He’s one of the most exciting two-year-old pacers in the land and Harness Racing Victoria form analyst Craig Rail was thrilled with Petracca’s return trial at Tabcorp Park Melton.

The Emma Stewart-trained youngster produced a “massive performance” to make up an “enormous amount of ground in a slick final half of 57.12” and run third on Monday.

He was marked as one of Rail’s four Blackbookers from the trials this week, with the updated file located at the bottom of the page.

TRIAL REPORT

SHEPPARTON 28/07/22

Trial 1: - The outstanding pacer LOCHINVAR ART returned from his latest fifth in the Hunter Cup with a solid trial victory. He settled down last of the six runners, gained a one out and one back trail at the 900m and commenced his winning run at the 300m. NEW YORKER continued his outstanding trial form by finishing in second position. He was three back on the pegs early, moved up without cover at the bell and went down fighting. He makes his Victorian debut at the Kyabram @ Shepparton meeting on Sunday and will prove extremely hard to beat. HIRANYA NZ settled fifth on the inside, angled into the running lane at the 800m (1-2) and finished off well for a distant third.

Mile Rate: - 1.59.6,         Last Half: - 56.0                Margins: - 1m, 10m

Trial 2: - ROAM was fast away and angled in behind the leader at the 1800m. She moved away from the pegs at the 600m and sustained a long run to score. She has been promising a win for some time and is racing at the Kyabram @ Shepparton meeting on Sunday but is awkwardly drawn. TREASURE STRIDE hasn’t raced since a fourth in the Bathurst Gold Tiara in March. She settled down in sixth and finished off well through the middle late to pick up second.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.0             Last Half: - 57.6                Margins: - 4m, Neck

Trial 4: - BIG BAD OSSIE has only faced the starter twice for a debut win and an unplaced effort in a heat of the Australian Gold Bullion series. He was extremely impressive in taking out his trial after he trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 300m and careered past the early pacemaker WILL HE PIKE to win by a large margin. WOODLEA BEAVER NZ settled down in fourth and made up a lot of ground in the straight to run a nice third.

Mile Rate: - 1.59.4           Last Half: - 57.2                Margins: - 10m, 15m

Trial 6: - NATIONAL NEWS NZ hasn’t raced since finishing third in the Tasmanian Derby in March. He was without cover early, found the front at the 1800m, took a trail shortly afterwards and made his move from the 500m. He was able to win without being extended. PERFECT AS I AM was four back on the inside, gained a one out and one back trail at the 300m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He finished off well for second with KELLYS DELIGHT (5 back pegs) finishing off strongly for third.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.7             Last Half: - 57.8                Margins: - 2m, 5m

 

KILMORE 28/07/22

Trial 2: - THE LOCOMOTIVE hasn’t raced since a second in the Homegrown Classic Final in May. The son of the champion mare La Coocaracha looked very sharp at his Kilmore trial victory over stable mate AVENEL EAGLE. He was without cover early, pressed forward to find the lead at the 1500m and was untouched in scoring by a comfortable margin. AVENEL EAGLE led out then took cover and the third placed SHAQ THE ANVIL (5 back markers) came out and won a trial at Melton four days later.

Mile Rate: - 2.10.8           Last Half: - 62.9                Margins: - 8.5m, 10.5m

Trial 3: - The outstanding trotter ALDEBARAN ZEUS hasn’t started since a second in the Super Series Final in December but makes his return at Melton tomorrow night. He was able to defeat a handy field of pacers after settling four back on the inside, moving into the one out and one back trail at the 400m and switching into the sprint lane to drive through late. It was an impressive performance and showed that he is close to his peak. ART OF SHENG LI began quickly to lead, hung out at the 500m and battled on fairly well for second. The eye-catching performance came from the fifth placed HEAVENLY CHARM. She settled down last of the seven runners, came to the outside at the 600m, was very wide on the home turn and finished fast without being fully extended. She returned from a spell and had no clear run when an unlucky fourth at Geelong last night.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.3             Last Half: - 58.1                Margins: - 1.5m, 4m

BLACKBOOKER: - Heavenly Charm

Trial 4: - WHATWILLBEEWILLBEE prepared for his effort at the Kyabram @ Shepparton meeting on Sunday with an easy victory in the final trial. He led throughout and defeated the juvenile trotter GLAMOUR STRIDE, which settled down in fifth position and chased hard after moving into the death seat at the 800m.

