Trots form expert Craig Rail delivers his detailed Trial File every Friday morning at thetrots.com.au to give punters the edge.
Check the bottom of the article for a list of Blackbookers to follow.
Cranbourne 04/05/19
Trial 1: - END GAME (Roll With Joe – Sunset Soky (1.58.1, $140,142)) trailed the leader MASTER SPARK (Majestic Son – Arcupango (2.4.9, $16,140)) and sprinted home too quickly when she peeled to the outside. MIDNIGHT RATTLER was three back on the markers and came away from the inside at the 500m. He stormed to the lead coming out of the back straight but couldn’t repel the challenge of END GAME in the latter stages. NEVADA JANE settled last of the four runners and worked passed the trotter and early leader MASTER SPARK to finish third. MASTER SPARK showed very good gate speed but couldn’t sustain the effort.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.7 Final Half: - 62.6 Margins: - 15m, 20m
Trial 2: - YANKEE COMMANDO pushed forward to find the lead and was untroubled in scoring. ROSANNA LINDY began well and angled in behind YANKEE COMMANDO shortly after the start. She picked up ground in the straight and both horses were not extended going to the post. ENDSIN A DREAM and CHAMPAGNE RIVER settled third and fourth on the markers respectively and their order did not change throughout the trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.5 Final Half: - 63.3 Margins: - Neck, 20m
Terang 05/05/19
Trial 1: - FISCAL FANTASY is a talented filly, which contested the heats and the consolation of the Australian Gold last season along with a heat of the New South Wales Breeders Challenge. She won her trial easily over the unraced juvenile LA SPIRITOZA (Bettors Delight – Sterita (1.55.0, $145,241)). MAJOR MAD finished third from ALLDAYTESS (Sportswriter – Allda Singleladies) and SPORTY CULTURE (Sportswriter – Café Culture (2.2.0, $4,699)) was last of the five runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Final Half: - 57.9 Margins: - 40m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: - Fiscal Fantasy
Trial 2: - BOLD HUSSY won this standing start trial for the trotters by a big margin but the mile rate was only 2.8.7. BOLD LAW finished second in front of the unraced juvenile PINK GALAHS (Skyvalley – Sweetasay (2.0.8, $18,066).
Mile Rate : - 2.8.7 Final Half: - 61.4 Margins: - 200m, 2m
Trial 3: - MISS WHAT USAIN hasn’t raced since winning three races in succession including the Mount Gambier Derby in January. She finished off in a handy final half to defeat MENDED with RUN CHESTER RUN in third position. LIGHTNING BLUE CHIP finished fourth in front of the unraced 3yo filly FREMARKSINDI (Modern Art – Issy Revonah).
Mile Rate: - 2.3.9 Final Half: - 58.0 Margins: - 6m, 20m
Trial 4: - KEAYANG LIVANA (Imperial Count – Poignant) is an unraced 3yo trotter for trainer Margaret Lee, which defeated MAORI AMOUR, which shaped up nicely at the trials a week earlier. The T4 assessed trotter GUS AN MAORI finished in third position ahead of EMMALINE and MAGICOOL SPIDER (Yankee Spider – Free Rider (2.3.8, $32,028)) finished last of the five runners
Mile Rate: - 2.6.7 Final Half: - 60.6 Margins: - 10m, 5m
Trial 5: - OKELERHO LAD defeated QUAINT GLEN in this small field of three runners with the C1 assessed pacer NOVAS DELIGHT taking on the more tightly assessed horses finishing at the tail. NOVAS DELIGHT hasn’t raced for nearly a year.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Final Half: - 61.1 Margins: - 4m, 3m
Mildura 05/05/19
Trial 1: - SUPERSTAR XPRESS gained a nice trail on the back of MAJOR MUCHA, which raced keenly without cover, and was able to sprint over the top of that pacer late to win the trial. TELL US WE DREAM came from three back on the markers to run a distant third from STEALTH MODE (trailed the leader). The early leader was the 2yo ZIVA (Shadow Play – I’m Living The Dream 1.57.4, $103,431) and she finished last of the five runners but she was the only horse in the field, which is yet to face the starter.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.5 Final Half: - 60.5 Margins: - 2m, 26m
Trial 2: - KILLER DRAGON was able to lead throughout from PARISIAN RULER, which settled four back on the markers and continued to use inside runs to end up trailing the leader into the straight. WE WILL SOUND trailed the leader before angling to the outside approaching the home corner and held down third. MISSUS APPLEBEE moved up without cover from the bell and finished fourth in front of KING RAFA, which trailed her throughout the final circuit.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.9 Final Half: - 61.2 Margins: - Not given
