A return to familiar surrounds might just be working wonders for Rocknroll Nugget as he works towards a first-up assignment in the near future.
Harness Racing Victoria form analyst Craig Rail was excited by the recent trial performance of the four-year-old pacer, who is now back in the care of Lisa Pitt after a stint in New South Wales.
“He didn’t really fire across the border but he has returned to his original trainer and won his trial easily so he might be back to his best form,” Rail noted.
Rail added Rocknroll Nugget to his Blackbook this week alongside Pitt-trained stablemate Tick A Loch and the Shane Sanderson-prepared Rumble Stride.
TRIAL REPORT
SHEPPARTON 16/11/23
Trial 1: - ROARFORROSCOE hasn’t started since finishing sixth in the Super Series Final in September but he had a good week at the trials with two successes. He pushed forward to find the lead and set up a reasonable tempo before dashing clear to win easily. MONGIANA led out then took cover and finished in second position. He backed up at Shepparton on Thursday night but finished ninth after a slow beginning. JILLIBY PEACH was three back on the markers, moved away from the inside on the home turn and battled on okay without being fully extended. She also backed up at Shepparton on Thursday night and finished second behind Michen Roy. ATOMIC STAR was last of the four runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.7 Last Half: - 57.3 Margins: - 10m, 2m
Trial 2: - MARAKO SHARK began quickly to find the lead, copped some pressure throughout the middle stages and raced well clear to win easily. He finished sixth and wasn’t far away when returning from a spell at Shepparton on Thursday night. DOLLY MISS MOLLY settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside with 500m remaining and battled on okay for second. MANDS PEARL was third across the line after trailing the leader throughout. ROYLE BLOOD settled in sixth position and was a good distance behind the leader in the early stages before working into fourth spot.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 20m, 8m
Trial 4: - GOLDEN SUNSET is a classy trotter that hasn’t started since July. She began quickly to race without cover, pushed forward to find the lead then took cover at the 1700m. She finished off best to win from MONSIEUR MEILLAND, which settled five back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 700m and battled on well for second. MAJOR BERT led out then took cover and ended up being three back on the markers. He finished a distant third with FELLINI coming from eight back on the markers to be fourth across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Last half: - 60.2 Margins: - 10m, 8m
Trial 5: - FIANO was five back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m and finished off best to get the prize. She was to make her debut at Shepparton on Thursday night but was withdrawn. PABLOS ART settled four back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 600m and battled on well for second. IM DUSTEE settled six back on the inside, moved into the running lane (1-2) at the quarter pole and finished solidly for third. ASONICKISS began quickly but got shuffled to three back on the markers and finished in fourth with ADIEU MIKENNIS being fifth after leading out then taking cover. IM DUSTEE and ADIEU MIKENNIS both competed at Shepparton on Thursday night, where they finished fifth and sixth respectively.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.6 Last Half: - 62.0 Margins: - 5m, Neck
MARYBOROUGH 19/11/23
Trial 1: - The proven open class pacer PERFECT STRIDE NZ was clearly the class runner of the trial and recorded an easy victory. He worked forward to find the lead, hung out at the 1100m but maintained the lead and won under a strong hold. ROCK PHONE was three back on the markers before moving through to trail the leader at the 600m and waited for the sprint lane. He was second across the line and CARRAMAR SOLOMONA was third after trailing the leader and coming to the outside at the 600m.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Last Half: - 56.9 Margins: - 3m, 1m
