Some large margins were laid down at Shepparton trials this week, with Avimore and Narutac Prince both impressing.

The pair caught the eye of Craig Rail in this week's edition of the Trial File, with the master caller and form analyst plonking both straight into his prized Blackbook.

See the replays of their trial wins below and scroll to the bottom for the updated Blackbook.

SHEPPARTON 21/01/21

Trial 1: - MAX DELIGHT settled fifth on the inside, was the first to make a move at the 700m mark but quickly gained a one out and one back trail before making his run on the home turn. He sprinted quickly to defeat WAYONBYE, which trailed the leader early before being three back on the markers and moving into the death seat half way down the back straight. WESTERN SONADOR led out, took a trail and was held up for a run at a vital stage. He went to the line hard held and could have finished a lot closer. RATE HIGHLY settled four back on the markers and came out four horses wide on the home turn. He finished in fourth ahead of COLDPLAY ROAD, which was driven aggressively to find the lead early but was overtaken on the home corner. MAX DELIGHT appears to be a big winning chance first up from a break at Melton tomorrow night. WAYONBYE is racing in the final event at Shepparton tonight and he performed well enough in the trial to be considered as a major player.

Mile Rate: - 1.59.7          Final Half: - 57.1               Margins: - 1.5m, 10m

Trial 2: - There were a lot of changes during the event with several different leaders. THE LONGEST DAY led out early, got shuffled right back then angled into the one out and one back trail at the bell. She launched a winning claim on the home turn and dashed well clear of her rivals in the straight. HAMMERS HELLPATROL was the second horse to find the lead before being shuffled to three back on the markers. He was held up for a run at a vital stage and finished off strongly late. MUSCLE UP MAJOR settled in the running lane early but eventually found the lead at the 1200m. He was under pressure on the home turn and battled on fairly well for third. The trotter CLAUDYS PRINCE was one of the last horses to begin but ended up being without cover from the 1200m mark and finished in fourth position. HOT WIRE (Village Jolt – Hot To Trot Lombo 2.2.0, $26,800) was without cover early but angled onto the markers (3 back then 4 back) and ended up coming in fifth. COUNT BACARDI was shuffled back to last after originally trailing the leader and ended up being one away from the markers at the bell (1-2). He beat home TWISTA (Roll With Joe – Sukari 1.57.8, $29,368), which showed gate speed but wanted to hang in on the first corner, worked to the front at the 1600m then took a trail shortly afterwards. LIEUTENANT JACK settled last on the markers and was the only horse in the race that didn’t change his position.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.8            Final Half: - 58.3               Margins: - 15m, Neck

Trial 3: - JUSTCALLMEAZA began very quickly to find the lead, ran along at a genuine tempo and raced well clear of his rivals to win by a big margin, recording handy time in the process. He is meeting better rivals at Shepparton tonight but he is drawn to give a forward showing. BET SHEZA LADY (Betting Line – Shes Got It All 1.58.6, $13,841) trailed the leader early then was three back on the markers and ended up being behind the leader again at the 1300m. She finished third ahead of SPLIT EAR, which began quickly and angled in behind the leader but broke stride momentarily at the 1300m and ended up being without cover for the remainder of the journey. ALWAYS BE CHLOE (Always B Miki – As It Is In Heaven 1.58.4, $42,325) enjoyed a nice trail in fourth for the majority of the journey and beat home ROCKIN BETTOR, which was last throughout and became detached from the pack from the bell.

Mile Rate: - 1.57.3          Final Half: - 57.5               Margins: - 50m, 12m

Trial 4: - AVIMORE stepped away fast to lead from his wide draw, established a big lead at the mile marker, steadied mid-race then took off again with 700m remaining. He exploded away from his rivals to win by a very large margin. SUPER ANGUS was fourth early then third and was able to work into second placing from the 300m mark. MALHANA MUSCLES (Down Under Muscles – Hanabration 2.6.9, $6,119) stepped away sharply but was headed off by AVIMORE before the first turn. He chased hard early and gained a 30m advantage over the third placed ABBIE but he got tired of chasing approaching the home turn and was overtaken by SUPER ANGUS, ending up finishing a distant third. ABILINE was fifth on the markers then worked into fourth when ABBIE (Majestic Son – Aldebaran Peggy), which settled in third early, broke stride. She finished fourth with ABBIE being tailed off in fifth.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.1            Final Half: - 59.4               Margins: - 120m, 40m

