Pumpkin and Cash were the order of the week on the trial circuit, with a couple of eye-catchers finding their way into the prized Craig Rail Trial File Blackbook.

Here's the master caller and form man's break down of this week's Victorian trials. Scroll to the bottom for his Blackbook.

ARARAT 02/05/20

Trial 1: - LETTUCE NHEAVEN (Rock N Roll Heaven – Lettucereason 1.55.9, $180,073) is a nicely bred gelding for trainer Bec Wardlaw and was able to take out the opening trial from ZERO DOUBT (Shadyshark Hanover – Problem Solved 1.59.0, $27,361) with JUST BE YOURSELF (Sportswriter – Whodyou Wantmetobe 1.59.0, $48,100) being in third position. The trotter TIKTOK (Love You – Sundons Pride $112,733) has been going nicely at the trials against horses of her own gait but she finished at the tail of the field when taking on the pacers.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.2            Final Half: - 62.1               Margins: - 3m, Head

Trial 2: - MAXACTOR is a maiden and hasn’t raced since a second at Ararat in September so he did a very good job to beat a strong field in the second trial. GRACIE CULLEN has continued to perform nicely at the trials and finished in second position with FRANCO JOLTO being in third. COOL AND CALCULATING was last of the four runners but wasn’t beaten too far by the winner.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.8            Final Half: - 59.2               Margins: - 3m, 6m

Trial 3: - SHANWAY is a recent winner at Terang in a mile rate of 1.56.6 so he appeared to be well placed in the trial. He was able to win comfortably from FEELIN THE BEAT, which showed improvement at his latest outing and HARRY MCKINNIS filled third position. SOURCE TO MARTYR was last of the four to greet the judge.

Trial 4: - THE SUMMER CAT took advantage of being 30m in front of his stable mates KING DENNY and MAORISHADOW at the start and was able to take out a strong standing start trial for the trotters. Trainer Michael Gadsden gained the Trifecta with KING DENNY clearly beating MAORISHADOW for second and third. ALLAWART BOB was fourth across the line with SURELY NOT (Skyvalley – Paula Swifty 2.4.7, $28,030) finishing last of the five runners

Mile Rate: - 2.6.1            Final Half: - 62.4               Margins: - 30m, 30m

MILDURA 03/05/20

Trial 1: - MAJOR MAL began very quickly to find the lead in the early stages and ran along at a genuine tempo. He proved too strong in the run to the judge, winning comfortably by six metres. PROMISE HE HEAVEN trailed the leader throughout and came to the outside on the home turn. He tried hard and was holding his ground late but found MAJOR MAL to be too good on the day. LIKAVEEEIGHT was without cover early but quickly angled down to the markers to be three back. He finished a distant third ahead of the qualifiers AUSSIE CASH (McArdle – Mama Jules) (four back markers) and IM JIMMIES GIRL (Shadow Play – Priddy Good 2.0.1, $5,125) (slow out, raced greenly, tailed out).

Mile Rate: - 2.0.5            Final Half: - 59.7               Margins: - 6m, 30m

Trial 2: - CHARLIE KNEW was able to spear to the front shortly after the start and led throughout to win nicely. PINKIE PROMISE raced without cover and appeared to be under pressure turning out of the back straight but kept on lifting in the straight to finish second. OUTA CONTROL settled down in last position but was able to work up into the one out and one back trail from the 1200m mark. He came out three horses wide with 300m remaining and tried hard over the latter stages. THE SPIN PROFESSOR settled three back on the markers and angled away from the inside on the home turn. He battled away for fourth in front of CORNWALL CLASSIC, which settled last on the markers and TANGAROA (trailed leader) was last of the six runners.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.0            Final Half: - 61.6               Margins: - 6m, 1m

Trial 3: - CALGARY BAY began quickly but elected to take cover behind the free striding pacer OLLIE AND BROCK. She appeared to be travelling strongly on the home turn and came away from the markers to challenge. It took her the length of the straight to run down OLLIE AND BROCK but she was able to get up on the line. OLLIE AND BROCK finished second with BETTOR B NICE in third position after settling down last and moving up without cover with 1100m remaining. USAGE settled three back on the markers before working into the one out and one back trail at the 800m. He finished fourth and ULTIMATE PLEASURE (Artesian – Ultimate Queen 2.4.0, $7,649), which started to yield ground with a lap remaining finished a large distance from the herd.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.2            Final Half: - 61.5               Margins: - Head, 1.5m

