A tried Yabby Dam Farms-bred squaregaiter looks a horse worth following for new trainer Trevor Muir.
That’s the verdict from trial spy Craig Rail, who was impressed with the performance of five-start maiden Essex Player at his new home track of Shepparton on Tuesday.
The son of Andover Hall never finished better than fifth for former trainer Anton Golino, who last raced him in March 2020.
He’s one of three new entries into the Blackbook, which has been updated at the bottom of the page.
SHEPPARTON 16/12/21
Trial 1: - CARLENO (Mach Three – Bridge Player 2.1.9, $32,450) began very quickly to find the lead and rolled along at a good speed. He drew well clear of his rivals in the run to the judge to score untouched by over ten lengths. WENDYS WISH (Somebeachsomewhere – Lombo Sleek Streak 1.56.0, $39,438) settled three back on the inside and came away from the markers approaching the home turn. She finished second with ARE YOU WITH ME being in third after landing the position behind the leader. ARE YOU WITH ME has recently returned from New South Wales and competed in a race at Shepparton on Thursday night. VICTORTHEINFLICTOR (For A Reason – Riddle Me That 2.0.8, $11,295) was four back on the inside but couldn’t go with the leading trio and ended up being a distant fourth. MILLEE was six back on the inside early and beat the two mistake makers ILLAWONG ARGYLE (A Rocknroll Dance – Hi Flyin Lombo 2.2.3, $54,387), which galloped 50m after the start then again at the 1400m, and BARBADOS ROSE (Betterthancheddar – Wineglass bay) which broke stride in the score up and was tailed off throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.0 Last Half: - 61.2 Margins: - 30m, Head
BLACKBOOKER: - Carleno
Trial 2: - CHANGEOVER GIRL dropped back to last from the extreme draw early, moved into the one out and one back trail at the bell and finished off fast at the end to win by a good margin. COUNTRY MAJOR (Major Bronski – Mystic Bliss) began quickly to lead from the pole position and backed off the tempo mid-race. He finished second ahead of IMA BAD MOLLY (Big Jim – Ima Miss Molly 2.1.7, $77,908), which settled three back on the inside, got held up for a run at a vital stage and sliced through late for a handy third via the sprint lane. HOLSTEIN settled down in fifth spot, moved into the death seat at the bell and was second on the turn but peaked on his run late. MACRAY GLORY trailed the leader and finished fifth with SPIXS MACAW (Auckland Reactor – Blissfull Princess 2.3.1, $6,800) (4 back markers) being the last horse across the line after pulling hard then racing roughly on the home turn.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.8 Last Half: - 57.4 Margins: - 8m, 5m
Trial 3: - ROLLING REMONA settled three back on the markers and came to the outside at the quarter pole. She sprinted sharply and quickly hit the lead before drawing away at the finish to win impressively. She backed up that trial with her effort at Shepparton on Thursday night. WILL HE PIKE set up a genuine tempo in the lead and couldn’t withstand the challenge of ROLLING REMONA over the final stages. CHOIR QUEEN finished in third position after trailing the leader throughout. SMOOTH ROLLING settled in fifth position in the early stages and was the fourth horse across the line. HERESHECOMESSASSY (Bettors Delight – Born Again Sassy 1.55.0, $128,811) settled last of the pack and struggled to keep in touch during the early and middle stages. She remained detached from the pack but was able to beat home VILLA BETTYBOO (Betting Line – Village Glow 2.0.0, $79,828), which was tailed off after breaking stride in the score up and MIR, which was in fourth position but galloped and was pulled out of the trial at the 1100m mark.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Last Half: - 60.6 Margins: - 25m, 7m
Trial 4: - YOU BETYAHAVTIME began well and was able to slide to the front 200m after the start. He was able to take out the trial whilst still being under a strong hold and he recorded handy time so he has ability. Nothing much happened in the trial with the entire field being in single file and remaining in the same order from the start to the finish. STAR RULER finished in second position ahead of AVEIRO, GALACTIC GAL and LOLA MONTEZ was last. AVEIRO was a little keen during the middle stages and LOLA MONTEZ attempted to make a forward move at the 300m.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.8 Last Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 8m, 6m
