Harness Racing Victoria form guru Craig Rail has highlighted several eye-catching performers from the recent trials.
Rocky Rocks impressed at Shepparton, finishing strongly from three back on the markers for a close second. He now heads to Tasmania for Sunday’s Launceston meeting.
Pastor Dunbar also showed plenty at Shepparton, shifting off the pegs on the turn and winning untouched in a neat display. He has his first start at the races on Tuesday night.
Vici Bloom was sharp at Bendigo, leading from the outside draw for new trainer Lisa Pitt and controlling the trial comfortably.
Jilliby Sniper caught the eye at Terang, unleashing a big late finish from four back on the pegs to grab third in a slick 27.7 last quarter.
SHEPPARTON 06/11/25
Trial 1: – ROARFORROSCOE began sharply and was able to find the lead shortly after the start. He set up a genuine tempo and was able to kick on well in the run to the finish to score by a narrow margin. OKANUI BEACH sat in the trail throughout and used the sprint lane. He finished off nicely and was beaten by a narrow margin. He is returning from a spell in the Globe Derby Prelude at Launceston on Sunday afternoon. RAGAZZO MAJOR NZ finished in third position after settling three back on the markers and moving to the outside at the 500m. He ran home well and missed out by a narrow margin. TIZZY LIZZIE was last of the four runners throughout and will be backing up at Wagga this afternoon.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.4 Last Half: – 57.7 Margins: – Neck, Long Neck
Trial 2: – LUVATINNY began quickly and found the lead shortly after the start. She set up a reasonable tempo and remained strong in the run to the finish to score comfortably. She returns from a spell at Shepparton on Tuesday night. ROCKY ROCKS settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 300m and ran home well at the end for an eye-catching second. He will be travelling down to Tasmania with his stable mate Okanui Beach and is scheduled to compete at Launceston on Sunday. CRACKIN PHILTRA finished third after trailing the leader throughout and is competing at Shepparton on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.6 Last Half: – 57.9 Margins: – 3m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: – Rocky Rocks
Trial 3: – PASTOR DUNBAR settled four back on the inside, moved off the pegs on the home turn and finished off best to win untouched in a tidy display. He is racing at Shepparton on Tuesday night. VAN NOSTRAND settled five back on the markers, made a move in the back straight and sprinted quickly before hitting the front at the 500m. He was run down at the end but delivered a respectable performance and is also nominated for the Shepparton meeting on Tuesday night. BETSY ANNE trailed the leader and used the sprint lane to move into third position. She followed up with a second at Echuca on Tuesday night. MUNNY THE MUNSTER settled last of the six runners and finished off well without being fully extended in the latter stages to fill fourth spot. He is returning from a spell in a heat of the Super Series at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.6 Last Half: – 62.2 Margins: – 1m, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: – Pastor Dunbar
Trial 4: – BET SHEZA LADY settled seventh on the inside, moved into the running lane (1-3) and worked through into the one out and one back trail in the back straight. She angled out wide on the home turn and finished off best to win. She is another of the Craig Turnbull stable that will be travelling to Tasmania to race at Launceston on Sunday afternoon. BYRNESIDE BOOM was six then seven back on the markers, angled wide on the final turn and ran home well in the run to the finish. CAESAR NERO was the third horse across the line after settling five back on the markers and making a move around the field from the 1200m to park without cover. He was the third horse across the line with MANDS PEARL being in fourth after settling four back on the markers in the early stages. CAESAR NERO will be competing at Shepparton on Tuesday night and MANDS PEARL followed the trial performance with an unplaced effort at Echuca on November 11.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.6 Last Half: – 61.0 Margins: – 2m, 3m
Trial 5: – OUR ROKU began quickly to find the lead, pulled hard and established a large leading margin mid-race. She was getting weary over the latter stages but was able to win well. She backed up in a heat of the Super Series at Bendigo on Wednesday night but finished unplaced. COUNTRY ROCKSTAR settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside on the home turn and made ground late for second. He followed with a third placed effort at Echuca on Tuesday night. WICKED CONFESSION trailed the leader throughout and finished in third with MOLLY VINCENT (4 back markers) being the fourth horse across the line. MOLLY VINCENT has been nominated for the Shepparton meeting on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.6 Last Half: – 62.3 Margins: – 4m, 4m
