Shepparton produced a rare Blackbook double-bunger on December 2, when two eye-catchers were plucked from the third trial as ones to watch.
Shez Bettor Babe scored in an impressive blitz to the line and could produce an immediate returning with an impending race at Swan Hill on Monday night.
While Big Bad Ossie, who finished third with the pair separated by National News, also earned a Blackbook place with his performance.
Scroll down for the Blackbook replays and to the bottom for the update Blackbook.
SHEPPARTON 02/12/21
Trial 1: - BLUE CHIP DELIGHT prepared for his comeback performance at Melton on Saturday night with a strong trial victory. He led out, took a trail behind BOOTS ELECTRIC and showed good acceleration via the sprint lane. He has drawn on the pole position at Melton and should prove hard to beat. BOOTS ELECTRIC worked to the front at the 1700m mark and rolled along at a genuine speed. He kicked on well in the straight and was only run down in the shadows of the post. NIGHT SCHOOL performed extremely well for a horse with a National Rating of 58 against proven Metropolitan performers. He settled five back on the pegs, gained a one out and one back trail at the 500m and battled on determinedly in the straight. HEREHECOMES settled in sixth position and put in an eye-catching performance, hitting the line hard in fourth. YOU BETYAHAVETIME left his trailing position in fourth to move up without cover at the 500m and ended up finishing in fifth. WATTLEBANK FLYER was out of position at the start by approximately 15m, settled down last and was picking up some ground at the end. He showed some improvement in the trial but he is awkwardly drawn for his performance at Swan Hill on Monday night. DRESSED IN GOLD began fast and trailed the leader early, ended up being three back on the markers and lost his chance when he broke stride at the quarter pole.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.6 Last Half: - 57.3 Margins: - 1m, 8m
Trial 2: - HI HO KYVALLEY was able to lead throughout in his final trial prior to making his return to the races at Maryborough on Wednesday. He galloped approaching the home turn at Maryborough and made a lot of ground in the home straight so he is showing some promise. ABBIE was four back on the pegs early then three back and came away from the inside at the 300m mark. She ran into a distant second but unfortunately broke stride in her effort at Maryborough on Wednesday. MISS VENOM was three back on the markers before trailing the leader from the 1400m. She finished third with KARAS DREAM (Wishing Stone – Tracys Dream 2.5.8, $37,941) being fourth after galloping shortly after the start and losing approximately 70m. OLLIE STARLIGHT (Noopy Kiosk – Yankee Blues 2.3.0, $32,783) came out quickly and angled in behind the leader but started trotting roughly at the 1400m, rolling into a gallop shortly afterwards and being tailed off for the remainder of the trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.8 Last Half: - 60.6 Margins: - 15m, 3m
Trial 3: - SHEZ BETTORS BABE trailed the leader and moved to the outside on the home turn. She finished off quickly and was able to snare victory in the final few strides of the event. She beat a smart horse in NATIONAL NEWS and recorded fast time so she will be very hard to beat at Swan Hill on Monday night. NATIONAL NEWS began quickly and speared to the front. He ran along at a genuine tempo and was run down in the final stages. BIG BAD OSSIE (Life Sign – Trulyawork of Art USA) put in a bold performance in third position and might be worth following. He settled five back on the inside, moved up without cover at the 500m and made good ground in the straight. He finished up in the one out and one back trail behind the winner in the final 50m of the trial. ROLLING REMONA settled three back on the inside and finished a distant fourth ahead of SHAKEN SANDS, which was slow away from the pole position and settled in fourth spot. JASPER DURANTE (Sir Lincoln (Lincoln Royal) – New Age Babe 2.1.7, $12,825) broke stride into the first turn and lost approaching 30m. He settled sixth on the pegs and did a good job to finish as close as he did. VILLA BETTYBOO (Betting Line – Village Glow 2.0.0, $79,828) broke stride on the first turn and was tailed off for the remainder of the trial.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.7 Last Half: - 59.0 Margins: - Neck, 5m
BLACKBOOKERS: - Shez Bettors Babe & Big Bad Ossie
Trial 4: - CURLY JAMES has been showing ability at the trials and won a trial at Shepparton prior to finishing second at a Melton trial. He returns from a spell at Swan Hill on Monday night and appears to be one of the leading chances. He led out, took a trail at the 1700m, ended up being four back on the inside at the 1100m and ambled clear to win his trial comfortably. ENCRYPTION was without cover early before dropping to be three back on the markers at the 1300m. He eventually ended up being five back on the markers but worked home well for second with LIKEAVEEEIGHT finishing third after settling mid-field and being shuffled back to last mid-race. ARE YOU WITH ME settled in third early then was shuffled back to sixth mid-race and moved up without cover at the 700m mark, ending up finishing in fourth place. He is resuming from a spell at Warragul on Monday afternoon. WATCH AND ACT gained a one out and one back trail, then was without cover at the 1500m and eventually found the lead at the 1300m. He couldn’t go with the pacers late and finished fifth. CARLENO (Mach Three – Bridge Player 2.1.9, $32,450) led at the 1700m but was back to third at the 1100m and went to the line bolting with no clear run at the end. He could have finished a lot closer. SENITAS STRENGTH was last early, pushed forward mid-race to find the lead at the 1100m but couldn’t sustain the run and was the last horse across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.6 Last Half: - 61.2 Margins: - 5m, 2m