BLACKBOOKER: - Avimore

Trial 5: - NARUTAC PRINCE began quickly and trail the leader. He came to the outside on the home turn and raced well clear of his rivals to win untouched by a large margin. It was an impressive trial display. ELLENKATE was last of the seven runners early, moved away from the inside to race without cover from the 1200m and did a good job to finish in second position. EM OTTEY (Western Ideal – Vera Mac 2.4.2, $4,949) was three back on the markers and was able to sneak along the sprint lane to finish third. The early leader PENSINI rolled along at a genuine tempo but had no answer for NARUTAC PRINCE on the home turn. She broke stride under pressure with 150m and veered towards the outside fence, crossing the line in fourth position. She was going to finish in second spot had she remained pacing in the home straight. BELLAROSA (Blissfull Hall – Demille) was four back on the inside and finished fifth ahead of FLAMIN ALICE, which was in sixth position before working past RUN AND HIDE (Shadow Play – Lettuceggscape 2.5.3, $2520), which broke stride with 1300m remaining and lost all chance.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.1            Final Half: - 57.7               Margins: - 40m, 6m

BLACKBOOKER: - Narutac Prince

TERANG 23/01/21

Trial 1: - HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN began quickly and angled in behind the leader URGOODBOY going around the first corner. He moved to the outside at the 500m mark, dashed to the lead and extended nicely to record an impressive trial victory. He resumes from a spell and should perform boldly at Horsham on Monday. BRIEN (Auckland Reactor – Miss Moyneyana) settled three back on the markers, couldn’t follow the move of HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN but was able to roll into second position via the sprint lane. URGOODBOY ran to the lead in the early stages and moved along at a genuine tempo. He was going to run second easily but made an error in the home straight and lost ground. He came again at BRIEN on the line and just missed out on second position. He is racing at Horsham on Monday and is not without a chance on that run. SHADY ROSE (Shadyshark Hanover – Elsherana) settled four back on the markers and remained in fourth and GOOD THINGS was last for the duration.

Mile Rate: - 1.59.7          Final Half: - 58.0               Margins: - 35m, Head

BLACKBOOKER: - Highway To Heaven NZ

Trial 2: - SECURITY CHECK raced without cover early, pushed forward to find the lead at the 1700m and set up a slow tempo. He was able to dash up the home straight to win from SMILE WITH A GRIN, which led out, took cover and came to the outside with 700m remaining. SPORTY CULTURE was three back on the markers, trailed the leader for the final 700m and used the sprint lane to finish third. GLAMOUR RAINBOW (Art Major – Hay Sharon 1.58.3, $20,953) was last of the four runners throughout but went to the line hard held and could have finished closer. SECURITY CHECK returns from a spell against a handy field at Horsham on Monday.

Mile Rate: - 2.9.4            Final Half: - 59.0               Margins: - 2m, 1m

Trial 3: - TROUBADOUR bounced back to his best form with an impressive front running display. He pushed forward to lead on the first turn, ran along at a genuine tempo and shot away approaching the home corner. He takes on a tough field at Horsham on Monday but has drawn favourably. JILLIBY RHYTHM was second after trailing the leader and KEAYANG SILVAGNI was last of the three runners throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.0            Final Half: - 57.9               Margins: - 15m, 4m

Trial 4: - There were only two trotters competing in the standing start trial with ICICLE defeating TOUCHANDGO. Both horses stepped away well with TOUCHANDGO leading. ICICLE came to the outside at the 700m and the pair raced together for the last portion of the race but TOUCHANDGO broke stride under pressure with 30m remaining just as ICICLE was gaining the upper hand.

Mile Rate: - 2.15.7          Final Half: - 65.0               Margin: - 4m
BACCHUS MARSH 23/01/21

Trial 1: - Only two horses contested the opening trial of the day with UNTITLED being able to defeat BULLYS DELIGHT in a slowly run affair. BULLYS DELIGHT is poorly drawn but is one of the chances in the Wedderburn Cup on Sunday.