Trial 3: - MADIGAN began quickly to find the lead, took cover at the 1200m and used the sprint lane. He finished off in fast final sectionals and got up to grab victory on the line. TRIPLE ZED settled three back on the inside and circled around to find the lead with a mile remaining. He battled on well for second with VAPAR BRENDA being third after ending up being three back on the markers and moving to the outside at the 600m. RUMBLE STRIDE NZ settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m and never peeled to the outside at any stage. He went to the line under a very strong hold and probably would have won the trial had he been allowed to stride. He hasn’t started since a Newcastle victory in March and is worth following. TRIPLE ZED and VAPAR BRENDA will be competing against each other again at Horsham on Monday. RUMBLE STRIDE NZ will take his place in a different race at Horsham but must be considered as a winning chance.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.2 Last Half: - 57.1 Margins: - 1m, 4m
BLACKBOOKER: - Rumble Stride NZ
Trial 5: - NICE ONE CENTURION began brilliantly to find the lead and established a clear lead in the early stages. He still had a big advantage coming out of the back straight and even though he was peaking a little over the final 50m, was able to hold a good margin over his rivals. It was a very good hit-out for his performance at Horsham on Monday. MAXY BOMBER settled three back on the inside and moved into the death seat with 600m remaining. He finished second with ROLL ON APOLLO coming from four back on the markers to be third across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.5 Last Half: - 61.4 Margins: - 20m, head
Trial 8: - THELONGROADNOWHERE trailed the leader early then ended up being three back on the markers. He moved into the death seat at the 600m and finished off best to get the prize. He is backing up at Horsham on Monday afternoon. I KNEW NOT WHERE was four back on the markers before trailing THELONGROADNOWHERE into the race. He worked home well for second with BLACK JAX being third across the line after pushing forward to find the lead with a mile remaining. ISLAND CAESAR settled fifth on the inside and worked home reasonably well for fourth.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.9 Last Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 2m, head
KYABRAM 19/11/23
Trial 2: - CRESCO CASHFLOW is a juvenile trotter by Centurion ATM out of Starry Wood NZ (1.58.5, $66,828). She was able to win the trial over LOOK AWAY, an unraced juvenile by Betterthancheddar out of Pretty Interest, which is related to the two winners Interest Me (1.58.1, $29,190) and Upright (1.54.0, $28,482). KAMARAN is an unraced son of Red Samurai out of Madiskita (2.6.3, $31,875) for Kenneth Covington and is related to the two proven winners Bacardi Wood (2.2.0, $77,137) and Montana Muscles (2.1.3, $14,060). He was last of the three runners to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.2 Last Half: - 62.00 Margins: - 1m, 5m
CRANBOURNE 19/11/23
Trial 1: - BULLETPROOF SNIPER was able to gain the perfect trail behind the leader TYABB WONDER and commenced his winning run on the home turn. He got up on the line with TYABB WONDER battling on courageously. The mile rate was a slick 1.58.4 so both horses performed soundly. SOYS SISTER has only had one start and that was back in March. She was last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.4 Last Half: - 58.00 Margins: - ½ head, 40m
HAMILTON 20/11/23
Trial 1: - SILENT MAJOR NZ hasn’t started since being unplaced at Melton in February. He finished second behind Honolua Bay in the 2021 Super Series Final so he is a very good horse when racing at his peak. He commenced from the handicap of 50m but was able to defeat his stable mate HOPPY NZ, which is a former New Zealand juvenile trotter that finished second at Geelong on Wednesday night after missing the start by approximately 80m!