Trial 3: - YARRARA BEN was the most tightly assessed pacer (C4, R7) in the trial and was able to slide to the lead at the start. He held off VIEIRA, which raced without cover throughout and battled on bravely. They raced well clear of GRACEFUL ART, which trailed the leader with SASSY INDIANA being last of the four runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Final Half:- 60.5 Margins: - 1.5m, 40m
Maryborough 05/05/19
Trial 1: - TOPSIES DANCIN wanted to lay out a little at the start and began slowly, settling in third position. She came away from the markers to race without cover at the 800m and raced keenly, dashing up to the leader A KERRY MAN, which showed good gate speed. She drew to the front and was able to hold her rivals at bay. It was a handy performance after she enforced a quick third quarter. OUR SIR OLIVER settled last and finished off well for second. VALENTINA BRAVE was held up behind the tiring leader A KERRY MAN coming up to the home turn and rallied nicely in the straight. SULTAN FELLA trailed TOPSIES DANCIN throughout and finished fourth with A KERRY MAN being last of the five runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Final Half: - 56.0 Margins: - Head, 5m
Trial 2: - ASHARAH began the fastest and found the lead with SIR FORTUNE in second. As is the case with most trials boasting small numbers, the field settled in single file. TOUCH OF ARMBRO settled third, BARBIE MATTGREGOR in fourth and AVA MAY was last of the five. ASHARAH ran along at an even tempo and SIR FORTUNE quickly pounced on the home turn to win drawing away. BARBIE MATTGREGOR never left the markers and used the sprint lane for second with TOUCH OF ARMBRO in third. ASHARAH ended up finishing fourth and AVA MAY remained at the rear of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.6 Final Half: - 60.2 Margins: - 8m, 2m
Trial 3: - RADIUS began well but was headed off at the start by HARPOCRATES. David Barbetti was quick to move around HARPOCRATES to take up the front running role with RADIUS then proceeded to run along at a very genuine tempo. THERMAL REACTOR settled in third and moved away from the markers in the back straight. He found the leaders back for a small breather on the final turn before making a final lunge. RADIUS held on from THERMAL REACTOR in a close finish. SIR KAPITAR settled last of the four runners and trailed THERMAL REACTOR into the race. He finished third with HARPOCRATES ending up in fourth position.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Final Half: - 58.5 Margins: - Nose, 8m
Trial 4: - AUSSIEPRIDE produced a top performance to win the trial, although the mile rate and last quarter were slow. He galloped away and lost approximately 30m before tacking on in a slow early tempo. He finished strongly out wide on the track to win untouched. MAJOR MAYHEM led out then took cover behind GHOSTLY SILENCE at the 1500m. He battled on well for second. ARISTOCRAT CHESTER was doing his best work at the end to finish third from his early position of being four back on the markers. CHEERMEONIMACRACKA finished fourth after being three back on the inside. GHOSTLY SILENCE was checked by the galloping AUSSIEPRIDE at the start and made a quick move from second last in the back straight on the first occasion to find the lead. He tired late but held down fifth from THE SIGN (6 back markers) and MAJOR BANKS (Red River Hanover – Bed And Banks (2.3.2, $2,250) finished at the rear of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.7 Final Half: - 60.4 Margins: - 4m,2m
Trial 5: - ROBS LEGACY (Artistic Fella – Sunrose Mary (1.58.1, $51,673)) came out of the gate with BE A GOOD SCOUT (B G’s Folly – Take Five Stella (1.58.3, $18,903) before angling in behind that pacer to sit second. SPRINGA settled down in third position but made a quick move from the 700m to put the pressure on and ensure a quick third quarter. ROBS LEGACY took advantage of the hectic tempo in the back straight and dashed passed the tiring leaders in the latter stages to win easily. SPRINGA held down second with BE A GOOD SCOUT in third. MAKE HASTE (5 back markers) finished reasonably well for fourth with HOME JULIE (6 back markers) and SUNDAR KALI (4 back markers) being the last two across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.1 Final Half: - 58.4 Margins: - 6m, 3m