Trial 5: - TEQUILA BREE led comfortably for the entire trial and got away in the end to win by 50m. She is racing at Bendigo tonight and is a chance if she is able to get away safely. LOOSE CASH trailed the leader and finished in a distant second. He backed up with an unplaced effort at Yarra Valley on Monday and is racing again at Warragul this Monday so he should be very fit. JOHNYBGOOD was inconvenienced at the start and settled down three back on the inside. He moved away from the inside momentarily at the 900m mark and but couldn’t extend and switched back to the markers. He trotted very roughly over the concluding stages and lost a lot of momentum. He followed with a seventh placed effort at Maryborough on Wednesday, where he again trotted roughly and eventually rolled into a gallop. HIS AN OMEN (Majestic Son – Moni Bea 2.3.4, $45,338) went into a wild gallop at the start and was hard to control hence he was tailed off for the remainder of the trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Last Half: - 59.4 Margins: - 50m, 50m
TERANG 05/12/21
Trial 1: - BANKSOFTHEMURRAY (Bettors Delight – Maudie 1.54.6, $105,108) trailed the leader, moved away from the markers at the 500m mark and asserted his superiority at the end, drawing away to win by an increasing margin of 12m. LEICA GEM attempted to lead throughout but couldn’t match the speed of BANKSOFTHEMURRAY over the latter stages. PEGSINTHECITY (Pegasus Spur – Majestic Eclipse) broke at the start and lost valuable ground. She chased hard and was ten metres away at the 800m mark but the effort took a toll and she tired at the end.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.5 Last Half: - 59.4 Margins: - 12m, 70m
Trial 2: - CLOUD BREAK is a former New Zealander, which hasn’t raced for several seasons but he was racing against top opposition when he was last in work, including the current New Zealand Cup Champion Copy That. He trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and showed exquisite acceleration in the straight to win easily and he will be almighty hard to beat at Stawell on Sunday. KEAYANG CANCUN attempted to lead throughout and finished second with KEAYANG SILVAGNI being third across the line after being fourth early and moving up without cover from the 500m mark. LEICA BUDDY settled three back on the inside and beat home JILLIBY RHYTHM, which broke stride momentarily at the start, settled down last of the five runners and moved into the one out and one back trail behind KEAYANG SILVAGNI when leaving the back straight on the final occasion.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.1 Last Half: - 57.0 Margins: - 5m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: - Cloud Break NZ
Trial 3: - QUEEN OF CRIME was the class runner of the trial and trailed the leader throughout before moving away from the inside at the 500m mark. She was able to get alongside of the leader ME PAT MALONE and poked her nose in front on the line but it is fair to say that neither horse was fully extended at the post. QUEEN OF CRIME makes an appearance in the Stawell Trotters Cup on Sunday, where she appears to be a good hope. ME PAT MALONE is competing at Bendigo tonight and the last placed trotter SELLUNE ran a nice fourth at Maryborough on Wednesday after being left stranded without cover in the early stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.5 Last Half: - 58.6 Margins: - ½ Head, 12m
Trial 4: - BATMAN BARRY trailed the leader HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN, used the sprint lane and was just able to do enough in a blanket finish with not much separating the quartet across the line. HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN just held second after setting the pace and JILLIBY SELWOOD was third after being three back on the markers then moving into the death seat at the 500m. KEAYANG JACKIE settled down last and was running home nicely through the middle late but was still the last runner across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.0 Last Half: - 57.6 Margins: - ½ Head, Head
MARYBOROUGH 05/12/21
Trial 1: - YORKSHIRE settled last of the four runners before moving into the one out and one back trail with 600m remaining. He came out three horses wide on the home turn and finished off stoutly to win well. It was a good performance leading up to his effort in the Stawell Cup on Sunday but he is awkwardly drawn against a strong field. HASHTAG settled three back on the inside, moved into the death seat in the back straight and kicked on strongly for second. He is backing up at Melton tomorrow night, where he has drawn on the pole position in a strong Claiming event. DOWNUNDER BARKERS stepped away from the stand in second position and was able to sneak along the sprint lane to finish third ahead of TRAVEL BUG, which set the speed.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.0 Last Half: - 57.9 Margins: - 1m, 3m
