahead of SASSKI (Major Bronski – Sass And Bling), which was seventh on the markers for most of the journey. MAJESTIC TIME raced in the running lane throughout (1-1, 1-2 from the 1200m) and beat home BINNO MAJOR (Art Major – Saved A Corka 1.59.1, $130,397), which was one out and one back early before being left stranded without cover from the 1500m.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.9 Final Half: - 60.2 Margins: - 5m, 10m
BLACKBOOKER: - Lottie Moon
Trial 6: - LUCKY SERINA trailed the leader, moved away from the inside on the home turn and was able to get the better of the early leader THE BEST DREAM in the run to the post. She is resuming in the third race at Maryborough this afternoon and is a good chance on that trial performance. MONTANA MUSCLE (Down Under Muscle – Madiskita 2.6.3, $31,875) filled third position after being slowly away and settling approximately 30m behind the leading duo. LOOK FOR TASCOTT (Skyvalley – Hands of a Star) broke stride in the score up and was tailed off early, chased hard then broke stride again at the 900m so he was the last horse to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.4 Final Half: - 59.5 Margins: - Head, 40m
CRANBOURNE 21/11/20
Trial 1: - CAPTAIN BELLASARIO is a smart juvenile pacer, which won at Yarra Valley at his last race track appearance on November 05. He was able to find the lead early and dashed home in a slick final quarter of 27.7 seconds to win easily. He is meeting a strong field at Melton tomorrow night but he is right at his peak at present. MASTER REMI trailed his stable mate throughout but couldn’t make any impression on him late. Sectionally it was still a good run and he beat his other two rivals comfortably. He is awkwardly drawn at Yarra Valley on Monday but should be closing in late if his trial run is any indication. CLASSY COUNTESS was three back on the markers for the majority of the trip and finished a distant third. DEVIL OF A SMILE settled in third but lost his position at the 1200m mark and ended up being last on the inside. He broke stride with 400m remaining and was the last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.8 Final Half: - 56.5 Margins: - 8m, 20m
Trial 2: - MOBSTER had one start at Stawell back in December and is now with trainer Bradley Costello. He is out of the Breeders Crown winning mare Led Suitcase and was able to take out the final trial after trailing the leader TOTALLY SHATTERED and proving to be too quick in the home straight. FEND OFF settled in third position but was a little behind the pacers before he broke stride at the bell and was retired out of the trial.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - Not Given
YARRA VALLEY 22/11/20
Trial 1: - CHRISKEN KIOSK is preparing to return to the racetrack at Geelong tonight, where he meets a handy field. He has won two trials recently, the latest at Yarra Valley, where he defeated the maiden performers. PRINCE OF LIGHT is a maiden from 19 starts and hasn’t raced since May. He was formerly prepared by Maree Caldow and is now with trainer Peter Goudie. He finished second ahead of the qualifier ARCTURA SKY (Skyvalley – Flickering Flame 2.9.1, $3,960), which makes his debut at Yarra Valley on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.5 Final Half: - 61.3 Margins: - 20m, 30m
Trial 2: - GETBUSYFIZZY was successful in the final trial and followed with an unplaced performance in the Claiming event at Ararat on Wednesday where he was caught behind a tiring runner and didn’t have the best of luck. MELPARK BUTCH hasn’t raced since June 2019 and was able fill second position, nicely clear of the three qualifiers headed by the Paul Stokes trained MIR (Flightpath – Global Village 1.58.5, $51,019). JINGLES (Skyvalley – Jingling Silver 1.58.4, $191,322) is a nicely bred mare being out of the former classy trotter Jingling Silver. She finished fourth in preparation for her debut at Yarra Valley on Monday with SUMMER BLUE (Caribbean Blaster – Ima Blue Bell 2.1.6, $13,799) being the last horse to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.8 Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - 5m, 15m
MARYBOROUGH 22/11/20
Trial 1: - I’M SIR BLAKE settled four back on the markers, gained the one out and one back trail at the 600m and came to the outside on the home turn. It took him the length of the straight but he got up in time to win the opening trial narrowly. The final half was run in a sizzling 55.2 seconds so his own sectional times coming from off the speed were outstanding. STRUVE produced a fighting display to finish second. He trailed the leader, moved to the outside at the 600m and boxed on very well at the finish. HUGO ROCKS produced a very nice run into third. He settled 3 back on the inside, was held up for a run at a vital stage and wasn’t put under any pressure over the latter stages in very fast time. He has drawn poorly for his return to racing at Geelong tonight but he did perform well enough to be competitive. AMPLE POWER is returning from a spell in the Claiming Masters at Melton on Saturday night. He attempted to lead throughout and appeared a little disappointing at first glance but the pace he set was very fast.
