Harness Racing Victoria form analyst Craig Rail is keen to follow Skyfall Benchmark after he created a good impression at Shepparton.
Rail was impressed with Our Eyes Emoji after he extended up the sprint lane well at Maryborough.
The other runner to catch Rail's eye at the trials this week was former kiwi Raging Whitebait at Melton.
TRIAL REPORT
SHEPPARTON 28/11/24
Trial 1: - Trainer Stephen O’Donoghue prepared all three runners in the opening trial with the free for all pacer WESTERN SONADOR being clearly the class runner of the field. He worked to the front shortly after the start and was able to hold off the challenge of FOLLOWTHEACE in the straight to win with something in reserve. He is backing up in the Gunbower Cup on Sunday afternoon. FOLLOWTHEACE sat in the trail throughout and tried hard in the straight with FRUGAL FARE being last of the three runners for the duration. FOLLOWTHEACE is resuming from a spell at Shepparton on Tuesday night and should go well.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.6 Last Half: - 56.7 Margins: - 1m, 12m
Trial 2: - The former New South Wales trained pacer SKYFALL BENCHMARK created a good impression in the second event. He settled three back on the inside, moved off the pegs with 600m remaining, quickly shot to the lead and sustained the run to win by a good margin. He is making his Victorian debut at Shepparton on Tuesday night and looms as a winning chance. ALABAMA ICE was without cover early, angled in for the trail behind the leader at the 1800m and came to the outside on the home turn. He worked into second and was well clear of BERYLS GRIN, which finished in third position after setting the speed. BERYLS GRIN is backing up at Shepparton on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.3 Last Half: - 56.4 Margins: - 12m, 12m
BLACKBOOKER: - SKYFALL BENCHMARK
Trial 3: - I AM ON THERUN led out, took cover at the 1500m and produced a strong finish out wide on the track to win. He is the only live foal of the former Rodney Woods prepared pacer Catch Me If Youcan, which had a record of 2 wins from 62 starts when he retired from racing. I AM ON THERUN did show a bit of promise in the trial and recorded a slick final half of 57.1 seconds so it will be interesting to see how he progresses. SHES MAGICAL came from three back on the markers and dashed along the sprint lane for second and HOOKLINEANDSINKER was third across the line after settling in last position and dashing around to find the lead from the 1500m mark.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Last Half: - 57.1 Margins: - Head, Neck
MARYBOROUGH 30/11/24
Trial 1: - MAJOR MEISTER NZ has been transferred to trainer Tori Hutchins after a long stint with Andrew Vozlic at Mildura. He trailed the leader, came to the outside and sprinted quickly to win the trial over TELEMACHUS, which attempted to lead throughout in the field of just two runners. MAJOR MEISTER NZ will be first up for the new stable in the Gunbower Cup on Sunday.
Last Mile: - 1.57.8 Last Half: - Unavailable Margin: - Unavailable
Trial 2: - IM THE WILD ONE began quickly and was able to find the lead shortly after the start. He ran along at an even tempo and was able to hang on and get the prize. OUR EYES EMOJI settled five back on the inside, was third on the pegs approaching the home turn and finished off nicely via the sprint lane. It was a handy performance to get up and run second and he should be competitive in his debut performance at Geelong this evening. JANIEBQUICK was four back on the markers throughout before making a move the 300m mark and was the third horse across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.4 Last quarter: - 29.0 Margins: - 1m, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: - Our Eyes Emoji
Trial 3: - SOURTHENSWEET is an un raced filly by Jilliby Kung Fu for trainer Tori Hutchins. She began quickly to find the lead and ran along at a reasonable tempo before scoring comfortably in the run to the finish. LYDIA BENNETT was three back on the markers and ended up being behind the leader when HOLD ON FOREVER left that position to try and make a run from the 500m mark. She moved off the pegs on the home turn and planted HOLD ON FOREVER out three horses wide then held her ground in the run to the finish. HOLD ON FOREVER was las of the three runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.7 Last Half: - 58.7 Margins: - 6m, 8m
BACCHUS MARSH 30/11/24
Trial 1: - ARZALI hasn’t raced since a ninth in February and he made a few errors towards the end of his last campaign but he does have ability when he can put it altogether. He won the opening trial from UNKNOWN SON who has won four of his fourteen starts but hasn’t raced since January 2022! He should be a lot fitter after that performance and finished approximately a length ahead of DISTANT SUN with LOVENUS being the fourth horse home. DISTANT SUN is backing up in the South Australian Derby on Saturday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Last Half: - 61.1 Margins: - 1/2head, 4m
