It's been a big week for Emilio and Mary Rosati's Stride horses, having swept last weekend's Trots Country Cups, and if the Victorian trials circuit is any indication there's even more talent set to emerge.
Craig Rail plonked Equity Stride straight into his Blackbook ahead of the lighly-raced four-year-old's Victorian debut after he impressed at Melton for Anthony Butt and Sonya Smith. And he wasn't the only Stride horse to put in an eye-catching performance.
Here's Craig's wrap of Victorian trials, with his updated Blackbook at the bottom of the page.
TERANG 07/01/21
Trial 1: - THEY WANTANO settled four back on the outside, came out three horses wide from the 1300m and swiftly moved up without cover. She was able to duck in for a breather approaching the home turn then was able to sneak into the sprint lane and accelerated through to get the prize. BLUE VEIN FITZ was in the one out and one back trail in the early stages, came out three horses wide from the 1600m and found the lead shortly afterwards. She kicked clear on the home turn and looked to be the winner but peaked in the final 50m. She is racing against a strong field at Melton tonight. BRIEN (Auckland Reactor – Miss Moyneyana) raced in the one wide lane (1-2, 1-3) before coming out three horses wide from the 700m mark. He worked home quite well to finish in third position. ANGEL I AM trailed the leader early then was shuffled to three back on the markers from the 1500m. She finished fourth in front of FOR TONY, which led out then took a trail. RAINBOWSNPEARLS was without cover in the early stages before landing the one out and one back trail behind THEY WANTANO. She started to yield ground from the 400m mark and was last of the six runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Final Half: - 58.8 Margins: - 1.5m, 15m
SHEPPARTON 07/01/21
Trial 1: - OUR CHRISTIANO (Alta Christiano – Our Odette 1.58.1, $17,253) began quickly and trailed the leader WATCH THE ATTITUDE (Racing Hill – Annabelle Crabtree) for the duration. He came to the outside approaching the home turn and sprinted home too well in the run to the finish. WATCH THE ATTITUDE tried hard after setting the speed and ALWAYS BE CHLOE (Always B Miki – As It Is In Heaven 1.58.4, $43,325) finished a distant third after being three back on the markers throughout. DOLLY MISS MOLLY (Betting Line – Valero 1.56.5, $25,375) was always last of the four runners and saw the field to be safely home.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Final Half: - 60.1 Margins: - Neck, 15m
Trial 2: - CLASSY SPIRIT began very quickly to lead clearly in the early stages. She set up a slow tempo throughout and went to the line with something in reserve to record a narrow but decisive victory. She returns from a spell at Melton Tuesday night where she has drawn on the inside of the second line. TEQUILA BREE trailed CLASSY SPIRIT, came to the outside at the 500m mark and tried hard in the straight, making a lunge on the line. ABILINE finished third after being three back on the markers throughout but she was a good distance from the leading pair. The former South Australian pacer MY USED TO BE broke stride in the score up and missed the start by approximately 30m in his lead up trial for Yarra Valley on Monday. He finished a distant fourth ahead of ABBIE (Majestic Son – Aldebaran Peggy), which was four back on the inside, started to race roughly at the 600m mark and eventually rolled into a gallop at the quarter pole.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.0 Final Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 1m, 12m
Trial 3: - MAX DELIGHT began quickly and was able to find the markers shortly after the start. He took a trail behind SAN CARLO then came to the outside with 250m remaining. He appeared to be coasting down the straight and scored narrowly but with plenty in reserve. SAN CARLO pushed forward from his wide draw and found the lead on the first turn. He set up a good tempo but was run down late. WILLEM put in a nice performance to finish in third position. He was fifth on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m mark and worked home well at the finish. He was never pushed at any stage of the trial. CASTLE RETREAT settled four back on the inside and worked away from the markers at the 500m mark. He trailed the two classy pacers MAX DELIGHT and SAN CARLO into the straight but just peaked in the latter stages to finish fourth. RATE HIGHLY showed good gate speed to lead early, took a trail and ended up being three back on the markers. He failed to beat a runner to the line.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.0 Final Half: - 55.6 Margins: - Head, 10m
