Harness Racing Victoria form guru Craig Rail has added four new additions into the blackbook this week including the Philip Chircop-trained New Shuffle.

Rail was impressed with the gelding’s trial at Maryborough.

“He did gain an economical run in the one out and one back trail but there was a lot to like about the way he extended over the concluding stages,” Rail said.

Craig Rail also added Lilly Lotus, Gatesys Gem and Coastal Drive to the blackbook.

SHEPPARTON 08/08/24

Trial 1: - ROARFORROSSCOE showed very good gate speed to find the lead shortly after the start. He finished off in a slick final half of 56.7 seconds and safely held his rivals at bay. It was a good hit-out for his first up performance at Melton tomorrow night. DELIGHTFULL TAMMY trailed the leader throughout and finished in second position. She is also backing up at Melton tomorrow night. THEROCKGOD settled last of the three runners, came to the outside at the quarter pole and battled on well, particularly considering he has a National Rating of 58, which is significantly less than the first two placegetters. He will be returning from a spell against more suitable opposition at Shepparton on Tuesday night.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.0                            Last Half: - 56.7                Margins: - 2m, 2m

Trial 2: - LILLY LOTUS showed very good gate speed to lead, ran along at a genuine tempo and completely dominated her rivals in fast time. She has a lot of ability and is worth following. ASSIGNED trailed the leader early before ending up being three back on the markers. She got around the tiring BROADWAY BRENDA to trail the leader again at the 700m and held down second position. UNCLE TREV was four back on the inside early then five back before coming to the outside at the quarter pole and making some ground on the leading division.

Mile Rate: - 1.58.8                          Last Half: - 59.4                Margins: - 30m, Neck

BLACKBOOKER: - Lilly Lotus

Trial 3: - DEREK THE JET trailed the leader before moving away from the inside at the 300m. He accelerated beautifully in the home straight and recorded an impressive victory. SHESAWISH settled four back on the inside, moved off the pegs at the 400m and tried hard for second. BLUE COMAN NZ picked up ground from last of the five runners to fill third position.  He is returning from a break and taking on the champion trotter Just Believe in the Shepparton Trotters Cup on Tuesday night.  

Mile Rate: - 2.4.6                            Last Half: - 59.3                Margins: - 10m, 10m

Trial 6: - ITS CONFIDENTIAL began very quickly to find the lead and was always in control of the trial. He dashed well clear over the concluding stages to win by a large margin. He is competing at Wagga this afternoon and should go well based on his trial performance. CEE CEE LOU settled three back on the markers and ran into a distant second. DASHING COWBOY was third past the post after trailing the leader throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.0                            Last Half: - 57.7                Margins: - 30m, 5m

 

BACCHUS MARSH 10/08/24

Trial 1: - NO TELLING HEATHER continued her very good trial form by winning the opening event in fast time by a comfortable margin. She returns from a break at Cranbourne on Sunday night and should go close. APRIL SUN is a speedy trotter for trainer Greg Leight and was able to finish in second position with KISSMESERENA NZ filling third spot. SCAR finished fourth for local trainer Robert Young and backed up at Terang on Wednesday afternoon to record an emphatic victory after working hard on the outside of the leader throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.5                            Last Half: - 60.2                Margins: - 12m, 15m

Trial 2: - FREAK OUT was able to record reasonable time and defeated BETTING ON COURAGE with both horses backing up at Melton this evening. THUNDER BEACH finished in third position and the former Queensland pacer OFFICE BAD BOY, which has recently joined trainer Corey Bell, was the third horse to cross the line. OFFICE BAD BOY backed up at Kilmore on Thursday night and will also be competing at Shepparton on Tuesday.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.5                            Last Half: - 58.5                Margins: - 5m, 5m

Trial 4: - LOVE INA CHEVY NZ was able to take out the open class trial of the morning and dashed home in a slick final half of 57.1 seconds in doing so. He defeated the classy mare SEW WHAT by a narrow margin with FLYING SPARKS being the third horse across the line. BREATHE EASY wasn’t too far away in fourth position, which obviously wasn’t a bad performance considering he has a low National Rating of 50. LOVE INA CHEVY and BREATHE EASY are competing at Melton this evening, SEW WHAT is backing up at Melton on Saturday night and FLYING SPARKS is returning from a break at Cranbourne on Sunday.  

Mile Rate: - 2.2.2                            Last Half: - 57.1                Margins: - 1m, 8m

 

MARYBOROUGH 11/08/24

Trial 1: - CAPTAIN PINS NZ settled three back on the markers and came to the outside at the quarter pole. He finished off solidly to get the prize from MADIGAN, which trailed the leader and didn’t come to the outside until CAPTAIN PINS NZ had gone past him. The early leader CULLENBURN NZ was last of the three runners to cross the line but he did set up a reasonable tempo.