Trial 2: - JAXON BEACH was without cover in the early stages and pushed forward to find the lead at the 1400m mark. He worked home in a reasonable final half and was able to get the prize. VAPAR FIRE was in the one out and one back trail early before being left stranded without cover when JAXON BEACH found the lead. He battled on well for second and will back up at Swan Hill on Monday night. WISP OF SMOKE is also racing at Swan Hill on Monday and should prove hard to beat, despite starting from the handicap of 30m. He performed exceptionally well in a trial victory a week earlier then took on the pacers in his trial third on Sunday, where he was sixth on the outside before finding the one out and one back trail mid-race. COCOROCKS trailed the leader early then was three back on the inside. He raced fiercely in the middle stages and finished fourth ahead of ASHFORD SECRET, which led out then took at a trail behind the winner JAXON BEACH. SAMURAIS SURPRISE (Red Samurai – Bio Kiss) was three then four back on the markers and finished sixth with AN FELLA MOR virtually being retired out of the trial after breaking stride in the score up.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.4 Last Half: - 58.0 Margins: - 3m, 4m
Trial 3: - BETTOR BE THE BOMB was clearly the class runner of the field and was able to warm up for his shot at the Stawell Cup by leading throughout and winning effortlessly. WYATTFLYNN produced a top performance to finish second. He galloped at the start, settled last early, moved up without cover at the 900m mark and put the pressure on the proven open class performer BETTOR BE THE BOMB in the back straight on the final occasion so to go down by less than a length in a last half of 55.3, it was a very brave effort. He is racing at Melton tomorrow night and is not without a chance from the inside of the second line. CEE VEE VEE trailed the leader and finished last of the three runners but he was the horse with the lowest National Rating competing in the trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.7 Last Half: - 55.3 Margins: - 2m, 6m
Trial 4: - STINGOFAWASP prepared for her effort in the Graeme Lang Trot at Bendigo this evening with a handy performance. She was without cover early, switched to be three back on the inside and trailed the leader approaching the home turn. She gained an inside run before the sprint lane and was able to dash through and score. HESANAVENGER began quickly to lead, hung out on the home turn and raced roughly in the straight but was able to hold down second. GOLDEN ACE STRIDE trailed the leader, moved away from the inside at the 500m and tried hard but ended up being in a distant third. EBONYS AVENGER settled in fifth and was four back on the markers at the 1400m mark. She finished fourth and will back up alongside her stable mate STINGOFAWASP in the Graeme Lang Trotting Mile at Group 3 level tonight at Bendigo. DELTASKY (Skyvalley – Deltasu) started off being three back on the markers but yielded ground and ended up being the last one home.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.3 Last Half: - 59.9 Margins: - 2m, 15m
Trial 5: - PLAINS IN HEAVEN (Rock N Roll Heaven – Illawong Bella 1.59.6, $15,045) led out, took a trail at the 1800m and moved away from the inside with 300m remaining. She defeated SPUN SILVER by a narrow margin. SPUN SILVER was without cover early before pressing to the lead shortly after the start. He battled on well in the straight for a close second. VAPAR BRENDA (Bettathancheddar – Christa 1.58.3, $28,897) was three back on the inside and tried to make her move with 350m remaining. She battled on fairly well in the straight and finished in third position. She is meeting a handy field for her debut at Swan Hill on Monday. LITTLEBLABBAMOUTH was last of the four runners throughout and waited for the sprint lane. He finished down the track at his debut on Wednesday at Maryborough.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.1 Last Half: - 58.0 Margins: - Head, 3m
Trial 6: - WISH UPONA DREAM trailed the leader and moved off the inside on the home turn. She finished off best and claimed the early leader DEALERS KNOCK right on the line. MANGUITO filled third spot after settling fifth on the markers. He backed up at Melton on Thursday and finished fourth after trying to lead throughout. CRONK was four back on the inside, pulled hard and moved to the death seat at the 600m mark. He finished a distant fourth with MAJOR MAX being fifth after breaking stride at the start, chasing the pack and tacking on at the 900m. He endured a tough run and finished eighth at Maryborough on Wednesday. EARL PATRICK (Louey Louey Louey – Duchess Pat 2.2.8, $28,453) settled three back on the inside and was the last one to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.8 Last Half: - 60.2 Margins: - Head, 20m
Trial 7: - OSCAR BRAVO showed good gate speed to lead and set up an even tempo. He remained strong to the finish and defeated VAPAR FORTUNE, which moved away from the inside from three back on the pegs at the 350m mark. VAPAR FORTUNE is backing up against an even field at Swan Hill on Monday night. BARBADOS BABE trailed the leader and finished third with AN FELLA MOR taking his second trip around for the morning but remaining at the back of the field throughout.