Mile Rate: - 2.7.8             Last Half: - 59.7                Margins: - 3m, 6m

 

BACCHUS MARSH 30/07/22

Trial 1: - JUST MIKI is trained by Philip Chircop and recorded a reasonable mile rate of 2.1.3 in taking out the opening trial over SOMEGLITZSOMEWHERE and the New Zealand bred gelding RUBIO NZ. JUST MIKI is out of the race winning mare Look At Me and is a close relation to the two winners in Dee Double You (1.53.4) and Just A Philtra (1.58.3) so he might be worth following.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.3             Last Half: - 58.7                Margins: - 10m, 8m

Trial 3: - HELANSIN hasn’t raced since a fourth in the Super Series Bronze event at Bendigo in December. He is a handy type that has won four of his 22 starts and was able to dead-heat for first with another quality performer in HURRICANE HUSSLER, which has been freshened since an unplaced effort at Geelong in June. HELANSIN is competing at Cranbourne on Tuesday and is a winning chance from a favourable draw whereas HURRICANE HUSSLER will take on a strong field at Melton tomorrow night.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.8             Last Half: - 57.6                Margins: - Dead heat, 10m

Trial 5: - BIG ROCKIN DAN prepared for his debut performance at Cranbourne on Tuesday night with a comfortable victory over MY JUSTICE and the handy trotter CYCLONE S ADAMS filled third spot. BIG ROCKIN DAN has now won three of his five trial performances so a forward showing is expected from him first up.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.3             Last Half: - 58.8                Margins: - 6m, 6m

 

ECHUCA 31/07/22

Trial 2: - OUR ART WORK trailed the leader, moved the outside at the 500m and was able to hold off the late challenge of KEAYANG ALEX, which stormed home from fourth on the home turn. KEAYANG ALEX has drawn on the pole position at the Kyabram @ Shepparton on Sunday.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.8             Last Half: - 61.0                Margins: - ½ head, 15m

 

STAWELL 31/07/22

Trial 2: - KEAYANG CHUCKY went back to the trials after producing a massive effort first up at Maryborough where he galloped away and came from tailed off to finish in fourth. He backed up again at Maryborough a few days after his Stawell trial victory and lost by the barest possible margin behind More Wanted. He is a smart horse and is ready to break through for a win. TICTOK broke stride at her latest appearance as the $2.00 favourite and followed with a distant second in the trial with ALDBARAN BOYD being in third position. TICTOK should be competitive at Charlton on Monday.  

Mile Rate: - 2.3.4             Last Half: - 59.8                Margins: - 46m, 28m

Trial 3: - BUYERS MARKET has the record of three wins from thirty-five starts and hasn’t raced since March but he won the last trial by 44m and ran a last half of 56.2 seconds defeating the subsequent Maryborough victor SWEETSAZZYMYLAZZY. He has a low National Rating of 44 so based on that trial performance, he is definitely worth following.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.0             Last Half: - 56.20              Margins: - 44m, 38m

BLACKBOOKER: - Buyers Market

 

MILDURA 31/07/22

Trial 1: - OUR MASTER PLAY prepared for his effort at Mildura this afternoon with an emphatic all of the way victory over ONLINE MODEL, which trailed behind OUR MASTER PLAY throughout and battled on well at her first ever trial.  OUR MASTER PLAY was able to lead throughout and win at his debut then struck trouble at his second attempt. He is awkwardly drawn in the opening race today.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.8             Last Half: - Not Given     Margins: - 10m, 10m

Trial 3: - WAITING FOR YOU won a race during the Mildura Cup Carnival and hasn’t quite been at her peak form since. She has been freshened and indicated she might be working back into some form with an easy trial victory after she pressed forward to lead at the 1300m and drew away over the latter stages. It was a good confidence building performance for her effort at Mildura this afternoon and she must be considered as a winning chance.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.6             Last Half: - Not Given     Margins: - 25m, 1m

 

TABCORP PARK 01/08/22

Trial 1: - VATICAN HILL NZ hasn’t raced since a fourth in the Sumthingaboutmaori FFA at Melton in March but appeared to be very sharp in winning the opening trial. She commenced from the handicap of 50m, settled four back on the markers then produced a big finish at the end. She will be strongly supported in the Lightfoot Laurels at Melton tomorrow night. BUILDER BOB finished second after trying to lead throughout and returns from a break at Cranbourne on Tuesday while BALTICA NZ finished third.

Mile Rate: - 2.7.3             Last Half: - 57.22              Margins: - 6m, head

Trial 2: - MAJOR MEISTER began brilliantly to lead, ran along at a genuine tempo and scored nicely. RELENTLESS ME finished second after taking the trail behind MAJOR MEISTER and DOUGS BABE was doing her best work at the end after settling three back on the markers. CAPTAIN WILSON, ITS EBONYNIVORY and MAJOR MAL were all close up in a strong trial.