Trial 4: - SHADOW CELT is a handy type when racing at his peak form and prepared for his first up performance at Bendigo on Wednesday night with a trial victory in reasonable time. He finished sixth in his first up performance on Wednesday. ROCKNROLL WALLA finished in second and will be backing up from a wide draw at Melton tomorrow night. FLYING SPARKS was the third horse across the line and finished well clear of HITTHERROADJACK NZ, ILLAWONG JOVIAL and PAPPA LEO NZ.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.8 Last Half: - 58.3 Margins: - 3m, 5m
Trial 5: - SKEDADDLE SHANNON prepared for his first up performance at Ballarat on Thursday night with a victory in the final trial. He missed away at Ballarat but was able to work his way into fifth position. BACCHANALIAN hasn’t raced since June and finished a close second ahead of BIGGERBETTERBEST and MY JUSTICE was last of the four runners to cross the line. BACCHANALIAN will be resuming from a spell at Warragul on Monday afternoon.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.2 Last Half: - 61.3 Margins: - Head, 8m
STAWELL 01/12/24
Trial 2: - BLACKRANGE GLORY has had a few gait issues at the races during his most recent appearances but he has ability when he can put it altogether and he was able to win the trial by a large margin. CADENCE LANE was stood down after galloping at Melton during her latest attempt. She finished second with KARAS DREAM being in third and BILLYSOPHIA was last of the four runners to greet the judge. BILLYSOPHIA will be backing up at Gunbower on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.5 Last Half: - 62.8 Margins: - 43.5m, 5.5m
KYABRAM 01/12/24
Trial 2: - MYLA GIRL is a former New South Wales pacer, which has been unplaced in both of her Victorian starts to date. She was able to win her trial by a large margin. CROCODILE BLOOD hasn’t raced since an unplaced effort at Mildura in August. He finished in second position ahead of WHITE STAR TOMMY with SHES GOING PLACES being the fourth horse across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.8 Last Half: - 59.2 Margins: - 20m, 5m
CRANBOURNE 01/12/24
Trial 1: AISHABEACH has been very lightly raced having finished fifth in the Australian Gold in July 2019, second at Ballarat in February 2020 and followed by a last start victory at Yarra Valley in July 2022. He began well, pushed forward to find the lead and scored with something in reserve. He is resuming at Melton tomorrow night. ART IDEAL led out then took cover and came to the outside on the home turn. He chased hard in the straight and was also able to go to the line under a good hold. WOLFENDEN was last of the three runners for the duration. WOLFENDEN will be competing at Warragul on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.0 Last Half: - 59.0 Margins: - ½ Neck, 7m
MILDURA 02/12/24
Race 2: - GO AWAY AGAIN has only been placed in two of his nine starts since an emphatic victory at Mildura in a sizzling mile rate of 1.55.4 back in August. He was able to build some confidence by winning his trial over WHATS GLENDA GOT, which was placed at his past three starts at the end of his last campaign. THE TOOTH FAIRY was heavily backed at Mildura last week and ran a good race after galloping away. She finished third in the trial ahead HELLOVAJOLT and NAKED SHADOW.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.4 Last Half: Unavailable Margins: - Unavailable
Trial 3: - IDYLLIC was clearly the class runner of the field and was able to win by a very large margin. He won the Kapunda Cup in October and his overall form has been strong since he returned from a very long spell. He is competing in the Minor Derby FFA at Globe Derby on Saturday night. HEART OF OAKLANDS finished second and was a long way clear of the trotter SULTAN SASS.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.4 Last Half: - Unavailable Margins: - 50m, Distanced
BENDIGO 02/12/24
Trial 1: - FULLOFFIGHT NZ is yet to break through in fifteen starts, fourteen of which have been in Australia after a debut fourth at Winton in New Zealand. He indicated he might be able to break through in the near future with a runaway success over CALIVIL, where he led throughout and finished off in a slick final half of 56.0 seconds. He is competing at Wagga this afternoon. CALIVIL was four back on the markers in the early stages, moved off the pegs with 500m remaining and worked into a distant second. MANFREDI was three back on the markers for the duration and finished a distant third.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.3 Last Half: - 56.0 Margins: - 35m, 40m
Trial 4: - MIKI MAHONEY settled four back on the markers, moved up without cover at the bell and sustained a long run to win impressively. He returns from a spell at Melton tomorrow night. EDWARDE GRANGE began quickly to find the lead, ran along at a reasonable tempo and battled on well for second. He is competing at Shepparton on Tuesday night. CONISTON was three back on the markers, came to the outside in the latter stages and picked up ground for third. HARRYHOO settled last of the five runners, moved into the one out and one back trail behind MIKI MAHONEY but wanted to race fiercely. He peaked in the latter stages and finished a distant fourth. He will have to settle better in the run if he is to succeed at Gunbower on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.7 Last Half: - 56.4 Margins: - 4.5m, 10m