Last Mile: - 2.1.0 Last Half: - 58.8 Margins: - 3m, 8m
KYABRAM 05/12/21
Trial 1: - MY TIME TO SHINE started career in Victoria, finished fifth at his only attempt in New South Wales and has headed back to Victoria to resume racing. He has been performing well at the Kyabram trials and was able to win from the trotter MYNAMESGRAHAM, which backed up at Maryborough on Wednesday and ran home well for third. The two qualifiers in the trial ARISTOTLE (Orlando Vici – Miss Clevelle) and UNFORBIDDEN (Roll With Joe – The Mistral) finished third and fourth respectively.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.1 Last Half: - 62.8 Margins: - 6m, 30m
WANGARATTA 06/12/21
Trial 1: - MISSKONTIKI was stood down to trial after her latest run in the Riverina and was able to win her qualifying trial over her stable mate SCULLY. OKTOLOVE hasn’t raced since April and finished in third position with the qualifier VIGORISH (Roll With Joe – Miss Marron) being in fourth. PAS DU COURU is a former South Australian pacer, which has had one run in Victoria for an unplaced effort at Cranbourne and was the last horse across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Last Half: - 63.0 Margins: - 10m, 4m
MILDURA 06/12/21
Trial 1: - CAULONIA COURAGE settled last of the five runners, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 900m and came out three horses wide approaching the home turn. He finished off best to win nicely at the end. AGENT CALLAN began very quickly to find the lead and set up a slow tempo. He held down second position but CAULONIA COURAGE was a little too quick on the night. TRINITY BEACH GIRL (Sunshine Beach – Jennas Beach Girl 2.0.7, $57,786) settled four back on the inside and finished off nicely for third. It was a good effort for a juvenile taking on older horses and she obviously has a promising future. BEARTASTIC WRITER settled three back on the markers and was behind the leader from the 900m mark. He beat home YERING SOHO, which trailed the leader early before moving into the death seat with just over a lap remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.7 Last Half: - 59.1 Margins: - 4m, 8m
Trial 2: - SPLIT EAR was stood down to trial and was able to qualify easily enough with a victory in the second trial. He settled four back on the inside, move into the one out and one back trail and moved out wide on the track from the quarter pole. He got up on the line from PINKIE PROMISE, which trailed the leader and came out three horses wide on the home turn. LITTLE BELIEVER led and was headed at the quarter pole but kept on kicking to his credit and only missed out by a narrow margin at the end. KATE KANARDLY was three back on the inside, moved up without cover mid-race and hit the front at the 400m mark but peaked on her run late. SHELLDOME settled last of the five runners and remained at the back of the pack for the majority of the trial. The winner SPLIT EAR will take on a strong field at Swan Hill on Monday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Last Half: - 59.3 Margins: - Head, Head
Trial 3: - COURTNEY KATARINA trailed the leader SPRINGFIELD SHADOW, moved away from the inside on the home turn and finished off best to get up and win from SPRINGFIELD SHADOW with EEZEE STREET being in third after racing without cover for the majority of the trial. HES AFLYIN was slow out, settled three back on the outside, dropped onto the markers in fifth and filled fourth position. WHERESMILZEE gained a one out and one back trail and finished fifth with SHORTYS MATE MAL (Julius Caesar – Gracious Pearl 2.7.1, $6,593) being last for the duration after a slow getaway.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.3 Last Half: - 62.3 Margins: - 2m, 4m
Trial 4: - ORAMA began quickly to find the lead and backed off the tempo mid-race. She had a good kick left at the finish and defeated COME ON ELVIS, which was in the trail throughout. YOURSNMINE finished in last position but never peeled to the outside at any stage. He is backing up against a strong field at Swan Hill on Monday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Last Half: - 59.2 Margins: - 2m, 4m
BENDIGO 06/12/21