Mile Rate: - 1.55.1 Final Half: - 55.2 Margins: - ½ Head, 3m
Trial 2: - ROCKASAKI settled down in the running lane (1-2) early, then pushed forward to find the lead with 1100m remaining. She ran along at a strong tempo and was able to hold her rivals safely at bay. SEEMEPEARLYWHITES began quickly to lead early, took a trail at the 1700m and was shuffled back to fourth mid-race before moving into the death seat at the 1100m. She produced a solid performance in second position. OHOKA MAXIMUS was in the one out and one back trail early, pushed forward to find the lead at the 1200m mark then took cover shortly afterwards. He used the sprint lane and held his ground over the final stages. ITSALLABOUTEX started off being third on the markers, was shuffled back to fifth and moved into the one out and one back trail with 600m remaining. He finished fourth ahead of REVA, which was the first to the markers before being shuffled right back mid-race, with GOBSMACKED being last of the six runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.8 Final Half: - 57.2 Margins: - 1m, 6m
Trial 3: - EL BOSTON trailed the leader TELL NOBODY, moved to the outside in back straight and showed very good acceleration to hit the front and dash well clear over the latter stages. BIT OF A DREAM settled last of the three runners and was able to sneak along the sprint lane to pick up TELL NOBODY in the straight to finish in second position.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.8 Final Half: - 60.3 Margins: - 25m, 10m
Trial 4: - IONA SPIDER began with her usual zest and was able to spear to the lead shortly after the start. She ran along at an even tempo and was able to hold off the challenge of JERICHOS TRUMPET to win nicely. She is meeting a strong field at Melton tomorrow night. JERICHOS TRUMPET settled four back on the inside, came out three horses wide at the 300m mark and finished determinedly in the straight. BACARDI JESS settled three back on the markers and finished third with FORGOT TO REMEMBER in fourth after being without cover throughout. Unfortunately, she broke stride with only 30m remaining in the trial but the mistake didn’t affect her finishing position. CANADIAN ALM trailed the leader and began yielding ground with 600m remaining. YANKEE TWISTER settled last on the markers and dropped off the bunch, finishing a long last.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Final Half: - 60.4 Margins: - 2m, 5m
Trial 5: - CLEM MCCARDLE began quickly to lead, took a trail and moved away from the markers on the home turn. He sprinted home well to get the prize from LUCKIE, which was without cover early before pushing forward to find the front going around the first turn. FEROCIOUS SON trailed the leader early, was shuffled to three back on the markers and held down third from LONGASULOVEME (4 back markers) and SURBITON CHARDONNAY (Safari – Corksapoppin 2.3.0, $5,915) was last of the five runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.2 Final Half: - 58.4 Margins: - 3m, 5m
Trial 6: - MORRISONS DREAM was a very impressive winner. He was without cover early, eased to be sixth on the markers, angled into the running lane in the last lap (1-2) and sprinted quickly from out four horses wide with 300m remaining. He easily picked up CARRAMAR CEE SMITH, which won at Bendigo at his latest start, and recorded a slick final quarter of 28.2 seconds in the process. He is a smart type and is worth following. CARRAMAR CEE SMITH began quickly to lead, set up a slow tempo and finished off in fast final sectionals so he couldn’t have done much more, he just met a better horse on the day. Both MORRISONS DREAM and CARRAMAR CEE SMITH will make their race track return at Terang on Tuesday night. AMELIA ROCKS began quickly to trail the leader and enjoyed a nice run in transit but boxed on well for third position. WYATTFLYNN was third on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail, hung out at the 500m mark and batted on fairly well for fourth with HUEY TREVOR (Auckland Reactor – Eastern Art) (4 back markers, 1-2) being fifth. SCENE OF TERROR (Western Terror – Clean The Scene) settled last of the seven and picked up WHITESOFTHEIREYES (Courage Under Fire – Getrichofdietryin 1.56.3, $71,523) (5 back markers) over the concluding stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.6 Final Half: - 56.6 Margins: - Head, 4m
BLACKBOOKER: - Morrisons Dream