BACCHUS MARSH 08/11/25
Trial 1: – SAM NIEN has won the Nutrien Classic this season and was third in the Need for Speed Prince Final. He prepared for his effort in tonight’s Super Series heats at Melton with a comfortable victory in the opening trial. MORE WANTED hasn’t raced since finishing fourth at Metropolitan level in September. He finished in second and UNKNOWN SON was last of the three runners across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.4 Last Half: – 58.1 Margins: – 8m, 8m
Trial 3: – USUAL SUSPECT is an unraced gelding for trainer Darren Pace. He is by Art Major out of Aleppo Mia and is the first foal out of the mare. He recorded reasonable time in his trial success over WEONA OUR RIGHTS, which hasn’t raced since an unplaced effort at Melton back in July. DANNARIE finished in third position and THREETWENTYTHREE was last of the quartet to cross the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.7 Last Half: – 59.7 Margins: – 3m, 5m
Trial 5: – GOODTIME KENZI broke stride and lost her chance when at her debut. She was able to bounce back with a trial victory over the handy performer TIPPLE TIME in a genuinely run trial, which turned out to be a survival of the fittest. GOODTIME KENZI is competing in a heat of the Super Series at Melton this evening. OUR ARNOLD finished a further thirty metres away in third position and the recent Melton trial winner TAURAS was the fourth horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.7 Last Half: – 62.2 Margins: – 8m, 30m
MARYBOROUGH 09/11/25
Trial 1: – WICKED MITZI began very quickly and was able to fire to the lead shortly after the start. He recorded a slick final half of 56.9 seconds and was able to win comfortably. NICE ONE CENTURION was four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 300m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He ran into a distant second with ROCKNROLL COWBOY being in third after settling three back on the markers. NICE ONE CENTURION backed up at Bendigo on Wednesday and finished unplaced in a heat of the Super Series.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.0 Last Half: – 56.9 Margins: – 12m, 10m
Trial 2: – ELLE PERFECTO and HALLEBESOFINE locked wheels in the score up but the mobile slowed down to help them recover. In the end, both horses had a lot of momentum at the starting point and they were able to work into the first two positions around the first corner. ELLE PERFECTO was able to lead with HALLEBESOFINE sitting in the trail. ELLE PERFECTO set up a slow tempo and was able to dash home in slick final sectionals to win the prize. HALLEBESOFINE came to the outside with 300m remaining and tried hard in the straight but couldn’t peg back ELLE PERFECTO in the run to the post. Both horses will be contesting heats of the Super Series at Melton this evening. TITANIUM STRIDE finished in third after being three back on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.6 Last Half: – 56.9 Margins: – 3m, 15m
Trial 3: – IM THE REASON led throughout and was able to win by a large margin in reasonable time. HAROLD BE THY NAME was four back on the markers early and ended up being three back mid-race. He finished in second with the rising 2yo pacer ALWAYSTHEPRINCESS being in third. She trailed the leader early then broke stride with 1300m remaining and ended up being in fourth position mid-race. She is by Always B Miki out of the former speedy mare Princess Dilinger. AMADA VILLMA was three back the markers early, ended up being behind the leader but sustained a flat tyre, which came off the rim of the wheel so she was at a distinct disadvantage over the concluding stages.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.5 Last Half: – 57.5 Margins: – 20m, 1m
Trial 6: – BETTOR MAN began quickly to lead then took cover and angled out wide on the home turn. He finished off best to win the prize comfortably and will be backing up in a heat of the Super Series at Melton this evening. ALDEBARAN TUCKER trailed the leader early and ended up being three back on the markers at the 1400m mark. He moved up without cover at the bell and battled on well for second. He is also contesting a heat of the Super Series tonight. ME AND ZAC raced without cover early, progressed forward to find the lead and was run down at the end. He is backing up at Shepparton on Tuesday night. PIQUE settled in the running lane (1-2), broke stride at the 1200m, tacked on at the bell and came out three horses wide. She broke stride again at the 700m and lost her chance. She will need to be on her best behaviour against strong opposition in a heat of the Super Series this evening.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.7 Last Half: – 59.0 Margins: – 3m, 6m