Trial 4: - THERMAL REACTOR trailed the leader and angled out three horses wide on the home turn when he finished off too well to defeat FORTITUDO, which settled three back on the markers before moving up without cover from the 500m mark and joining the leader on the home turn. CASHWRANGS SMOKER finished third after trying to lead all of the way and RAINBOW RAIN was last throughout after galloping momentarily and losing 10m-15m shortly after the start.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.9            Final Half: - 61.8               Margins: - 2m, 3m

MARYBOROUGH 03/05/20

Trial 1: - ALPE DE HUEZ settled three back on the inside before moving into the one out and one back trail at the 700m. He was without cover when CEE VEE VEE pushed forward to find the lead turning out of the back straight but he was able to peg back CEE VEE VEE and draw clear in the run to the finish. CEE VEE VEE trailed the leader before moving into the death seat at the 700m and held down second with the trotter KIMMYWHO coming from last of the four runners and chasing hard for third. The early leader SPORTING MODEL (Art Major – All Eyes On Me 1.51.0, $349,926) faded in the latter stages and saw the field safely home.

Mile Rate: 2.2.2               Final Half: - 57.5               Margins: - 8m, 8m

Trial 2: - Only the two trotters contested trial two with the Ray Cross trained WHOS COUNTN showing superior speed at the start to lead ROCKYBAMBA (A Rocknroll Dance – Tiabamba 1.59.4, $10,803) and holding on at the finish to score by a narrow margin. Neither horse was fully extended at any stage of the trial

Mile Rate: - 2.16.2          Final Half: - 64.5               Margin: - Neck

Trial 3: - It was a quiet morning at the Maryborough trials on the weekend and only two horses contested the third and final trial. CALVERT HOT SHOT took on his stable mate IMA CALVERT ROSE under the standing start conditions. CALVERT HOT SHOT scrambled away at the start, lost fifteen metres and settled a clear last. He quickly tacked on, moved to the outside with 500m remaining and just got up on the line but he went to the post under a strong hold. IMA CALVERT ROSE tried to repel the challenge but as is the case most of the time, the pacer was too quick for the trotter.

Mile Rate: - 2.8.5            Final Half: - 61.7               Margin: Head

BENDIGO 04/05/20

Trial 1: - MEADOWVALLEY LOVER is a juvenile trotter that is showing some ability and took out the opening trial ahead of IM MISS ROYALTY. She broke stride at the start and gave away thirty metres behind moving onto the back of IM MISS ROYALTY and making her move at the quarter pole. ALDEBARAN BRONSON (Muscle Mass – Aldebaran Breeze 2.6.8, $29,058) missed away from the standing start and settled some ten metres behind MEADOWVALLEY LOVER in the early stages. He remained last of the three runners throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.19.3          Final Half: - 62.6               Margins: - Short ½ Head, 30m

Trial 2: - SIXTY settled six back on the markers and was last of the six runners before moving into the one out and one back trail at the bell. He started his run from the 600m mark and was too good for his rivals, running away to win by a large margin. OURBEACHSOMEWHERE trailed the leader early and used the sprint lane. He worked into second position ahead of WINNING SPIRIT, which settled three back on the markers. REALLY UNDER FIRE showed his usual early brilliance for driver Sean O’Sullivan but got a little tired late and finished in fourth position. NIL DESPERANDUM finished fifth after moving into the death seat at the bell after originally settling four back on the markers. LOUNGE ART settled second last and was relegated to the tail of the field when SIXTY made his move. He remained last of the six runners in the final circuit.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.3            Final Half: - 56.7               Margins: - 9m, 4m