Trial 6: - GOTTAHAVEAHOBBIE (won Horsham Wednesday) settled last of the six pacers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the bell and finished over the top of the early leader MORNINGS to win the trial. Considering the very slow mid-race tempo and mile rate, it was a good effort to gun down the leader. MORNINGS finished second after receiving the perfect trip and EPHALUMP trailed the leader throughout to run third. VEXATIOUS settled on the markers before moving up without cover in the final circuit, finishing fourth. ERNIESON (Ernie Eldorado – Life of Chiquita) settled four, then three back on the markers and finished in fifth. He is an interesting horse being by the Skewbald stallion Ernie Eldorado, which was placed once in three outings, out of an unraced Skewbald mare by Life’s Not Fair. CALDER ON ICE (Metropolitan – Like A Calder) settled at the tail of the field and galloped approaching the final corner.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.1 Final Half: - 58.7 Margins: - 5m, 8m
Trial 7: - SPACEWRITER showed plenty of potential in this trial and is worth following. He was wide on the track in the early stages, eased on to the markers to be three back and was always travelling keenly. It appeared he would put a gap on his rivals when he came to the outside but he switched off once he got clear in the straight. He is still learning and will keep on improving. LOVEN LAUGHTER (Artistic Fella – Macray Rosewood) began quickly to lead and finished second, beating the remainder of the field by a handy margin. AMMICCHI trailed the leader throughout and finished third. CROMPTON BAY (Bonavista Bay – Innocuous (1.59.5, $4,394) was fourth throughout with STAR OF VOUVRAY and REEKO REACTOR (Auckland Reactor – Pink Lily 2.3.7, $5,881) being fifth and sixth throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.0 Final Half: - 58.7 Margins: - 6m, 15m
BLACKBOOKER: - Spacewriter
Trial 8: - It was a very competitive trial for the juvenile trotters with a second quarter of 28.9 seconds and the final section being only 33.2 seconds. CEEJAYS SUCCESS settled in the one out and one back trail and finished best after having one last run at the leaders. SPEEDWAY QUEEN settled three back on the markers and was able to scoot along the sprint lane late for second. MAJESTIC JEWEL was a big run. She pushed forward to find the lead, galloped at the 1200m and dropped out to be a clear last before flashing home out wide on the track for third. OLLIE JACK began in fourth position but pushed forward to find the lead at the 1200m and rolled along at a hectic tempo. He established a good lead but he became leg weary on the home turn. He finished fourth just in front of OUR IVY, which led early then took cover and did plenty of chasing. SHEZA GEM (without cover), BLACK AND GOLD (Ships Spur – Earls Gold 2.2.5, $52,658)) (second last) and CHER AMI (last throughout) finished sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.2 Final Half: - 64.2 Margins: - 4m, 8m
Trial 9: - BLACK VALLEY was given the perfect trip on the back of THE PENNY DROPS throughout and sprinted sharply in the straight to win. THE PENNY DROPS trailed the leader DEALERS KNOCK, which showed good gate speed, then came to the outside to apply the pressure from the bell. He hit the lead on the home turn but couldn’t repel the challenge of BLACK VALLEY late. NAMOSCAR (Ready Cash – Heavens Above USA) settled fifth and ran into a distant fourth in front of BLUE SPARKLER (Danny Bouchea – Argyle Grace). SUAVEMENTE, which hasn’t started since July 2016, was last throughout and broke stride in the back straight on the final occasion.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.9 Final Half: - 59.1 Margins: - 4m, 10m
Trial 10: - MUMSTHEWORD began very quickly from the handicap of 20m and found the front when the early leader WHOS COUNTN (Imperial Count – Ima Thrill Seeker 2.3.7, $64,161) galloped 200m after the start. EYES FROM HEAVEN settled in third position but made a mid-race move to find the lead and dominated the trial thereafter. OUR YANKEE ended up being three back on the markers and chased hard for second. SHIPS SUCCESS had a very rough gait in fourth position throughout but was making ground before finally galloping on the home turn. He still finished third with MUMSTHEWORD being a distant fourth. COUNTESS CHIRON and WHOS COUNTN were both tailed out after making mistakes early in the trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.14.4 Final Half: - 63.2 Margins: - 10m, 20m
Trial 11: - ALEPPO MURPHY settled last of the three competitive chances and made his move approaching the final corner. He showed his brilliance at the end to win comfortably. SOHO LEDGER rolled along at a genuine tempo in the lead and finished second. CROWN DREAM began nicely to trail the leader but broke stride with 400m remaining. BELTS made a small leap at the start, came down trotting, galloped then trotted before galloping again, all in a short period of time. The final gallop saw him being tailed out throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.3 Final Half: - 61.2 Margins: - 10m, 3m
