As metropolitan racing nears a Victorian return the stars came out to play on the trials circuit this week, including the likes of San Carlo and Ride High.

Craig Rail has analysed them all and topped up his Trial File Blackbook, which can be viewed at the bottom of this page. 

Here's this week's report:

SHEPPARTON 04/06/20

Trial 1: - SHARMEY (Rock N Roll Heaven – Glory Daze 1.55.7, $76,805) came out of the gate quickly to lead, took a trail and made his move on the home turn. He quickly ran to the lead and jogged home to win comfortably. BUNDLE OF NOTES (Roll With Joe – Hope Riley 1.56.7, $23,460) settled fourth on the markers, moved up without cover at the 600m and worked to the line fairly well for second. MADE TO ROCK raced without cover, pushed forward to lead at the 1700m and finished third in front of FREDA JESS LOMBO (Western Terror – As I See It Lombo 2.1.6, $4,418), which settled three back on the markers. BEARTASTIC WRITER (Sportswriter – Shadow Flag 1.55.3, $38,180) trailed the leader in the early stages and ended up being three back on the markers. He finished fifth in front of LITTLE DEMON (Modern Art – David’s Lady 1.56.2, $46,288), which was last throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.6            Final Half: - 59.2               Margins: - 5m, Neck

Trial 2: - SAN CARLO gained a one out and one back trail, moved into the lead at the 1400m and pulled hard throughout. He set up a genuine tempo and ran away to win nicely. He has been trialling for some time and that appeared to be his sharpest performance. PIRATE BAY pushed forward to find the lead, took a trail behind San Carlo and boxed on well for second with TRENDY BROMAC being third after getting the trail behind PIRATE BAY.  She never peeled to the outside at any stage and could have finished a little closer. GIANT JACKSON ended up being four back on the inside and finished fourth ahead of AXINITE, which settled last and moved to the outside mid-race (1-2). ALLMIGHTYJOELOUIS (5 back markers), COLDPLAY ROAD (1-2, 1-1) and ZUBERI (without cover) finished sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.

Mile Rate: - 1.57.4          Final Half: - 56.7               Margins: - 15m, 4m

Trial 3: - ONE TWO MANY (Captaintreacherous – Always Lacking 1.56.4, $23,515) led throughout and went to the line under a hard hold when he scored over his stable mate HELIKAON (Rock N Roll Heaven – Dazed And Confused 1.56.8, $172,444), which settled in fourth before moving up without cover at the 700m. HELIKAON also went to the line with something in reserve. MAJOR ZONE (Art Major – Here Comes Zoe 1.55.2, $113,996) settled fifth on the markers then moved into the one out and one back trail. He finished third in front of ASSUMING, which trailed the leader and DIDN’T MIDGE settled three back on the markers from the good draw before finishing fifth. TORIKINA PRINCE settled at the tail of the field and was struggling a long way from home.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.1            Final Half: - 59.4               Margins: - 1m, 25m

Trial 4: - CASSIOPEIA pushed forward to race without cover and proved too tough when she recorded a solid victory. HOLSTEIN was wide early, gained a one out and one back trail and came out three horses wide at the 600m. He boxed on well for second with DEAREST being third after trying to lead throughout. ROTHKO broke in the score up and lost approximately 20m, gained a midfield trailing position (1-2) and moved out wider (3-1) at the 500m. He ran a reasonable race for fourth and COURAGEOUS LIFE (Courageous Under Fire – Spring To Life 2.2.4, $1,688), gained a one out and one back trail before switching back to the sprint lane to run fifth. LORD LOHKI settled three back on the inside, moved into the running lane (1-4) and finished sixth in front of ITS BLUE FOR BOYS, which trailed the leader and was under pressure from the 500m.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.9            Final Half: - 58.0               Margins: - Neck, Head

Trial 5: - ITSARAPT stepped away nicely to run to the lead and was untroubled to score. He went to the line strongly and won with plenty in reserve. LITTLE MISS CHLO trailed the leader throughout and finished second, well clear of MYNAMESGRAHAM, which settled last on the markers and came away from the inside at the 600m mark. LIKE A SUNBEAM settled three back on the inside and raced roughly during the latter stages thus dropping out to be last of the four runners.