Trial 5: - LUCKY SERINA began quickly to lead then took cover at the 1700m mark. She used the sprint lane in the home straight and accelerated nicely to get the prize. YANKEE LOVER was midfield in the running lane early (1-2) and ended up being in the one out and one back trail. She appeared to be under pressure from the 500m mark but she came out three horses wide in the home straight and lifted at the end to finish a narrow second. LUCKY SERINA backed up at Shepparton on Thursday and YANKEE LOVER is scheduled to return from a spell at Bendigo this evening. ENFORCE THE LAW was out three horses wide and progressed forward to find the front at the 1700m. He was run down over the concluding stages but ran a reasonable race for third. BERRIESANDCHERRIES (Crazed – Meredith Castle 2.0.8, $38,427) finished in fourth position after being three back on the markers for the majority of the trial and using the sprint lane. PRETTYLILANGUS was without cover early, eased to be four back on the markers with a mile remaining and came to the outside on the home turn. He finished fifth but went to the line hard held and had plenty left to give. ABBIE settled last on the markers and made up a lot of ground out wide on the track late so her trial effort was sound. SHOULD BEABARCA (Major Bronski – Devils Goddess 2.1.3, $17,340) was six back on the markers and picked up some leeway over the concluding stages. He will be making his debut at Bendigo this evening. CRACKER JET was one out and one back early before being left stranded without cover with a lap and a half remaining. He beat home ILLAWONG BARMAH (1-3, 1-2) and DAZY SUNDAZE was last after originally being three back on the markers, losing her position mid-race and breaking stride with 300m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.6 Last Half: - 60.9 Margins: - 1m, 1m
TERANG 19/12/21
Trial 1: - PICTURE US ROLLIN (Rock N Roll Heaven – Illustrator 2.2.8, $12,416) began well and trailed the leader in the early stages. She moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m then angled out three horses wide at the quarter pole. She wanted to hang out and went around the final corner out very wide on the track then she paced roughly in the home straight but he showed a lot of potential and raced well clear of his rivals in the run to the finish. MISTER UPTOWN angled across from barrier five and raced without cover. He battled on well after doing all of the work in the run and was second across the line. SASSY SAID SO (Well Said – Sassy Gert) settled three back on the inside and moved through to trail the leader with 500m remaining. She was held up for a run at a vital stage before weaving a passage and worked through nicely until breaking stride just before the post. LEICA GEM settled four back on the markers and finished in fourth position with ROYAL DIVISION (Sir Lincoln (Lincoln Royal) – Verdant 1.59.6, $31,588) being fifth after racing very greenly throughout the trial. He galloped away but quickly got into a pace and showed terrific acceleration to lead. He then paced roughly and wanted to switch off, particularly in the turn out of the front straight so he is still learning. PEGSINTHECITY (Pegasus Spur – Majestic Eclipse) is a juvenile trotter and was taking on the pacers. She was last for most of the journey but was able to get past CHARLIES HEIR (Cullens Hope – Currents Delight 2.1.9, $6,888), which was in the one out and one back trail early but lost ground and switched onto the markers to be last of the group.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.0 Last Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 18m, 2m
Trial 2: - HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN prepared for his comeback performance at Ballarat on Sunday with a solid trial victory. He trailed the leader early, came to the outside at the quarter pole and sprinted home in slick final sectionals to win nicely. KEAYANG JACKY finished second after setting the speed and LEICA BUDDY, which has a National Rating of 55 and was taking on proven Metropolitan performers, was last of the trio throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.0 Last Half: - 57.3 Margins: - 3m, 50m
MARYBOROUGH 19/12/21
Trial 1: - MAJALINER trailed the leader and enjoyed a nice trip before coming to the outside on the home turn. He finished of quickly and was able to grab victory right on the line. He is returning from a spell at Cranbourne on Monday afternoon. DOITSON began quickly and was able to slide to the lead shortly after the start. He kicked on well in the straight but found MAJALINER to be a little too quick at the business end. TRAVEL BUG was without cover on the first turn but angled onto the markers to be three back. He was untouched going to the line and put in a nice performance for a trotter taking on the pacers. He might be able to run a handy race at Ballarat on Sunday. RUN BOY RUN settled down in last position before moving up without cover at the 800m mark. He finished ahead of MAGIC CRUISER, which was four back on the markers for the duration.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.1 Last Half: - 57.0 Margins: - Head, 8m
