David Murphy's camp put in some eye-catchers on the Victorian trials circuit, with Fox Force Five putting in a Blackbook-worthy run and Final Peace also saluting.
Get caught up with this week's Trial File, including the Blackbook at the bottom of the page.
TERANG 11/07/20
Trial 1: - VIN DAN hadn’t raced since contesting a heat of the Allwood Classic at Globe Derby in March. He was able to take out the opening trial from CHELSAVA ANGEL (Hes Watching – Jodi Lindenny 2.3.8, $8,206), which was beaten narrowly with KING JAMES (Art Major – Rhodium Castle 1.57.7, $89,165) finishing a distant third. SHOWEM SHIFTY was in fourth position and finished ahead of MISTER UPTOWN, which hadn’t raced since finishing unplaced in the Final of Kindergarten Stakes in February. Both VIN DAN and MISTER UPTOWN backed up at Stawell on Wednesday with VIN DAN finishing third behind Celestialfragrance and MISTER UPTOWN being last in the same race after striking bother at the 900m.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Final Half: - 59.6 Margins: - Head, 15m
Trial 2: - KEAYANG DA VINCI recorded fast time in a narrow trial victory over his stable mates JILLIBY MADONNA and KEAYANG SILVAGNI. KEAYNG DA VINCI hasn’t raced since early June where fifth against a strong field at Melton and boasts a handy strike rate. BIG GUN JOHNNY finished fourth ahead of the open class trotter SPARKLING SUCCESS.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.2 Final Half: - 57.3 Margins: - Nose, 6m
Trial 3: - BUNDY PLAYBOY is a handy pacer and took on the trotters so he appeared to be well placed in the trial. He won the event from CELTIC CASH with DICKO DIXON finishing a distant third. MEL DURANT hasn’t raced since November and was fourth ahead of the unraced 3yo trotter KYVALLEY SHERRIFF (Trixton – Kyvalley Café).
Mile Rate: - 2.4.4 Final Half: - 60.2 Margins: - 2m, 20m
Trial 4: - JULIUS SHADOW was able to take out his trial at Terang as a lead up to his effort at Stawell on Wednesday but he had little luck in that assignment, which was his first since May. He won the trial from LEICA BUDDY with THE BIG SHOW, which hasn’t raced since October, being in third position. The open class trotter SUPER ZECK finished in fourth and was able to beat THE SUSPECT to the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.8 Final Half: - 58.7 Margins: - 1m, 10m
Trial 5: - MAORI AMOUR was a Stawell winner in April and has made a few errors in his efforts since. He recorded slow time but won the trial by a large margin and defeated KAYLASISTER with LOVE TO DASH (Love You – Kyvalley Aldebaran), a juvenile trotter for trainer Matthew Craven being in third. LE COEUR (Love You – Glenferrie Dash 2.3.7, $24,837) is also a 2yo trotter for trainer Matthew Craven and was able to beat the 3yo KING JEWELIEN (Angus Hall – Black Curlew 2.7.3, $7,805) to the post.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.5 Final Half: - 65.6 Margins: - 30m, 40m
Trial 6: - PEBBLE SANDS was formerly prepared by Barry Finnis and is now with trainer Rebecca East. He hasn’t started since competing at Globe Derby in May but was able to beat his stable mate EASTBRO ADELE by a narrow margin. EASTBRO ADELE was very unlucky when seventh at Stawell subsequently. The unraced filly LYNNES ME GIRL (Artistic Fella – Lynnes A Lady) finished last of the three runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Final Half: - 58.2 Margins: - Head, 50m
BACCHUS MARSH 11/07/20
Trial 1: - MOMENTSLIKETHESE is a handy juvenile filly, which competed well in a campaign of two starts back in March/ April, which yielded a debut victory and a third. She was able to defeat ROCKARIA by a comfortable margin with AUCKLAND RED running in third position. CALEDONIAN TERRA has been freshened since a victory at Stawell on May 28 and finished ahead of MISTER GLEE and the unraced pacer ARCTIC WIND (Roll With Joe – Windchill 2.3.2, $9,600).