Trial 1: - CHRISTMAS BABE began extremely well from the standing start and ran to the front. She set up a slow tempo and had enough speed at the finish to hold off the late challenge of AVIMORE. She is competing under the standing start conditions again at Stawell on Sunday and should run her usual honest race. AVIMORE produced a very good run in second. He was fifth on the markers early, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 1800m mark and came to the outside with 200m remaining, finishing off strongly at the end. MARGARET RUTH was four back on the inside, got checked by the galloping TRUMPIT LIL around the first corner, tried to manoeuvre around then got stranded without cover for the remainder of the trip. She held her ground in the straight to finish third with SURBITON ARMISTICE being in fourth after trailing the leader. TRUMPIT LIL settled in third, galloped on the first bend but quickly got back into a trot and maintained third position early but she dropped out to be the last runner across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.8 Last Half: - 59.2 Margins: - Head, 4m
Trial 2: - FEEL THE REIGN began quickly and was without cover early before pushing forward to find the lead with 1800m remaining. He ran along at a rapid rate and remained strong at the finish so it was an impressive performance. HURRICANE HALL was four back on the inside before moving into the one out and one back trail at the quarter pole. He launched a claim out three horses wide shortly afterwards and tried hard in the run to the finish. MISTER JIMARINGLE settled in fifth position on the markers and made ground out wide late for a nice third. VAN GOGH began quickly to lead, took a trail at the 1800m and moved away from the markers at the 400m to pursue but couldn’t go with the leaders. KALKADOON WARRIOR finished fifth after being three back on the markers throughout. He backed up at Echuca on Thursday night and finished in eighth position. SURBITON HARTBREAK broke stride at the start and was tailed off before being pulled out of the trial.
Mile Rate: - 1.56.8 Last Half: - 57.7 Margins: - 3m, 8m
Trial 3: - ILLAWONG JOVIAL began swiftly to trail the leader, used the sprint lane and quickly dashed to the front in the straight. He went to the line hard held and looked like he could have run another lap. PURSUITOFHAPPYNESS was six back on the markers early and moved into the one out and one back trail at the 1100m mark. She finished off well but was no match for the winner. NIKITA ADELE began brilliantly from a wide gate and easily got across to the markers to find the lead. She battled on reasonably well in the straight to finish third and will back up at Swan Hill on Monday night. REDDY MAJOR was three back on the markers and finished in fourth position ahead of SELF EXCLUSION, which moved to the death seat from fifth at the 1100m. ABITOFDELIGHT (Bitobliss – Karim Vale 2.1.4, $4,463) was last on the markers throughout and was able to work past SURBITON CHARDONNAY, which was without cover early before angling onto the markers in fourth at the 1100m.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Last Half: - 58.9 Margins: - 5m, 4m
Trial 4: - WHATA JOURNEY was last of the five runners in the early stages and moved away from the inside at the 1500m. He chased down the early leader and his stable mate STARVIN MARVIN in the run to the finish and was able to win nicely. STARVIN MARVIN was run down late but the last half was run in a slick 56.8 seconds so there was nothing wrong with the performance. LADY PEBBLES trailed the leader and used the sprint lane in third. She held her ground in the run to finish and performed well enough to suggest she can be competitive at Swan Hill on Monday night. MASTER WORKS (Heston Blue Chip – Gallery Girl 1.57.7, $19,078) settled four back on the inside, gained a 1-1 trail at the 800m and finished ahead of MYSTIC EMPRESS (Caesar Augustus – Mystic Samantha), which settled in third position.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.3 Last Half: - 56.8 Margins: - 2m, 4m
Trial 5: - SHARKATTACK led out then took a trail and angled to the outside when turning for home. He finished off well to snare victory in the last stride and has the perfect trailing draw for his Victorian debut at Swan Hill on Monday night. MAGIC FEELING dropped back to last in the early stages, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 800m mark and finished a close second. ART DREAMER (Art Major – Dream A Rainbow) was third after settling fourth and moving up without cover at the half mile marker. ARIANA SPRINGFIELD (Sportswriter – Darlin Springfield) progressed forward to find the lead shortly after the start and yielded ground late. She finished fourth and beat home THE GREEN JACKET (Bling It On – Magic May), which settled three back on the inside and was under pressure from the 500m mark.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.9 Last Half: - 58.9 Margins: - Head, 5m
