Harness Racing Victoria form guru Craig Rail has highlighted several eye-catching performers from recent trials.
At Cranbourne, Notanotha Naughty showed promise with a strong finish after trailing the leader.
Theyellowbrickroad looks one to follow after a fast second at Maryborough.
At Bendigo, Martyr worked home stylishly under a hold, while Lower West Side caught the eye with a strong late run.
And at Melton, Vivid Dream was dominant, dashing clear for an impressive win.
SHEPPARTON 21/08/25
Trial 1: – SANCHEZ trailed the leader and came to the outside on the home turn. The last half was recorded in a sizzling 55.1 seconds so he did a good job to get up and win on the line. WESTERN SONADOR began quickly to find the lead and backed off the tempo mid-race. He was run down on the line but his own sectional times were strong and he is backing up at Melton tomorrow night. CARLY MORGAN settled three back on the markers and ran into a distant third. She is resuming at Swan Hill on Tuesday night. HEZASWEETIE NZ settled four back on the markers and finished in fourth while FRUGAL FARE was last throughout but was making ground late and came out and won at Shepparton four days later.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.5 Last Half: – 55.1 Margins: – Head, 15m
Trial 2: – SHEZAGLAMOURGIRL settled three back on the markers, obtained an inside run at the 300m and hit the front on the home turn. He was able to win with something in hand. WHERE IT BEGAN attempted to lead throughout but hung out and lost his advantage approaching the home turn. He came again in the straight and finished in second. THE TRAWLER trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 500m but broke stride at the 300m and finished a distant third.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.1 Last Half: – 59.3 Margins: – 2m, 12m
Trial 4: – I AM ON THERUN began quickly to find the lead and ran along at a genuine tempo. He remained strong at the finish and scored by a comfortable margin. CMON SHARKY trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 150m and tried hard for second. LET’S FLYWITH ME settled three back on the markers and finished off okay for third without being extended at any stage. POSTER PERFECT came from last and finished off fast for an eye-catching fourth.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.5 Last Half: – 58.9 Margins: – 4m, 6m
Trial 5: – MAORIS MAC raced without cover early, pushed forward to find the lead and recorded handy time in scoring over I AM HARRO. She is backing up at Melton on Saturday night. I AM HARRO began quickly to lead then took cover and chased hard for second. Considering he has a National Rating of 48 and the winner has a rating of 76, his run was very good. He backed up with a game third at Bendigo on Wednesday night and is scheduled to compete at Swan Hill on Tuesday night. EZRA KAI was three back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail leading up to the home turn and finished off nicely for third. He is backing up at Melton tomorrow night. IJUSTCALLEDTOSAY broke at the start, moved up without cover at the 800m and did well to finish as close as he did in fourth.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.2 Last Half: – 57.8 Margins: – Neck, 2m
Trial 7: – WE DEALIN DIAMONDS began quickly and ended up being behind the leader. He came to the outside at the 300m and finished off best to win comfortably. CAESAR NERO settled three back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 300m and came to the outside with 150m remaining. He worked into second with the early leader ALIZA HILL finishing in third position. ALIZA HILL is racing at Mildura this afternoon.
Mile Rate: – Unavailable Last Half: – 59.9 Margins: – 3m, 3m
BACCHUS MARSH 23/08/25
Trial 3: – TALLULAH LEE hasn’t raced since being unplaced at Menangle in May. He is a speedy type and was able to win his trial over SHADOW CELT, dashing home in a slick last quarter of 28.6 seconds in the process. He is resuming at Melton on Saturday night. SHADOW CELT hasn’t raced since March and wasn’t beaten by far.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.8 Last Half: – 58.0 Margin: – 2m
Trial 4: – MILLY METER hasn’t raced since May but she was able to win the trial for the trotters, which should have given her some confidence for her first up run at Geelong on Friday night. She defeated the Ginger Gleeson trained unraced filly by What The Hill by the name of SHE DRIVES ME. AMESKY finished in third position and is backing up at Cranbourne on Sunday night. EQUAL AND OPPOSITE was last of the four runners throughout and is resuming at Geelong this evening.