Kyabram 05/05/19
Trial 1: - THE BEST DREAM (The Best Madrik – Lasting Beauty) is an unraced 2yo trotter, which won the trial by a large margin. BACARDI WOOD was the only horse in the trial that has raced previously and finished second. RIGHT MOVES (The Best Madrik – Right Interest (1.59.7, $202,096) is a nicely bred filly and finished in third. Last of the four runners was BUILDER BOB (Angus Hall – She’s An Image (1.57.4, $233,824) but he is also a juvenile trotter that hails from a top race mare.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.8 Final Half: - 63.0 Margins: - 20m, 20m
Trial 2: - FRANKIE DA THUMPER, a proven winner in South Australia, took out trial two. CAST NO SHADOW, which has only started once previously, was a neck away second with ROSALEE DOT COM in third and PEDRO finishing fourth. AMERICAN SWEETHEART (American Ideal – Crystal Reign 2.3.3, $33,714)) is an unraced 3yo pacer for trainer Noel Tyndall and finished last of the five runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.8 (last mile) Final Half: - Not given Margins: - Neck, 2m
Trial 3: - BACKROADSAFARI was placed at Stawell on April 15 and narrowly took out trial three. DON’T TELL ALICE finished second with the C1 assessed pacer ALWAYS GRINNING a close up third. MAGGIES MISSILE ran last of the four runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.5 Final Half: - 62.3 Margins: - Neck, 2m
Trial 4: - MASTER MACH MANUS is a C4 assessed pacer and took on mostly the maiden class so he was entitled to win the trial. He did so easily by 20 metres. The maiden 3yo filly BRIE finished second in front of the C1 assessed pacer AMARANDA. MEGGCEE and SAFARI DUNBAR finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.7 Final Half: - 60.5 Margins: - 20m, 2m
Geelong 06/05/19
Trial 1: - IM NOTTA TROTTER stepped away nicely and always led by a healthy margin. WILLUNA was slow to begin and ended up being approximately 20m behind IM NOTTA TROTTER. He was still in second position prior to galloping at the 450m and he ended up finishing last of the four runners. CORRINYAH CONMAN was slow to begin from his handicap but he made up plenty of ground to be beaten by 15 metres. LEFT RIGHT ANDCENTRE was always tailed out but beat the galloping WILLUNA to the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.2 Final Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 15m, 100m
Trial 2: - UPTON GIRL was a 3yo filly taking on the juvenile pacers so she appeared to be well placed. She was driven aggressively to find the lead at the 1600m and held off POWER OF FAITH, which settled third and chased from the 600m when YOURSHOUTROCKY started to yield ground. FROSOS GIRL (Dawn Ofa New Day – Tully Belle 1.55.7, $82,795)) settled four back on the inside and finished third in front of SHAKE BABY SHAKE (Roll With Joe – Shake It Up Baby), which dropped out to the tail of the field and raced greenly at times. She finished fourth in front of YOURSHOUTROCKY, which led out then took cover before dropping out at the 600m. He had been placed in a heat of the Australian Gold prior so he is much better than the trial effort suggests.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Final Half: - 60.6 Margins: - 2m, 25m
Trial 3: - SHOWEMYOURMUSCLES is now with trainer Chris Romanidis and he dominated the third trial. He led comfortably, raced keenly and continued to extend his lead on ILLAWONG LUNA, which was the only other horse in the trial to do everything right. The horses in which made errors ORLANDOS GIFT (Orlando Vici – Calder Luck) and RUM AN ROYAL, were always tailed out.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.6 Final Half: - 64.2 Margins: - 30m, 6m
Trial 4: - The classy trotter ILLAWONG ARMSTRONG appeared to be very sharp. He worked to the lead 300m after the start and always travelled on a firm rein. He raced away to win with plenty in reserve and recording handy time in the process. THE LONE DANCER settled last of the five runners and was doing his best work at the end to finish second. YMBRO WASTED settled in fourth position and came away from the inside approaching the 400m. He was beaten by 20m but ILLAWONG ARMSTRONG is an open class trotter and he is a T6 so it was a nice trial performance. KELLYS IDEAL led out then took cover and finished fourth ahead of SUMO GRIN (3 back markers).