Trial 6: - ALL DA RAGE prepared for his heat of the Super Series at Shepparton on Tuesday night with a big trial victory. He showed good gate speed to lead and ran along at a reasonable tempo before racing away at the finish. He is meeting a top field on Tuesday night but he will go into the race with plenty of confidence and in the peak of form. RACING TIME was three back on the inside, moved through to trail the leader on the home turn and worked into a distant second. JAIMEE (Captaintreacherous – Ponder Girl 1.52.9, $84,320) trailed the leader, moved away from the inside at the 500m but raced very greenly and wanted to hang in badly. She paced very roughly in the final 400m and ended up being in a distant third. She is scheduled to compete at Swan Hill on Monday night and will need to improve her gait and behaviour if she is to be a chance in that event but she has shown ability in several of her trial efforts previously. HURRIKANE DUSTY was last of the four runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.9 Last Half: - 58.4 Margins: - 30m, 6m
Trial 7: - TEETREETOMMY began quickly and attempted to lead in the early stages. He couldn’t get around but had a decent crack for the front running role in the back straight on the first occasion before eventually angling in for the trail at the 1200m. He came to the outside again with 500m remaining and was able to grind out a victory at the end. ZAREM trailed the leader early, ended up being three back on the markers and eased out three horses wide on the home turn. He finished off well but just couldn’t peg back TEETREETOMMY in the run to the finish. OUR QUICK CASH was three back on the markers early then four back at the 1200m and progressed through to trail the leader on the home turn but got held up for a run at a vital stage. He beat home LEOTARDANDLACE, which settled down in last position and the early leader MY MATE MAX tired over the concluding stages after he copped plenty of pressure from TEETREETOMMY in the opening lap. OUR QUICK CASH is racing against a small but quality field in a standing start event at Swan Hill on Monday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.4 Last Half: - 62.3 Margins: - Nose, 3m
Trial 8: - EVERYBODYLOVESME began fast to lead and never looked in danger of defeat at any stage. He cruised down to the line to win by a comfortable margin and is a good chance of emulating that feat at Bendigo this evening. SURBITON PRETENDER trailed the leader throughout and was second with NEXTA NUNN (4 back markers, without cover at 700m) being in third. NEXTA NUNN returns from a long spell in the opening event at Bendigo this evening. BRIGITTE ROYALE (Majestic Son – Illawong Blush) settled three back on the inside and finished ahead of KOOGAN (Bacardi Lindy – Clare O’Brien 2.10.0, $19,375), which was without cover early before easing to last of the main division. ZESTA LA GO GO broke stride at the start and lost approximately 50m before moving up without cover at the 1100m. He broke stride again when turning into the back straight on the final occasion and finished tailed off.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.6 Last Half: - 60.6 Margins: - 10m, 4m
Trial 9: - BROTHER JOSEPH was three back on the inside before moving away from the markers at the 600m mark. He sustained a long run and was able to get the prize. INSPIRE (Angus Hall – Amelia Darling 1.59.1, $74,703) settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m mark and came out three horses wide at the home turn. He did everything right in the trial and chased hard to fill second spot. LUCY SAWYER settled five back on the markers and ran into a distant third. IMA WALKERVILLE was fast out and trailed the leader early. He circled around to find the lead with a mile remaining but couldn’t go with the leading trio at the business end. BLUE SKYE ALM (Skyvalley – Sundae Alm) showed very good gate speed to lead, took a trail at the 1600m mark and was the last horse to finish. ALDEBARAN DAPHNE (Aldebaran Eagle – Aldebaran Daisy 2.0.2, $39,099) broke at the start and was tailed off in the early stages so was pulled out of the trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.4 Last Half: - 62.3 Margins: - 1m, 12m
TABCORP PARK, MELTON 07/12/21