Mile Rate: – 2.10.7 Last Half: – 63.4 Margins: – 2m, 6m
Trial 5: – LOU EASYANA is racing in good form and was beaten into second at his latest race track appearance. He was able to win the trial by a nose margin over HAVEACHAT, which hasn’t raced since 2023. DEWDROPS was the third horse across the line and beat home SIR FLOYD and APOSTASY. The trial winner LOU EASYANA is racing at Geelong this evening.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.7 Last Half: – 60.9 Margins: – Nose, 4m
CRANBOURNE 24/08/25
Trial 1: – SOVEREIGN MINX began quickly to find the lead and ran along at a genuine tempo. He was able to hold on over the latter stages to win the trial. NOTANOTHA NAUGHTY is by What The Hill out of the American bred mare Naughty III, which had two Australian starts for a victory but earned a lot of money in the United States. She trailed the leader, came to the outside on the home turn and finished off well. Considering he is an unraced juvenile and was taking on a horse with a National Rating of 61 and the mile rate was handy at 2.2.3, it was a very tidy performance. KLYMENE finished in third after being three back on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.3 Last Half: – 59.2 Margins: – 1.5m, 29m
BLACKBOOKER: – Notanotha Naughty
MARYBOROUGH 25/08/25
Trial 1: – ALDEBARAN TUCKER was placed in two New South Wales trotting features prior to his latest unplaced effort Melton. He was able to defeat the older and more experienced horses in the opening trial on the program. DOUBLE HELIX hasn’t raced since an unplaced effort in the Boort Cup in March and finished in second with ZARSKI being in third position.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.5 Last Half: – 60.7 Margins: – 4m, 2.5m
Trial 2: – CARLY PEREZ hasn’t raced since being unplaced at Globe Derby in April. She recorded a very quick mile rate of 1.57.7 to win the trial over the unraced juvenile colt THEYELLOWBRICKROAD. He is by Art Major out of Ballygeana, which has already produced three winners including the fast mare Relentless Me (1.55.1, $154,142). Both horses are competing at Swan Hill on Tuesday night and must be considered as winning chances. IM THE REASON and BARBADOS ROSE were third and fourth respectively.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.7 Last Half: – 56.9 Margins: – 5.5m, 5.5m
BLACKBOOKER: – Theyellowbrickroad
BENDIGO 25/08/25
Trial 2: – WALKIN UNDERSTARZ settled four back on the markers, moved off the inside at the 400m and was three horses wide on the turn. She finished off fast to win well. JETAWAY SAINT trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 400m and worked home okay despite hanging in over the latter stages. VICTREE VIC attempted to lead throughout and finished in third. BAT OUT OF HILL settled three back on the inside and was the fourth horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.5 Last Half: – 60.8 Margins: – 2m, 1m
Trial 3: – SPIRIT OF SAHARA settled five back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 400m and came out wide on the home turn. He finished off quickly and grabbed victory on the line. He is backing up at Melton tomorrow night. TUPELO BEACH began quickly to find the lead, pulled hard and was run down on the line. He is scheduled to compete at Cranbourne on Sunday night. MIKI SING settled four back on the markers, came to the outside at the quarter pole and finished off well for third. MARTYR settled six back on the markers, moved into the running lane at the quarter pole (1-2) and worked home well. He was hard held going to the line and looked to have plenty of reserve.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.0 Last Half: – 58.2 Margins: – Nose, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: – Martyr
Trial 4: – DUSTY PHILTRA settled three back on the markers, moved to the death at the 1300m and worked to the front shortly afterwards. He kept kicking over the concluding stages and held on to score. ROCKY ROCKS trailed the leader early and ended up being three back on the markers. He went back to the sprint lane and finished off quickly to get very close to the winner. COLD STORAGE led out then took cover at the 1200m and battled on okay for third spot.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.2 Last Half: – 59.0 Margins: – Head, 2m
Trial 6: – AVANT GUARD led out then took cover and came to the outside at the 400m. He battled on best to win the event and is backing up at Melton tomorrow night. WISH UPONA DREAM trailed the leader early and ended up being three back on the markers. She went back to the sprint lane and finished off fast to be beaten by a narrow margin. She is also racing at Melton tomorrow night. TICTOK broke stride at the start and lost approximately thirty metres, tacked on then circled around the field to find the lead at the 1300m. She finished last of the three runners but wasn’t beaten by far.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.6 Last Half: – 61.0 Margins: – Neck, 2m