Mile Rate: - 2.2.7 Final Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 20m, head
Trial 5: - AHA REACTION continues to impress at the trials and he beat much more tightly assessed horses, seemingly with something in hand. He trailed the leader BURNING CASH, which pulled his way to the lead early, before moving up without cover at the 900m. MATCH POINT settled last and followed AHA REACTION in the final circuit. He worked into second position in front of COURAGEOUS AFFAIR, which didn’t have much room in the straight and should have finished closer. The early leader BURNING CASH finished last of the four runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.7 Final Half: - 56.9 Margins: - 2m, 2m
Bendigo 06/05/19
Trial 1: - GUILTLESS gained the perfect run in transit but he was impressive. He stepped quickly to trail the leader and hit the line determinedly in a quick final half. ROSEHILL MAGIC settled three back on the markers and finished off nicely for second just in front of the early leader JAY BEE FLEX. FULL OF FIZZ finished a distant fourth but she is a maiden and she was taking on multiple winners. IMAHE MAN made an early error and was always a distant last.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.9 Final Half: - 58.40 Margins: - 6m, head
BLACKBOOKER: - Guiltless
Trial 2: - BEEFOUR BACARDI (Bacardi Lindy – Beefour 2.9.5, $10,103)) stepped to the lead and was always in control. He was going to win by a comfortable margin but it was enhanced when DON’T TOUCH THE DUCO, which trailed him throughout, galloped 50m from the winning post. COUNTESS CHIRON trotted very roughly at the start and lost valuable ground. She didn’t do a bad job after chasing the older trotters throughout. WHOS COUNTN (Imperial Count – Ima Thrill Seeker 2.3.7, $64,161)) missed away and was always a distant last.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.7 Final Half: - 60.50 Margins: - 30m, 2m
Trial 3: - SANDS OF ZANZIBAR led from the pole position and copped some pressure in the early stages but was still able to score convincingly. HOOK EYE JOH (Dawn Ofa New Day – Inyaface) settled four back on the markers and hit the line strongly for second. BOBBY ESS finished third after working out of the gate, putting some pressure on SANDS OF ZANZIBAR then getting some room to angle in behind that pacer. THERMO came from seven back on the markers to finish fourth in front of LILNOVA (5 back markers). ARTMANIA settled second last and finished in that position ahead of CAULONIA BLISS, which was behind the leader early before being shuffled back one place at the 1500m.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.2 Final Half: - 58.10 Margins: - 6m, 6m
Trial 4: - The two 3yo trotters defeated the juvenile trotters in this trial. WANDA (Andover Hall – Flash Teena (2.2.1, $45,964)) led throughout to win the trial and kicked back strongly when challenged in the straight. MAJESTIC SPEED settled four back on the markers and moved up without cover with 900m remaining before switching back into the sprint lane in the straight. She drew level with WANDA close to the line before the winner kicked back. DARK CLOUD (Angus Hall – Cloud Chaser (2.1.5, $49,463) is a nicely bred gelding, which trailed the leader and finished a close up third. LOTTA FUSS (Majestic Son – Gladys Emanuel (2.3.9, $78,049)) settled three back on the markers and held his ground over the final stages. KYVALLEY SHAUNIE (Andover Hall – Gluteus Maximus (1.59.6, $104,855) is a beautifully bred gelding that trotted away slowly and never recovered, finishing at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.9 Final Half: - 62.30 Margins: - 1m, 2m