Trial 3: - IMNOPUMPKIN is a handy horse when racing at his best form and finished second in the George Croxford Tribute when he was last in work. He was able to lead throughout and took out the third trial with plenty in reserve. ONECROWDEDHOUR trailed the leader throughout and finished in second position ahead of JET JOCKEY (Art Major – Eilish Mary 2.1.6, $19,395), a Gary Donaldson trained qualifier, which raced without cover early found a position on the markers (in 4th) and moved into the death seat again at the 600m mark. RADIANT ROSE (Pet Rock – Coco Cullen 1.58.9, $8,175) settled fifth on the inside and moved into the one out and one back trail in the back straight behind JET JOCKEY. She finished fourth ahead of MISS MORAINE (6 back markers), MAGIC SMILE (Grinfromeartoear – Cobargo Magic 1.56.1, $82,919) (7 back markers) and JOHNNYS CASH (Bettors Delight – Tess Franco) (3 back markers). SOHO KYOTO (Bettors Delight – Chip And Gale $563,343) was at the tail of the field and was twenty metres detached from the group with 800m remaining before gradually losing ground over the final stages.  

Mile Rate: - 2.0.2            Final Half: - 58.9               Margins: - 8m, 4m

BLACKBOOKER: - Imnopumpkin

Trial 4: - ARMBRO HUGH began quickly to trail the leader before moving to the outside half way down the back straight on the final occasion. He hit the front with 500m remaining and just held off the challenge of LION HEART, which trailed him throughout before ducking back into the sprint lane and running home nicely late. BALL PARK settled down fifth on the markers and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He ran into a distant third but was never extended at any stage. TRUSCOTT SUN settled four back on the markers, got to third at the quarter pole but peaked and finished in fourth position at the end. TRUMPIT LIL broke stride 100m after the start and was always detached from the group. FLICK IT (Fling It – Sli Trix 2.4.0, $28,885) began quickly and was able to find the lead in the early stages before being overtaken and dropping out with 600m remaining.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.2            Final Half: - 60.0               Margins: - Neck, 7m

Trial 5: - SWEET APPEAL (Sweet Lou – Im Tammy) settled three back on the inside, came away from the markers at the 250m mark and finished off stylishly for a good win. WENDYS WATCHING (He’s Watching – Miss Saxony 1.59.1, $34, 955) settled behind SWEET APPEAL and gained a nice run throughout. She worked home reasonably well for second position. ZANZIBAR EXPRESS (Auckland Reactor – Miss Midnight 2.3.8, $8,980) tried to lead all of the way but wanted to hang in badly into the sprint lane over the latter stages and faded into third position. SPEAK TO LUCKY (Artspeak – Frances Lombo) trailed the leader before moving into the death seat the 500m mark. He broke stride shortly afterwards then again in the home straight so he was on his worst behaviour over the final stages. MADAM AUCKLAND (Auckland Reactor – Madam Altissimo 1.56.4, $44,825) may have been the horse that finished fifth after being five back on the markers throughout. Her name wasn’t listed in the results but there were definitely six horses in the trial rather than the five listed. TALLARAS SHADOW finished last after being without cover in the early stages and drifting back to a rearward position shortly afterwards.

Mile Rate: - 1.59.1          Final Half: - 57.5               Margins: - 10m, 3m

KILMORE 05/05/20

Trial 1: - MAJOR SEA settled last of the three runners before moving up without cover from the 400m. She quickly moved up to the leader GOOD GUY MACK and was able to get the prize on the line. She did appear to have plenty in reserve however. GOOD GUY MACK kicked on well when challenged and PADDY MACH wasn’t too far away after trailing the leader throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.4            Final Half: - 59.1               Margins: - ½ Head, 3m

Trial 2: - FEAR THE YANKEE is a smart trotter that hasn’t raced since August. She showed very good gate speed to lead and won easily under a hard hold from STAY FOCUSED (Angus Hall – Star Spangled Rama 2.4.6, $35,725), which moved up without cover from fifth at the bell. MAORI MAYHEM (Pegasus Spur – Happy Maori 1.59.6, $89,365) trailed the leader throughout and finished third ahead of her 2yo trotting stable mate EVAS IMAGE (Father Patrick – Shes An Image 1.57.4, $233,824), which settled four back on the markers and didn’t do a bad job against the older horses. ALDEBARAN APRIL (Trixton – Aldebaran Breeze 2.6.8, $29,058) settled three back on the markers before moving into the one out and one back trail at the 500m and finished fifth. ALDEBARAN TURNPIKE (Trixton – Aldebaran Turnpike 1.59.6, $20,625) was last throughout and started off fifteen metres detached from the group before being beaten by a fair margin.