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Final Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 8m, ½ Head
Trial 2: - COCOSFELLA was clearly the class runner of the trial and was able to blast home his final 800m in a sizzling 56.0 seconds, which is a huge run around the Bacchus Marsh circuit. SMILE LYLE also ran a reasonable half to be beaten only eight metres from the proven metropolitan winner and CORRINYAH CONMAN came in last of the three horses.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.0 Final Half: - 56.0 Margins: - 8m, 60m
Trial 3: - CARGERIE was an unlucky third at his latest Melton appearance in June and backed that performance up with a comfortable trial victory over AUNTY ETHAL with BRANDONS PRICE, which hasn’t raced since May 2018, being a distant last of the three.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.6 Final Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 4m, 50m
Trial 4: - TREVEAN has ability when he puts it altogether and was able to beat a reasonable field. He was stood down to trial after galloping twice at Ballarat in May. ILLAWONG MUSTANG followed a very nice trial performance at Melton with a nose second so he should be ready to be competitive at his first up run. JOY MAC finished in third from UPTONGIRL and the unraced gelding BILLYNJED (Major Bronski – Essmarelda Lombo) came in at the tail but he did meet a strong field of proven performers.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.1 Final Half: - 64.0 Margins: - Nose, Head
Trial 5: - WILLIAMS FLING is a lightly raced trotter that has been placed in three of his five starts (1 win). He hasn’t raced since February but was able to defeat CALEDONIAN SPIRIT with the unraced juvenile ALDEBARAN MAVERICK (Andover Hall – Maori Road) being last of the three runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.1 Final Half: - 60.8 Margins: - 10m, 35m
MARYBOROUGH 12/07/20
Trial 1: - FINAL PEACE was slow to begin and was 10m behind at the start before settling fourth on the markers. She moved into the one out and one back trail at the bell before dashing to the lead before the home turn and sustaining the run. WARRADERRY trailed the leader and moved up without cover at the bell. He was headed by FINAL PEACE before the home turn but he kept on kicking in the straight and was beaten by less than a length on the line. ADAM CROCKER was three back on the markers early, then behind the leader after WARRADERRY left the markers. He appeared to contact a sulky and broke stride with 500m remaining then made up a lot of ground in the straight to finish an eye-catching third. HEADLINE ACT showed very good gate speed to lead and faded into fourth late. MARINE PARADE was without cover early before being restrained to last of the five runners. He broke stride at the 1200m and remained at the tail of the field thereafter.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.7 Final Half: - 61.6 Margins: - 2m, 4m
Trial 2: - RIOTERRA (Angus Hall – Lilian Grey) was in fourth position early, left the markers at the 1200m and was able to find the lead shortly afterwards. He wanted to hang in down the front straight but was able to score by a comfortable margin. MUSTANG KELLY was the third horse following the markers for majority of the trial and used the sprint lane to finish second ahead of IM JOSEPHINE, which led, took a trail behind RIOTERRA then moved into the death seat at the 500m. COULD DOWITHARAIN (Danny Bouchea – Lily May 2.2.6, $18,512) began well and worked to the front, broke stride at the bell and lost 15m then was in fourth position for the remainder of the trial. ROCKYBOMBA broke at the start and was tailed off throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.15.1 Final Half: - 63.7 Margins: - 4m, 10m
Trial 3: - COCOROCKS (Pet Rock – Coco Cullen 1.58.9, $8,175) showed gate speed and was able to find the lead. He rolled away from the inside at the 500m but it might have been by design as there were a lot of runners steering away from the markers under the wet conditions. He was strong at the finish and won comfortably. WIPE THE CANVAS was fourth on the markers but obtained an inside run when all of his rivals left the pegs at the quarter pole. He drove through to almost join COCOROCKS on the home turn but couldn’t accelerate in the home straight. PRIDDY SPUNGEE (Pet Rock – Billion Smiles 1.58.0, $25,480) began quickly but couldn’t lead and angled in behind the front runner on the first turn. She was three horses wide on the home turn and filled third position. ISABELLA PRINCESS (Hurrikane Kingcole – Tennison Drive) finished fourth after being three back on the inside and IZAKATIE (Four Starzzz Shark – Readymade Lombo 2.1.8, $17,330) came in at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.3 Final Half: - 60.2 Margins: - 6m, 8m