Trail 2: - THE INTERCEPTOR settled five back on the markers before moving into the death seat at the 900m mark. He was forced out three horses wide in the back straight but sprinted quickly to dash to the front then was able to sustain the run to get the prize. After pulling hard then making a long run, he did put in a tidy display. ABITOFDELIGHT (Bitobliss – Karim Vale 2.1.4, $4,463) was three back on the inside and came away from the markers when entering the back straight on the final occasion. He couldn’t go with THE INTERCEPTOR in the back straight but he was coming again at the finish so it was a good performance. TOP PLAY settled in sixth position before moving into the one out and one back trail at the 900m. He was doing his best work late and finished third with MAJOR BANKS (4 back markers) picking up good ground late for fourth. VALKYRIE trailed the leader and finished fifth with the trotter ZAREM being sixth across the line after settling in last position around the first corner. The early leader CARRAMAR KASIANO dropped out at the end and was the last horse to cross the line. The third placed TOP PLAY is an emergency at Cranbourne on Monday afternoon.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Last Half: - 57.4 Margins: - Head, 1m
Trial 3: - EMER began quickly and was able to fire to the lead shortly after the start. He set up a slow tempo and was able to fend off his rivals in the run to the judge. GIRLS VIEW trailed the leader throughout and came to the outside upon straightening. She was getting on one reign before the home turn so she may not have been able to get into the sprint lane but she did pick up ground on the winner at the end. ROYAL SAXON (Auckland Reactor – Sappheiros) settled three back on the inside and moved up without cover with 600m remaining. He tried hard in the straight and finished a narrow third. ROYAL SAXON backed up at Ararat on Thursday and ran a game second with GIRLS VIEW finishing in seventh place. STANTON BREAK (Guaranteed – McArdle Lassie 1.58.1, $39,817) was without cover early, restrained to be last of the four runners and remained in that position at the end.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.2 Last Half: - 58.3 Margins: - 1m, 1m
Trial 4: - CARRAMAR BROMWICH began quickly to find the lead and was able to back off the tempo mid-race. He was holding onto his lead down the home straight and was able to score by a narrow margin. He returns from a spell at Cranbourne on Monday. CAESAR MOON trailed the leader and used the sprint lane. He was chipping away at CARRAMAR BROMWICH’s lead in the straight and missed out by a narrow margin at the end. SWEET ANNIE MAY settled down in last position and was one out and one back for the last mile. She finished third with BARBADOS BABE being last across the line after having the toughest run in the trial. She moved to the death seat from three back on the markers at the 1600m mark.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.7 Last Half: - 57.3 Margins: - Head, 6m
Trial 5: - BROADWAYS GIRL (Bling It On – Isabelle Delacour 1.54.3, $74,170) was headed off at the start but moved to the outside when turning into the back straight on the first occasion and found the lead with 1700m remaining. She quickened noticeably at the half mile marker and had her rivals floundering. She dashed well clear to win by a large margin and it was a very hit-out for her performance at Ararat. She made an unsuccessful attempt to find the lead at Ararat and raced fiercely without cover before dropping out at the end. CARRAMAR SOLOMONA began quickly to lead then took cover. He couldn’t go with BROADWAYS GIRL but was able to hold off SWEET EMMYLOU, which settled last of the three and came to the outside in the home straight.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.6 Last Half: - 57.0 Margins: - 25m, 2m