Mile Rate: - 2.8.4            Final Half: - 58.5               Margin: - 2m

Trial 2: - FLING IT ALL ABOUT hasn’t raced since an unplaced effort at Cranbourne in September. He was able to defeat HIGHLAND HILL, which is now with trainer Denis Grieve with WILCANNIA being in third position. JUST OSCAR was stood down to trial after galloping several times in the run at Kilmore last outing and finished in fourth position. RYMES and SHEZ A DOOD were the last pair to complete the course.

Mile Rate: - 2.16.2          Final Half: - 63.7               Margins: - 2.5m, 2m

Trial 3: - MODERN BLISS was able to complete his Wedderburn Cup preparation with an easy trial victory over CAPTAIN BRONZIE, which hasn’t raced since a fifth at Melton in September with BARNBOUGLE JACK being in third position. MODERN BLISS does face tough opposition over the staying trip on Sunday but he was able to dash home in a slick final 800m of 57.2 seconds at his trial victory.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.7            Final Half: - 57.2               Margins: - 5m, 8m

Trial 4: - BYE LINE was able to take out the fourth trial by a comfortable margin. She won a trial with trainer David Moran by a large margin in early May and was very impressive, switched to trainer John Nicholson, where she had her opening start at Stawell (finishing fourth) then went to New South Wales. She is now with Rhys Nicholson and will make her return to Victorian racing at Wedderburn on Sunday, where she is drawn to go well. FLUFFY DADA is competing against BYE LINE at Wedderburn. She finished second in the trial ahead of the handy type in SEBS CHOICE. GIUSEPPE MOON prepared for his first up performance at Kilmore on Thursday night (finished eighth) with a fourth placed effort and finished ahead of STARZZ IN DISGUISE and LADY OLIVIAS FOLLY.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.6            Final Half: - 61.1               Margins: - 5m, 3m

Trial 5: - CYCLONE S ADAMS ran a game race first up from New Zealand then did a bit wrong at his second attempt. He prepared for his winning performance at Kilmore on Thursday night with a trial victory over PROSTHESIS, which hasn’t raced since September 2019 with BILLIE BRONSKI being in third position. DUNNCANN was last of the four runners but he is a National Ratings 47 assessed trotter and was taking on much tougher opposition.

Mile Rate: - 2.6.0            Final Half: - 61.8               Margins: - 3m, 12m

Trial 6: - NO WIN WORRIES has been performing nicely at the Bacchus Marsh trials and was able to take out the sixth event in style by 40m. She followed with a bold performance at Melton on Wednesday, where she finished in second place. CONFUSIONANDDELAY finished a distant second with the lightly raced pacer BRONSKI LAD being in third position. JOLTED JOURNEY hasn’t raced since being stood down to trial at Echuca in August and was able to beat home TOTALLY SHATTERED and MY LINDSAY BELL.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.8            Final Half: - 59.8               Margins: - 40m, 5m

Trial 7: - VALLEY OF TERROR prepared for his first up performance at Kilmore with a narrow victory over KURUN EXPRESS. He was unlucky at Kilmore with his fast finishing third so he might be nearing a win against the maiden class. JEMSTONE GLORY kept her preparation ticking along by finishing in third position ahead of ALPHA CRUCIS and FOUR LONELY NIGHTS was last of the five runners to complete the course but he wasn’t beaten by far.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.9            Final Half: - 61.6               Margins: - Nose, 2m

MILDURA 24/01/21

Trial 1: - SERENE BELLE (Art Major – Serene Ruby) settled three back on the inside and came out three horses wide from the 400m. She extended nicely in the final 150m and ran away from her rivals to score by a large margin. It was an impressive display and she is racing at Mildura on Tuesday night but being drawn on the outside of the second row is the concern. OLLIE AND BROCK began quickly to lead and set up a moderate tempo. He was able to do enough to hold down second position in the run to the finish. He is also engaged to do battle at Mildura on Tuesday. AUCKLAND LASS (Auckland Reactor – Danamite Lass 1.55.9, $60,348) raced roughly at the start and broke stride momentarily looming up to the first corner. She settled last of the four runners before moving up without cover with 1300m remaining. She battled on quite well on the outside of OLLIE AND BROCK to finish third ahead of MISS MAKO, which trailed the leader and had no clear run at the finish.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.5            Final Half: - 61.3               Margins: - 15m, Neck