Trial 7: - MEGIDDO began quickly to lead, set up a slow tempo and was able to hold off a late challenge from SHARKBITE ALTO to land the prize. SHARKBITE ALTO began quickly to trail the leader, moved away from the markers on the home turn and finished well but just failed on the line. ARDENT BLISS settled four back on the markers and ran into a distant third with HEEZALITTLECAESAR being fourth after being third early and out three horses wide on the home turn. VISION AND COURAGE broke stride at the start and lost approximately 30m in the early stages of the event hence he was last of the five runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.7 Final Half: - 59.4 Margins: - Head, 12m
Trial 8: - The eighth trial was for the rising 2yo pacers and trainer Mark Hayes prepared all three runners. The winner STRIKER STRIDE (Betting Line – Precocious Stride USA) is by the first season sire Betting Line, a son of the great Bettors Delight and the winner of 20 of his 27 starts ($2,238,518). STRIKER STRIDE trailed the leader, moved away from the markers on the home turn and raced very greenly in the straight but he knuckled down close to the line and got the job done. AVIATOR STRIDE (Excel Stride – Sparkling Stride) is a son of Excel Stride (1.50.3, $769,464), which was a Derby winner, an Inter Dominion place getter and a top horse in Grand Circuit events. He tried to lead all of the way but was run down late. AERO STRIDE (Excel Stride – Lush Stride) was last of the three runners but moved into the death seat at the quarter pole and was three horses wide on the home turn and he wasn’t beaten by far at the end.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.0 Final Half: - 63.6 Margins: - 1m, Short ½ head
Trial 9: - JENNYSFAVOURITE has ability but she is making errors at this stage of her career. She settled fifth on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 1200m and came out three horses wide at the 300m before dashing away in the straight to win comfortably. DRAGONFLY (Skyvalley – My Lady Posh) broke stride in the score up and missed the start by approximately 25m so it was a tidy display to finish second. He settled last of the six runners then moved into the running lane (1-2) with 600m remaining. HIGHLAND HILL was fourth on the markers and moved into the death seat with 1200m left to travel. He battled on quite well for third in front of JORDANS MATE, which was three back on the markers throughout. THIS QUAKER (Quaker Jet – This Way) led out, took a trail behind SUGAR HIGH (Peak – Sugar Times) and was held up for momentum, losing approximately 10m on the home turn before using the sprint lane so he had little luck. SUGAR HIGH was the last one to pass the winning post.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.8 Final Half: - 61.1 Margins: - 10m, 8m
Trial 10: - BONDI LOCKDOWN began quickly to lead, ran along at a genuine tempo and was able to run very quick final sectionals (55.5, 27.6) to win comfortably. He is racing at Melton tomorrow night and he meets a quality field but he performed well enough in his trial victory to suggest he can be competitive. SET ABLAZE (American Ideal – Smouldering Desire) produced a cracking trial performance to defeat Drain The Swamp and Idyllic at Melton in February and stepped out in public for the first time since that trial victory on Sunday. He trailed BONDI LOCKDOWN throughout and had his chance but the time was very quick. POTENTIAL ARTIST (Art Major – Miss Potential) was last of the three runners throughout but met two very smart horses on the day.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.4 Final Half: - 55.5 Margins: - 8m, 25m
Trial 11: - VINEESHA LYN (Fling It – Kirsly Kept $12,925) began quickly to find the lead and pulled hard when setting up a slow tempo. She was able to keep rolling to the line however and scored comfortably at the end. COURAGE STRIDE (Muscle Hill – Nitengale Stride USA) was a big run for a rising 2yo trotter. He settled down in third position and gave chase to be beaten by four metres and never looked like making an error so he might be one to watch when the next season begins. JESSICAS STORY (Imperial Count – Im Rite Or Wrong 1.58.0, $39,690) settled four back on the inside and finished in third position with COULD DOWITHARAIN (Danny Bouchea – Lily May 2.2.6, $18,512) finishing at the tail after leading out, taking cover and breaking stride with 500m to run.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.5 Final Half: - 64.5 Margins: - 4m, 30m