Mile Rate: - 2.8.6 Last Half: - 58.0 Margin: - 1.5m
Trial 3: - FIDES is a classy pacer, which has won ten of his twenty-eight starts. He hasn’t raced since a second at Geelong back in December but was able to finish off in slick final sectionals to win the trial. BETTOR ISOLATE won the Popular Alm Sprint in July and hasn’t raced since being unplaced in the Westburn Grant FFA in August. He finished a nose behind his stable mate in a trial field of two quality horses.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.3 Last Half: - 56.5 Margin: - Nose
GEELONG 20/11/23
Trial 2: - CAPTAIN BOAK began quickly and was able to work to the lead shortly after the start. He ran along at an even tempo and remained strong at the finish to win comfortably. LOU EASYANA began fast and was the first to the markers before taking cover behind CAPTAIN BOAK at the 1700m. He had his chance in the straight but finished well clear of the remainder of the field in second position. LETSGETROWDY ended up being three back on the markers before coming to the outside at the quarter pole. He was the third horse across the line with ULTIMACTION and SHERBIE being fourth and fifth respectively.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.8 Last Half: - 58.9 Margins: - 5m, 8m
Trial 4: - WESTERN VIEW performed below expectations and was stood down to trial at his latest race track appearance. He has only had three starts and was a winner at his debut so he has ability when he is able to put it altogether. He led throughout and finished off in handy final sectionals to win the trial. SEE ME NO MORE trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and finished off quickly to be beaten by a narrow margin. AUCKLAND RED was last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.5 Last Half: - 57.6 Margins: - Head, 10m
BENDIGO 20/11/23
Trial 2: - HESAA LISTER is a juvenile colt by Vincent, which has shown some promise at the trials. He began quickly to angle in behind the leader, moved away from the markers on the home turn and finished off best to run down the early leader RUMPELSTILTSKIN in the last stride. MIKI MARK started a run from five back on the markers at the quarter pole to finish in third position ahead of the yearling filly WICKED MITZI (4 back markers), which boasts good breeding. He is by McWicked, whose first Australian crop is about to hit the track as two years olds next season, out of the American bred mare Mitzi M Hanover USA, which has produced three winners including the classy filly Mitzi Said (1.54.0, $37,460). She did well in reasonable time to beat half of the field home so it was a promising start to her career.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.9 Last Half: - 59.8 Margins: - Head, 4m
Trial 4: - MY ULTIMATE JACKO trailed the leader and raced fiercely throughout the middle stages before being inconvenienced at the quarter pole. He moved to the outside with 300m remaining and was able to finish off best to win nicely. MAGGACIS was five back on the markers before moving to the outside with 900m remaining. He hit the front with 400m to travel, kicked clear and was run down over the latter stages. He is backing up at Horsham on Monday afternoon. WHERES WOOD WOOD settled down last of the eight runners and finished off quickly to be third across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.4 Last Half: - 59.9 Margins: - 2m, 2m
Trial 6: - BETTER KISS ME hasn’t started since August but she appeared to be very sharp in her trial success. She settled three back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 800m and went to the line with plenty in reserve, winning clearly. MISCHIEFS SISTER pushed forward to find the lead and set up a reasonable tempo before finishing second. SEA HILL possesses brilliant gate speed and speared across to lead early before taking cover and using the sprint lane at the end. She finished third ahead of FAKE CULLECTION (4 back markers, 1-1 at 700m) and EAGER EYES (6 back markers), which went to the line under a hard hold.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Last Half: - 58.6 Margins: - 5m, 2m
Trial 10: - COBALT BLUES has recently returned to the Julie Douglas stable and was able to qualify with a trial success after he was stood down at his latest race track appearance. He settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 600m and proved too good for ANGUS INDIANA, which trailed the leader and used the sprint lane. The early leader JILLIBY RIPPA finished third with JEREMY WELLS NZ coming from last of the five runners to be fourth across the line, seemingly with plenty in reserve. COBALT BLUES has drawn favourably for his performance at Bendigo this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Last Half: - 58.6 Margins: - 1m, head
MILDURA 20/11/23 (The results of the Mildura trials have not been uploaded onto the website. The results in this report are unofficial and are as broadcast on the night).
Trial 1: - GUARANTEED SECRET began brilliantly to find the lead and kept on running throughout the entire trial. She was approximately sixty metres in front with a lap remaining and maintained a huge margin throughout albeit getting a little leg weary at the end. She has drawn on the outside of the second line at Mildura on Tuesday but she should make her presence felt. FRIVOLITY was in second position throughout and LOUIEVILLE came from four back on the markers to be in third.