Trial 4: - It is hard to describe the positions of the runners in trial four as five of the six runners steered away from the markers in single file with CAMNAT being the only horse following the marker pegs but in fourth position. It was a bizarre formation and despite following the inside all of the way, CAMNAT was the last horse to greet the judge. The order of the remainder of the field in the one wide lane was MORE THAN A WOMAN, OUR ROYS DREAM, RINGER RUSS, SUMMERHILL and TOUCH OF ARMBRO. RINGER RUSS switched back to the sprint lane and was able to get the prize from OUR ROYS DREAM, which was the first horse to duck back to the inside (apart from CAMNAT) approaching the home turn and drove though to hit the lead momentarily. MORE THAN A WOMAN ended up finishing in fourth from TOUCH OF ARMBRO, SUMMERHILL (Peak – Summerline 2.1.9, $74,544) and CAMNAT.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.1 Final Half: - 60.9 Margins: - 3m, neck
Trial 5: - RAGNA THOR was restrained at the start and settled fourth on the inside before moving up without cover from the 700m. She got the better of the early leader JENNYSFAVOURITE (Skyvalley – Aldebaranfavourite 2.5.4, $38,062) with BELLMAC BAMBI being in third position after trailing the leader throughout. SHIPS SUCCESS settled three back on the inside and saw the field to be safely home.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.3 Final Half: - 66.5 Margins: - Head, Head
Trial 6: - FINN MAC MACIE (Falcon Seelster – Scarlett Finn 1.59.1, $25,251) settled last of the four runners and waited until the home turn to make her run. She finished off very strongly and got up to defeat ALLENS DELIGHT, which trailed the leader for the majority of the trial and came away from the inside at the quarter pole. LENNY TEE (Betterthancheddar – Our Pocket Princess) settled third on the markers and came out three horses wide from the 1700m before finding the lead at the 1600m with ALLENS DELIGHT going briefly with him to find the back of the leader again. LENNY TEE then set up a slow speed mid-race and was run down in the concluding stages. KOBA led out, was shuffled back to be third on the markers mid-race and finished last of the four competitors.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.0 Final Half: - 61.8 Margins: - Neck, Neck
Trial 7: - IMA ZIABEE trailed the leader, moved to the outside with 400m remaining and had a strong kick left at the finish, drawing well clear in the run home. ANGSKI was without cover early, dropped back to last and moved away from the markers again at 500m. He worked into second ahead of KYVALLEY CATWALK (3 back markers) with the early leader BACARDI JESS breaking stride on the home turn and coming in at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.8 Final Half: - 61.4 Margins: - 10m, 1m
Trial 8: - MAGIC REACTOR was without cover before pushing forward to lead at the 1800m. He always appeared to be in full control and scored with something in reserve. SHARKBITE ALTO (Shadyshark Hanover – Sugar Alto) began quickly to lead, took a trail and used the sprint lane in the straight. STAR PUPIL finished last of the trio after settling three back on the inside, moving away from the markers and looming alongside of the leader approaching the home turn but peaking on his run late.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.5 Final Half: - 60.1 Margins: - 2m, 2m
Trial 9: - MY MATE YANKEE (Angus Hall – Yankee Stella) trailed the leader CHER AMI throughout and came to the outside on the home turn. He was able to sail away and get the prize in slow time. KEPT TOO LONG (Union Guy – Kept At Bey) was slow out then broke stride in the early stages and was tailed off for the remainder of trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.15.2 Final Half: - 64.0 Margins: - 8m, 200m
TABCORP PARK, MELTON 13/07/20