Trial 12: - SHAZZAM trailed the leader early then settled three back on the inside, came out three horses wide on the home turn and finished off stylishly to win over ULTIMATE VINNIE (Alta Christiano – Bella Enobrac). ULTIMATE VINNIE led out, took a trail, moved into the death seat at the 600m mark and raced greenly at the end. He showed some promise and should be improved by the experience. FESTIVE AZZ settled down last of the four runners, used the sprint lane and finished third with ASHFORD SECRET dropping back to be last of the four runners after finding the front with 1700m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.7 Final Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 1m, 5m
Trial 13: - VALOUR STRIDE (Well Said – Gypsy Stride 1.54.9, $30,110) trailed the leader, wanted to hang out at the 400m, moved away from the inside and raced greenly in the straight. He was able to get up and defeat VALIANT STRIDE (Betting Line – Arma Dominator 2.1.7, $15,910), which set the pace with STORM STRIDE (Excel Stride – Scarlet Stride) being last of the three horses to cross the line after galloping at the start then again at the 1300m. This trial for the rising 2yo pacers was significantly faster than the juveniles in trial eight.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.7 Final Half: - 60.4 Margins: - ½ Head, 60m
Trial 14: - MUMSTHEWORD jumped away well to find the lead from DYNAMIC DIESEL with SURBITON ARMISTICE settling down last of the three runners. There wasn’t any change in the order with DYNAMIC DIESEL moving away from the markers half way down the back straight but remaining in second position with MUMSTHEWORD holding him safely at bay.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.6 Final Half: - 62.1 Margins: - 3m, 10m
ARARAT 23/11/20
Trial 1: - ELEGANT SAFARI hasn’t raced since an eighth at Stawell in July 2019. She took on the trotters in the opening trial and defeated DEFENSIVE GUY with a long gap to IN VINO VERITAS (Fling It – Sun Legend) and the beautifully bred ZESTA LA GO GO (Majestic Son – Zesta 2.1.6, $143,460) was the last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.1 Final Half: - 61.6 Margins: - 6m, 100m
Trial 2: - Trainer Aaron Dunn provided the first two runners across the line with VANITY BAY, which hasn’t raced since a fourth at Ballarat in August beating home MAXACTOR, which won at his last two starts prior to a spell. LAVAUGHN finished a close up third and WHISTLE ON BY, which hasn’t raced for over two years, was last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.5 Final Half: - 56.8 Margins: - 2m, Head
Trial 3: - The former Queensland pacer ANGEL I AM was able to win the third trial over BERYLS GRIN (Grinfromeartoear – Panorama Wealth 1.58.4, $39,331) and BETTORBEWRIGHT (Bettors Delight – Illbewright 1.59.8, $7,800) in what a close finish between the trio. ROYAL CADENCE (Bettors Delight – Thepresidentslady 2.1.6, $4,922) finished a distance away in fourth position.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.7 Final Half: - 61.7 Margins: - Head, ½ Head
Trial 4: - GLENFERRIE DEVOTEE hasn’t raced since a sixth at Horsham back in August but was able to take out the last trial, which consisted of just two runners. The trotter FREMARKSROOSTER finished five metres astern in a slowly run event to conclude the program.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.6 Final Half: - 61.3 Margin: - 5m
TABCORP PARK, MELTON 25/11/20
Trial 1: - FULL NOISE commenced from the handicap of 20m, trailed the leader and moved to the outside with 500m remaining. He worked to the front on the home turn and scored without being seriously challenged. WILLIE GO WEST started from the handicap of 50m, tacked onto the leading duo quickly and followed FULL NOISE all of the way, even in the home straight where he never peeled to the outside at any stage. STAIRWAYTOTHEMOON was the only horse starting from the front line so naturally stepped to the lead. He was run down in the final stages but he was taking on two very good horses.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.5 Final Half: - 61.25 Margins: - 4.5m, 6.5m
Trial 2: - CONSTANTINOPLE began quickly to lead and set up a slow tempo. He was able to coast down to the line under his own steam and won clearly. BAALINEE (Peak – Drop Us Aline 2.0.4, $103,393) trailed the leader throughout and finished in second position. RYMES (Majestic Son – Genayas Girl) broke stride at the start and was tailed off throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.0 Final Half: - 63.34 Margins: - 7m, 250m