Trial 4: - GOODLOOKIN ROOSTER began well and was without cover on the first bend before angling onto the markers to trail the leader. He then zipped around the outside to find the front at the mile marker. He broke stride momentarily at the 900m mark, where the shadow of the judge’s tower was across the track, and once he got back pacing, he raced fiercely and took off to a big lead in the back straight. He was getting tired late but he just held on to score. THE LONGEST DAY settled sixth on the markers and when she moved away from the inside to start her run, she was giving GOODLOOKIN ROOSTER approximately 40m start. She made up a lot of ground over the concluding stages and missed out narrowly so she obviously has the ability to win races. BALLY BARFLY trailed the leader early and ended up being three back on the inside. He finished in third position with THE DIAMOND KING being in fourth after leading out then taking a trail. WAITINGNORUNS (Caesar Augustus – Beadsnbangles) was fourth after settling seventh on the markers and picking up some ground on the beaten brigade. GRANDVIEW (Fly Like An Eagle – Miss North) came from last of the eight runners to pick up sixth ahead of TWISTA (Roll With Joe – Sukari 1.57.8, $29,368) (5 back markers) and COURAGEOUS LIFE (Courage Under Fire – Spring To Life 2.2.4, $1,688) ran in at the tail of the field after being without cover early, four back on the markers from the 1600m and wanting to hang out in the back straight on the final occasion.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.2 Final Half: - 58.7 Margins: - Neck, 20m
BLACKBOOKER: - The Longest Day NZ
Trial 5: - ALEPPO MURPHY began brilliantly to lead, pulled hard throughout and dashed well clear at the 600m mark. He was getting a little bit tired late but he beat the pacers in style, scoring by a large margin. He should give a bold showing at his first run for trainer David Aiken at Shepparton tomorrow night. GALACTIC GAL settled down last of the four runners and came away from the inside at the 400m mark. She quickly got up to second position but was never going to catch ALEPPO MURPHY. THE LAST CHANCE settled three back on the inside and elected to remain in that position until turning for home. He lost all momentum by the time he came to the outside but he finished quickly late. CHEVRON FLIES trailed the leader throughout and start to yield ground coming out of the back straight on the final occasion.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.9 Final Half: - 60.2 Margins: - 30m, 1m
Trial 6: - WILLDOMXAV stepped away quite nicely and trailed the leader. He came to the outside with 600m remaining and quickly put the issue beyond doubt, drawing to the lead and racing to a big win. HALUNKE (Yankee Spider – Miss Eliza 2.5.9, $43,000) stepped away swiftly from the standing start and led comfortably. She set up a slow tempo but was no match for WILLDOMXAV over the concluding stages. DAZY SUNDAZE (Majestic Son – Secret Sundaze 2.0.6, $42,535) was three back on the markers throughout and remained in third position at the finish. STARLIGHT RUBY (Yankee Spider – Starlights Child 2.2.2, $60,315) was able to get away from the mark trotting but was very slow to begin and lost approximately 50m. She tacked onto the group at the 1200m but broke stride at the 600m mark and lost her chance.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.3 Final Half: - 61.3 Margins: - 30m, 8m
BACCHUS MARSH 09/01/21
Trial 1: - CURLY JAMES (A Rocknroll Dance – Someone To Love) is a nicely bred gelding that is being prepared by John Nicholson. He has had several trial performances recently and he was able to dash home in a quick final quarter of 28.5 seconds to win. He makes his debut at Melton on Tuesday night. KURUN EXPRESS was placed several times at Mildura during his last campaign. He hasn’t raced since October but was able to finish second and is also resuming at Melton on Tuesday. SUNSHINE WARRIOR (Sunshine Beach – Educated Lady 1.56.2, $62,430) is a juvenile pacer for trainer Jess Tubbs and is out of the former handy race mare Educated Lady. He finished in third position ahead of CARUSO STAR (Falcon Seelster – Lorimerjane).