Trial 1: - HATCHBACK settled fifth on the markers, was four back on the inside after COCO LOMBO broke stride then started his run out three horses wide from the 350m. He easily picked up his rivals and scored comfortably without being extended at any stage. NOVEMBER GUY was fast away from the standing start and trailed the leader early before zipping to the front with 1500m remaining. He finished in second with the juvenile trotter TIPSY TURVEY (Bacardi Lindy – Titillate 1.59.7, $36,675), which was the only horse to start from the front line, being a close up third after leading out then taking a trail. MAJESTIC DREAM stepped away safely leading up to her standing start debut at Melton on Friday and was fourth early then three back on the markers from the first turn. She finished ahead of COCO LOMBO, which jumped away in third position but broke stride approximately 200m after the start.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.9 Final Half: - 59.47 Margins: - 3m, Short ½ Head
Trial 2: - HAVEACHAT began quickly to lead, set up a moderate tempo and was able draw away over the latter stages to win comfortably. RING MY BELLS finished second after settling last of the three runners and coming to the outside with 250m remaining. MEANDMYBIGMOUTH dropped back to third late after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.1 Final Half: - 60.11 Margins: - 21m, 1.5m
Trial 3: - SKY EAGLE performed particularly well considering he is a National Ratings 60 assessed horse and was able to gun down the well performed mare AUNTIE POPPY (NR99) with the final quarter being a quick 27.67 seconds. He trailed the leader and came to the outside with 400m remaining. PHARISEE was last of the three runners but he came out wider in the straight and did pick up ground to be beaten narrowly in a fast final 400m.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.6 Final Half: - 57.7 Margins: - Neck, Head
Trial 4: - ROCK NIEN (A Rocknroll Dance – On Fifth 1.59.2, $12,670) settled fourth on the markers, moved up without cover at the 1100m, got in behind the leader at the 600m then came wide into the straight so it was a tidy display to get the prize over ALAKAZAM (Well Said – Mumbai Majik 1.59.2, $20,727), which tried to lead throughout. SWINGINGWITHSIERRA (Art Major – Sierra Tango 2.0.7, $26,475) trailed the leader but raced very greenly and dropped off a little turning into the back straight on the final occasion before picking up again and moving up on the outside of the leader. She was switching on and off several times in the final circuit and eventually dropped away from the leading duo to finish in a distant third. ARTS CLASSIC (Artspeak – Classic Amy 2.1.6, $33,760) settled three back on the markers and finished in fourth position ahead of STARZZZINLINE (Four Starzzz Shark – Swanline), which was last of the five runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.3 Final Half: - 58.87 Margins: - 1.5m, 42.5m
Trial 5: - ELECTROJET was a very impressive winner. He settled five back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 1600m, raced without cover momentarily then dropped onto the markers in third before launching a big winning claim at the 500m mark. He stormed away from his rivals to win by a large margin. RUM AN ROYAL was fourth on the markers, moved up without cover from the 1600m and found the front at the 1400m. He finished second with ROI DU SOLEIL in third after showing brilliant gate speed to lead early before taking a trail in the back straight on the first occasion. QUICK WITTED dropped back on the markers and ended up being last of the five horses during the middle stages before working past the juvenile trotter TELEPHONE TILLY, which started off behind the leader and ended up being four back on the markers mid-race.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.1 Final Half: - 59.01 Margins: - 17m, 8.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Electrojet