Trial 3: - CALCULATING DANCER settled three back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m mark and got home best to take the prize over HOWS THE SERENITY, which trailed the leader, moved to the outside with 700m remaining and hit the front at the quarter pole. OUR LITTLE GODDESS came from last of the six runners and ran into a distant third ahead of BEAU HART (5 back markers) and the early leader MY LINDY ANGELS tired into fifth position. CALYPSO MISTRESS settled four back on the markers, moved into the running lane (1-1 then 1-2 at the 600m) but broke stride when in fourth position on the home turn. She was the last of the six runners to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.8 Final Half: - 56.86 Margins: - Head, 41m
Trial 4: - REFORMED (Modern Art – Nymeria) settled three back on the markers and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He finished off well and secured victory on the line. GIVEITATRY should have won the trial and put in an eye-catching performance. He settled down in last position, was still ten metres behind the second last horse approaching the home turn and hit the line hard when asked to extend. HEAVENLY GIPSY began quickly to lead and was run down late but only missed out by a narrow margin. MELODY BEACH trailed the leader, moved up without cover at the 500m and finished last of the four in a terrific finish with less than half of a length separating the entire field.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.7 Final Half: - 56.79 Margins: - ½ neck, ½ head
Trial 5: - TIMELY INVASION was the only horse in the field of three runners that did everything right and got the prize by a large margin. TOUCH OF BRINBA (I’m Stately – Brinba 2.9.4, $10,045) broke stride at the start and lost approximately 60m early. She finished in second with ALDEBARAN THOR (Skyvalley – Countessa Hest 2.1.5, $137,858) finishing last of the three after being checked at the start, breaking stride and losing valuable ground.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.0 Final Half: - 62.0 Margins: - 159m, 104m
Trial 6: - The former Western Australian pacer HY LEINVINCIBLE settled three back on the markers, zipped around his two rivals to lead from the half mile marker and was able to cling on at the end to claim the prize. BUZZ LIKA BEE (Betterthancheddar – Lady Watch) led out, took trail and came to the outside at the quarter pole. He chased hard in a slick final quarter of 27.47 seconds and went down narrowly. ROCKONHEAVENSHADOW (Rock N Roll Heaven – Art Shadow 1.57.5, $114,488) trailed the leader early, was relegated to last mid-race and remained in that position for the rest of the journey.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.0 Final Half: - 56.16 Margins: - 1/2neck, 11.5m
Trial 7: - RUESLAN trailed the leader REALY UNDER FIRE in the early stages, moved around to take the lead with 1100m remaining and was able to win comfortably at the end. REALY UNDER FIRE showed his usual gate speed to lead early, took the trail and tried hard but couldn’t pick up any ground on RUESLAN in the latter stages.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.5 Final Half: - 58.4 Margin: - 5m
Trial 8: - SAMMY SHOWDOWN trailed the leader, moved to the outside with 400m remaining and dashed well clear over the concluding stages to win in handy time. IMPERIAL WHIZ attempted to lead throughout but was no match for SAMMY SHOWDOWN in the final stages. BULLION LADY was last of the three runners throughout but was never really asked for a full effort.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.9 Final Half: - 57.83 Margins: - 13.5m, 5m
Trial 9: - THE DEFIANT showed brilliant gate speed to lead, pulled hard and set up a strong tempo. He dashed right away in the final 400m and won by a large margin. ARTS DASH settled three back on the markers, was held up for a run at a vital stage and finished strongly via the sprint lane once he eventually gained a clear passage. GOZO LIGHTING settled down last of the four runners, moved to the outside with a half mile remaining and battled into third with STEVIE DEE being the last horse to greet the judge after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.56.8 Final Half: - 55.98 Margins: - 30.5m, 9m
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