Harness Racing Victoria form guru Craig Rail noticed some standout runners at recent trials.
At Melton, Sergeant Lou raced well clear over the concluding stages and recorded a very impressive victory.
At Cranbourne, unraced juvenile trotter The Preacher led throughout and was able to win untouched
COBRAM 28/08/25
Trial 1: – SANCHEZ continued his good trial form with a victory over the handy trotter KINGS GUARD. He trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 500m and finished off quickly. It was a good performance leading up to his effort at Wagga this afternoon. KINGS GUARD settled three back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m and battled on well in fast time. WE DEALIN DIAMONDS attempted to lead throughout and finished in third while DEREK THE JET was last throughout.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.6 Last Half: – 58.2 Margins: – 5m, 10m
Trial 3: – EYE WISH is an unraced filly by Bettor’s Wish out of the race winning mare Yes Eye See (2.0.2, $19,823). She trailed the leader and came to the outside with 400m remaining, winning comfortably at the end. She is making her debut at Wagga this afternoon. YOU GOTTA BELIEVE attempted to lead throughout and finished second. THE GOLDEN HOOK was three back on the markers throughout and lost ground on the leading duo over the concluding stages.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.1 Last Half: – 58.4 Margins: – 8m, 30m
BACCHUS MARSH 30/08/25
Trial 1: – MAXNJAX was stood down to trial after his latest Melton ninth on July 26. He recorded fast time in winning the opening trial on the program. HITTHEROADJACK NZ has been racing in good form and continued the trend with a close second. He is competing at Melton this evening. SHADOW CELT hasn’t raced since March and finished in third position ahead of the proven Metropolitan performer ROCKNROLL WALLA. SHADOW CELT is resuming from a spell at Melton tonight.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.9 Last Half: – 57.7 Margins: – Head, 6m
Trial 3: – ARZALI ROCKSTAR is an unraced filly by Yankee Rockstar out of Sheluvsme (1.57.8, $26,247) and is related to Carramar Olam (1.56.2, $41,280). She was able to win the trial by a comfortable margin over GOZO SWEET with COCO CRUNCH being a metre away in third position. STYLISH SAINT finished a distant last of the quartet.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.1 Last Half: – 62.6 Margins: – 8m, 1m
Trial 5: – ROCK POSTER has returned from a spell in good form and continued the trend with a runaway trial victory in the final event. She defeated THE REGULATOR with STORM CRUSHER being a length away in third spot. APOSTASY was a further eight metres away in last position. ROCK POSTER backed up at Ballarat on Thursday night and performed below expectations, finishing last of the eight runners.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.6 Last Half: – 60.1 Margins: – 20m, 3m
ECHUCA 31/08/25
Trial 2: – DUSTY PHILTRA was placed at his first three attempts and was spelled after an unplaced effort back in May. He was able to lead throughout to win his trial over CMON SHARKY, which trailed the leader and used the sprint lane. CMON SHARKY should run a good race at Echuca on Tuesday night. ALWAYS ON THE GO finished a close up third after settling three back on the inside and darting along the sprint lane in the final 100m. POSTER PERFECT was four back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 500m and finished in fourth position. The winner DUSTY PHILTRA is resuming from a spell in the Youthful Stakes at Melton tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.0 Last Half: – 60.6 Margins: – Head, Head
Trial 4: – SWEET LOUANNE is an unraced filly for trainer Craig Turnbull. She is by Sweet Lou out of the race winning mare Penny Anne (2.1.0, $18,020), making her related to Shoreline Dream (1.57.7). She began quickly from barrier three to find the lead and kicked on strongly when challenged in the straight to win by a slender margin. She is making her debut at Cranbourne on Sunday night. JINDALEA JACK trailed the leader, moved to the outside at the quarter pole and loomed up to win in the straight but just couldn’t get past SWEET LOUANNE over the latter stages. MISS DOOBEE settled four back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 600m and was the third horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.0 Last Half: – 60.5 Margins: – Short ½ Head, 4m
CRANBOURNE 31/08/25
Trial 1: – THE VILLAIN raced without cover early, pushed forward to find the lead, took cover at the 1100m and used the sprint lane. He was able to drive through at the end to get the prize. He has been in winning form to date and is backing up at Melton this evening. COVERED IN GOLD trailed the leader early, got shuffled to four back on the markers at the 1100m and angled wide on the home turn. He finished off fast for a game second and is scheduled to compete at Melton tomorrow night. LIKE A GAZELLE led out, took cover and ended up being three back on the markers from the 1100m. He moved up without cover at the 300m mark and battled on fairly well for third.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.3 Last Half: – 58.5 Margins: – 2.5m, 2.5m