Mile Rate: - 2.8.6            Final Half: - 61.8               Margins: - 10m, 15m

Trial 6: - WHERES WOOD WOOD began quickly to find the lead and was able to hold off his rivals to score narrowly. ALLSHOOKUP settled four back on the outside, came out three horses wide from the 700m and finished off strongly to run a game second. COOK CANVAS (Artistic Fella – Invasion Day 2.2.5, $4,844) settled three back on the inside and was held up for a run at a vital stage. He hit the line strongly for a nice third. JUSTCALLMEAZA trailed the leader throughout and finished fourth with ONE MORE NO MORE being fifth after settling five back on the markers and coming out very wide on the home turn. MY MATE COL (Rock N Roll Heaven – Nightn Georgia 2.0.4, $116,605) gained a one out and one back trail and finished sixth in front of IVE GOT THE LOOKS (Union Guy – El Maggie 2.4.4, $6,800), which was seventh on the markers throughout. MELPARK BUTCH (without cover) was eighth and COMMAND ME finished last after galloping away and being tailed off in the early stages of the event.

Mile Rate: - 2.4.6            Final Half: - 59.0               Margins: - Head, 15m

CRANBOURNE 06/06/20

Trial 1: - ALL OVER THE STARS was able to lead throughout in the field of two runners and defeated the unraced qualifier SANDYS SPARKLE (Conch Deville – Gina Dawn) by a large margin. He was entitled to win the trial as he is the winner of seven races.

Last Mile: - 2.6.9             Final Half: - 61.2               Margin: - 25m

Trial 2: - It was an extremely slow start to the trial where the first lap was run at a mere jog. END GAME settled last of the three runners, zipped around to find the lead at the 1100m then really extended nicely in the final lap, recording a last half of 57.1 seconds and winning by a large margin. EVIE MACH (Mach Three – Eye Catching 1.56.8, $38,730) trailed the leader and broke stride momentarily coming up to the bell. She lost approximately 20m but was able to recover to beat the early leader SUPRISE WRITER (Sportswriter – Itz Nosurprisesthere 1.58.0, $216,900) to the post.

Mile Rate: - 2.10.9          Final Half: - 57.1               Margins: - 70m, ½ head

BLACKBOOKER: - End Game

Trial 3: - ILLAWONG LORD showed good gate speed to lead and was able to hold on and score narrowly. DEFT TOUCH was very unlucky and should have won the trial. He settled down in fifth position, was held up by HESABEACHBOY, which was pacing roughly, then charged home late. NITE NITE MISTER was third after trailing the leader throughout. WUNDURRA was three back on the markers and finished in fourth position with HESABEACHBOY (Sunshine Beach – Bella Belucci) running in last of the five but he didn’t have an easy trip. He was without cover early, restrained to last then moved up without cover again from the 800m before pacing roughly and dropping out with 300m remaining.

Mile Rate: - 2.6.6            Final Half: - 60.3               Margins: - ½ head, ½ head

Trial 4: - BETTERMAN STRIDE trailed the leader HURRICANE STRIDE and came to the outside on the home turn. He showed a good turn of speed at the end and was able to get up and beat his stable mate on the line. HEAVENS SHOWGIRL settled last of the three runners and came to the outside on the home turn. She only held her ground in the latter stages but it appeared to be just a sprint up the straight.

Mile Rate: - Not Given   Final Half: - Not Given    Margins: - Neck, 4m (approximately)

ARARAT 06/06/20

Trial 1: - SIERRA KEA (Peak – Diamond Insitu) is a filly by Peak that is closely related to the outstanding trotter Sparkling Success (1.53.9, $427,040), Diamond Wes ($22,725) and I Stand Alone ($5,475). She scored comfortably over PENELOPE, which is the winner of three races and MAORI AMOUR finished third. Last of the four runners was LUVAFLAIR (Love You – All Flair 2.3.5, $116,842), an unraced qualifier, which is out of the former good race mare All Flair.

Mile Rate: - 2.9.9            Final Half: - 61.0               Margins: - 10m, 30m

Trial 2: - OUR IVY hasn’t raced since being unplaced at Maryborough in March. She was able to defeat DOUBLE HELIX with JIMMY BINTANG (Allawart Ray – Cathrins Image) coming in last of the three runners.

Mile Rate: - 2.11.0          Final Half: - 65.0               Margins: 5m, Distanced

Trial 3: - HARRY MCKINNIS has been unplaced in two starts back from a long spell but was able to gain some confidence by beating the trotters by a comfortable margin. SARAHLEONIE BOW was formerly prepared by Ross Graham and is now with trainer Jason Ainsworth. She finished second and was well ahead of ALLAWART BOB, KAYLASISTER and JUST STELLA MAGIC came in last of the five runners.