Trial 6: - GOLDEN ACE STRIDE began well and was able to angle in behind the leader. He was in the slip stream throughout and came to the outside on the home turn. He finished off best to get the prize from the early leader SHADOW JUSTICE, which set up a slow speed and MANTUANO (Bacardi Lindy – Perzest) finished third after settling four back on the markers in the early stages. MURTAGH KAI was able to settle in third spot and beat home the mistake makers ZESTA LA GO GO and BEWARE THE FURY. ZESTA LA GO GO broke in the score up, gave away a big start, tacked on at the 1200m mark, got checked by the galloping BEWARE THE FURY then galloped himself 500m later in the back straight on the final occasion. BEWARE THE FURY broke stride at the start, got back trotting and moved up without cover, broke stride again at the 1200m mark and failed to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.6 Last Half: - 61.2 Margins: - 1m, 8m
Trial 7: - MAJESTIC ACHIEVER began quickly to find the front and was unchallenged from the start to the finish. He extended his lead when entering the last lap and was able to charge away from his rivals to score by a huge margin. SMART CHA CHA settled down last of the quartet, came to the outside with 500m remaining and got into second position with EARL PATRICK (Louey Louey Louey – Duchess Pat 2.2.8, $28,453) being third after being three back on the pegs for the duration. WILLS MAVERICK (Louey Louey Loey – Rani Rose 2.4.6, $38,325) was the last one across the line after being in second position early and trying to chase the tearaway leader. The second placed SMART CHA CHA is racing at Bendigo this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.8 Last Half: - 59.2 Margins: - 70m, 1m
KYABRAM 19/12/21
Trial 1: - ART SECRET hasn’t raced since being unplaced at Cobram in January. She hasn’t won a race in Victoria since travelling down from Queensland but started her current preparation on a promising note with an easy trial success. DYNAMIC STAR (Great Success – Dynamic Reign 2.9.4, $14,080) is a filly prepared by Michael Watt and was able to finish second ahead of BIGGERBETTERBEST (Betterthancheddar – Big Time Babe USA), which is out of an American bred mare, which has produced five winners including Bit of a Babe (1.55.7, $80,862) and If The Mood Suits (1.55.7, $46,765). LETTUCEVENTILATE was last of the four runners and used the trial as his last hit-out before his effort at Shepparton on Thursday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.1 Last Half: - 61.1 Margins: - 20m, 40m
Trial 2: - FLAME LADY is a former New Zealand pacer, which started her Australian career in Queensland, where she won two of her seventeen starts, both of which were at Albion Park. She won the final trial over OUR ART WORK, which backed up at Shepparton on Thursday night. HARD ROAD hasn’t raced since October but finished in third position ahead of ACE MONTANA, which hasn’t raced since October 2020 and MONTANA MUSCLE was the last one to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Last Half: - 60.3 Margins: - Head, 3m
GEELONG 20/12/21
Trial 1: - EYE SEE AMOUR (Betting Line – Parfait Amour 1.59.9, $6,025) settled three back on the markers and made her winning move with 500m remaining. She sprinted quickly when leaving the back straight, forged to the lead and sustained the run to win well. LITTLE WEDNESDAY trailed the leader, came to the outside late and was able to pick up second on the line. He will resume from a break at Cranbourne on Monday. MY JUSTICE (Western Edition – Rogue Union) began quickly to lead, pulled hard and established a good margin on the opposition mid-race. He started to tire from the 300m mark but was still battling away at the finish. BET THE LIMIT settled down in last position and popped to the outside at the 700m mark. He finished ahead of CAMIVELLS PRIDE (A Rocknroll Dance – Miss California), which was four back on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Last Half: - 59.4 Margins: - 5m, Head
Trial 2: - JUSTAMOLLYARCHER showed very good gate speed to lead clearly before the first turn. He enjoyed a nice trip and quickened the tempo with 500m remaining. He skipped well clear of his rivals and scored with ease. RUM AN ROYAL settled down last of the four runners, came to the outside with 300m remaining and finished solidly for second. MARIACHI settled three back on the markers and came to the outside to avoid the galloping HOMONYM approaching the quarter pole. He finished third and HOMONYM, which was enjoying the perfect run in the trail, was last to complete the course after making his untimely error.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.1 Last Half: - 58.2 Margins: - 20m, 4m