Mile Rate: - 1.58.3           Last Half: - 56.92              Margins: - 1.5m, 4.5m

Trial 3: - MAJOR CELEBRITY trailed the leader and moved away from the inside at the 400m. He finished off best to defeat SATCHMO STRIKES, which finished strongly from three back on the inside. PETRACCA produced a massive performance to be in third. He settled in seventh position, gave the leaders a huge start and made up an enormous amount of ground in a slick final half of 57.12 seconds.

Mile Rate: - 1.58.8           Last Half: - 57.12              Margins: - Head, 13m

BLACKBOOKER: - Petracca

Trial 6: - HESALLMUSCLE NZ is a New Zealand bred trotter, which has joined trainer Emma Stewart. He settled fifth on the markers, came to the outside and ran home strongly to win, drawing away in the run to the finish. ILLAWONG BENITA finished second after trying to lead throughout and the juvenile trotter GLAMOUR STRIDE continued his handy trial form after trailing the leader and battling on well for third. ILLAWONG BENITA is competing at Cranbourne on Tuesday night, where she appears to be a good chance.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.0             Last Half: - 60.59              Margins: - 2m, 5m

Trial 7: - HIGH PROFILE settled four back on the markers, came away from the inside at the 500m and sprinted quickly to score over LEAVE YOUR HAT ON, which attempted to lead throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.8             Last Half: - 57.72              Margins: - Head, 11m

Trial 8: - IRON LOVE settled three back on the inside, chased hard in the last lap and ran away in the run to the finish. He is a classy colt and should continue to thrive this season. CENTRAL OTAGO settled four back on the inside and made ground late for second and TORO STRIDE NZ finished third after trailing the leader throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.4             Last Half: - 63.21              Margins: - 15m, 23m

Trial 9: - RICH BEAUTY settled in the running lane (1-2), came out three horses wide at the 300m and finished strongly to score over RAINBOWSEND, which came from seventh and finished nicely late. BRONSKI MOMENT did well to finish third after racing without cover throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.6             Last Half: - 57.85              Margins: - 1.5m, 3m

Trial 10: - ALL CASHED UP settled last of the three open class trotters and sprinted sharply in the final 300m to defeat VALLEY STAR NZ with the early leader HAVEHORSEWILLTRAVEL being last of the three runners to complete the course. VALLEY STAR is resuming in the Woodlands Stud Trot at Melton tomorrow night and has come up with the pole position.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.9             Last Half: - 59.04              Margins: - 3m, 4.5m

Trial 11: - JAMES IN CHARGE is a promising maiden and should win a race or two during his current campaign. He settled three back on the markers, came out three horses wide from the 300m and scored with ease over JEMSTONE GLORY and the early leader EYES FOR ELLA was last of the three runners to reach the finishing line.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.1             Last Half: - 58.12              Margins: - 7m, 11.5m

BLACKBOOKER: - James In Charge

Trial 12: - OUR VINNIE produced a very impressive display leading up to his debut performance at Bendigo this evening. He settled four back on the inside, came out three horses wide at the 300m and sprinted very quickly to win clearly over MAYOR OF ELWOOD and SOMETHING ABOUT EILY.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.8             Last Half: - 58.51              Margins: - 6m, 7m

 

BENDIGO 01/08/22

Trial 1: - BLUE COMAN NZ settled down last of the four runners, came to the outside at the 500m and stormed home to win untouched by nine metres. She returns from a spell at Charlton on Monday but faces the tough handicap of 40m. BELLTOPPERBOY trailed the leader early before circling around to find the lead at the 1700m. He battled on quite well for second and should strip fitter for his Bendigo performance this evening.

Trial 3: - RULES DON’T APPLY led out then took cover at the 1800m behind the smart mare ILLAWONG STARDUST before coming to the outside at the 600m. He sustained a strong run and appeared to have plenty in reserve at the finish so it was an impressive display. He should be competitive at his first up performance at Melton tomorrow night. ILLAWONG STARDUST battled on fairly well for second and finished well clear of the third placed STICK WITH ME.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.2             Last Half: - 59.2                Margins: - 10m, 9m

Trial 4: - MALAVA MISS was able to lead throughout in slow time but the second placed GOLFO PARADISO NZ was the horse to follow out of the trial. He settled four back on the markers, waited for the sprint lane and stormed home late in a slick final quarter of 27.6 seconds.

Mile Rate: - 2.7.0             Last Half: - 58.3                Margins: - 2m, 3m

Trial 8: - WHATA JOURNEY trailed the leader, moved to the outside at the 400m and proved too strong in the final event. SAHARA TIGER returns to Victoria after having one run in Western Australia, which yielded a victory at Gloucester Park. He came out four horses wide from last on the home turn and stormed into second so it was an eye-catching display. The former Tasmanian pacer KIVIK finished third after being three back on the markers throughout.

Mile Rate:  - 1.59.5         Last Half: - 58.2                Margins: - 4m, 1m