Mile Rate: - 2.5.0            Final Half: - 60.3               Margins: - 15m, 40m

Trial 3: - VANITY BAY hasn’t raced since a win at Wedderburn in February. He was still learning but showed a lot of ability at his last preparation and he did record handy time at his easy trial victory. The juvenile pacer SWISS LIGHTNING finished in second position ahead of the unraced qualifiers LOCAL ICON (Grinfromeartoear – It Is What It Is 2.5.3, $7,463) and LETTUCE NHEAVEN (Rock N Roll Heaven – Lettucereason 1.55.9, $180,073).

Mile Rate: - 2.2.9            Final Half: - 59.8               Margins: - 7m, 60m

Trial 4: - PREMONITION is a handy 3yo pacer when racing at his best form and he was able to zip around the Ararat circuit in a mile rate of 1.59.1, defeating the handy former New Zealand pacer KOLOVOS so he is obviously ready to run a big race when he next steps out onto the track. COOL SITA finished in third position and the unraced qualifier LEXIES BETTER (Betterthancheddar – Yeronga Silky) met a very smart field hence finished at the tail.

Mile Rate: - 1.59.1          Final Half: - 58.3               Margins: - 7m, 8m

BLACKBOOKER: - Premonition

MILDURA 07/06/20

Trial 1: - OLLIES MOLLY has only had three starts but has had three different trainers and she is now being prepared by Andrew Vozlic, which will make it a fourth mentor the next time she steps out onto the race track. She pushed forward to find the lead and seemingly won with plenty in reserve so it was a promising start to her career in the Sunraysia. THE VERGINIAN settled three back on the inside and came away from the markers at the 600m mark. He finished in second position ahead of OUTA CONTROL, which settled fourth on the markers and came out three horses wide on the home turn. PARISIAN PRIDE trailed the leader and finished fourth with EEZEE STREET (Live Or Die – Washingtons Legacy 2.6.7, $7,970) in fifth after being slowly away and being detached from the pack for most of the journey. SHORTYS MATE MAL (Julius Caesar – Gracious Pearl 2.7.1, $6,593) galloped several times in the run and finished tailed off.

Mile Rate: - 2.0.2            Final Half: - 59.5               Margins: - 20m, 1m

Trial 2: - CALGARY BAY has been promising a win for some time and she had a confidence building trial victory leading up to her effort on Friday. She began quickly but couldn’t head off CARAGGIO ESCAPEE at the start and angled in to trail. She came to the outside approaching the home turn and sprinted home too well in the run to the finish. CARAGGIO ESCAPEE finished second after setting the speed with SPEEDY REACTOR (Auckland Reactor – Gotalotofspeed 2.0.0, $26,493) finishing in third position after being three back on the markers throughout. NO EMOTION was four back on the markers throughout and beat home MUSTANG MAX (Village Jolt – Highview Hanover 2.3.3, $20,285), which was without cover for the entire journey. He was running a nice trial in third position but broke stride on the home turn. SPLIT EAR broke at the start and was tailed off throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.8            Final Half: - 60.8               Margins: - 3m, 8m

Trial 3: - YES SHESASTAR settled down in fourth position before circling around to run to the top with 1100m remaining. She was able to roll along at a genuine tempo and scored comfortably. CLASSIC REACTOR was a bold effort in second position. He settled down in fifth and was held up behind tiring runners before coming to the outside leaving the back straight. He was giving the leading duo a big start but finished strongly at the end. GRACEFUL ART trailed the leader for the majority of the journey, first behind THE SPIN PROFESSOR then behind YES SHESASTAR. He chased hard but he got a little leg weary in the final 100m. SWEARENGEN raced without cover for the entire trip and finished a distant fourth ahead of LETTUCEVENTILATE, which settled last of the six runners and tried to gain a trail into the race. THE SPIN PROFESSOR led early but was overtaken coming up to the bell and continued to lose ground once headed.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.0            Final Half: - 60.6               Margins: - 10m, 2m

Trial 4: - KOTARE YORK showed good gate speed to lead and was always going to be hard to beat being a National Ratings 76 assessed pacer. He ran along at an even tempo and never appeared to be in any danger of defeat. DRAGONTOWN settled three back on the markers and got through to trail the leader before the home turn so he had his chance in second position. CASHWRANGS SMOKER trailed the leader and came to the outside with 500m remaining. He finished third in front of JUST SAYING, which settled four back on the inside. EYESDOWN AND LOOKING showed good early speed to trail the leader but he broke gear shortly after the start and was retired from the trial.