Trial 3: - TAKEN BY WINE (I’m Stately – Makarewa Monarch 1.59.0, $39,220) began well from the pole position and was matching SAINT BLASS BAY (Kvintet Avenger – Joan Rival) at the start. SAINT BLASS BAY went into a wild gallop shortly after the start and wouldn’t settle down, which left it to be a solo trial for TAKEN BY WINE, which strolled around by herself and recorded a mile rate of 2.10.3. SAINT BLASS BAY galloped again with a lap remaining but was over 200m behind at that point.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.3 Last Half: - 67.3 Margins: - Distanced
BENDIGO 20/12/21
Trial 1: - MULBERRY PIE began safely from the standing start and trailed the leader HIS AN OMEN (Majestic Son – Moni Bea 2.3.4, $45,338). She was left in front when her only rival galloped wildly from the 1100m and she went on to win the trial by a large margin. HIS AN OMEN was fractious before the start but was able to step away safely. He raced very greenly before heading into a gallop with just over a lap remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.14.8 Last Half: - 63.2 Margin: - 80m
Trial 2: - STRATEGIC STRIDE (Love You – Glory Stride) was in various positions in the run but was good enough to be able to land the prize. He was without cover early, restrained to be four back on the markers, moved to the death seat again at the 1200m, switched to three back on the markers then left the pegs again at the 300m mark. BLUE SKY ALM (Skyvalley – Sundae Alm) finished in second position after trying to lead all of the way. KIVICI trailed the leader and finished in third position. She should have benefited from that trial and is racing at Bendigo this evening. SHEZA SAILOR settled down three back on the markers and finished ahead of ALDEBARAN DAPHNE (Aldebaran Eagle – Aldebaran Daisy 2.0.2, $39,099), which broke stride in the score up, lost approximately 60m and tacked on at the 1300m mark.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.4 Last Half: - 61.3 Margins: - 7m, Neck
Trial 3: - TEQUILA BREE began quickly from the pole position and was able to hold the lead. She travelled kindly in the run and was able to kick on determinedly in the straight to get the prize. JACKS N JAZZ commenced from the second line and was six back on the markers in the early stages. He moved up without cover at the 1200m and joined TEQUILA BREE on the home turn. He went to the line under a vice like grip and could have won the trial had he been allowed to stride but he was the only pacer competing in the event. He backed up with his performance at Shepparton on Thursday night. LEXINGTON QUEEN was five back on the markers then one out and one back from the 1200m. She came out three horses wide with 500m remaining and quickly joined the leaders on the home turn but peaked on her run over the concluding stages. She is competing at Bendigo this evening in what looks to be a very competitive event. ROYAL CHARLOTTE began fast but couldn’t find the lead and angled in behind the speed. She finished fourth and backs up against a top field at Ballarat on Sunday evening. ONE MUSCLE HILL was three back on the markers throughout and beat home LEOTARDANDLACE (4 back markers), which returned from a break at Shepparton on Thursday evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.7 Last Half: - 60.7 Margins: - Head, 12m
Trial 4: - ROSEANNE RUBY (Hurrikane Kingcole – Fine Exception 1.59.9, $6,425) was eased at the start and settled down three back on the markers. She moved into the one out and one back trail but galloped momentarily with 700m remaining. She regathered momentum quickly, maintained the one out and one back trail before coming to the outside on the home turn. She ran home best to defeat THE IRON DUKE (Always B Miki – Braeview Creation 1.59.0, $53,000), which galloped at the start and lost approximately 20m before settling last on the inside. He moved into the death seat at the 900m mark and kicked on strongly in the run to the finish. STARZZZ DESTINY (Four Starzzz Shark – Lifes Destiny 1.57.2, $41,923) attempted to lead throughout and filled third position with TIN TIN JO (Tintin In America – Promise Me Robin) being last of the four runners after trailing the leader throughout. This group of rising juvenile pacers weren’t as well behaved as their stable mates, which trialled at Melton last week, but there were a lot of shadows across the track, which could have been a contributing factor.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.3 Last Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 1m, 2m