Mile Rate: - 2.6.2 Final Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 5m, 5m
Trial 2: - OFF THE RADAR is a very handy sprinter, which finished third at Geelong when he was resuming since October. He dashed home in a slick final 800m of 57.4 seconds to win the second trial over MORVAH, which is racing at Melton in the final event on the program this evening. He was beaten by a narrow margin in his trial performance and he has been finding the line nicely of late. LEXUS ON THE BEACH started his career in New South Wales and moved to Queensland in May 2017. He has now joined trainer Robin Leonard and he finished a close third at his first Victorian trial effort. YANNARIE and MAJOR EXCLUSIVE were fourth and fifth respectively in a great finish, where only two metres separated the first five runners. MODERN BLISS, which has won at his past four race track appearances, was the last one home but wasn’t beaten by far. He takes his place in the Hamilton Pacing Cup against a very strong field on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.5 Final Half: - 57.4 Margins: - 1m, Nose
Trial 3: - THE BIG END OFTOWN won at Geelong prior to an unplaced effort in the Super Series Bronze event. He was able to dash home in a respectable final half of 58.0 seconds to win by a comfortable margin. He is awkwardly drawn against a strong field at Melton this evening. CAPTAIN BRONZIE hasn’t raced since September and is now with trainer Joe Pace. He finished second ahead of ZARAS ALL GOOD. CARMY DAN and POWER PASS are both contesting the first race at Melton on Tuesday night and they finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.2 Final Half: - 58.0 Margins: - 4m, 3m
Trial 4: - NO WIN NO WORRIES was able to defeat the National Ratings 53 assessed pacer OUR SUMMER WIND on her way to returning to the race track at Kilmore on Thursday night (finished unplaced). OUR SUMMER WIND was a winner at Terang on December 01 but he faces an awkward draw at Melton this evening. JOANANDI is a former South Australian trained pacer, which is now being prepared by Rhys Nicholson. She prepared for her Victorian debut victory at Kilmore on Thursday night with her trial third. TOTALLY SHATTERED finished a distant fourth and TINAS DELIGHT (Bettors Delight – Garden Gate Tina $146,804) failed to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Final Half: - 59.6 Margins: - 1m, 6m
Trial 5: - I CHOOSE hasn’t raced since September but prepared for her first up performance at Maryborough today with a narrow victory in slow time. MADENA BAY continued his reasonable trial form with a close second and he makes his return in a small but quality field at Melton this evening. BACARDI CARTA was in third position ahead of the consistent performer FLING IT RAINBOW with MAJESTIC JEWEL being last of the five runners to cross the line. FLING IT RAINBOW and MAJESTICAL JEWEL are both racing at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.1 Final Half: - 60.6 Margins: - Head, 5m
Trial 6: - CEE CEE NORMAN took on the trotters from the handicap of 30m and was able to take out the final trial in slow time. MANGUITO (Great Success – Bras Dhonneur 2.7.9, $14,163) finished in second position and LETHAL LES wasn’t far away in third. The juvenile trotter MIDNIGHT AVENGER (Kvintet Avenger – Rainbowinparadise 2.7.1, $16,770), which is by the former Group 1 winning European bred stallion Kvintet Avenger was last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.3 Final Half: - 65.3 Margins: - 6m, 2m
MARYBOROUGH 10/01/21
Trial 1: - CARRAMAR BROMWICH began quickly and was able to spear to the lead at the start. He was unchallenged from start to finish and raced away for an easy victory. Considering he is assessed as a National Ratings 49 pacer, he did very well to beat a field that boasted horses much higher on the Ratings scale. IF THE MOOD SUITS trailed the leader throughout and finished second with the open class trotter CRUISIN AROUND poking through the middle from five back on the markers to finish third. CRUISIN AROUND is taking on a tough field in the George Gath at Shepparton tomorrow night. VALENTINA BRAVE settled in sixth position and came to the outside around the home turn. She was finishing off strongly late and filled fourth spot. CE PE THREE (Mach Three – Ce Pe Ar) is an unraced gelding by Mach Three, which was taking on the winners of multiple races. He settled three back on the markers and came to the outside with 600m remaining so he did a good job to finish as close as he did. He makes his debut at Yarra Valley on Monday. REEKO REACTOR was four back on the inside and moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m mark. He was the last horse to complete the course with CAYMANGONE being retired after breaking stride 50m after the start then again with 600m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Final Half: - 57.0 Margins: - 10m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: - Carramar Bromwich
