The Shane Sanderson-trained Smalltownsmokeshow caught the eye of Craig Rail when she sprinted sharply to secure an impressive trial win at Cobram.
Jetter Son is another runner to follow from the trials after scoring a dominant victory at Bendigo.
Sanchez, Im All Business, Tracy The Jet, and Mercarno were among the standout performers in their trials this week.
TRIAL REPORT 308
COBRAM 13/03/25
Trial 2: - SMALLTOWNSMOKESHOW settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 400m mark and sprinted sharply to record an impressive win. She put a large gap on her rivals and she went to the line with plenty in reserve. She was to make his debut at Kilmore last night but the meeting was race was abandoned. She is worth looking out for when he does make his debut. HI HO SILVER finished in second after settling four back on the markers and making ground late. ALTA BAYAMO was third across the line after he was without cover early and progressed forward to find the lead at the 1700m mark. He is backing up at Cobram on Monday afternoon.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.0 Last Half: - 60.3 Margins: - 20m, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: - Smalltownsmokeshow
Trial 3: - JACKS ULTIMATE FURY NZ began quickly and worked to the lead shortly after the start. He set up a genuine tempo and scored nicely. SANCHEZ put in a good performance to finish second. He trailed the leader throughout, never peeled to the outside at any stage and appeared to have plenty in reserve at the finish. SOAP AND BUBBLES finished a distant third at being three back on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.3 Last Half: - 56.8 Margins: - 3m, 40m
BLACKBOOKER: - Sanchez
MARYBOROUGH 15/03/25
Trial 2: RABADA was clearly the class runner of the trial and he was able to dominate his rivals. He led throughout and went to the line with plenty in hand. JILLIBY TIDAL WAVE trailed the leader and came to the outside on the home turn. He finished in second ahead of his stable mate WELL SAID NUGGET, which settled three back on the inside.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Last Half: - 58.9 Margins: - 1m, 2m
Trial 4: - ROCKY STRIDE trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and got up to win by a narrow margin. He is a juvenile colt by Rock N Roll Heaven out of Summer Stride and is the first foal. The second dam Labretta Franco NZ won five of her seven starts and has produced six winners including Lilac Stride (1.54.4, $276,140). TEEOFFBECA settled three back on the markers, came to the outside on the home turn and finished off well for a narrow second. The early leader PENTAL STORM finished a close up third.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.3 Last Half: - 59.8 Margins: - Head, Head
Trial 5: - SEQUENCE is a smart mare that is on the comeback trail. She was very impressive in her trial victory as she led throughout and dashed home in a slick final half of 57.5 seconds. She appears set to have a good campaign. ALL THAT REMAINS finished in second after trailing the leader and ROMANTIC NINA remained last of the three runners for the duration.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Last Half: - 57.5 Margins: - 6m, 2m
KYABRAM 16/03/25
Trial 2: - HIGH FLUX hasn’t raced since a fifth at Shepparton in November but he was able to take out the second trial after dashing home his last half in 58.9 seconds. MAHINDI NZ hasn’t raced since finishing third at Bendigo in October. She wasn’t beaten by far in second position with HARLEY BLUE being the third horse across the line. HARLEY BLUE backed up at Bendigo on Wednesday and finished unplaced.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.5 Last Half: - 58.9 Margins: - 1m, 2m
Trial 3: - KEAYANG YOGI has joined trainer Michael Watt after previously being with Margaret Lee. He hasn’t raced since November 2023 but was able to win his trial from IZZ ROSA, which also hasn’t been to the races in almost two years. The former New South Wales pacer ABERCROMBIE LIMBO was the third horse across the line and will be making his Victorian debut at Cobram on Monday afternoon.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.2 Last Half: - 59.1 Margins: - 1m, 4m
CRANBOURNE 17/03/25
Trial 1: - ROMEO is a juvenile colt for trainer Jayne Davies and was able to lead throughout to win his trial easily. He is by American Ideal and is the first foal out of the race winning mare Life Well Lived (1.58.5). The second dam Tuscan Breeze NZ won twelve races and produced Float On By (1.56.6) so ROMEO appears to have the qualities to be able to win races. STRZELECKI SUN settled three back on the inside after a slow beginning and was able to trot into second place with RIVER STORM being last of the three runners across the line. The second placed STRZELECKI SUN is backing up at Cranbourne on Sunday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Last Half: - 58.7 Margins: - 15m, 5m
Trial 2: - DENIS WILLIAM was able to lead throughout in preparation of his racetrack return in the Stampede at Melton tomorrow night. BELLA LOUISE finished second after sitting in the trail throughout and the trotter MEADOW VALLEY STAR was last of the three runners for the duration and is returning from a spell at Melton tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Last Half: - 58.7 Margins: - 3m, 10m
BENDIGO 17/03/25
