Craig Rail spotted some Major Mischief on the Victorian trials circuit - and he likes what he saw.
The master caller and form analyst has added four Blackbookers this week, scroll to the bottom of the page to see the latest.
TRIAL REPORT 67
SHEPPARTON
Trial 1: - IMA DESTROYER showed gate speed and moved up without cover before pressing forward to find the lead with 1200m remaining and ended up scoring untouched by over a length on the line. APPEARFROMNOWHERE (Majestic Son – Don’t Question This) led out then took a trail behind IMA DESTROYER. He came to the outside on the final corner and tried hard in the straight. SUNS UP (Muscle Mass – Aldebaran Sunset) settled three back on the markers and moved up out three horses wide on the home turn. He battled on fairly well for third with VALLEYSPEED (Bacardi Lindy – Apache Speed 2.5.4, $15,063) being last of the four runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.9 Final Half: - 61.8 Margins: - 5m, 5m
Trial 2: - WATCHMEDAZZLE settled five back on the inside, moved around to find the lead at the 1600m and was never in any danger of defeat, scored comfortably with something in reserve. CAPTAIN DORIAN (Captaintreacherous – Spirited Storm USA 1.59.1, $3,435) trailed the leader and ended up being three back on the markers before coming to the outside with 300m remaining. He battled on quite well for second ahead of GRENADE (Major Bronski – Miss Emjay 2.3.8, $3,246), which led out then took a trail. MACH HAMMER was four back on the markers for the majority of the trial and never peeled to the outside in the straight so he could have finished closer. SHELBY GRACE was in last position after WATCHMEDAZZLE made his early move and she remained at the tail of the field for the remainder of the trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.6 Final Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 6m, 3m
Trial 3: - ITSARAPT dashed to the front in the early stages, pulled very hard and established a big lead. He was always well clear of his rivals and he scored by a comfortable margin. CRACKER JET was five back on the markers early, gained a one out and one back trail at the 600m and came out three horses wide with 300m remaining. He was giving the winner ITSARAPT a big start but was able to make up a lot of ground over the concluding stages. HERES TO YOU JIMMY (Bacardi Lindy – Singing Creek 2.0.1, $59,178) was four back on the inside and worked into the death seat from the 600m. He finished third in front of PATCHWORK (trailed leader) with VINDICATING seeing the field to be safely home after settling three back on the markers.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.8 Final Half: - 59.5 Margins: - 15m, 20m
Trial 4: - SAN CARLO wasn’t at his very best but he got the job done. He was without cover early before taking the lead at the 1700m and rolling along at a reasonable tempo. He was able to defeat TO SIR WITH LOVE, which ran a cracking trial for a National Ratings 51 pacer taking on the open class. She settled three back on the inside and came away from the markers at the 300m, storming home at the finish. She would have made it straight to the top of the black book but unfortunately for those who follow the trial reports, she raced a few days later and was successful. SIRLETIC was never asked for the full effort at any stage and worked home nicely for third. He settled in sixth position, moved onto the back of TO SIR WITH LOVE at the 300m and came out three horses wide in the home straight. WAYONBYE finished fourth after settling fifth on the pegs. ARTISTIC BELLA began quickly to lead then took a trail behind SAN CARLO. She dropped out and finished fifth ahead of ZUBERI (4 back markers).
Mile Rate: - 1.58.8 Final Half: - 57.2 Margins: - 2m, 3m
Trial 5: - YELLOW STONE (Yankee Spider – Lombo Luvbird) began quickly but raced roughly at the start and ended up being without cover on the first turn. She applied pressure to the leader at the 1300m and gained the lead shortly afterwards so it was a tidy display to hold on and win. BELLA MYSTIQUE led out, took a trail and used the sprint lane to snare second with CHANGEOVER GIRL (Changeover – Shortys Treasure 1.58.8, $24,110) being in third position after gaining a nice trail throughout (1-1 from the 1100m). TROUBLE LOOMING was in the one out and one back trail before being left stranded without cover when YELLOW STONE found the lead. He finished fourth in front of NIKKI JO (7th markers, 1-2 at 400m), JUSTBLINGIT CRESCO (trailed leader, 3rd markers) and ARGY BARGY was the last one to greet the judge after settling fifth on the markers.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Final Half: - 60.4 Margins: - Neck, 1m
CRANBOURNE 18/07/20
Trial 1: - MASTER SPARK was slow to begin from the standing start and even though he was trotting, he gave his rival SANDYS SPARKLE (Conch Deville – Gina Dawn) approximately 40m start on the first turn. He quickly tacked on, trailed the leader and came away from the inside on the home turn. He jogged to the lead in the straight and finished 15m ahead of SANDYS SPARKLE at the finish.