Trial 2: - SHESA POCKETROCKET settled three back on the markers and moved to the outside with 500m remaining. She quickly dashed up to get alongside of the early leader IRONBARK FELLA coming to the home turn and raced well clear at the finish to score comfortably. IRONBARK FELLA was able to fill second spot with MEXICAN STANDOFF running home quite well from last of the five runners to pick up fourth position. MEXICAN STANDOFF faces a tough test at Mildura on Tuesday from the outside of the second row. PENNIES FOLLOWING trailed the leader but raced roughly on the first turn then again at the 600m mark. She was last on the home corner and came to the outside of RUBY REACTOR (Auckland Reactor – Larilla Lace 2.3.2, $13,585) to get up in time and finish fourth. RUBY REACTOR ran last of the five but did all of the work in the run and raced keenly on the outside of the leader for the first circuit.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.4            Final Half: - 60.1               Margins: - 9m, 2m

BENDIGO 24/01/21

Trial 1: - ALLENS DELIGHT stepped away best to find the lead. He wanted to have a good look around in the front running role and was setting up slow tempo. He always appeared to be in control but his job was made a lot easier when TRUMPIT LIL, which was trailing, broke stride on the home turn. TRUMPIT LIL was able to get back down into a trot and finished in second position with the juvenile trotter TRANQUIL BILL (Danny Bouchea – Aldebaran Stiltz 2.7.9, $9,074) stepping away slowly but safely before rolling around at his own speed at the tail of the field.

Mile Rate: - 2.16.3          Final Half: - 64.7               Margins: - 25m, 100m

Trial 2: - ROBBIE ROYALE stepped away well and settled three back on the markers. He came to the outside with 400m remaining and was able to get the better of his stable mate FLASH KYVALLEY, which attempted to lead all of the way, in the final 50m. It was just like track work as they both went to the line together and neither were fully extended. MAR PACIFICO was the slowest off the mark and settled down last of the four runners. She held her ground in fast final sectionals so her performance was sound. ANYWHERE HUGO stepped away well to trail the leader but broke stride as ROBBIE ROYALE came to his outside heading up to the home turn.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.4            Final Half: - 58.2               Margins: Head, 6m

Trial 3: - FORM ANALYST is a metropolitan class pacer so he was always going to be hard to beat against the trotters. He galloped away at Mildura last week but he was very smooth into stride in his trial performance and gained the lead comfortably. He set up a slow tempo and cruised down to the line to win comfortably. He is widely drawn at Shepparton tonight. MOONSHINE LINDA produced a fine performance to finish second. She settled down last of the five runners, moved up without cover from the 700m mark and sustained a strong run in a final half of 57.1 seconds to finish second. ZAREM came out of the gate under a strong hold and probably could have tested FORM ANALYST early, trailed the leader throughout and didn’t use the sprint lane in the straight. He went to the line with something in reserve and it was a very nice performance. He backed up with an unplaced effort at Kilmore on Thursday but he was hitting the line nicely. TAILORED ELEGANCE was four back on the markers, gained the one out and one back trail behind MOONSHINE LINDA and tried hard for fourth with OUR THUNDER BUDDY being the last one home. Unfortunately, after settling three back on the inside, he made an error with 300m remaining and lost his chance.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.7            Final Half: - 57.1               Margins: - 1.5m, 1.5m

TRIAL 4: - QUEEN ELIDA began quickly to lead comfortably and jogged around for an easy victory. She coasted away from her two rivals a long way from home so she didn’t have to be pushed at any stage. ASTRO settled down last of the trio, moved to the outside at the 500m and worked into second position. He had a few gait issues down the home straight but he was able to hold onto second position. MY VELVET (Skyvalley – Apollorita 2.0.7, $36,413) trailed the leader and finished last of the three.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.5            Final Half: - 59.4               Margins: - 40m, 10m