ARARAT 10/11/25
Trial 2: – ROCKNROLL WILLOW won at his first two attempts prior to a third when taking on a strong field at Bendigo. He kept the momentum rolling by winning his Ararat trial by a comfortable margin over stable mate SOHO AMARYLLIS. ZAPPA is an unraced entire by Yankee Rockstar out of the good mare Modern Chic (1.55.3, $127,629). He is the first foal and the second foal Atomic Black has already been a race winner. He was the third horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.4 Last Half: – 59.2 Margins: – 6m, 7m
Trial 3: – REGINALDS REIGN hasn’t raced since a strong victory at Terang in November 2024. He was able to win his trial by a large margin over the unraced juvenile trotter VIXAN with ALDEBARAN BRIANNA being a further fourteen metres away in third position. REGINALDS REIGN resumed in a strong heat of the Super Series at Kilmore on Thursday night but galloped on the home turn.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.5 Last Half: – 62.4 Margins: – 48m, 14m
BENDIGO 10/11/25
Trial 1: – VICI BLOOM has recently joined trainer Lisa Pitt and recorded handy time in her trial success. She zipped to the lead from the outside of the front line and never appeared to be in any danger of defeat. CARLA PIXIE NZ was sixth then seventh on the markers, moved to the outside at the 300m mark and finished off fast to snare second spot. MONTANA CHEVELLE was the third horse across the line after trailing the leader throughout and trying to mount a challenge from the quarter pole. She has had a busy time as she backed up at Kilmore on Thursday night with a game effort and is scheduled to compete at Maryborough on Monday. FROSTY GIRL NZ was six back on the markers and made ground over the latter stages for fourth.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.7 Last Half: – 58.7 Margins: – 5m, 8m
BLACKBOOKER: – Vici Bloom
Trial 3: – EMJAY JAZZ began quickly to trail the leader, was shuffled to three back on the markers at the 1700m before making a move at the 1100m mark. She had to be driven hard to find the lead with just short of a lap remaining and sustained the run to win the prize. ZIHUATANEJO settled five back on the markers, moved to the outside with 800m remaining and battled on well for second. WHENIMREADY led out then took cover and ended up being three back on the markers when EMJAY JAZZ took the lead mid-race. He finished in third on his way to his effort at Maryborough on Monday. SPIRIT OF SAHARA settled last of the seven runners and worked home nicely for fourth position.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.2 Last Half: – 58.6 Margins: – 4m, 1m
Trial 5: – HES FROM HEAVEN NZ has joined trainer Lisa Pitt after getting into trouble at his latest performance at free for all level. He pushed forward to find the lead, set up a genuine tempo and held on to win by a narrow margin. DANGEROUS trailed the leader throughout and chased hard for a narrow second. The final half was recorded in a sensational 54.5 seconds and the pair drew well clear of the remainder of the field so his effort was sound. He has drawn on the pole position at Melton tomorrow night. HARRYHOO settled three back on the markers and finished a distant third. The trotters ROCKINWITHATTITUDE and VIRGINIA CLOWERS NZ finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Mile Rate: – 1.56.4 Last Half: – 54.5 Margins: – Nose, 21m
Trial 8: – ROCKIN GEMMA began quickly to find the lead and was able to finish off in a slick final half of 56.6 seconds to get the prize. STARZZZ DESTINY trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and tried hard but was no match for ROCKIN GEMMA at the end. PERCESSION was last of the three runners for the duration.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.3 Last Half: – 56.6 Margins: – 7m, 10m
Trial 10: – MODERN HOPE is a 3yo trotter and was taking on two juveniles. She began very quickly to find the lead and was untroubled in scoring at the end. She meets a very strong field in a heat of the Super Series at Melton this evening. BELIEVE IN SUNNY trailed the leader early, came to the outside at the quarter pole and finished in second. MOONSHINE LOUIE finished in third after settling down in last position and using the passing lane.