Last Mile: - 2.11.3 Final Half: - 61.8 Margin: - 15m
Trial 2: - KNIGHTS TEMPLAR (Art Major – Miss Deville 1.58.8, $53,232) trailed the leader and moved away from the inside at the 300m. He quickly ran to the lead in the straight and looked good in the run to the finish. The time was slow but he is nicely bred and he showed a bit of talent in that performance. MASTER REMI finished fourth at his only start back in April and he produced a sound effort to finish second behind KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. He settled down last of the four runners, came out wide in the home turn straight and produced a fast finish. CLASSY COUNTESS began quickly to lead and enjoyed a nice run mid-race but was gunned down late. ARCTURA SKY (Skyvalley – Flickering Flame 2.9.1, $3,960) is a 3yo trotter and was taking on three juvenile pacers. He gained a nice trail in third, moved away from the markers approaching the quarter pole and broke stride shortly afterwards.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.4 Final Half: - 60.5 Margins: - 8m, 3m
BLACKBOOKER: - Knights Templar
Trial 3: - WOW YOU CAN DANCE (Art Major – Sneaknup) settled three back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 900m and was able to sustain a good run to score by a comfortable margin. He took some driving in the final circuit but he may have been racing a little greenly and he should improve with the outing. EVIE MACH (Mach Three – Eye Catching 1.56.8, $38,730) was four back on the inside, moved onto the back of WOW YOU CAN DANCE at the 700m and finished off reasonably well in the straight without being fully extended. TSOLAKIS tried to lead all of the way and was run down in the home straight while IVE GOT THE LOOKS (Union Guy – El Maggie 2.4.4, $6,800) dropped back to last after trailing the speed.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.6 Final Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 6m, 8m
Trial 4: - DATIZIT trailed the leader ARGH ME HEARTY throughout and came to the outside on the home turn. He sprinted home too well and continued his handy trial form. CORA MOR came from last of the three runners and was three horses wide on the home turn. She was able to fill second spot with ARGH ME HEARTY being not far away in third.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.1 Final Half: - 61.4 Margins: - 6m, 1m
Trial 5: -
SAHARA TIGER trailed the leader MISTER WICKHAM, came away from the inside on the home turn and was just able to get up at the finish in a quality trial to end the program. MISTER WICKHAM showed brilliant gate speed to lead clearly at the start and produced a good trial performance, despite being run down late. Both the first and second place getters appeared to have something left at the finish. GLENLEDI BOY settled three back on the markers and did trail SAHARA TIGER into the straight. He wasn’t hard on the back of the winner on the line but he never peeled to the outside at any stage. RECLUSIVE was fifth on the markers and moved to the outside with 300m remaining. He finished fourth, ahead of SCRUFFY MARSHALL (4 back markers) and CELESTIAL TREKKER was last throughout after beginning slowly.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - Head, 7m (approximately)
ARARAT 18/07/20
Trial 1: - NEVADA YANKEE prepared for his first up tilt at Terang on Wednesday night with a trial victory in reasonable time. He led and finished fourth in that first up performance. DANCEFORME is a juvenile pacer, which finished fifth on debut and trialled nicely for second in front of MILLIONDOLLAR KISS and LEXIES BETTER, which subsequently changed stables and headed up to Mildura, where unplaced on Thursday. THE NAKED FARMER (Auckland Reactor – On Her Game) was the only horse in the trial that hadn’t raced previously and came in last of the five runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Final Half: - 62.0 Margins: - 2.5m, 3.5m
Trial 2: - MACHSTIQUE is undefeated in two starts and hasn’t raced since March. He took out the second trial from CROWN ROYALE, which backed up with a third at Terang on Wednesday night where he trailed the leader. GOTTAHAVEAHOBBIE finished in third position and RAPTOVER A RAINBOW was last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Final Half: - 59.1 Margins: - 1.5m, Head