Trial 5: - JAY BEE FLEX began quickly but was left stranded out three horses wide on the first turn. She angled onto the markers in third position before making a second and successful challenge to find the lead at the mile marker. She ran along at a reasonable tempo and shot away of the final stages to win nicely. She returns from a break at Wedderburn on Sunday and is not without a winning chance. KYVALLEY HOTSPUR was given plenty of time to balance up, dropped back to be last off the four runners and moved away from the inside at the 700m mark. He finished off solidly to run a nice second. MAKIN GOOD began fast but couldn’t cross to the markers and angled in behind the leader. He came to the outside in the home straight and grabbed third on the line. LADY LIL held the lead early, took a trail at the 1600m and ended up finishing last of the four competitors.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.5            Final Half: - 60.3               Margins: - 10m, 12m

Trial 6: - ISLAND FIRE DANCE began quickly from a wide alley and found the lead shortly after the start. He set up a reasonable tempo and was able to hold on at the end. He did appear to have something left in the tank on the line despite winning by a narrow margin. MAURIES BONUS trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and just missed out to finish in second position. ISLAND BLUE CHIP dropped back to be last of the four runners, moved up without cover at the 700m and battled on quite well for third with the qualifier ILLAWONG GRANGE (Roll With Joe – Love The Red 1.57.3, $26,696) being the last horse to greet the judge from his position of being three back on the markers.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.9            Final Half: - 57.7               Margins: - Head, 6m

Trial 7: - CROCROCK settled three back on the markers, came out three horses wide on the home turn and unleashed a powerful finishing burst to win easily. WHITESOFTHEIREYES trailed the leader SHECANDOIT throughout, used the sprint lane and accelerated through nicely for second. SHECANDOIT raced keenly after spearing to the lead early and peaked late to finish third. ULTIMATE ME was four back on the markers and switched back into the sprint lane over the final stages but remained in fourth. EDGE AND OUT was last of the five runners for the duration.

Mile Rate: - 2.0.1            Final Half: - 58.9               Margins: - 5m, 1m

Trial 8: - I CAST NO SHADOW dropped back to be last of the three runners, gained a nice run through to trail the leader turning out of the back straight and jogged home via the sprint lane to win easily. He possesses a dynamic finishing burst and will be hard to beat in the Wedderburn Cup on Sunday. REVA finished second after trying to lead throughout and ROCKING BUGATTI was last of the three after trailing the leader and leaving the markers with 600m remaining.

Mile Rate: - 2.0.1            Final Half: - 57.8               Margins: - 3m, 4m

MARYBOROUGH 24/01/21

Trial 1: - RADIUS pushed forward at the start and worked hard to find the lead at the 1600m. He ran along at a genuine tempo and was strong at the finish, holding his rivals safely at bay. He is poorly drawn in the Tontine Championship on Monday but he is very tough. JOBELLS IMAGE settled three back on the markers and came to the outside leaving the back straight. She tried hard in the straight and went down narrowly. She has a trailing draw at Horsham on Monday. PICK UP LINE speared to the lead shortly after the start and eventually took a trail at the mile marker. She finished in third position with DOITSON running an eye-catching race for fourth. He is a former New Zealander, which was unplaced at his first three Australian attempts and hasn’t raced since April. He settled down last, gave the leaders a healthy start when he came away from the markers at the 700m and continued to pick up ground in the final circuit. He is worth following on that performance. CARRAMAR KASIANO settled down four back on the markers and was last of the five runners to complete the course but he is a National Ratings 46 assessed pacer and he was taking on genuine metropolitan performers. He has drawn on the pole position at Horsham on Monday.