Trial 1: - ROHAAN put in another very tidy trial performance and should have a prosperous campaign. He dropped back to last of the four runners, got inconvenienced by the tiring WHATYADOIN at the 800m then chased hard in the final half of the race to not only win, but to score drawing away in the run to the finish. AMUNET appeared to be one of the leading chances in the opening event at Bendigo this evening but was withdrawn. She trailed the leader and finished second with ROGUE GENTLEMAN being in third after setting the speed. ROGUE GENTLEMAN still appeared as a winning chance with 100m remaining but started to lose his fluency and couldn’t maintain his momentum. WHATYADOIN (Wishing Stone – Miss Hickward) settled three back on the inside before being under pressure from the 800m mark. He is yet to face the starter and was taking on proven winners.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.0 Last Half: - 60.25 Margins: - 10.5m, Short ½ Head
Trial 2: - BEACH LIFE (Somebeachsomewhere – Lovelist 1.53.2, $222,289) couldn’t have been more impressive leading up to her debut performance in a heat of the Super Series at Shepparton on Tuesday night. She led, set up a genuine tempo and dashed away from her rivals to win in very fast time. She will win races but she is taking on some of the best fillies in the State on Tuesday night. CAPTAIN BARNATO trailed the leader throughout and held down second position with HEART OF SAHARA being third from three back on the markers. The interesting runner of the trials this week was the rising juvenile SPRING BLUE (Huntsville – Hectic 1.56.7, $97,745), a daughter of the Somebeachsomewhere stallion Huntsville, which carries a lifetime mark of 1.47.8 with stakes earnings of $1,802,162, out of the good race mare Hectic. It was a tough ask at her maiden trial performance against older horses and in blistering time but she did an excellent job to beat a few runners to the line after settling in fifth position and moving to the outside with 500m remaining. IDEAL MELODY settled in last position and was able to work past ART OF EVIL (Sweet Lou – Princess Cassi 1.59.8, $34,463) (4 back markers) in the latter stages.
Mile Rate: - 1.56.8 Last Half: - 56.87 Margins: - 25m, 8.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Beach Life
Trial 3: - KAR MANOR settled three back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 600m and sprinted nicely at the end to get the prize. MAH MUKKER pushed forward to find the lead and finished in second ahead of PHARISEE, which trailed the leader throughout. PHARISEE is backing up at Stawell on Sunday afternoon. UNKNOWN SON was out of position at the start by approximately 20m and was last of the four runners for the duration. He did move away from the inside at the 300m mark but couldn’t make ground at the end.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Last Half: - 59.09 Margins: - 5.5m, 7.5m
Trial 4: - GOODTIME HEAVEN trailed the leader and moved to the outside at the quarter pole. She chased hard over the concluding stages and got the better of PHOENIX PRINCE in the final 50m. PHOENIX PRINCE hasn’t raced since being unplaced in the 2020 Ballarat Pacing Cup. He showed good gate speed to lead and fought on well in the run to the finish but he did shift out in the straight and was pacing roughly at the end. SOMEWHERE SECRET settled last of the five runners, came out wide on the turn and ran home well for third. FOURBIGMEN was four back on the inside, moved into the breeze at the 500m mark and finished fourth ahead of VINNY CHASE, which dropped back from third but was meeting a quality field.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.3 Last Half: - 56.01 Margins: - 2.5m, 6.5m
Trial 5: - CAPTAIN RAVISHING (Captaintreacherous – Ravishing Girl 1.57.1, $39,798) trailed the leader, moved away from the inside on the home turn and sprinted sharply to get the prize. He was impressive in the run to the finish but faces a good test at his debut on Tuesday, where he contests a heat of the Leeton Breeders Plate. STAR CELEBRITY began quickly to find the lead, raced roughly and kicked on reasonably well for second position. IRA POOLE was without cover early, restrained to be four back on the pegs and motored along the sprint lane for an eye-catching third. He is competing at Warragul on Monday afternoon and will prove very hard to beat if he does everything right. TE QUIRO was three back on the inside and came away from the markers on the home turn to finish in fourth spot. BROADWAYS GIRL (Bling It On – Isabelle Delacour 1.54.3, $74,170) settled down last of the seven runners and made some ground late. KAPTAIN KIDD (Captaintreacherous – Aniteattheopera 2.1.6, $13,300) was six back on the inside and beat home SHAZZAS HIGHLIGHT (Racing Hill – Sienna Lee), which settled one position ahead of him in the run.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.8 Last Half: - 57.39 Margins: - 4m, ½ head