Trial 3: - GHANASUYA has been freshened since a fifth at Ballarat in early June. He won several races during his last campaign and he recorded reasonable time in defeating TINGE OF FEAR, which finished ninth after settling last from a poor draw at Terang on Wednesday night. The Michael Bellman trained pacers IDYLLIC PRINCESS and JAZSPUR finished third and fourth respectively with JIMMY BINTANG (Allawart Ray – Cathrins Image) being the last one to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.0 Final Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 5m, 2m
MILDURA 19/07/20
Trial 1: - SHADOW TERROR began quickly to find the front and set up a slow speed. He drifted out a little in the home straight but was able to cling on to get the prize. DAYSIE BROWN (Village Jolt – Shez No Jet) settled three back on the markers and raced greenly but was able to get an inside run in the home straight. She finished off nicely and showed ability to run SHADOW TERROR down to a metre. KEEP WATCH (He’s Watching – Buckland Belle 2.1.4, $37,646) trailed the leader throughout and finished a close up third.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.1 Final Half: - 62.7 Margins: - 1m, 1m
Trial 2: - CAULONIA TERROR appeared to be very well placed in the trial and recorded an expected victory. He settled in fourth, moved up without cover from the 1300m and ran to the lead from the 1100m before running away from his rivals at the finish. He backed up with a handy finishing fourth at Mildura on Thursday so he should be close to a win. VIEIRA was third on the markers early then was four back when CAULONIA TERROR found the front. He moved into the death seat with 900m remaining and boxed on well for second. ROCKING WROXTON finished third after trailing the leader early before ending up being three back on the markers. AMUSED settled three back on the markers and moved away from the inside at the 800m. He finished fourth in front of HIS A DREAMER, which led out then took a trail.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.7 Final Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 10m, 12m
MARYBOROUGH 19/07/20
Trial 1: - ROBS LEGACY began quickly to find the lead, set up a slow tempo and held on to score from ITSALLABOUTJACK, which moved up without cover from the 900m. JILLIBY DINGO trailed the leader from a good draw but broke stride on the home turn. He was able to recover for a distant third. WALMARA settled fifth on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail in the back straight on the final occasion. HEADLINE ACT finished at the tail of the field after being three back on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.9 Final Half: - 59.5 Margins: - Neck, 15m
Trial 2: - ROQUEFORT CHEESE showed very good gate speed to lead, wanted to hang out at the bell but kept rolling along and raced to a big victory in the straight. MORE THAN A WOMAN settled three back on the markers and worked into a distant second with NAI HARN BAY finishing third after commencing from the second line and moving up without cover from the 700m. He then broke stride on the home turn. LENNY TEE (Betterthancheddar – Our Pocket Princess) began quickly and got in behind the leader to finish fourth with SUMMERHILL (Peak – Summerline 2.1.9, $74,544) in fifth.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.2 Final Half: - 57.7 Margins: - 15m, Head
Trial 3: - WELL DESERVED was without cover early before working into the lead at the 1500m. He backed off the speed mid-race then had a good kick left at the finish. MY HONEY DON’T gained a one out and one back trail in the early stages, dropped back to be fifth on the markers and moved into the running lane again at the 700m mark (1-2). She peeled to the outside turning into the straight and finished off very well out wide on the track. HADES SKY was three back on the markers for the majority of the trial before moving into the death seat at the 700m. She battled on quite well for third in front of RAGNA THOR, which settled four back on the inside and moved into the one out and one back trail in the back straight on the final occasion. ROCKYBOMBA settled in last position after beginning slowly and ALDEBARAN SUNDOWN dropped back to last after leading out, taking a trail, pulling hard and racing roughly for the last lap.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.9 Final Half: - 62.8 Margins: - 6m, 3m
Trial 4: - MAJOR MISCHIEF trailed the leader early and worked to the front with 1800m remaining. He zipped away in the final circuit and won easily. For a National Ratings 34 assessed pacer, he was very impressive. LORIMERLAGG was four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail briefly in the back straight then switched in behind the leader at the 600m mark. She finished second ahead of STAR PUPIL, which moved into the death seat from third at the half mile marker, with ASHFORD SECRET (Village Jolt – Secret Twirl 2.0.4, $44,703) dropping out from behind the leader and finishing at the rear of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Final Half: - 58.1 Margins: - 30m, 10m