Trial 2: - DEALERS KNOCK was an impressive winner of the second trial. He dropped back to be last of the six runners, came to the outside with 700m remaining and stormed up to the leaders turning out of the back straight. He sustained a long run and drew clear at the end to win easily. He returns from a spell at Maryborough this afternoon and would have to be a great value chance on that run. OUR THUNDER BUDDY was able to get around safely after being stood down to trial at his previous start. He began well, progressed forward to find the lead on the first turn then was run down late. He wasn’t fully extended but it is doubtful he would have been able to find enough to hold out DEALERS KNOCK had he been asked to stride. He has drawn favourably at Melton this evening. QUEEN OF LOVE settled five back on the markers and worked into third with CANADIAN ALM being fourth after leading out then taking cover. RAGNA THOR settled four back on the markers and ended up finishing in sixth ahead of DYNAMIC DIESEL (3 back markers), which broke stride with 700m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.4 Final Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 10m, 4m
Trial 3: - CAYMANGONE fared much better than he did in trial one where he settled five back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m and finished off too well at the end. CELEBRITA was four back on the markers and moved into the death seat ahead of CAYMANGONE in the back straight. She moved up to hit the lead in the straight and was run down in the final 100m but she was never fully extended. She appears to be a winning hope at Melton on Tuesday night. WHITESOFTHEIREYES settled three back on the inside and was held up for a run at a vital stage but was working home well late for third. IM JOLLYGOOD set up a reasonable tempo in the lead and was run down in the straight, ending up in fourth position with ROUGH CUT being in fifth after being in the trail throughout. CARRAMAR KASIANO and SALSBOY were sixth and seventh respectively for the majority of the trial. SUMMERHILL obviously had a gear issue as he was retired out of the trial in the early stages and performed in a trial later in the day.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.8 Final Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 2m, 3m
Trial 4: - AMBER STRIDE (Excel Stride – Galaxy Stride) began quickly to lead and enjoyed a good run throughout the middle stages. She had her head turned to the side throughout the entire trial but she was comfortable in the run to the finish and could have won by further. FAITH STRIDE (Excel Stride – Blossom Stride 1.50.4, $18,575) gained a nice trail behind AMBER STRIDE throughout and finished in second position with ESPRESSO STRIDE (Excel Stride – Miss Labretta 2.1.7, $3,130) being in third. ESPRESSO STRIDE was three back on the inside, raced roughly at the 700m mark and lost a few lengths then moved to the outside with 300m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.3 Final Half: - 62.1 Margins: - 10m, 4m
Trial 5: - IMA CHERISHED STRIDE (Muscle Hill – Miss Pegasus) began quickly and was able to run to the lead shortly after the start. She set up a slow tempo and was able to hold off the challengers in the run to the finish. SUMMERHILL started in seventh position but was able to push forward and race without cover in the middle stages. He went to the line under a strong hold and finished in second position. BACARDI CHARDY was one out and one back before being left stranded without cover on the first corner. She found the markers then was able to work into the one out and one back trail again approaching the bell lap and ended up finishing in third position. PIESRIDINGSHOTGUN was fourth after trailing the leader throughout and SHIPS SUCCESS (3 back markers) was fifth past the post. CHANTILLY DEE was five back on the inside early and finished ahead of OUR WARRIOR (Yankee Spider – Charliesbaby 2.3.5, $18,352) and STRATEGIC STRIDE (Love You – Glory Stride), both of which made errors in the run.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.6 Final Half: - 58.7 Margins: - 2m, 10m
Trial 6: - SYMPHONY STRIDE (Well Said – Spicy Stride 1.52.8, $184,635) began quickly to lead and was able to hold her rivals safely at bay in the run to the finish. STORM STRIDE (Excel Stride – Scarlet Stride) trailed the leader throughout and came to the outside on the home turn. He tried hard but couldn’t peg back the winner. ON WATCH settled down last of the four runners. He never left the inside but he appeared to be jogging in the straight, picking up good ground and without being pushed at any stage. VICTORY GEORGE (Western Terror – The Georgia Peach $4,990) was three back on the markers and moved out three horses wide on the home turn. He held his ground in the straight but was the last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.2 Final Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 2m, 1m