Trial 2: - JETTER SON hasn’t raced since a fifth in the Leeton Breeders Plate in December but he was very impressive in winning his trial by a large margin. He led throughout and recorded fast time so he appears to be ready for a big performance first up. ASSIGNED finished in second after trailing the leader throughout and NIGHT TIME GLORY came from four back on the markers to finish in third. There were big margins between first and last so it was a genuine staying test.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.2 Last Half: - 59.9 Margins: - 25m, 30m
BLACKBOOKER: - Jetter Son
Trial 5: - ILLAWONG STARDUST was clearly the class runner of the trial and was able to lead throughout after spearing across from a wide draw at the start. She is backing up against a top field at Melton on Saturday night. LUVSKI finished in second after settling four back on the markers and moving up without cover at the 500m mark. He broke stride in the final 50m but second was going to be his lot when he made the misdemeanor. He is backing up at Swan Hill on Tuesday night. SUNSUP finished in third after settling five back on the inside and moving into the one out and one back trail behind LUVSKI. She is competing at Melton on Saturday night. BUSLIN BRODY finished fourth after trailing the leader throughout and BITTA IRISH LUCK came from last to finish in fifth. BUSLIN BRODY is competing at Cranbourne on Sunday and BITTA IRISH LUCK will be at Melton tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.1 Last Half: - 59.3 Margins: - 13m, 4m
Trial 7: - IM ALL BUSINESS was placed in all of his three starts at his first campaign of racing and if his trial win is any indication, he will be in for another prosperous campaign. He settled three back on the inside, moved up without cover at the 800m and produced a slick final quarter of 27.7 seconds to win running away from his rivals. MIKI SING settled four back on the markers and ran into a distant second with the early leader FORESIGHT being the third horse across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.8 Last Half: - 56.5 Margins: - 16m, 12m
BLACKBOOKER: - Im All Business
Trial 9: - SERGEANT LOU hasn’t raced since contesting a heat of the Victoria Derby back in October. He settled last of the three runners, angled out three horses wide from the home turn and finished off powerfully to win well. THE ANSWER finished in second after trailing the leader throughout and the early leader CORNISHTOWN KID was third after being outgunned in the straight.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.5 Last Half: - 57.4 Margins: - 3m, 1m
GEELONG 17/03/25
Trial 1: - THE CROUPIER NZ began quickly and was able to find the lead shortly after the start. He enjoyed a good run mid-race and was able to cling on to get the prize. CAN BE A RUEBE NZ was three back on the markers, moved through to trail the leader at the quarter pole and ran home well via the sprint lane. Considering the winner THE CROUPIER NZ has a National Rating of 86 and CAN BE A RUEBE NZ is assessed as a 55, her run was sound. The top trotting mare ROCKINWITHATTITUDE finished in third after trailing the leader and coming to the outside with 500m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.9 Last Half: - 58.1 Margins: - 1/2 Head, 1m
Trial 3: - BROOKLYN DAN is an unraced juvenile colt by Captain Crunch for trainer Emma Stewart, which was able to fight on determinedly to win his trial. He settled in the running lane (1-2) and after several lead changes then ended up being without at the 1100m. He also progressed forward to find the lead just after the bell then was headed approaching the home turn but was able to kick back and win. MISTER AMERICANO settled five back on the inside, moved up without cover at the bell and went to a narrow lead on the home turn before being outstayed by BROOKLYN DAN at the end. He is competing in the third heat of the Bathurst Gold Crown this evening. FICTION FILE was third after pushing forward to find the lead early and being shuffled to three back on the markers at the 700m mark.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Last Half: - 57.9 Margins: - Neck, 15m
Trial 4: - KIMBERLEYS TREE settled four back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 300m mark and finished off best to win the trial. The time was slow but she got the job done and will be returning to the racetrack for the first time in eighteen months at Cranbourne on Sunday night. JACK SPRAT finished in second after settling last of the five runners and moving into the one out and one back trail at the 300m. THE SARGENT finished third after trailing behind the leader and MISTER HIGH HOPES was fourth after he set up a genuine early speed after pulling hard and establishing a big leading margin. MISTER HIGH HOPES is returning from a long spell at Geelong this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.3 Last Half: - 65.1 Margins: - 3m, 5m
Trial 5: - TIPPLE TIME is a juvenile trotter by Six Pack out of Tilly Time, a race winning mare whose first foal Flyin Time (2.0.3) has been placed in ten of her eighteen starts to date. She settled last of the five runners, moved up without cover at the 600m mark and sustained a strong run to win nicely. NO MONEY NO HONEY was second after working to the lead at the 1200m mark and the early leader DESERT ROYALE used the sprint lane but couldn’t accelerate at the end and finished a distant third.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.9 Last Half: - 60.7 Margins: - Nose, 15m
BLACKBOOKER: - Tipple Time