Mile Rate: - 1.56.4          Final Half: - 56.2               Margins: - 1m, 1m

BLACKBOOKER: - Doitson NZ

Trial 2: - BONAVISTA BOY raced without cover in the early stages, progressed forward to find the lead at the 1700m but raced very greenly and kept on rolling away from the inside. FLYING JO led out then took a trail behind BONAVISTA BOY and maintained the position in second before taking the readily available inside run with 500m remaining. FLYING JO dashed to the front before the home turn but BONAVISTA BOY knuckled down strongly once he balanced up and was able to get the prize. BILLABONG MADI was three back on the markers behind FLYING JO and followed that runner through before switching into the sprint lane in the home straight. She finished off quite well into third and SURBITON CHARDONNAY was last of the four runners for the duration.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.9            Final Half: - 58.8               Margins: - ½ Head, 2m

Trial 3: - SILVER MYSTIQUE settled last of the three runners, came to the outside approaching the home turn and produced a fine finish to score impressively. She is a former New South Wales pacer that has recently joined Emma Stewart and should go well first up at Horsham on Monday. THUMP trailed the leader TWO TELL, swept to the lead with 300m remaining but couldn’t repel the challenge of SILVER MYSTIQUE in the latter stages. TWO TELL set up a reasonable tempo in the lead but was last of the three runners to greet the judge.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.8            Final Half: - 59.4               Margins: - 2m, 20m

Trial 4: - ULTIMATE VINNIE was wide early, moved into the one out and one back trail and kept on sliding forward to eventually find the lead at the bell. He dashed home in very quick final sectionals to record an impressive victory. He is racing in the VHRC Caduceus Classic at Melton on Saturday where he takes on a strong field but at least he has the perfect trailing draw. MAJOR MISCHIEF was without cover early before progressing forward to find the lead at the 1100m. He took a trail shortly afterwards and chased hard but met a smart one on the day. He makes his return to the race track at Wedderburn on Sunday where he is meeting a handy field. MIDNIGHT DANCER (McCardle – Chick At The Bar 1.57.6, $26,425) came from four back on the markers to finish a distant third ahead of DOUBLE THE HUNTER (Camlach – Double Header) and REMI MAGIC (Ernie Eldorado – Magic Chesay 1.59.9, $16,000), which both got into a tangle shortly after the start. BUNDY MAJOR (Major In Art – Notfitforsale) broke stride in the score up and was tailed out for the entire trial.

Mile Rate: - 1.58.8          Final Half: - 56.5               Margins: - 10m, 30m

Trial 5: - IGNITING STRIDE began quickly to find the lead with THIS QUAKER (Quaker Jet – This Way) gaining the cover behind him. THIS QUAKER came to the outside on the home turn and tried hard but IGNITING STRIDE was safely able to hold his only competitive rival at bay. THAT’S MY ARMBRO (Ambro Variable – Hickory Trick) broke stride 100m after the start and was tailed off for the remainder of the journey.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.9            Final Half: - 60.8               Margins: - 5m, Dist

Trial 6: - SINGING THE GIRL was able to push forward and find the lead shortly after the start before setting up a slow tempo. She was nicely clear on the home turn and was able to win as she liked. BOOTLEG BERT settled three back on the markers, only came to the outside with 150m remaining and was never allowed to stride at any stage. CRONK broke stride in the score up, missed away by 50m but was easily able to catch up with the slow early tempo. He was last on the markers throughout but was able to pick up RAGNA THOR (trailed the leader, sprint lane) over the concluding stages.

Mile Rate: - 2.7.8            Final Half: - 60.5               Margins: - 3m, 5m

Trial 7: - MAORISHADOW was an impressive winner of the standing start trial for the trotters. She stepped away well from the handicap of 40m, raced keenly four back on the markers and made a move with 1100m remaining. She quickly dashed to the front at the 900m mark and kept on rolling in the final circuit to win by a big margin and with seemingly plenty left in reserve. She returns from a spell in the Tontine Trotters Championship at Horsham on Monday and she would have to be a chance on her trial run. THE PENNY DROPS missed away in the Hamilton Cup and he was slowly but safely into stride from his handicap of 40m in the trial. He settled down last, tried to trail forward behind MAORISHADOW but was left stranded without cover from the 900m mark. He had enough room to drop in for a breather with 500m remaining and chased hard but couldn’t peg back the margin over the concluding stages. The is competing in the Wedderburn Cup on Sunday. MAJESTIC ACHIEVER was three then four back on the markers and was able to work into third position. SURBITON ARMISTICE stepped away well and was in front early before taking a trail and was three back on the markers when MAORISHADOW found the lead. He came to the outside approaching the home turn and held his ground in the straight. JORDANS MATE pushed forward to find the lead shortly after the start, took a trail just after the bell and couldn’t go with MAORISHADOW in the last lap.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.0            Final Half: - 60.0               Margins: - 10m, 20m