Mile Rate: - Unavailable Last Half: - Unavailable Margins: - 40m, 10m (approximately)
Trial 2: - THEBESTISYETTOCOME broke stride at the start and lost approximately 25m, settled four back on the markers and ended up being three back on the inside mid-race. He moved up without cover with 500m remaining and proved to be too strong at the finish. He recorded a good win over SHALLOW POCKETS, which attempted to lead throughout. VIVID was three back on the markers early and ended up being behind the leader. She battled on quite well for third spot. THEBESTISYETTOCOME is a former South Australian pacer that makes his debut for trainer Andrew Vozlic at Mildura on Tuesday.
Mile Rate: - Unavailable Last Half: - Unavailable Margins: - ½ head, 40m (approximately)
Trial 3: - MARCYS STAR was four back on the markers, got inconvenienced coming up to the bell and circled around to be three back on the markers before starting her winning run. She was too quick for the early leader PUOPOLO with MUSTANG DAISY (3 then 4 back markers) being third across the line. HUNGRY HOGARTH trailed the leader but broke stride at the 400m mark and lost his chance. MARCYS STAR makes her Mildura debut for trainer Luke Watson on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - Unavailable Last Half: - Unavailable Margins: - 3m, 45m (approximately)
Trial 4: - ROCKING WROXTON began quickly to find the lead and never appeared to be in any danger of defeat. She is drawn to probably find the lead again at Mildura on Tuesday night so she might be able to improve on her numerical form. PRIORITY BETTING trailed the leader throughout and finished second with DRUNKEN MISTAKES (3 back pegs) being in third position.
Mile Rate: - Unavailable Last Half: - Unavailable Margins: - 45m, 30m (approximately)
BALLARAT 21/11/23 Unfortunately, the Ballarat trial results are unavailable at this time.
SHEPPARTON 21/11/23
Trial 1: - ROARFORROSCOE won two trials in the space of five days at Shepparton and was able to lead throughout as he did on the Thursday night. He recorded handy time and defeated LOVE LOU LONGTIME NZ, which trailed the leader and used the sprint lane. AJAY BREEZY ROSE came from last of the four runners, moved up to join the leader approaching the home turn and peaked on her run late but held down third spot. She is backing up at Bendigo this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.0 Last Half: - 57.3 Margins: - Neck, 6m
Trial 2: - TICK A LOCH hasn’t raced since being unplaced in a semi-final of the Super Series in September. She settled three back on the inside, moved away from the markers at the quarter pole and finished off best in fast final sectionals to win the trial. WATCH THE ATTITUDE showed very good gate speed to find the lead and ran along at a reasonable tempo. He was run down at the end but beat the remainder of the field by a good margin. ASONICKISS trailed the leader throughout and finished third with IM DUSTEE being in fourth for the duration.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.0 Last Half: - 57.8 Margins: - 2m, 15m
BLACKBOOKER: - Tick A Loch
Trial 3: - ROCKNROLL NUGGET started off his career in good style when being prepared by trainer Lisa Pitt before heading to New South Wales. He didn’t really fire across the border but he has returned to his original trainer and won his trial easily so he might be back to his best form. He led throughout and scored by a large margin over HOLLYS MISS MOLLY, which sat in the trail. JILLIBY SOVEREIGN was three back on the markers and maintained third position ahead of ROYLE BLOOD, which tried to issue a challenge from four back on the markers at the 500m mark.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.0 Last Half: - 57.3 Margins: - 15m,10m
BLACKBOOKER: - Rocknroll Nugget
Trial 5: - GOLDEN SUNSET emulated her stable mate Roarforroscoe by making it two trial successes in the space of five days at Shepparton. She powered to the lead shortly after the start and was able to record reasonable time in defeating the pacers. MAJOR THINKER NZ is a former New Zealand pacer, which finished unplaced at his Australian debut ($1-40 fav) before being spelled. He has since joined trainer Lisa Pitt and finished second after trailing the leader and using the sprint lane. The unraced mare FELLINI did a good job to work into third from her position of being four back on the markers.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Last Half: - 57.7 Margins: - Head, 2m