Trial 6: - EVILEYE began quickly to find the lead and set up an even tempo. She was able to hang on and get the prize. She is returning from a spell at Geelong this evening. RUEBE STARBUCK NZ finished in second after settling four back on the inside and moving into the death seat at the 500m mark. She is competing at Cranbourne on Sunday night. GOODTIME STRYKER was third after trailing the leader and coming to the outside on the home turn. He is competing at Geelong this evening. ROLLWITHARTY settled three back on the inside, ran up behind EVILEYE in the straight and had no clear run at the finish. He will also be competing at Geelong tonight.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.6 Last Half: - 60.5 Margins: - 1m, 1m
Trial 7: - ROCKINWITHSTYLE was able to win in a small field of three runners and the victory will give him confidence leading up to his performance at Geelong tonight. He trailed the leader TRACY THE JET early, was left in front when that horse broke stride at the 1300m and was able to hold on to win. TRACY THE JET lost approximately thirty metres when she broke stride mid-race and chased hard at the end for an eye-catching second. BAR TAB was without cover early, restrained to be last of the three runners and ended up trailing the leader when TRACY THE JET made a mid-race error. He makes his debut at Geelong this evening.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.8 Last Half: - 60.7 Margins: - 3m, 4m
BLACKBOOKER: - Tracy The Jet
MILDURA 17/03/25
Trial 1: - THOMAS HEIGHTS indicated that he might be back to his best form with a dominant front running display in fast time. He is drawn on the pole position again at Mildura this afternoon so he might take some catching. ONLY ONCE BITTEN finished in second after settling three back on the markers and will also be competing at Mildura this afternoon. IMPERIALS REASON dropped back to be last of the four runners and picked up third when DALLAS MIKI, which raced fiercely for most of the trip, broke stride at the 300m mark. DALLAS MIKI is scheduled to compete at Swan Hill on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.9 Last Half: - 57.6 Margins: - 10m, 3m
Trial 3: - LILBITAJAYTEE settled down last on the outside (1-2), came out three horses wide from the 400m mark and finished off solidly to score. He showed that he is capable of improving on his numerical form in his performance at Mildura this afternoon. PUNTO CALIENTE showed early speed to trail the leader, came to the outside on the home turn and missed out by a narrow margin. He should also be competitive in his performance at Mildura this afternoon. BRIEISBETTER finished in third after attempting to lead throughout and will also be backing up at Mildura today.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.9 Last Half: - 60.7 Margins: - ½ head, 5m
Trial 4: - AVOCA BLUES settled three back on the markers, obtained an inside run at the 300m and hit the front on the home turn. He continued the run in the home straight and gained the prize. LIVELY JOE attempted to lead throughout, hung out approaching the home turn and battled on fairly well for second. He is making his Victorian debut for trainer Boris Devcic at Mildura today. QUARTZITE came from four back on the markers and finished in third ahead of BRING MY BLING (behind leader) and BEACH TIME was the last horse across the line after racing without cover early and restraining to a rearward position. BRING MY BLING will be competing at Mildura today and BEACH TIME is scheduled to compete at Swan Hill on Tuesday.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 3m, 1m
BALLARAT 18/03/25
Trial 3: - NICE ONE CENTURION settled last of the three runners, came to the outside on the home turn and finished off quickly to win, seemingly with something in hand. SALSAWITHSIERRA was second past the post after trailing the leader and angling to the outside on the home turn. The talented trotting mare PERFIDIOUS SUE zoomed to the lead in the early stages but broke stride with 150m remaining and lost her winning chance.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.0 Last Half: - 59.1 Margins: - 3m, 30m
STAWELL 19/03/25
Trial 2: - The Peter Manning trained gelding ROCKNROLL TORQUE won the trial for the juvenile pacers. He is by Rock N Roll Heaven out of Torque of Life, the dam of three winners including Itz Sportz Torque (1.58.2). The second dam Hot Reaction NZ was the winner of 30 races and has produced seven winners including Effective Torque (1.57.0, $128,314) so there are a lot of good performers in ROCKNROLL TORQUE’s maternal family. ROCKNROLL WILLOW was second past the post and finished well ahead of TORQUE IN HEAVEN. TORQUE IN HEAVEN is also out of a daughter of Hot Reaction NZ.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.8 Last Half: - 62.6 Margins: - 2.5m, 8m
Trial 3: - MECARNO is a nicely bred gelding that hasn’t raced since finishing unplaced in the Super Series Final in September. He blitzed his rivals and recorded a handy mile rate of 2.3.4, which would suggest the maiden 3yo trotter is a good chance of breaking through for his initial success in the near future. SUPREME DOLL has broken stride at her past two attempts but finished second in the trial ahead of ARGYLE MUSE, a juvenile trotting filly by Pastor Stephen out of the good mare The Pink Diamond NZ (1.57.5), which has already produced Argyle Rocks (2.0.9).
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Last Half: - 60.4 Margins: - 50m, 3m
BLACKBOOKER: - Mecarno
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