Trial 5: - BEATS TRUE (Betting Line – Bettes Rose 1.57.8, $26,910) began well and was able to slide to the front shortly after the start. She was able to lead throughout and get the prize by approximately a length on the line. She is well bred being out of a race winning daughter of the great pacer Jadah Rose (1.49.6, $465,424), which is also the dam of the now successful sire Guaranteed (1.50.4, $856,314). MISTER EXCESSIVE was without cover early, angled in behind the leader and used the sprint lane in the home straight. NEVS DREAM settled five back on the markers, moved into the breeze at the 600m mark and continued to make ground into third position. DENZIL DEBRO (Rock N Roll Heaven – Braeview Creation 1.59.0, $53,000) was the first to the markers, took cover and was shuffled to three back on the markers before battling on fairly well for fourth position. HURRIKANE DUSTY was four back on the markers and beat home ROCKNROLL NUGGET (Rock N Roll Heaven – A Few Dollars More 1.57.4, $4,088), which was last of the six runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.9 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 3m, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: - Beats True
Trial 6: - LOLLIPOP began well and angled onto the markers to be three back. She trailed the leader from the 600m mark, came to the outside approaching the home turn and got home best to get the prize. She is meeting a strong field at Bendigo this evening. FEMALE ASSASSIN (American Ideal – Nostra Beach 1.53.5, $266,190) trailed the leader in the early stages before circling around to find the front with 1500m remaining. She gave a good sight but was run down over the latter stages. WARRANTEE (Guaranteed – Alita Paree) settled four back on the inside and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He finished off nicely at the end and picked up third. COTCHINELLIE (He’s Watching – Loving Life Lombo 2.0.9, $80,648) broke stride just prior to the start and lost approximately 10m. She settled last of the five runners and ended up finishing in a distant fourth. THE GREEN JACKET (Bling It On – Magic May) began very quickly to lead, took cover and began yielding ground from the 600m.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.6 Last Half: - 57.7 Margins: - 2m, 1m
Trial 7: - QUITE CONTRARY began nicely to trail the leader and enjoyed the perfect trip throughout. She went back to the sprint lane in the home straight and was able to drive through and win without being fully extended. TREACHEROUSTIMES settled three back on the markers and moved up without cover at the 500m mark. He appeared to be battling half way down the home straight but he really knuckled down late and went down by a narrow margin. TERROR OFA SAINT showed very good gate speed to lead, set up a slow tempo and was gunned down over the final stages. He is backing up on the big Sunraysia Cup program at Mildura on Monday night. FIGHT FOR FALBY (Million Dollar Cam – Girl Gone Rockin 2.2.7, $7,535) was four back on the markers, moved onto the back of TREACHEROUSTIMES at the 500m mark and held his ground over the concluding stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.2 Last Half: - 60.2 Margins: - Head, 3m
Trial 8: - GOODTIME SOMETIME (Goodtime Sammy – Lady Suffragette 1.59.0, $28,868) began well and angled across into third position. He trailed the leader from the 700m mark, came to the outside on the home turn and finished quickly to get the prize. MISS TYLER began fast from a wide alley and was able to run to the front. She set up a reasonable tempo and was gunned down in the final 100m. She should run her usual honest race at Bendigo this evening. NOBLE JULIA finished in third position after settling four back on the pegs. RINGER RUSS came from last and made good ground from the 400m until the home turn then held his own in the home straight. He resumed from a spell at Shepparton on Thursday night. MYSTIC EMPRESS (Caesar Augustus – Mystic Samantha) was five back on the markers throughout and beat home BLUE OCEAN, which trailed the leader, started to race keenly and moved into the death seat at the 700m mark but couldn’t sustain the run.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.8 Last Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 4m, 7m