Mile Rate: - 1.57.8                          Last Half: - 56.3                Margins: - 5m, Head

 

 

Trial 2: - NEW SHUFFLE created a good impression in winning the second event. He did gain an economical run in the one out and one back trail but there was a lot to like about the way he extended over the concluding stages. He recorded a last quarter of 28.6 seconds to win comfortably over NAMELLA, which attempted to lead throughout. SAVON DE ROCHE trailed the leader and moved away from the inside on the home turn. She finished in third ahead of LYDIA BENNETT, which settled five back on the markers.

Mile Rate: - 2.0.0                            Last Half: - 58.0                Margins: - 3m, 3m

BLACKBOOKER: - New Shuffle

Trial 3: - LADY IN THE SKY NZ has done a lot of travelling since coming from New Zealand with her Australian career starting in Victoria before she progressed North to New South Wales then finally headed across to South Australia. She has recently returned to Victoria and has joined trainer Brad Angove. She won her trial convincingly after settling last of the four runners early and moving through to trail behind the leader at the half mile marker. COURAGES LAW finished second after setting the speed and was well ahead of the third placed WILLS MAVERICK.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.6                            Last Half: - 58.6                Margins: - 3m, 20m

Trial 5: - YURUGA LASS trailed the leader and moved away from the markers at the 300m mark. She finished off swiftly and was able to get away over the concluding stages to win clearly. LEONARD settled three back on the inside and worked through into second position with CORNELIA coming from last of the four runners to pick up third. CORNELIA will be competing at Charlton on Monday. The early leader IMAGUNNARESTNGO set up a reasonable tempo before peaking on the home turn.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.1                            Last Half: - 58.0                Margins: - 8m, 3m

 

MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 12/08/24

Trial 1: - HEAD EM UP NZ has joined trainer John Justice since the Queensland Winter Carnival and created a good impression at his first public appearance in Victoria. He stepped away nicely from the standing start, progressed forward to find the lead and dashed home in an impressive last quarter of 27.94 seconds to win the trial by a large margin. He is backing up at Melton tomorrow night. OLLIVICI NZ commenced from the handicap of 50m and worked forward to be four back on the markers in the first lap. He finished off boldly for a game second. THE SKY IS THE LIMIT was third across the line after leading out then taking cover. HEPHAESTUS PHOENIX commenced from the handicap of 50m, settled last of the five runners and made ground without being fully extended at any stage. He is backing up at Melton tomorrow evening.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.5                            Last Half: - 56.28              Margins: - 17m, 2m

Trial 3: - COMMODUS was showing a lot of ability early in the season and made his debut against older horses at Warragul, where he ran a game second. He was subsequently spelled and was able to win his comeback trial after settling in third early before working to the front at the bell. GATESYS GEM put in a big performance to finish in second after coming from five back on the markers. He made his move at the 600m mark and chased very hard to go down narrowly. The leading duo finished over 50m ahead of the remainder of the field. FARROKH, which trailed the leader early but raced roughly and dropped back to fifth in the back straight on the first occasion.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.5                            Last Half: - 57.53              Margins: - Head, 54.5m

BLACKBOOKER: - Gatesys Gem

Trial 5: - MASTER REMI was without cover early, angled in behind the leader on the first turn and waited until late to commence his run. He finished off best in the final 100m to grab victory on the line from LENARD ESS, which attempted to lead throughout. LENARD ESS will be backing up at Cranbourne on Sunday night. SIR CHOW NZ was three back on the markers and finished in third. The champion trotting mare QUEEN ELIDA NZ was having her comeback trial since her second in the MacArthur Mile at Menangle in May. She settled four back on the markers and held her own in the straight without being extended at any stage.

Mile Rate: - 1.59.1                          Last Half: - 56.94              Margins: - Short ½ Head, 5m

Trial 7: - KEAYANG ZAHARA is a very smart 3yo trotter and appeared to be very sharp in her trial victory over ILLAWONG LARAJAY. She settled three back on the inside, moved away from the markers at the 500m mark and finished off best in slick final sectionals to win impressively. ILLAWONG LARAJAY trailed the leader and used the sprint lane for second with the early leader KYVALLEYHONEYBUNNY being third across the line. ILLAWONG LARAJAY and KYVALLEYHONEYBUNNY will have a rematch at Cranbourne on Sunday and ILLAWONG LARAJAY has the advantage of the perfect trailing draw behind the fast beginner McGee.  