BLACKBOOKER: - Major Mischief
Trial 5: - ANGELS BREATH was out of position at the start and was 10m behind early before moving through to be third on the markers. She moved away from the inside with 400m remaining and was able to produce a winning run at the end. FORGOT TO REMEMBER was very slow away and missed the start by 20m. She settled on the markers, moved away from the inside at the 700m mark and was doing her best work at the end. MISTER CHISHOLM finished in third position after setting the speed. KYVALLEY FRANK trailed the leader throughout and finished fourth ahead of ME PAT MALONE (4 back markers), which ran home fairly well and was never fully extended. BACARDI CHARDY was on her worst behaviour and galloped at the start then again with 800m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.5 Final Half: - 62.0 Margins: - 3m, 4m
Trial 6: - ATHLONE was three back on the markers early, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m and ran home well to win nicely over her stable mate GHOSTLY SILENCE, which trailed the leader early before finding the lead with 1400m remaining. BE A GOOD SCOUT led out, took a trail and used the sprint lane to finish in third position. SURREALIST settled down last, moved away from the inside at the half mile marker and struggled to make up ground in the latter stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.9 Final Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 4m, 2m
Trial 7: - STRAZEELE produced a top performance in the final trial. He was slowly away and missed the start by 50m, tacked onto the group with 1500m remaining and sustained a long run from the 600m mark. He dashed away in the latter stages to win easily. ARGYLE MELODY jumped away third from the standing start and progressed forward to find the lead at the 1700m mark. She set up a slow tempo and ended up in second position ahead of STAR MACEY, which started off in fourth position, remained on the markers and got through to trail the leader with 800m remaining. KEPT TOO LONG (Union Guy – Kept At Bey) led out then took a trail behind ARGYLE MELODY but broke stride with 1400m remaining and was tailed off for the remainder of the trial. BEWARE THE FURY was third on the markers, trailed the leader when KEPT TOO LONG broke stride then galloped herself at the 900m mark and finished last.
Mile Rate: - 2.14.1 Final Half: - 61.1 Margins: - 10m, 10m
BENDIGO 19/07/20
Trial 1: - JENNYSFAVOURITE (Skyvalley – Aldebaranfavourite 2.5.4, $38,062) was the slowest of the two runners to begin, trailed the leader and came to the outside on the home turn. She sprinted home nicely and defeated the early leader FETCH IT by nine metres.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.5 Final Half: - 59.8 Margin: - 9m
Trial 2: - BOSS MAJOR began quickly from a good draw to run to the lead. He backed off the tempo mid-race but was able to dash home in a sizzling final quarter of 27.1 seconds to get the prize. HURRICANE HALL trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and was picking up some ground on the leader in the final stages. FORM ANALYST started from the second line, settled three back on the markers and moved into the death seat at the 600m. He chipped away down the straight and finished a close up third. ALLIES MATE settled last on the markers and moved into the one wide lane (1-2) at the 600m. The sectional times made it difficult for him to make up ground but he was able to beat KINGOFTHESTARS (4th markers, 1-1 from 600m) to the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Final Half: - 56.9 Margins: - 2.5m, Neck
Trial 3: - BETTOR MY DREAMZ continued his nice trial form with a strong victory. He settled down in fourth position, moved into the death seat at the 700m and was able outstay his rivals to win quite comfortably at the end. JET BLACK ORION has only had one start and that unplaced effort was back in 2018 but he showed the potential to be able to win a race in the near future. He was slow to move and was 15m behind the second last horse early, was last most of the way before dashing through the middle and making up plenty of ground late for second. FOUR LONELY NIGHTS trailed the leader and moved away from the markers on the home turn before peeling out three horses wide into the straight. He finished in third position with the early leader ENDORSEMENT dropping back to fourth. MADRE SUPREMO was three back on the markers for most of the trip and started yielding ground with 600m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.1 Final Half: - 61.4 Margins: - 2m, 10m