TERANG 03/12/24
Trial 1: - NOHAT NOPLAY began quickly to find the lead, set up a slow tempo and was too quick in the sprint up the straight. THE BLAZINBOOTS settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 600m mark and battled on well for second. KEAYANG MEMORY was four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail and battled on okay for third. EYENEEDTHAT is a rising 2yo pacer for trainer Aaron Dunn, which showed some potential. He is by Downbytheseaside out of the former Australian Pacing Gold winning mare Park Life 1.53.2, $188,571) and went to the line with seemingly plenty in reserve after settling five back on the markers.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.7 Last Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 3m, 3m
Trial 3: - JILLIBY AMIGO is an unraced colt by A Rocknroll Dance for trainer Antti Ruokonen, which scored impressively. He speared to the front shortly after the start and dashed well clear over the final stages to win easily. KEAYANG VIPER finished in second after settling three back on the markers. LEWIELEWIS did well to finish in third after being without cover early and restraining to last of the five runners. He moved up without cover again at the 600m mark and battled on well in a slick final half of 57.9 seconds.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.1 Last Half: - 57.9 Margins: - 12m, head
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 03/12/24
Trial 1: - BRANDLO PRINCE began quickly from the standing start to find the lead. He set up a slow tempo and was able to finish off in a reasonable final half to get the prize. TIPSY TURVY trailed the leader, came to the outside with 300m remaining and finished a close second. She is backing up at Gunbower on Sunday. AROHA KOE settled last of the three runners, switched back to the sprint lane and was hitting the line nicely.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.3 Last Half: - 58.6 Margins: - Head, 1.5m
Trial 2: - CORRAVALLY STAR prepared for his effort at Melton on Saturday night with a comfortable trial victory. He was in the one out and one back trail in the early stages, pushed forward to find the lead at the 1400m mark and was safely able to hold his rivals at bay. MINOS NZ is an outstanding 3yo pacer, which performed extremely well during the Queensland Winter Carnival, where he finished third in the Queensland Derby. He has joined trainer Jodi Quinlan and finished off well for second after settling three back on the markers and angling out wide from the quarter pole. TELEMACHUS finished in third after leading out then taking cover.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.5 Last Half: - 56.9 Margins: - 2m, 7m
Trial 4: - PROMISE DREAM began quickly and pushed forward to find the lead. She set up a slow tempo and was able to fend off the challenge of WATTS UP RAPTOR (Trailed leader). RYMES produced a massive performance to fill third spot. He broke stride in the score up and was completely tailed off in the early stages. He chased hard to tack onto the group at the 1100m and came away from the inside at the 500m mark to issue a challenge before peaking in the final 100m. He has a lot of ability but unfortunately his manners let him down frequently.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.1 Last Half: - 60.2 Margins: - 3m, 21.5m
Trial 6: - RAGING WHITEBAIT NZ is a former New Zealand pacer, which has joined trainer Adam Kelly. He settled four back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 900m mark and sustained a strong run in a slick final half of 55.0 seconds to win impressively. He makes his Australian debut in the Traralgon Pacing Cup at Warragul on Monday afternoon and appears to be a strong winning chance. PLATINUM JIVE NZ finished second after attempting to lead throughout and ALANNA MIKI finished third after trailing the leader for the duration.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.2 Last Half: - 55.0 Margins: - 6m, 6m
BLACKBOOKER: - Raging Whitebait NZ
Trial 7: - FANCY FREE settled five back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 500m and switched back to the inside on the home turn. She finished off fast in a slick final quarter of 27.9 seconds to win nicely. TOUGH SHAZ led out then took cover and moved to the outside at the 500m mark. She moved up to hit the lead on the home turn and was run down in the latter stages but she beat the remainder of the field by a large margin. AVEIRO settled three back on the markers and held down third in front of OLIVIA ROSE (4 back markers). OLIVIA ROSE will be backing up at Warragul on Monday afternoon.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.8 Last Half: - 57.5 Margins: - 1.5m, 18m