Trial 9: - CHOOZ REACTOR settled five back on the inside and continued to use inside runs before switching back into the sprint lane. She finished off fast and was able to get up on the line. She used that trial as a confidence building effort for her performance at Shepparton on Thursday night. OUR DOREEN DAYS trailed the leader early and ended up being three back on the inside. He moved away from the markers with 500m remaining and continued to grind away in the run to the finish to be beaten by a narrow margin. NIKITA ADELE was left stranded without cover so she was asked to sprint quickly in the back straight on the first occasion to find the front at the mile marker. She skipped clear on the turn and appeared to be the winner but became a little leg weary down the front straight. Both OUR DOREEN DAYS and NIKITA ADELE are backing up at Bendigo tonight. JOHNNYS CASH began fast to lead, took a trail and finished a close up fourth. He followed that trial with his first up performance at Shepparton on Thursday night. THORESAN settled four back on the inside and finished fifth. BETTERTHANFLYHIGH was last of the six runners for the entire journey.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Last Half: - 59.8 Margins: - Head, Head
Trial 10: - SIMON began quickly and was able to fire to the front shortly after the start. He ran along at a genuine tempo and was able to fend off the second placed GOBSMACKED without being fully extended in the run to the finish. He returns to Victoria at Bendigo tonight and is a winning chance despite being drawn on the inside of the second line. GOBSMACKED was without cover early before angling onto the markers to be three back. He was parked in the breeze again at the 700m mark and kick on strongly in the run to the finish. He will be racing against a strong field at Mildura on Monday night. MADAME ANNIE was four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail and came out three horses wide approaching the home turn. She had her chance in the straight and held her ground into third position. SUMMER PANTS settled last on the inside and was doing his best work late despite finishing fourth in a field of five. He backed up with his performance at Shepparton on Thursday. ONECROWDEDHOUR trailed the leader and was the last horse to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.6 Last Half: - 57.8 Margins: - Nose, 3m
SHEPPARTON 21/12/21
Trial 1: - PRETTYLILANGUS began quickly and was able to find the lead shortly after the start. He ran along at an even tempo and was able to hold off the late challenge of ENFORCE THE LAW to get the thick end of the prize. ENFORCE THE LAW settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 600m mark and tried valiantly in the straight for second. ESSEX PLAYER put in an excellent performance for a horse with a National Rating of 47. He settled down in last position, had to make a move around CHER AMI, which was struggling to hold her position mid-race, ended up being four back on the markers and did plenty of chasing in the final 400m. He might be worth following on that performance. BLACK CAT CLAW finished fourth after trailing the leader throughout and CHER AMI never appeared to be comfortable and was the last horse to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Last Half: - 60.8 Margins: - Neck, 3m
BLACKBOOKER: - Essex Player
Trial 2: - NIGHT SCHOOL began quickly and found the lead shortly after the start. He raced fiercely when challenged by DRESSED IN GOLD mid-race, couldn’t be restrained and after resisting the challenge, rolled along at a rapid rate. He got away before the home turn and went to the line strongly to record a very impressive win. BLISSFULL MIND settled down in last position, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 900m, switched to be third on the markers approaching the home turn and used the sprint lane to find second position. He will be racing at Cranbourne on Monday afternoon. DRESSED IN GOLD was four back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the mile marker and unsuccessfully attempted to find the lead. She was left stranded without cover so it was a big performance to kick on into third position. YOU BETYAHAVTIME performed very well at the Shepparton trials on the Thursday evening but appeared to have his chance on the Tuesday as he trailed NIGHT SCHOOL throughout and ended up finishing in fourth. ROCKNROLL CRUISER was the last one to finish after being three back on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.56.3 Last Half: - 56.9 Margins: - 15m, Neck
Trial 3: - BIG BAD OSSIE (Life Sign – Trulyawork Of Art USA) was three back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 1100m and hit the front at the 600m. He drew right away in the run to the finish and continued his extremely good trial form. SHARKTON trailed the leader early and dashed around to find the front at the 1800m. He ran along at a good speed and didn’t shirk the task after being headed off by BIG BAD OSSIE in the back straight on the final occasion. VICTORTHEINFLICTOR (For A Reason – Riddle Me That 2.0.8, $11,295) settled four back on the inside, was held up for a run at a vital stage, used the sprint lane and made ground for third. LIKEAVEEEIGHT was without cover early, dropped back to last, moved away from the markers again with 500m remaining and filled fourth spot. ROYAL EDARD (Sir Lincoln (Lincoln Royal) – Mind Dancer 2.2.3, $17,210) led out, took a trail and yielded ground over the concluding stages to finish last of the five runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.1 Last Half: - 57.5 Margins: - 20m, 15m