BLACKBOOKER: - JET BLACK ORION
Trial 4: - SAINT WIN trailed the leader early and was shuffled back to third, moved into the one out and one back trail at the half mile marker then came out three horses wide from the 400m when he ran away and scored nicely. MIDNIGHT CALM (Shadow Play – Prospensity 1.59.7, $2,585) settled fifth on the markers, moved through to trail the leader on the home turn and used the sprint lane to pick up second position. MAGIC SMILE settled down last of the six runners, came out very wide on the home turn and finished strongly for an eye-catching third. JOHNNYS CASH (Bettors Delight – Tess Franco) was fourth after setting the speed with LONESTAR LASS (Lonestar Legend – My Lady Best CA $115,490) (4 back markers) finishing fifth. ANNALISE (Mach Three – Art De Triomphe 1.58.8, $11,598) showed gate speed and was without cover early before trailing the leader. She pulled hard and moved to the death seat at the half mile marker but she had nothing left at the finish.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.6 Final Half: - 58.2 Margins: - 9m, Neck
Trial 5: - FINN MAC MACIE (Falcon Seelster – Scarlett Finn 1.59.1, $25,251) was clearly the run of the trial. She came out quickly but was left stranded out three horses wide, restrained to last, moved into the one wide lane at the 600m (1-2) and sprinted home out wide on the track to get the prize. YELLOW BOW was fourth on the markers before gaining a one out and one back trail at the 600m mark. She went down narrowly at the end. CALYPSO MISTRESS began well to lead, took a trail and was inconvenienced before the home turn, losing 10m. She picked up late for third and finished in front of VILLANELLE, which moved up without cover from third at the 600m and the early leader CONROD ROCKET (Pet Rock – Conrod Bent 2.2.0, $69,110) tired to finish at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.2 Final Half: - 60.0 Margins: - Head, 8m
Trial 6: - THE BLACK HORSE (Shadow Play – Orta Be Ruthless 1.59.2, $87,540) defeated a small field and the mile rate was slow but he is bred to be a handy horse and he did look nice in coasting to the line under his own steam. PRECIOUS TELL (Tell All – Precious Image 2.1.4, $35,643) tried to lead all of the way in the field of three but was no match for the winner, which came from last to beat her and WINGING GRIN was last after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.2 Final Half: - 58.6 Margins: - 9m, 5m
BLACKBOOKER: - The Black Horse
Trial 7: - MAURIES BONUS (Pet Rock – Perfect Bonus 1.58.9, $58,440) settled three back on the inside, moved away from the markers at the 500m and was able to grind out a victory. He appeared to be in trouble down the straight but Douglas was able to lift him on the line. ZANZIBAR EXPRESS (Auckland Reactor – Miss Midnight 2.3.8, $8,980) tried to lead throughout and kicked on well when challenged over the final stages. HARRYHOO (Sportswriter – Guessing) was fourth on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m and came out three horses wide approaching the home turn. He was third with PRIDDY SPUNGEE (Pet Rock – Billion Smiles 1.58.0, $25,480) being the last one to greet the judge after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Final Half: - 58.8 Margins: - Head, 5m
Trial 8: - RULES DON’T APPLY settled last of the three runners, came to the outside with 600m remaining and was able to score with something in reserve. AMOUR FRATERNELLE finished in second position after setting the speed and JUST OSCAR finished last after trailing the leader but he got a run through the middle in the home straight and didn’t finish far from the winner.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.0 Final Half: - 58.9 Margins: - 3m, Neck
Trial 9: - MAGICOOL was last to begin, left the markers to move up without cover and found the lead at the 1300m. He ran along at an even tempo and held on to defeat MAR PACIFICO, which was a good run after being shuffled back to last and starting a run from the 400m. ANYWHERE HUGO trailed the leader then was three back on the markers when MAGICOOL crossed to the lead mid-race. He finished third in front of NORQUAY, which led out then took a trail.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Final Half: - 59.7 Margins: - Head, 6m
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