Mile Rate: – 2.10.6 Last Half: – 62.0 Margins: – 2m, 2m
TERANG 11/11/25
Trial 1: – SWEETPASSION won the open class trial after leading all of the way. ULTIMATE JOY sat in the trail throughout, came to the outside on the home turn and tried hard in the straight but couldn’t run down the winner. ALL BLAZING GUNS was last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: – Unavailable Last Half: – Unavailable Margins: – Unavailable
Trial 2: – SHEZA DAYDREAMA began quickly and was able to find the lead shortly after the start. She slowed down the tempo mid-race and finished off in solid final sectionals to win the prize. COLOSSAL HOPE finished in second after beginning well and angling in behind the leader on the first turn. He used the sprint lane, accelerated nicely and missed out by a narrow margin. JILLIBY SNIPER began in second but allowed a few horses that were one away from the markers to get closer to the inside mid-race and ended up being four back on the pegs. He angled out wider on the track approaching the home turn and came with a big finish in a last quarter of 27.7 seconds to finish an eye-catching third. KEAYANG PAYTON was one of the horses that was left without cover early and was allowed to move onto the markers to be three back at the 1700m. He was the fourth horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.7 Last Half: – 57.5 Margins: – Head, 3m
BLACKBOOKER: – Jilliby Sniper
Trial 4: – LADY SUSPICIOUS trailed the leader, moved to the outside at the quarter pole and was able to grind out a trial victory. STEPBYSTEP settled four back on the markers and finished off nicely for second without being fully extended. ROSEOFTHEWINDS settled three back on the markers and worked into a close up third. She is contesting a heat of the Super Series at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.7 Last Half: – 62.2 Margins: – 1m, 1m
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 11/11/25
Trial 1: – SHOWMETHETANLINES NZ recorded a very impressive win in the opening event. He began quickly and pushed forward to find the lead then dashed home in a sizzling final quarter of 26.8 seconds to get the prize over CALZAGHE NZ, which held the inside advantage early before taking cover. WEE GEORGIE WOOD settled three back on the markers and finished in third position. She will be making her debut at Shepparton on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.6 Last Half: – 55.8 Margins: – 12.5m, 13m
Trial 2: – CAPTAIN BELLASARIO hasn’t been seen since finishing ninth against a strong field at Menangle in May. He was able to lead throughout and win effortlessly in his trial, dashing home his last quarter in 28.0 seconds with seemingly something in hand. STRONG RESPONSE finished in second after trailing the leader and MAGIC MIKE NZ was last of the trio for the duration of the trial.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.7 Last Half: – 55.8 Margins: – 16.5m, 11m
Trial 4: – HARPERSEVEN trailed the leader early, ended up being three back on the markers at the 1400m and moved off the pegs approaching the home turn. She then switched back to the inside in the home straight and accelerated quickly via the sprint lane to win the prize. She is resuming from a spell in a heat of the Super Series this evening. KISS AT MIDNIGHT was without cover early, pressured the leader and rolled to the top at the 1400m. She enjoyed a good run mid-race and led for most of the home straight but couldn’t match the speed of HARPERSEVEN in the latter stages. SUFFARELL HILL was slow out and settled a clear last early. She was able to pick up some ground to finish in third. VINO AMOR led out and pulled hard early, eventually took cover then broke stride on the home turn so she did a bit wrong in the trial. She will need to do everything against some strong opposition in a heat of the Super Series at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.4 Last Half: – 61.3 Margins: – 2.5m, 9m