Mile Rate: - 2.1.5            Final Half: - 60.5               Margins: - 8m, 2m

MARYBOROUGH 07/06/20

Trial 1: - DANMAN enjoyed a drop back in class and took out the opening trial. He showed gate speed to lead, took a trail behind the trotter ALEPPO MURPHY but was held up behind that tiring runner from the 300m and lost approximately four lengths. He was able to move out wide into the straight, regather momentum then hit the line strongly to grab victory right on the line. EMIJAY ended up being the last one following the markers when ALEPPO MURPHY circled the field to take over the lead at the 1700m mark. She moved into the one out and one back trail at the 700m and was battling it out at the finish. RAANI was three back on the markers before moving into the death seat at the 700m and hitting the front with 300m remaining. She only just failed to hold off the late challengers and ended up finishing a close third. ALEPPO MURPHY faded into fourth after circling to find the lead and racing keenly for the majority of the event.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.4            Final Half: - 58.9               Margins: - Short Head, Short Head

Trial 2: - GLENGARRIFF showed good gate speed to lead, was unchallenged throughout and scored softly by ten metres. TIARA STRIDE (Amore – Stride – Nitengale Stride) trailed the leader and moved away from the inside but couldn’t go with GLENGARRIFF in the latter stages. The juvenile trotter CLAUDYS ICEMAN (Pegasus Spur – All Finesse) settled in last position and came to the outside with 300m remaining but was approximately 30m behind the leader. He hit the line nicely at the end and was able to get past CHER AMI (3 back markers) to finish in third.

Mile Rate: - 2.7.4            Final Half: - 60.9               Margins: - 10m, 12m

Trial 3: - LOOKIN FRESH (Mr Feelgood – Payton MacKenzie 2.3.3, $11,431) began very quickly to lead, rolled along at a genuine tempo and dashed to a very easy victory. MORE THAN A WOMAN was in third position but raced very greenly and lost ground in the back straight. She picked up in the latter stages and was able to dash into second. SPRINGA produced a big trial performance despite finishing in third. He galloped away and was completely tailed off before chasing hard and tacking onto the group at the 600m. He got up to second before the home turn was grabbed by MORE THAN A WOMAN on the line so had to be content with third. LOVEN LAUGHTER trailed the leader and finished in last of the four runners.

Mile Rate: - 2.2.2            Final Half: - 58.9               Margins: - 30m, Head

BLACKBOOKER: - Springa

Trial 4: - LUCY SAWYER (Tennotrump – Annies Last 2.9.2, $4,508) settled three back on the markers and sprinted home too well in the latter stages to win easily over IGNITING STRIDE (Peak – Rosemaryz Luck), which trailed the leader and started to race roughly in the back straight. He broke stride at the 500m, regathered momentum then galloped again on the home turn but still managed to pick up second. ANOTHER COMET (Great Success – Brite N Lucky 2.3.2, $35,700) pulled hard in the lead and finished in third position ahead of TENLILFONZIES (Fling It – Idoido 2.1.3, $60,713), which began slowly and was approximately 20m behind the pack in the early stages of the event. ROGUE GENTLEMAN (Majestic Son – Yankeeiron $13,674) settled in fourth position but broke stride at the 1800m and ran in last of the five competitors.

Mile Rate: - 2.9.6            Final Half: - 66.9               Margins: - 20m, 10m

Trial 5: - MAGIC REACTOR (Auckland Reactor – Magiclittlepartner 1.58.5, $99,464) settled down last of the four runners, came to the outside to race without cover at the 600m and was able to get up narrowly on the line. He gave the impression he was still learning and he went to the line with his ears pricked so he had something left in reserve. NEANGER GUY attempted to lead throughout and was beaten on the line with LONGASULOVEME (Pet Rock – Aniteattheopera 2.1.6, $13,300) running in third after being behind the leader and coming out three horses wide from the home turn. SHARKBITE ALTO (ShadyShark Hanover – Sugar Alto) was three back on the markers throughout and saw the field safely home.

Mile Rate: - 2.6.2            Final Half: - 59.3               Margins: - Short Head, 6m

Trial 6: - DEALERS KNOCK was restrained at the start and was approximately 25m behind the leader in the early stages of the event. He moved up without cover with 800m remaining and he was strong at the finish. He defeated the pacer BOXOFCHOCOLATES (Union Guy – Hellenback 2.0.8, $15,531), which began very quickly but took the first corner out very wide on the track and had to be content to angle in for the trail. He moved away from the back of the leader at the 300m mark but found DEALERS KNOCK to be too strong in the run to the finish. TIBER finished third after setting the speed and PRINCESS FAITH dropped off the pack from three back on the markers at the quarter pole.