Mile Rate: - 2.9.8            Final Half: - 61.6               Margins: - 8m, 2m

Trial 3: - HOLI STARZZZ showed good gate speed to lead, set up a slow tempo and was just able to hold on and win at the end over her stable mate QUICK DAN (American Ideal – Courageousnquick 1.56.1, $236,427), which trailed her before coming to the outside at the 600m mark. DABYMINGA (Betterthancheddar – Shishi 1.58.6, $30,365) trailed QUICK DAN all of the way before coming to the outside in the straight and missing out narrowly. LE BELLE BIJOUX (Art Major – Bellas Delight 1.54.3, $442,523) was last of the four runners throughout but was beaten by less than a length on the line in a terrific finish.

Mile Rate: - 2.6.4            Final Half: - 59.8               Margins: - Nose, ½ head

Trial 4: - SEGESTA (Roll With Joe – Lettucesomewhere 1.56.8, $43,490) settled three back on the markers before coming to the outside to race without cover from the 700m. He forged clear in the straight to win well. NOTTADOUBT (We Will See – Joelles Dream 1.59.9, $19,253) began quickly and angled in behind the leader. He raced greenly but was able to fill second spot just in front of INSHADOW (Shadow Play – Gaelic Way), which set the speed. GUNNER GARDNER (Courage Under Fire – Foxy Roxy Rita) settled down last and gained the one out and one back trail behind the eventual winner but couldn’t extend late and remained in fourth position.

Mile Rate: - 2.9.2            Final Half: - 61.0               Margins: - 10m, Nose

Trial 5: - BELISSIMA began quickly and was able to race across and find the lead in the early stages. She set up a reasonable tempo and was able to hold her rivals safely at bay. CAESAR MOON trailed the leader and tried hard via the sprint lane with CMONBABYLITEMYFIRE (Courage Under Fire – Koori Art 1.58.2, $18,783) being in third position after moving into the breeze from three back on the markers at the 500m mark. ALBERIO settled down last and gained the one out and one back trail behind CMONBABYLITEMYFIRE at the 500m with COULD BE WOODY losing one position in the latter stages from fourth and finishing at the tail of the field.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.6            Final Half: - 59.6               Margins: - 2.5m, 1m

Trial 6: - ANDRES (Rock N Roll Heaven – Albertique 1.59.1, $94,620) was restrained at the start and dropped out to be last of the five runners. He came out three horses wide from the quarter pole and finished on well to record a nice win. DREAM SWEETLY (Sweet Lou – Trammell 2.1.1, $15,264) settled in fourth position, gained a one out and one back trail at the 500m mark and finished very quickly late for a game second. CALYPSO MISTRESS finished in third position after pulling hard in the lead ahead of SHADY JESS, which moved into the breeze from third at the 500m. CANTSEEME (Auckland Reactor – Dalmont Jo 2.0.6, $117,603) trailed the leader throughout and came in last of the five runners.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.5            Final Half: - 63.3               Margins: - 2m, 6m

Trial 7: - ALDEBARAN MIDORI (Muscle Hill – Aldebaran Malibu USA $40,235) trailed the leader ASTRO (Love You – Auravale 2.8.2, $30,650) in the early stages but found the lead when that trotter galloped and was never really in doubt after that. ASTRO led early but galloped at the 1600m mark then made errors several times after that. He still managed to fill second and he does show some speed when he is able to put it altogether. LUNA (Used To Me – Auravalley) settled third on the markers early but some forty metres behind the leading pair. She remained in third position from QUEEN INVASION (Muscle Hill – Invasions Pride 2.5.6, $36,765) (four back markers) and KYVALLEY HACIENDA (Andover Hall – Kyvalley Lily) (last throughout).