Mile Rate: - 2.2.7                            Last Half: - 57.93              Margins: - 4.5m, 1.5m

Trial 9: - PERFECT STRANGER NZ settled three back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 700m mark and sustained a strong run to win the trial nicely. ARSENIO was behind the leader but became held up for a run at a vital stage and drove through the middle late for an unlucky second. The early leader ALWAYS A SHOWGIRL was third across the line and SCHERGER THAT came from last of the six runners to pick up fourth place.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.1                            Last Half: - 56.74              Margins: - 2.5m, 3m

Trial 11: - BACH NZ wasn’t at his best behaviour at the trials a week earlier but he bounced back quickly with an impressive victory. He settled three back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 700m mark and finished off in a sizzling final quarter of 27.23 seconds to get the prize. He is poorly drawn for his assignment at open class level tomorrow night at Melton. JILLIBY WILLOW settled four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail behind BACH NZ and tried hard for second. SWEET BELLA was third after trailing behind her stable mate and early leader IDYLLIC throughout.

Mile Rate: - 1.56.9                          Last Half: - 54.52              Margins: - 4.5m, 6.5m

Trial 12: - COASTAL DRIVE began quickly to find the lead and dominated his rivals. He performed below expectations when he was resuming at Bendigo on July 31 but he appeared to be back to his best form considering he dashed home his final quarter in a slick 27.16 seconds. He is poorly drawn for his effort at Cranbourne on Sunday but he should prove very hard to beat. TENACIOUSLY settled five back on the markers, moved to the outside with 600m remaining and finished off well for second. TED BEAR began quickly and was able to angle in behind the leader around the first corner. He finished third ahead of ILOVEACALENDERGIRL (6 back pegs), which sprinted quickly down the back straight but couldn’t sustain the run in slick final sectionals.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.8                            Last Half: - 55.73              Margins: - 8m, 11.5m

BLACKBOOKER: - Coastal Drive

Trial 15: - KEAYANG TOKYO settled four back on the inside, moved up without cover from the 600m mark and was too strong in the run to the finish. The Warragul Cup winner is meeting a strong field for his first up run at Melton tomorrow night but his trial success will give him plenty of confidence. JUST AS WELL NZ was second after setting the speed and PARADISE VALLEY finished in third place after trailing the leader and using the sprint lane.

Mile Rate: - 1.57.7                          Last Half: - 55.87              Margins: - 1.5m, 2m

 

BENDIGO 12/08/24

Trial 1: - KINVARA KATE trailed the leader and waited for the sprint lane. She worked through nicely in the latter stages and got up to defeat THE DARK THUNDER, which attempted to lead throughout. SPEEDY COMET settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 500m mark and finished a close up third. The winner KINVARA KATE is resuming from a break at Shepparton on Tuesday night, where she will contest the Abrahams 2yo Classic.

Mile Rate: - 2.6.1                            Last Half: - 61.0                Margins: - Neck, Neck

Trial 7: - GUNSEN ROSIE trailed the leader and came to the outside at the quarter pole. She finished off best to win the trial clearly, which prepared her for her performance at Kilmore on Thursday night. OPRAH DOUBLE YOU settled five back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail behind GUNSEN ROSIE and never peeled to the outside at any stage. She went to the line nicely in second and also backed up at Kilmore on Thursday. KOUFAX attempted to lead throughout and finished in third with TOLIMA (3 back pegs) being the fourth horse across the line.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.1                            Last Half: - 61.9                Margins: - 4m, 2m

Trial 8: - GOTTA HAV ME began brilliantly and ran to the lead shortly after the start. She was always in control of the trial and scored comfortably by a length. She will cross the border and compete at Wagga this afternoon. CALLMETHEBREEZE FRA is ready to renew his rivalry with the champion trotter Just Believe and gave a pleasing performance in second. He settled three back on the markers, came to the outside at the 300m mark and finished off well without being pushed. TALK IS CHEAP was third after trailing the leader throughout and IM READY JET (4 back markers) was doing her best work late in fourth place. TALK IS CHEAP was an emergency at Mildura this afternoon but has gained a start with the withdrawal of Johnny Redcoat.  

Mile Rate: - 2.1.5                            Last Half: - 57.8                Margins: - 3m, 5m

Trial 9: - GUARANTEED END has been going very nicely at the trials and continued the trend with a victory in the ninth event. She trailed the leader, waited for the sprint lane and accelerated nicely at the end. She is perfectly drawn for her performance at Mildura this afternoon. FEAR THE POWER finished in second after trying to lead throughout and OCEANFRONT was last of the three for the duration.

Mile Rate: - 1.56.6                          Last Half: - 56.9                Margins: - 3m, 12m

Trial 10: - DANGEROUS was last of the five runners early, ended up being four back on the markers at the bell and sprinted fast from the 300m mark. He was very impressive in picking up the early leader MAJOR FIRE and dashing away over the latter stages. BETTA THAN LOVE was third across the line after settling four back on the markers and ending up being in third when THESUNANDTHEMOON broke gear with a lap remaining. DANGEROUS is awkwardly drawn at Melton tomorrow night but he does appear to be at his peak form.  

Mile Rate: - 1.57.5                          Last Half: - 57.6                Margins: - 6m, 8m