Mile Rate: - 2.6.2            Final Half: - 59.3               Margins: - Short Head, 6m

BALLARAT 09/06/20

Trial 1: - It was only a field of two runners and the pair of trotters strolled around at a very slow tempo. HOPEFUL BEAUTY (Brilliantissime – Beauty Life FRA) stepped away best from the standing start with BACARDI CHARDY trailing but BACARDI CHARDY moved away from the markers to zip around and find the lead with 500m remaining. HOPEFUL BEAUTY remained in contact but BACARDI CHARDY got the prize in a trial where both runners were not fully extended.

Mile Rate: - 2.17.6          Final Half: - 61.2               Margin: 6m

Trial 2: - NO BIGGIE completely dominated the trial. He came out of the gate quickly to lead, rolled along at a solid tempo and scored by a large margin with plenty in reserve. HALLOFASUDDEN settled in fourth position, moved around the outside from the 1600m and got in behind the leader at the 1200m. She finished second ahead of the nicely bred juvenile trotter UTOPIA (Trixton – Gluteus Maximus 1.59.6, $104,855), which ended up being three back on the markers and put in a very good performance, finishing off well late. SURPRISE TO ME broke at the start and lost 15m before settling down last of the six runners. He worked into fourth position with BEWARE THE FURY (5 back markers) in fifth and MY MATE YANKEE (Angus Hall – Yankee Stella) dropped out to last after breaking stride from four back on the markers at the quarter pole.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.3            Final Half: - 59.1               Margins: - 25m, 2m

BLACKBOOKER: - Utopia

Trial 3: - ME PAT MALONE trailed the leader, moved away from the inside at the 500m and won untouched by a good margin. ORLANDO JOLT finished in second position after settling three back on the inside and only moving away from the markers in the closing stages of the event. FORGOT TO REMEMBER tried to lead throughout but was overtaken by ME PAT MALONE in the straight and galloped over the concluding stages. SOHO LEDGER remained last of the four runners throughout.

Mile Rate: - 2.6.9            Final Half: - 58.7               Margins: - 12m, 5m

Trial 4: - STYLISH JOE zipped to the lead in the early stages and recorded handy time to score. CELESTIALFRAGRANCE (Terror To Love – Heavenly Scent) was a very nice run into second position. She did gain the perfect run behind the leader but she only peeled away from the markers with 30m remaining and she picked up ground quickly very late in proceedings. BONNIE BELLE (Western Terror – Suzy Albert 1.59.2, $21,806) settled four back on the inside and moved away from the markers at the 300m but the leading pair were well clear at the time. She worked into third with SPEAKOFTHEDEVIL (Artspeak – Oh Shenandoah) (3 back markers) coming in last of the four runners.

Mile Rate: - 2.0.2            Final Half: - 56.3               Margins: - 2m, 15m

BLACKBOOKER: - Celestialfragrance

Trial 5: - FLYING JO trailed the leader before moving to the outside with 400m remaining. She sprinted home too well and scored comfortably at the end. TRIPLE ZED (Four Starzzz Shark – Spirit of Smooch) began quickly to lead, raced roughly and stumbled shortly after the start but held the lead into the first corner. He hung out on the home turn but battled on fairly well at the finish. IRON CHARIOT settled down in third position, pushed through to trail the leader when FLYING JO made her move then obtained an inside run when TRIPLE ZED shifted out on the home turn. He had his chance in the straight and finished in third position.

Mile Rate: - 2.3.6            Final Half: - 58.8               Margins: - 4m, 15m

Trial 6: - SHESSKYLAH was able to lead throughout in a field of just two runners. She ambled around in the early stages of the trial before dashing home in a final quarter of 28.4 seconds. ABSTRACTOR trailed SHESSKYLAH throughout and never peeled to the outside. Both horses weren’t put under any pressure throughout the entire trial.  

Mile Rate: - 2.7.9            Final Half: - 58.8               Margin: 8m

Trial 7: - The outstanding pacer RIDE HIGH is on the comeback trail and appeared to be very sharp at his trial victory. He has only suffered defeat once in eleven starts to date but he has only raced twice since winning the Breeders Crown in 2018 with his latest performance being in December. He pushed forward to find the lead and dominated the trial. SHINING ORO began well and found the markers first before taking cover behind RIDE HIGH. She finished second with IDLE TIMES being third after racing three back on the inside and never peeling to the outside at any stage. He appeared to have something in reserve at the end. DON PIERRE ran in at the tail of the field after racing four back on the markers throughout.

Mile Rate: - 1.56.7          Final Half: - 54.2               Margins: - 20m, 4m