Mile Rate: - 2.20.7          Final Half: - 68.5               Margins: - 15m, 30m

Trial 8: - KYVALLEY BARNEY can’t seem to get away safely at the races from the mobile or the standing start but he began like a rocket from the handicap of 40m in his trial and was third on the first bend before angling in to trail the leader at the 1400m. He proved too strong for FIELDS OF KYVALLEY, which was four back on the markers before moving into the breeze at the half mile marker and pressuring the leaders in the back straight. MAORI ABOUT TIME (Majestic Son – Happy Maori 1.59.6, $89,365) set up the speed and was an unraced trotter taking on Metropolitan performers so she did a good job to finish as close as she did. BENJI HALL (Angus Hall – Maori Vale 1.59.5, $35,615) trailed the leader early before ending up being three back on the markers and finished a distant fourth ahead of CLASSY SPIRIT, which was very slowly away and missed the start by approximately 40m.

Mile Rate: - 2.10.5          Final Half: - 60.6               Margins: - 2m,6m

TABCORP PARK, MELTON 05/05/20

Trial 1: - CAPTAIN GRAYWOOD (Pegasus Spur – Kapitan Claire 2.2.6, $51,228) jumped to the lead and had a good kick left at the finish, holding the second placed EURYPHAESSA (Majestic Son – Indie Pepperell 2.0.6, $32,458) safely at bay in the final 100m. Both horses appeared to have something in reserve at the finish. The pleasing part about the performance of EURYPHAESSA was she concentrated throughout the entire trip after having several indiscretions when being a long way in front over the past few weeks. SILENT REVERIE (Pegasus Spur – Sunny Folly 2.8.1, $27,778) trailed the leader but broke stride with 700m remaining and lost all chance.

Mile Rate: - 2.13.3          Final Half: - 60.65    Margins: - 2.5m, 147.5m

Trial 2: - ZAMBA DEVILLE began quickly and was able to angle in to trail the leader in the early stages, before coming to the outside at the 600m and quickly hitting the lead in the back straight. He was then able to hold off the late challenge of HAMMERS PEGASUS (Pegasus Spur – Sundonna) to land the prize. HAMMERS PEGASUS is still learning but is showing some ability. He settled three back on the markers, raced greenly but picked up ground at the end. FLING IT ALL ABOUT dropped back to third after setting the speed and MAJESTIC MANNEQUIN was on her worst behaviour, galloping at the start and many more times in running.

Mile Rate: - 2.9.5            Final Half: - 61.25    Margins: - 1.5m, 46m

Trial 3: - ULTIMATE EXCLUSIVE has already won three races for the season and was runner up in the Premiere Stakes so he appeared to be well placed against the qualifying juvenile pacers. He was without cover early before finding the lead at the 1100m and proved too strong in the run to the finish. AZTERIAN (Sportswriter – Neishars Jet 2.1.9, $12,861) was an eye-catching trial performance and appears to have ability. She raced without cover early, dropped back to be sixth on the markers and finished strongly out wide on the track. MACRAY GLORY (Sportswriter – Schonbrunn 1.58.5, $79,823) began well and worked forward to lead before taking cover behind ULTIMATE EXCLUSIVE. He finished third in front of MERRY DANCER (Changeover – Lucky Merrywood 1.58.4, $51,128), which led early before being shuffled back to third and coming away from the markers at the quarter pole. PAS DE COURU (Western Terror – Wattaboutit) settled down fifth on the markers and finished in fifth ahead of ILLAWONG GRANGE (Roll With Joe – Love The Red 1.57.3, $26,696) (seven back markers) and WHY NOT DREAM (Shadow Play – Why Comment) (four back markers).

Mile Rate: - 1.59.6          Final Half: - 58.24    Margins: - 3.5m, 3m

BLACKBOOKER: - Azterian

Trial 4: - ROHAAN (Orlando Vici – Class Of Her Own 2.0.7, $45,025) was three back on the inside before moving up without cover at the 1200m. He ducked back to the sprint lane in the home straight and recorded a narrow but impressive victory. SANGREAL (Father Patrick – Solar Flash 2.1.0, $6,765) was without cover early before pushing to the lead at the 1500m. She gave a great sight but found ROHAAN to be too good at the end. TOUCH OF BRINBA (I’m Stately – Brinba 2.9.4, $10,045) began well to lead early but couldn’t go the pace in the latter stages and dropped out to finish a distant third.