Trial 6: - WOBELEE began very quickly and was able to spear to the lead shortly after the start. He enjoyed a nice run in the leading role and was untroubled in scoring. He is an emergency for the Trotters Free For All at Menangle on Inter Dominion Grand Final night. ALWAYS READY ran a game second in the trial and will prove very hard to beat at Melton tomorrow night. He trailed WOBELEE throughout and went to the line hard held, never peeling to the outside at any stage. FREMARKSPOETRY and ROYAL CHARLOTTE remained third and fourth respectively throughout the entire trial.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.7 Last Half: - 58.24 Margins: - 4.5m, 26.5m
Trial 7: - MUSCLE BART was without cover early, had a decent crack for the lead at the 1400m but couldn’t get around and angled in for the trail at the 1400m mark. He came to the outside again at the half mile marker, dashed to the front then held off a determined challenge from CURLY JAMES to record a strong victory. CURLY JAMES settled down in last position, angled away from the markers at the 800m (1-2) and came out three horses wide from the 600m. He chased valiantly and finished a close second in fast time so he will prove hard to beat at Swan Hill on Monday night. HELANSIN finished a distant third after settling five back on the inside and moving into the one out and one back trail at the 800m. SHANIA TEE showed good gate speed to lead and raced very fiercely when being challenged by MUSCLE BART in the first circuit. The effort took a toll and she tired out at the end. ASH BEE (He’s Watching – Indigenous 1.59.1, $112,245) was four back on the markers for the majority of the trial and beat home LUVUSELF, which trailed the leader early before ending up being three back on the markers.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.1 Last Half: - 57.66 Margins: - ½ Neck, 45m
BLACKBOOKER: - Curly James
Trial 8: - QUICK STING was without cover early and pushed forward to find the lead at the 1700m. She took cover shortly afterwards then made her winning move on the home turn. ROCKING BUGATTI followed QUICK STING in the early stages and progressed forward to find the lead at the 1500m mark. He battled on well in the straight to finish second. He is awkwardly drawn for his performance at Warragul on Monday. BONNIE BELLE trailed the leader in the early stages and was shuffled to four back on the markers mid-race before finishing nicely along the sprint lane for third. BLAZIN CRACKER settled in seventh position and moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m mark. He was fourth past the post and beat home BRING BACK LEAH, which settled last of the eight runners on the markers. PELICAN FLY showed brilliant gate speed to lead, took a trail and ended up being three back on the markers. He beat home TRE COOL, which moved up without cover from fifth at the 500m and LADY LARGERTHA (7 back markers) was the last horse across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.3 Last Half: - 58.17 Margins: - 3.5m, 2.5m
Trail 9: - BLITZERN settled three back on the inside, moved away from the markers at the 800m and sustained a strong run to beat a very good field by a comfortable margin so he is obviously somewhere near his peak form. ITS EBONYNIVORY settled last of the seven runners, came away from the markers in the last lap (1-3) and produced a big finish out very wide on the track for second. ITS BEAUJOLAIS was always one position ahead of ITS EBONYNIVORY in the run and was finishing off nicely but not as quickly as her stable mate. FIREROCKFIREROLL was four back on the inside before landing the one out and one back trail at the 600m. He finished fourth with IM OFF N GONE being in fifth position for the entire trial. FLYING JO began fast and ended up trailing the leader TACT TAMA from the 1800m mark. She finished ahead of TACT TAMA at the end but both pacers were beaten a long way by the winner BLITZERN.
Mile Rate: - 1.56.2 Last Half: - 57.05 Margins: - 11.5m, 2.5m
Trial 10: - MAJESTICAL BELLE trailed the leader early before being left in front at the 1700m mark. She set up a slow tempo and had a good kick left in the run to the finish. AMOUR FRATERNELLE sat in the trail for the majority of the trial and held his ground in the run to the finish. HIS AN OMEN (Majestic Son – Moni Bea 2.3.4, $45,338) began fast to lead before breaking stride at the 1700m. In both of his trials this week, he really went into a wild gallop once he made an error and cost himself any chance of finishing with the pack.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.8 Last Half: - 60.31 Margins: - 3.5m, 304m