Trial 6: - MIRAKURU began well and trailed the leader early before circling around into the leading role at the 1600m mark. He rolled along at a genuine tempo and recorded a strong victory. ALICE KAY was fifth on the markers early, rolled through to be third on the markers before moving to the outside at the quarter pole. She switched onto the back of MIRAKURU in the home straight and went to the line with something in reserve. MAJOR EXCLUSIVE settled fourth on the markers, before gaining a one out and one back trail at the 800m. He finished third and was well clear of BLISSFULL STRIDE, which began quickly to lead before taking a trail and dropping off at the end. SHADOW STYLE was third on the markers, moved up without cover at the 800m but peaked on his run and came in last of five runners.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.9 Final Half: - 56.16 Margins: - 3.5m, 6.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Alice Kay
BALLARAT 14/07/20
Trial 1: - BONDI LOCKDOWN (Somebeachsomewhere – Without Guile) settled three back on the inside, gained a clear passage with 150m remaining and dashed through the middle to win untouched. He showed good acceleration in what was an impressive display. SOHO BRANDENBURG trailed the leader and moved into the death seat at the 500m mark. He battled on well for second with HAMMERS HELLPATROL (Somebeachsomewhere – Dreams of Heaven 1.58.9, $150,444) moving away from the markers with 600m remaining and coming from last of the six to grab third. SOHO BROADWAY (Bettors Delight – Pixel Perfect) tried to lead throughout and finished fourth ahead of COLERNE (Somebeachsomewhere – Trojan Fire) (4 back markers) and SPORTSSEAL (Sportswriter – Tessanover) (without cover, 5 back markers) came in last of the six runners after yielding ground from the quarter pole.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.2 Final Half: - 58.7 Margins: - 3m, 2.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Bondi Lockdown
Trial 2: - BURNFOURU trailed the leader, moved away from the inside on the home turn and was able to get up on the line. IRON CHARIOT tried to lead throughout but was denied on the post. ILLAWONG KIM settled three back on the markers, moved away from the inside at the 400m and was three horses wide on the home turn. She finished third in front of NAI HARN BAY, which was last of the four runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.7 Final Half: - 58.9 Margins: - Head, 5m
Trial 3: - YOUAREMY SUNSHINE began quickly to find the lead, ran along at a rapid rate and stormed away from his rivals to win by a large margin. He is a quality 3yo pacer and it appears that he has returned from a spell in fine form. WILSHIRE BOULEVARD trailed the leader throughout and couldn’t keep with him in the last 800m but was able to finish well clear of his other two rivals. TRIPLE ZED (Four Starzzz Shark – Spirit of Smooch) and the well named CONFESSION (Tell All – Viva Courage 2.0.1, $19,375) were third and fourth respectively throughout the entire trial.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.2 Final Half: - 55.0 Margins: - 45m, 20m
Trial 4: - IDLE TIMES is a National Ratings 70 assessed pacer so he was entitled to win the trial but he couldn’t have been more impressive. He was without cover early, pushed to the front at the 1600m and ran along at a hectic tempo. It was like a solo trial in the final circuit and he recorded blistering final sectionals. STARZZ IN DISGUISE settled third on the markers, moved away from the inside at the 700m and was able to get the better of his stable mate THE REGULATOR (Village Jasper – Regulatory Affair) in the latter stages.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.8 Final Half: - 54.9 Margins: - 150m, 3m
Trial 5: - ILLAWONG STARDUST led throughout and was able to win comfortably. The field of three were in the same order from the start to the finish with CORK trailing the leader and finishing second in front of RAGNA THOR, which was backing up quickly from a Maryborough trial victory on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Final Half: - 59.6 Margins: - 15m, 100m
Trial 6: - FOX FORCE FIVE began quickly to lead and was able to stroll to victory without being pushed. She has always shown a lot of ability and she looked very sharp in defeating THE GIRLS GOTFLAIR, which trailed her throughout. WILLUNA began quickly and led momentarily but broke stride 50m after the start and was tailed off. He broke stride again at the bell and failed to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.5 Final Half: - 60.8 Margins: 8m, Pulled Up
BLACKBOOKER: - Fox Force Five
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