Mile Rate: - 2.6.4            Final Half: - 62.07    Margins: - ½ Neck, 161m

Trial 5: - SOUNDSOFCASH has galloped at her two starts to date but she is very handy when she puts it altogether. She settled four back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the bell and put a large gap on the field at the end to win impressively. MYPARIS (Mr Feelgood – Eden Bromac) showed good gate speed to lead but didn’t want to settle and pulled very hard in the early stages. She set up a reasonable tempo and did well to hold onto second in the end. POWER OF FAITH settled down last and moved into the one out and one back trail behind SOUNDSOFCASH in the final circuit. She never appeared to be comfortable but he was able to work into third. PLAYFUL MISS settled three back on the markers and finished fourth in front of JOHNNY EURO (Sportswriter – Mendelico 1.56.1, $188,243), which trailed the leader throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.5            Final Half: - 57.09    Margins: - 19m, 3m

BLACKBOOKER: - Soundsofcash

Trial 6: - MARIACHI (Fling It – Golden Photo 2.5.3, $9,813) was third on the markers at the bell and moved away from the inside at the 500m before firing too many bullets for GUN SLINGER at the end and drawing away to win well. GUN SLINGER enjoyed a nice run in front and was able to finish second in front of GENTLEMAN SIR, which trotted throughout and was without cover from the 1800m before trailing the leader at the bell. THREE ONE TWO ONE was fourth after being four back on the markers from the bell. ALPINE SHIRE (Armbro Invasion – Midnight Maori 2.10.4, $4,156) and MY LINDY ANGELS finished fifth and sixth respectively after both making errors at the start.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.3            Final Half: - 65.65    Margins: - 3m, 4m

Trial 7: - EXPLICIT CASTLE was without cover in the early stages before working forward to find the lead. He is a strong front runner and he was safely able to hold his rivals at bay. MAJOR EXCLUSIVE settled five back on the markers before moving into the one out and one back trail at the 500m. He came out three horses wide at the 300m and finished on well for second. THE KIWI WAY finished third after leading out then taking a trail. TINTIN NATURALLY settled three back on the markers before moving up without cover at the 500m mark. He tried hard but just peaked a little in the final stages. DON’T HOLD BACK was slow out and missed the start by 15m then was last for most of the trial. He was picking up some ground late without being extended. SHADOW STYLE was last of the six runners after being four back on the markers throughout.

Mile Rate: - 1.59.7          Final Half: - 56.63    Margins: - 4.5m, 5.5m

Trial 8: - LETS GO EXCLUSIVE settled three back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 600m and wanted to take off but once he scooted to the lead, he was switching off. He was still able to get away in the final 100m and score by a good margin. SUMMER GRIN (Grinfromeartoear – Goingonsafari) trailed the leader and moved away from the markers at the 500m mark, running into second and holding that position down the straight. MASLIN BEACH (Sunshine Beach – Bridget Franco 2.3.9, $13,865) settled down last of the four runners and was able to run into third ahead of the early leader LADY OLIVIAS FOLLY (BG’s Folly – Lady Anton).

Mile Rate: - 2.4.0            Final Half: - 60.57    Margins: - 16m, 6.5m

Trial 9: - ILLAWONG KISMET showed enough gate speed to get across and lead THE DEFIANT shortly after the start. She set up a reasonable tempo and was able to hold on at the finish. THE DEFIANT ran a much better trial and used the sprint lane to get close to the winner at the end. COMMON COURTESY finished third after being three back on the markers before moving up without cover from the 500m. The trotter EGEE MONEY finished fourth after settling five back on the markers and was able to defeat BEAT THE DRUMS (four back markers) and SUNRAINBOW (six back markers) at the finish.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.2            Final Half: - 57.44    Margins: - 1.5m, 1.5m