Trial 2: – THE PREACHER is an unraced juvenile trotter for trainer Jayne Davies. He is by Pastor Stephen out of Idoido (2.1.3, $60,713) and is related to the good winners Do Ball (1.55.7, $63,179) and Tenlilfonzies (2.1.4, $29,368). He led throughout and was able to win untouched. MEVIA raced roughly in the score up, settled a clear last early and finished off well for second. KLYMENE (trailed leader) was last of the three runners across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.9 Last Half: – 60.8 Margins: – 15.5m, 13m
BLACKBOOKER: – The Preacher
WANGARATTA 01/09/25
Trial 1: – LUVERBOY was stood down to trial after a distant ninth at Shepparton on July 22. He was able to win the opening trial by a comfortable margin in a handy mile rate of 2.0.2 and is backing up at Echuca on Tuesday night. COZMO was also stood down to trial at his latest performance. He was the second horse across the line with MOREARTSTHANCLASS being the third horse to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.2 Last Half: – Unavailable Margins: – 8m, 1m
MILDURA 01/09/25
Trial 2: – GO AWAY AGAIN was clearly the class runner of the trial and was able to win by a large margin. He finished off in a slick final half of 58.7 seconds and the win will give him the confidence for today’s Mildura assignment. RONZEL RAFA finished in second position with CEEUBETTY being a distant third.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.8 Last Half: – 58.7 Margins: – 45m, distanced
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 02/09/25
Trial 2: – FICTION FILE settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 800m, was left without cover at the 600m and finished off best in a slick last quarter of 28.1 seconds. VIVID DREAM NZ was three back on the markers, dashed to the front at the 600m mark and was run down over the latter stages. LUCKY VINCENT was a distant third after leading out then taking cover and moving to the outside at the 500m mark.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.9 Last Half: – 56.8 Margins: – Neck, 17.5m
Trial 3: – NOTANOTHA NAUGHTY continued his very good trial form with another victory. He trailed the leader from the pole position and showed very good acceleration over the concluding stages to win nicely. He makes his debut at Maryborough on Monday afternoon. KYVALLEY JENNY finished in second after setting the speed and will be backing up at Cranbourne on Sunday night. BAR TAB was without cover early, restrained to be three back on the markers and was held up for a run at a vital stage. He finished off fast for an eye-catching third and might be worth following at Cranbourne on Sunday night. LADY MANCHE settled five back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 600m mark and finished in fourth.
Mile Rate: – 2.10.9 Last Half: – 62.2 Margins: – 1.5, neck
Trial 5: – SERGEANT LOU began quickly to race without cover, progressed forward to find the lead at the 1800m and ran along at a genuine tempo. He raced well clear over the concluding stages and recorded a very impressive victory. IMA TERMINATOR was four back on the markers, waited for the sprint lane and worked through nicely for second. GOLDEN TRIBE led out then took cover and chased hard after SERGEANT LOU in the back straight before peaking over the latter stages. He was the third horse across the line with LAYDEN (6 back pegs) being in fourth. LAYDEN is competing at Melton this evening.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.0 Last Half: – 58.8 Margins: – 35m, 2.5m
BLACKBOOKER: – Sergeant Lou
Trial 6: – LAMBRO MACH raced without cover early, angled in behind the leader on the first turn and raced fiercely. He came to the outside at the 150m mark and finished off best to score. ROLINGINTHEDEEP trailed the leader, ended up being three back on the markers and came out three horses wide at the 500m mark. He finished in second with PET KITTY being in third after copping plenty of pressure in the leading role. ROLINGINTHEDEEP is competing at Cranbourne on Sunday and PET KITTY is returning from Queensland at Melton this evening. ALWAYS THE SHOWMAN was in the one out and one back trail, ended up being without cover at the 1800m and pressured the leader throughout. He battled on fairly well for fourth spot.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.4 Last Half: – 56.9 Margins: – 1.25m, 7.5m
Trial 8: – GEE CEE CALDER continued his good trial form with an all of the way victory in the final trial. He hasn’t been able to put it altogether at the races as yet this campaign but he will receive another chance at Melton tomorrow night. CARLA PIXIE NZ trailed the leader and came to the outside on the home turn. She tried hard in the straight and finished in second. ROCKY VALLEY settled thee back on the inside, used the sprint lane and battled on okay for third. He is backing up at Maryborough on Monday afternoon.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.8 Last Half: – 59.6 Margins: – 1.75m, 9.5m