Trial 7: - GET SMART MAX began very quickly from the standing start and led clearly in the early stages. He set up a slow tempo throughout the middle stages and was to cling on and get the prize. GALLEONS VICTORY commenced very quickly from the handicap of 50m and ended up being three back on the markers. He came to the outside with 500m remaining and chased determinedly but just failed at the end. He meets a strong field at Shepparton tomorrow night. STRESS FACTOR also commenced from the handicap of 50m but didn’t begin with the same brilliance as GALLEONS VICTORY. He was fifth on the markers, moved away from the inside to land the one out and one back trail behind GALLEONS VICTORY then went to the line jogging without peeling to the outside at any stage. He is competing in the Hamilton Trotting Cup on Sunday. WHOS COUNTN stepped away safely and was third early before angling onto the markers in fourth position. He made up some ground over the latter stages to finish fourth ahead of SMART CHA CHA (Feng Shuis Image – McKillop 2.5.7, $7,395), which trailed the leader. WHOS COUNTN backed up to win at Kilmore on Thursday night. QUEEN JANE (I’m Stately – Wendy Robyn) was able trot away but did so very slowly and lost valuable ground in the early stages. She was always detached from the main group and was the last horse to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.8 Final Half: - 60.3 Margins: - 1/2head, 2m
YARRA VALLEY 10/01/21
Trial 1: - COLDPLAY ROAD hasn’t raced since March 2019 but being assessed as a National Ratings 89, he was clearly the class runner of the trial. He was able to score from the maiden performer TSOLAKIS, which was stood down to trial after an unplaced run at Ararat on December 30. CHARISMA KING finished third as a lead up to his performance at Melton this evening and was able to beat home GREENOUGH, which is now with trainer Graeme McIntosh, ROYAL BETTOR and FINAL COUNTDOWN.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.0 Final Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 2m, 10m
MILDURA 10/01/21 (*Note the official results of the Mildura trials are not displayed on the Harness website, the results given in this report are from what was broadcast from the trial replays*).
Trial 1: - EDWINA EXPRESS began quickly to find the lead and enjoyed a nice run throughout. She always travelled strongly and skipped well clear leaving the back straight. She cruised down to the line and won comfortably. ORAMA was slow to begin and settled approximately 15m behind the second last horse in the early stages. She was last on the markers for most of the trial, came out three horses wide at the 300m mark and finished off strongly for an eye-catching second. WESTERN CRISIS settled three back on the inside, moved away from the markers at the quarter pole and finished in third position. AUCKLAND AFFAIR trailed the leader and finished fourth with OLLIE AND BROCK (1-1, 3 horses wide from the 600m) being in fifth. MEXICAN STANDOFF was left stranded without cover and was under pressure from the 700m mark before dropping back into last position.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - 8m, 10m (approximately)
Trial 2: - The former New South Wales trained pacer OLD TANNER BURN raced away to win by a large margin. He began well, angled in behind the leader and moved away from the inside at the 500m mark, sprinting brilliantly at the end. His cause was aided by the leader PUOPOLO and also BEAU BRONSKI going very hard in the middle stages. PUOPOLO led comfortably early then refused to give up the inside advantage when pressured so he did well to fill second spot. BEAU BRONSKI also did a fantastic job to finish third. He was four back on the markers early, moved up without cover at the 1300m mark, had a crack for the lead and was just unable to get across. He did hang out and lose a bit of momentum just past the bell, which contributed to him not being able to find the lead. RUBY REACTOR settled three back on the markers and finished a distant fourth. CULLENS COPY broke stride in the score up then again on the first turn and was tailed out.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - 22m, 5m (approximately)