CRANBOURNE 24/01/21

Trial 1: - HOLLYS MISS MOLLY looked good when she switched to trotting and finished second at a Bendigo trial last week. She was able to beat her two pacing rivals to keep her momentum going leading up to her trotting debut at Melton on Saturday night. ILLAWONG LORD has been freshened since his latest unplaced run at Geelong in mid-December and finished second ahead of his stable mate CLASSY COUNTESS.

Mile Rate: - 2.6.1            Final Half: - 58.0               Margins: - Head, 5m

GEELONG 25/01/21

Trial 1: - WILLIE GO WEST stepped away swiftly from his handicap of 50m and quickly worked past the trotter YOU REALLY GOT ME to lead on the first bend. He jogged along in the leading role and dashed home in a slick final half of 56.8 seconds to win by a length. HOLY BASIL also began safely and was able to trail WILLIE GO WEST all of the way. He only peeled to the outside very late in the home straight and it is fair to say that both horses had plenty left at the end. YOU REALLY GOT ME is a former New Zealander, which had several starts in Queensland before joining trainer Geoff Webster. He won twice in New Zealand and he met two extremely talented pacers in the trial. He didn’t help his cause by beginning slowly, even though he trotted off the mark, and he was last of the three before the first turn. He was trotting very roughly when hitting top speed in the last lap but one got the impression that once he knows where to put his feet, he could be a really nice horse.  

Mile Rate: - 2.3.3            Final Half: - 56.8               Margins: - 3m, 40m

Trial 2: - WOBELEE began quickly to find the lead comfortably around the first corner. He was unchallenged throughout and really sprinted sharply in the final 150m to get away from his pacing rivals and score with ease. GHOSTLY SILENCE missed away in the score up and chased hard to catch the gate. He settled last of the three runners, came to the outside in the straight and was able to get the better of BETTA BOPPER (trailed leader) in the final 50m.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.6            Final Half: - 58.0               Margins: - 15m, 2.5m

Trial 3: - TURQUOISE STRIDE was able to stroll to the lead in the early stages and set up a slow tempo throughout. He dashed home in a quick final quarter of 28.3 seconds to record a soft victory. OVERREACTION dropped back to settle last of the four runners. He moved away from the markers with 500m remaining, got up to the wheel of the leader and tried hard in the straight. JOLTED JOURNEY finished in third after trailing the leader and using the sprint lane. MEGAFELLA was three back on the markers and was the last one of the four horses to cross the finishing line.

Mile Rate: - 2.10.5          Final Half: - 60.1               Margins: - 2m, 2m

Trial 4: - YANKEE GOLD prepared for his performance in the Tontine Championship at Horsham on Monday with a stylish trial victory. He settled down four back on the markers, came to the outside at the 400m mark and sprint home nicely to win over TYPHOON STRIDE and OUR PRINCESS TIFFANY. TYPHOON STRIDE led out but copped some pressure from LEXUS ON THE BEACH and took cover. He came to the outside with 600m remaining, hit the lead on the home turn and went down fighting. OUR PRINCESS TIFFANY settled down last, came to the outside in the straight and finished well without being pushed at any stage. LEXUS ON THE BEACH was driven aggressively to find the lead, was collared on the home turn and hung away from the markers a little turning for home. He finished fourth ahead of FRANCO JOLTO, which settled three back on the markers.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.6            Final Half: - 57.4               Margins: - ½ Head, 4m

SHEPPARTON 27/01/21

Trial 1: - BEE GEE CEE raced roughly at the start and angled in behind the leader ZERO IN (Alta Christiano – Miss Marg Shannon 2.5.0, $4,960). He came to the outside on the home turn and wanted to race roughly again in the home straight but was able to get the job done. ZERO IN went to the line with something in reserve to finish in second placing. ULTIMATE BELLA (Pet Rock – Lettucespenditrita) was last of the three runners throughout and started to yield ground with 300m remaining.