Trial 5: - MISS ARTEMIS led throughout and just held off a fast finishing LITTLEBITOFMAGIC (Art Major – Rocknroll Magic 1.54.5, $466,183)), which trailed her throughout. NUART gained a one out and one back trail and slipped back to the inside when KIDWITHAGRIN (Grinfromeartoear – Valley Echo (1.59.7, $48,356)) started to yield ground and went out very wide on the track with 400m remaining. KIDWITHAGRIN was still able to finish fourth in front of SHEZA CHOCOLATIER (Art Major – Highview Ember (1.53.3, $122,798)), which began slowly and was detached from the pack throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.2 Final Half: - 60.10 Margins: - Head, 12m
Trial 6: - DERRIE AIRE was clearly the class runner of the trial being assessed as a T5 and she raced to an easy victory. She settled second last before steadily making ground in the breeze and went for home on the final corner. TURTLE trailed up behind DERRIE AIRE from the bell and picked up second. IMA ZIABEE led out then took cover behind DECLAN HENRY, which pulled hard in the lead. They finished third and fourth with not much separating them on the line. GOOROC GAMBLER (3 back markers) and GAP YEAR (last the markers) were next and CHOSEN SON tailed out after making an early error.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.2 Final Half: - 61.40 Margins: - 12m, 1m
Trial 7: - ELEGANT JEWEL settled four back on the inside before moving up without cover from the 800m. She applied pressure on the leader AMERICAN TIGER in the back straight before drawing clear for an impressive victory. AMERICAN TIGER held down second just in front of LIBBA RACY, which trailed him throughout. THE NARRATOR settled at the tail of the field before gaining a one out and one back trail behind ELEGANT JEWEL. He finished fourth ahead of THE SPIN PROFESSOR (3 back markers).
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Final Half: - 57.10 Margins: - 15m, 1m
Trial 8: - EUSTON FLYER has now joined trainer Glenn Douglas after landing some big wagers in a victory during the Mildura Cup Carnival. He trailed the leader LORNE BEACH, which showed terrific gate speed, and zipped passed that pacer in the final 100m. ENDORSEMENT settled last of the five runners and used an inside run to snare third in front of CHINOOK WINDS (4 back markers). CALAQUENDI was three back on the inside before easing out wider on the track with 450m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.8 Final Half: - 57.60 Margins: - 2m, 7m
Kilmore 07/05/19
Trial 1: - ERO CARPE DIEM burst to the lead early and ran along at a very genuine tempo. KYVALLEY CLICHY was in second position but didn’t really chase ERO CARPE DIEM until the final circuit. He quickly gathered in the leader and raced to a very easy victory. ERO CARPE DIEM held down second in front of FIELDS OF KYVALLEY, which settled last and was a large margin away coming up to the bell. He did well to make up so much ground in the final circuit. The juvenile trotter VAN SANK (Trixton – Countess Angela) and the unraced HES THEMIGHTYSPIN (Majestic Son – Sunelle (2.6.2, $12,356)) did everything right but didn’t chase the tearaway leader and finished a distant fourth and fifth respectively.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.7 Final Half: - 64.5 Margins: - 30m, 12m
Trial 2: - THEULTIMATE (Art Major – Salix (2.1.5, $2,400)) settled on the markers and moved into the one wide line (1-2) at the bell. She was last and the widest runner as the field turned for home so it was a big effort to score. SEW WHAT led comfortably early then was challenged by SPEED DATING in the back straight on the first occasion. SPEED DATING made enough room to angle in behind and the pace slackened. SEW WHAT ended up finishing second in front of SPEED DATING with CONSTANTINA (Pet Rock – Willies Girl) (1-1 from bell) in fourth. ALTE had no luck. He was left without cover, eased out to last then moved up to the death seat again in the final circuit. He finished fifth in front of SHADY JESS (3 back markers).