Trial 3: - COME ON ELVIS showed good gate speed to lead, rolled along at a genuine tempo and kicked on strongly when challenged over the concluding stages to score by a narrow margin. COCO BEACH was without cover early, angled onto the markers to be in third position, dropped the bit and lost ten metres mid-race but picked up and got through to trail the leader at the quarter pole. She worked into the clear on the home turn and worked through nicely for a close second. URELLA FELLA trailed the leader, came to the outside with 500m remaining and battled on well for a close third. YES SHESASTAR settled down last of the five runners, moved into the out and one back trail at the 1400m mark and was left without cover with just under a lap remaining. She started to yield ground approaching the home turn and finished a distant fourth. NORTHTOALASKA was headed off at the start and was fourth on the inside. He moved into the death seat at the 1400m and ensured a genuine tempo but was placed under pressure 700m from home and was the last horse to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - Head, 2m
TABCORP PARK, MELTON 12/01/21
Trial 1: - HEY LISTEN began very quickly and led clearly approaching the first corner. He enjoyed a nice run in the lead and dashed well clear over the latter stages to win easily. SUGAR HIGH (Peak – Sugar Times) was four back on the markers then three back from the 900m mark. She came to the outside approaching the home turn and was able to grab second on the line. WAR DAN STRIKES trailed the leader and enjoyed the perfect trip but was never extended at any stage. He showed promise last season but made a few errors and he got around safely in the trial to miss out on second narrowly. LA SERENA settled fifth on the markers, moved around into third at the 1100m but broke stride and lost valuable ground. She was a distant fourth in the last circuit then broke stride again at the 300m mark. DREAM ON ANGUS (Angus Hall – Orlandos Dream 1.59.1, $46,750) was three back on the markers but started yielding ground at the bell and RYMES (Majestic Son – Genayas Girl) failed to complete the course after galloping in the score up.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.8 Final Half: - 62.16 Margins: - 30m, Short 1/2Head
Trial 2: - NORTHERN STRIDE (Art Major – Mirella) began quickly and was able to progress forward and find the lead 100m after the start. He ran along at even sectionals and went to the line with something in reserve. SUNSHINE WARRIOR (Sunshine Beach – Educated Lady 1.56.2, $62,430) showed good gate speed but elected to take cover behind NORTHERN STRIDE before the first turn. He came to the outside in the straight and loomed up to win but NORTHERN STRIDE kicked strongly on the line. SUNSHINE WARRIOR also seemed to have something left at the finish. SHOOBEE GOTCHA (Shoobees Place – Bettors Package 1.55.0, $82,835) was last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.6 Final Half: - 60.09 Margins: - ½ Head, 7m
Trial 3: - DESERT FLYER trailed the leader IMPERIAL WHIZ before coming to the outside on the home turn. He was too quick for IMPERIAL WHIZ in the sprint up the straight. SONNY BROOKE broke stride at the start and was tailed off throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.9 Final Half: - 59.36 Margins: - 2m, 115m
Trial 4: - It was a very slowly run trial with a mile rate of just 2.7.0 and it turned into a dash up the straight. VANQUISH STRIDE settled down in fourth position, moved away from the inside at the 1100m then found the lead comfortably at the 900m. He was just able to hold on in the sprint to the post. PRESTIGE STRIDE was a very good run under the circumstances. She ended up being four back on the markers from the 900m mark, pulled hard down the back straight and swung out wider on the track approaching the home corner. She finished fast and did very well to get as close as she did in a final quarter of 27.7 seconds. WHATISAYGOES (Grinfromeartoear – Crystal Journey 2.0.2, $113,185) began quickly to lead, took a trail and finished in third position just ahead of IONTHEBULLION. IONTHEBULLION trailed the leader early then was three back on the markers. He was held up for a run at a vital stage and worked home nicely at the end. RUN FOR STIKKA (Somebeachsomewhere – Belief Is Bettor) settled in fifth position, moved into the one wide lane but was left stranded without cover for the final 700m when TINAS DELIGHT (Bettors Delight – Garden Gate Tina CA $146,804) broke stride in front of him. He got into a prominent position approaching the home turn and held his ground in the straight. IONTHEBULLION and RUN FOR STIKKA are competing in the same race at Melton on Tuesday and they finished alongside each other in that trial. TINAS DELIGHT galloped just as she was starting her run from last at the half mile marker and was tailed off for the remainder of the trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.0 Final Half: - 60.30 Margins: - ½ Head, 9m