Mile Rate: - 2.0.7            Final Half: - 58.5               Margins: - 2m, 50m

Trial 2: - SPENCER was caught without cover in the early stages before finding the lead with a lap remaining. He was being tackled with 100m remaining but kept on kicking and was able to score by a narrow margin. ELECTRIC EYE was in various positions in the run (3 back markers, 1-2, trailed leader 300m) but he did receive every chance and came to the outside to challenge in the straight. He got within a neck of the leader but wasn’t fully extended. SHARMEY was four back on the markers early, found the one out and one back trail at the bell then came out three horses wide approaching the home turn. He tried hard and finished a close up third in a good finish. JANG PEL came from last on the markers to pick up a distant fourth ahead of SINGER SNAP (Shadow Play – Zora Paree), which was in the one out and one back trail before being left without cover at the bell. He started to race keenly in the final circuit when he didn’t have a horse to follow and peaked on his run late. STORMBOY STAR (Follow The Stars – We Remember) was slow away, settled at the tail of the field early and raced greenly throughout. He finished ahead of LOMBO EYE WATCH (Lombo Pocket Watch – Soft Classic), which led out, took a trail at the bell and started to yield ground with 500m remaining.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.8            Final Half: - 58.4               Margins: - Neck, 1m

Trial 3: - NARUTAC PRINCE has been very impressive at the trials recently and produced another top performance to come from last and claim the prize from HAMMERS HELLPATROL. He settled sixth on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail and launched his winning claim at the quarter pole, scoring softly in the end. HAMMERS HELLPATROL was without cover early, found the lead at the 1500m and took cover shortly afterwards. He was able to sneak along the sprint lane to pick up second just in front of SHAKATIE, which followed him early and progressed forward to find the lead with 1300m remaining. STARESS trailed the leader early, ended up being four back on the markers and moved up without cover with 600m remaining. He finished fourth in front of LIEUTENANT JACK, which was shuffled to three back on the markers after leading the field early. MILLION DOLLAR ART was last of the six after racing five back on the markers for the last part of the journey.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.3            Final Half: - 60.0               Margins: - 5m, Head

Trial 4: - WESTERN SONADOR ambled to the lead shortly after the start and got away with an easy run in the first circuit. He produced a dazzling final 800m of 55.9 seconds to rush away and win comfortably. He was under a hard hold at the finish so he is right on top of his game at present. RATE HIGHLY finished second after trailing the winner throughout and CHANGEOVER GIRL ran a very nice third considering she is a National Ratings 57 assessed pacer. She settled down last of the four runners and was three horses wide on the home turn. COLDPLAY ROAD was without cover early, three back on the markers mid-race then without cover again from the 900m and finished at the tail of the field.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.9            Final Half: - 55.9               Margins: - 12m, 10m

Trial 5: - BACARDI WOOD was clearly the class runner of the trial and scored comfortably. ALOTTA SPUR was slow away and commenced approximately 30m behind BACARDI WOOD early but she still managed to be in second spot as MONTANA MUSCLE (Down Under Muscles – Madiskita 2.6.3, $31,875) and STARLIGHT RUBY (Yankee Spider – Starlights Child 2.2.2, $60,315) both made errors at the start. MONTANA MUSCLE was 20m behind ALOTTA SPUR early but both closed the gap on BACARDI WOOD with the tempo being slow. BACARDI WOOD got away again in the latter stages with ALOTTA SPUR being second. MONTANA MUSCLE finished third after breaking stride for the second time with 100m remaining. STARLIGHT RUBY was tailed off after breaking stride early. She did make up ground but she galloped again with 400m remaining.

Mile Rate: - 2.10.5          Final Half: - 63.4               Margins: - 20m, 30m

Trial 6: - It was a small field of two runners in the standing start trotting trial and the stable mates BIG JACK HAMMER and ALDEBARAN CRESCENT hit the line locked together in what was little more than a training exercise. Importantly, both horses stepped away safely with BIG JACK HAMMER leading and setting up a slow tempo. Both horses when to the line under their own steam.

Mile Rate: - 2.11.0          Final Half: - 62.0               Margin: - Head