Trial 4: - COUNTRY MAJOR (Major Bronski – Mystic Bliss) began quickly to find the lead then took a trail at the 1500m. He eased away from the markers at the quarter pole and was able to grind out a victory. SKIPPERS SWAN SONG was caught without cover early, pressed forward to find the lead at the 1600m and kicked on determinedly for a narrow second. STORMBOY STAR trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and finished a very close third. He did break stride just after the line. LITTLE SAFARI was four back on the markers for the majority of the trial, moved into a trailing position behind COUNTRY MAJOR approaching the home turn and was doing his best work at the finish. He is racing at Cranbourne on Monday and performed well enough in the trial to suggest he will be competitive. IMA BAD MOLLY (Big Jim – Ima Miss Molly 2.1.7, $77,908) was fifth on the markers, came out three horses wide at the 400m and showed a nice dash leading up to the home turn then just held her ground over the latter stages. MACRAY GLORY settled sixth on the inside, moved up without cover at the 700m and finished sixth with SPIXS MACAW (Auckland Reactor – Blissfull Princess 2.3.1, $6,800) being the last one to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Last Half: - 59.8 Margins: - Head, Head
MILDURA 22/12/21
Trial 1: - BEARTASTIC WRITER began quickly to find the lead and enjoyed a good trip throughout. He kicked clear on the home turn and was able to score quite comfortably at the end. He will meet a harder field when he returns from a spell at Mildura on Monday night. ROCKETS MATE (A Rocknroll Dance – Lady Kardashian 2.2.2, $2,565) trailed the leader and came to the outside on the home turn. He chased hard and picked up a little bit of ground on the winner in the latter stages. LITTLE BELIEVER raced without cover throughout and was third across the line. He is backing up at Mildura on Monday night. HES AFLYIN settled in the one out and one back trail, came out three horses wide at the 1200m and attempted to find the death seat. He couldn’t get around LITTLE BELIEVER and was forced to race out wide for the remainder of the journey.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Last Half: - 59.9 Margins: - 3m, 24m
Trial 2: - WHEREYAGOINBABE was able to post a decisive victory after she led into the first turn then dominated her rivals. She raced well clear at the end and scored in reasonable time. MARTHA LAVINIA trailed the leader throughout and finished in second position with KENSINGTON MAID being in third after following behind MARTHA LAVINIA throughout. GOLDEN SCRIBE settled down last, moved away from the inside at the 600m to give chase but the best he could do was to draw alongside of KENSINGTON MAID. MARTHA LAVINIA and GOLDEN SCRIBE are both scheduled to compete at Mildura on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.4 Last Half: - 59.9 Margins: - 10m, 6m
Trial 3: - SHADOW TERROR settled last of the three runners, came to the outside on the home turn and was able to finish off best and get the prize comfortably. HIDDEN FIGURE was a little slow in the score up but was able to catch up to the gate without any problems and showed good gate speed to find the lead. She battled on fairly well for second with EDDEE being last of the three runners after trailing the leader and coming to the outside with 400m remaining. Both HIDDEN FIGURE and EDDEE are racing at Mildura on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Last Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 6m, 5m
Trial 4: - NEDS BEACH began quickly to find the lead and ran along at a genuine tempo. He has a National Rating of 53, which was 11 points higher than his nearest rival so he was able to stamp his authority on the trial to win easily. TACTFILLY MAGIC took the trail behind the leader and finished a distant second. OUTA CONTROL settled down last of the trio, made a move in the back straight on the final occasion to draw level with TACTFILLY MAGIC but peaked on his run in the final 50m.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.1 Last Half: - 59.1 Margins: - 45m, 10m