Trial 5: - It was a quality trial for the trotters and it was a very good finish. WOBELEE got away safely after he failed to score up in the desired manner in the Maori Mile, settled three back on the markers, got through to trail the leader on the home turn and charged along the sprint lane to win well. IM READY JET was a great run in second. He settled last of the four runners, came to the outside on the home turn and produced a dazzling finish in a slick final quarter of 27.2 seconds to go down narrowly. MAORI LAW trailed the leader TORNADO VALLEY and came to the outside turning for home. He was able to beat TORNADO VALLEY to the post but there wasn’t much separating the four runners at the finish.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Final Half: - 56.55 Margins: - Neck, Neck
Trial 6: - MEGIDDO was four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He sprinted quickly in the home straight and was able to draw away and win nicely. SCHNAPPSHOT settled three back on the inside, was held up for a run at a vital stage but angled out wider on the track and finished off strongly for a handy second. BEAU HART was restrained at the start and settled last of the five runners. He moved into the death seat at the 700m mark and boxed on well in the run to the finish. EASY ROLLING trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and finished fourth, just getting past the early leader CMONBABYLITEMYFIRE on the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.9 Final Half: - 58.84 Margins: - 5.5m, ½ head
Trial 7: - EQUITY STRIDE was five back on the markers in the early stages, moved away from the inside at the 900m to be in the one out and one back trail, came out three horses wide on the home turn and zoomed away in the run to the finish. The two leaders went hard early and had to get tired late but It was still a very impressive display. He appears to be a big winning chance at Melton on Tuesday night. NIGHT SPIRIT began extremely fast to draw three metres in front early but OUR MASTER GEORGE kicked through from the pole position and was desperate to hold the inside advantage. The pair went very quickly early and dashed 30m ahead of the remainder of the field with NIGHT SPIRIT eventually finding the lead at the 1700m mark. Despite doing the work early, NIGHT SPIRIT finished second and OUR MASTER GEORGE was third so both horses put in a tidy display. NIGHT SPIRIT resumes from a spell at Yarra Valley on Monday and OUR MASTER GEORGE has drawn on the pole position at Melton on Tuesday. ILLAWONG PARRIS settled four back on the inside and moved up without cover from the 900m mark. She battled on fairly for fourth with ALPHA CRUCIS (6 back markers, 1-2 at 900m) being in fifth. ENDEAVOUR STRIDE settled down in last position and got past ESCAVADOR (3 back markers) over the concluding stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.1 Final Half: - 56.84 Margins: - 14.5m, 4m
BLACKBOOKER: - Equity Stride
Trial 8: - AMERICAN ALLI has joined trainer Stephen Clarke since his latest Ballarat victory in July and he created a good impression. He settled three back on the markers, gained the one out and one back trail at the bell and came out three horses wide from the 500m mark. He shot away in the straight to win by a good margin. LONGNWINDINGROAD finished in second position after setting the speed with PICK UP LINE being third after settling down last, pulling hard and moving to the death seat at the 1100m mark. TARGARYEN HANOVER trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and finished last of the four runners but he wasn’t too far from being in second.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.1 Final Half: - 57.44 Margins: - 14.5m, Short ½ head
Trial 9: - HELLUVA is a former New Zealander for trainer John Justice and shaped up very nicely. He settled three back on the markers, came out three horses wide on the home turn and sprinted home sharply in a slick final half of 56.9 seconds to win well. HEDEALSINDIAMONDS (American Ideal – Rebel Diamond 1.56.8, $59,750) continued his very good trial form with a nice second and wasn’t fully extended going to the line. He trailed the leader, came to the outside on the home turn and got past the early leader PRIDDY SUBLIME (Art Major – Our Priddy Diva), which showed very good gate speed to find the front clearly. Both HEDEALINDIAMONDS and PRIDDY SUBLIME have drawn awkwardly at Melton on Tuesday night but they do show the ability to be able to win races. PLATINUM STRIDE settled four back on the inside and finished in fourth position ahead of STAR ON BROADWAY (Rock N Roll Heaven – Broadway Play 1.57.3, $173,744), which settled down last and picked up ULTRA STRIDE (Art Major – Heavenly Cullen 1.54.8, $26,493) (5 back markers) in the latter stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.7 Final Half: - 56.90 Margins: - 3m, 5.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Helluva NZ