Mile Rate: - 2.6.3 Final Half: - 60.7 Margins: - Head, 2m
Trial 3: - BET THE LIMIT speared to the lead shortly after the start then was attacked by STEFNOLI, which had to be driven hard to finally get across to the markers at the 1500m. PUNTARNO STRIDE enjoyed a lovely run in third throughout and quickly charged to the lead at the 400m. IM JOE LOUIS pursued from fifth and got home best to down PUNTARNO STRIDE with BELLISSIMA being unlucky in third after coming from last and having little room in the straight. BET THE LIMIT finished in front of STEFNOLI with ART FINEST (4 back markers) being last of the six runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.7 Final Half: - 64.0 Margins: - 2.5m, 5m
Trial 4: - WHATTALOTTAFRAY led the trial field when ARGENTINE TANGO, which began fast, broke stride 50m after the start. The field settled in single file with WHATTALOTTAFRAY in front of IMPERIAL WHIZ, TROTTING ROCKSTAR, ON FAST FORWARD and ARGENTINE TANGO being last after losing 25m early. IMPERIAL WHIZ won the sprint up the straight with WHATTALOTTAFRAY in second and ON FAST FORWARD was doing his best work at the end. TROTTING ROCKSTAR finished fourth and ARGENTINE TANGO wasn’t far away in fifth.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.3 Final Half: - 62.1 Margins: - 6m, 2.5m
Trial 5: - JEAN LUC showed his brilliant early speed to lead by a large margin before slowing mid-race and accelerating again in the final 400m. KYVALLEY BLUR finished second and considering the final quarter was a blistering 27.4 seconds, the trotter did a good job. ALBAROCK raced three back on the markers behind KYVALLEY BLUR and picked up a little bit of ground on that horse late. ARE YOU WITH ME was last of the four runners throughout the event.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.7 Final Half: - 58.6 Margins: - 12m, 2m
Trial 6: - The four trotters stepped away safely from the standing start with FROSTY RECEPTION (Majestic Son – Auzzie Rose (2.3.2, $29,496)) working across from out wide on the track to lead from the 2yo trotter DREAMEE (Majestic Son – Tupenny Bit) with THE DEBATER settling third and KYVALLEY SENATOR (Muscle Hill – Love Ya Doosie) in fourth position. DREAMEE quickly got to the lead on the home turn and held off the late challenge of THE DEBATER with both horses seemingly having something in reserve. KYVALLEY SENATOR worked passed the early leader FROSTY RECEPTION.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.4 Final Half: - 63.4 Margins: - 1m, 12m
Ballarat 08/05/19
Trial 1: - ALWAYS FAST took cover behind JOBELLS IMAGE (Always A Virgin – Arts Image) and was able to sprint home too well. The juvenile YOUAREMY SUNSHINE chased valiantly from three back on the markers to finish second with JOBELLS IMAGE ending up in third position. LEBOWSKI was last of the four runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.6 Final Half: - 57.8 Margins: - 3m, 12m
Trial 2: - OUT TO PLAY ran to the lead in the early stages and won the trial but he raced very greenly and was never really switched on. He ran third in the Home Grown Classic during his last preparation and there is more improvement left in him. SAFARI CHEER raced in the one out and one back trail from the bell and zipped alongside of OUT TO PLAY on the home turn but peaked on his run late. MORNINGS from three back on the markers ran into third from STATESWOMAN (1-2) and STARZZ IN DISGUISE (death seat from bell) finished fifth. MASAKE showed early speed and ended up behind the leader but dropped out before the home turn.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Final Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 8m, 12m
Trial 3: - There were only three runners in the open class trial and none of the competitors were extended at any stage. MARAETAI dropped out to be last but was able to move around his two opponents to win in a quick final half of 56.7 seconds. STILL OF THE NIGHT attempted to lead all of the way and IDEAL CONQUEST trailed her throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.4 Final Half: - 56.7 Margins: - 3m, 4m
Trial 4: - BELTS is an open class trotter and proven Country Cups winner. He took on two 3yo trotters from the mobile start and was entitled to win the trial. He did so easily by leading throughout. MISS SWEDEN (Majestic Son – Zoia Boko Swe) lost ground in the straight but was never really pushed and MATADEROS made up plenty of ground after making a mistake at the 1100m.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.6 Final Half: - 60.8 Margins: - 20m, 30m
Current Black Book runners
Fiscal Fantasy
Spacewriter
Guiltless
Radius
Maori Amour
Millys Magic
Revy Jay
Van Sank
Illawong Stardust
Sky Eagle
Petite Love
Just Believe
Mallee Reactor
Have Ago Joe
Aha Reaction
All The Muscles
Artemede
Catch A Moment
Dream Mastar
Im Daddy Warbucks
Jobells Image
Lochinvar Fire
Lunchwitharthur
Luvyoubabe
Maajida
Radical Major
Sammy Showdown
Sleepee