Trial 7: – DANGEROUS began quickly and worked forward to find the lead shortly after the start. He set up a slow tempo and finished off in a slick final quarter of 27.2 seconds. He only just held on in the run to the finish but he was still impressive and returns from a break at Melton tomorrow night. CALEXICO put in a very nice trial performance to fill second place. He led out, took cover and came to the outside at the 300m mark. He chased gamely and missed out by a narrow margin. IDEAL BANDIT settled three back on the markers and battled on fairly for third. He is competing at Melton tomorrow night. CARLISLE CRUISER was last of the four runners for the duration but met a strong field and is resuming from a break at Swan Hill on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.4 Last Half: – 57.6 Margins: – Head, 8m
Trial 8: – RANDOM MAHONEY settled three back on the markers, moved to the death seat at the 500m and finished off best to score. LOWER WEST SIDE settled four back on the markers, pulled hard and made ground over the latter stages. She put in a very good performance for second. SHADES OF MIKI trailed the leader and used the sprint lane, missing out by a narrow margin. He will be competing at Melton tomorrow night. RIVEERA attempted to lead throughout and ended up being in fourth position.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.9 Last Half: – 58.9 Margins: – Head, Neck
BLACKBOOKER: – Lower West Side
MELTON ENTERTAINMENT PARK 26/08/25
Trial 1: – ROCKNROLL WISH NZ raced without cover early, pushed forward to find the lead at the 1300m, took cover when pressured at the 500m and used the sprint lane. He was able to score by a narrow margin. RIVER STORM was three then four back on the markers and was held up for a run at a vital stage. He ran home strongly over the latter stages and missed out by a narrow margin. FROSTY DROP led out then took cover at the 1300m and moved up into the death seat at the 800m mark. He hit the front at the 500m and was run down on the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.1 Last Half: – 57.6 Margins: – Nose, ½ head
Trial 4: – GEE CEE CALDER began quickly then broke stride shortly after the start. He regathered momentum quickly and was able to find the lead at the 1300m. He was able to hold off his rivals to get the prize and is backing up at Melton on Saturday night. DELIGHTFUL CHARM led out then took cover at the 1300m. She waited for the sprint lane and tried hard over the latter stages to fill second position. HEZA GUN settled three back on the markers and held his ground in the run to the finish. GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW was last of the five runners early and made ground over the latter stages for a handy fourth. KYVALLEY PIERRO settled four back on the markers and ended up being last across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.5 Last Half: – 58.5 Margins: – 2.5m, 2.5m
Trial 5: – PET KITTY settled last of the seven runners, moved away from the markers at the 700m and progressed forward then went back to the inside approaching the home turn before shooting along the sprint lane to win nicely. I AM HELLBOUND settled three back on the inside, moved off the pegs at the 300m and missed out by a narrow margin. CHARLIES TACTICS trailed the leader, moved off the pegs at the 500m mark and battled on fairly well for third. ZIPPING VOLSTEAD attempted to lead throughout and was fourth across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.8 Last Half: – 59.9 Margins: – ½ head, 4.5m
Trial 6: – VIVID DREAM NZ trailed the leader early, ended up being three back on the markers and made his winning move at the 600m. He kicked well clear over the concluding stages and won impressively. RIDE HIGH CAPTAIN attempted to lead throughout and finished in second. THE FINAL DANCE was one out and one back in the early stages, dropped back to fourth on the markers and worked into third position.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.1 Last Half: – 58.7 Margins: – 10m, head
BLACKBOOKER: – Vivid Dream NZ
Trial 7: – NEW SHUFFLE began quickly to find the lead and ran along at a genuine tempo. He finished off in a brilliant final half of 55.0 seconds and won by a large margin. OUR TRUE COLOURS trailed the leader throughout and was second across the line. SOMETUFFLUV settled last of the quartet, came to the outside at the 500m and worked into third. LIKE A GAZELLE was three back on the markers and dropped out in the latter stages to finish in fourth.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.8 Last Half: – 55.0 Margins: – 15m, 5m
Trial 8: – MY ULTIMATE BARNEY began very quickly to lead, took cover then came to the outside on the home turn. He finished off in a sizzling final quarter of 27.1 seconds and won easily. He is racing at Melton on Saturday night. HELLUVA NZ began quickly and pushed forward to find the lead shortly after the start. He battled on okay for second with ALWAYS THE SHOWMAN being in third after settling three back on the markers. HELLUVA NZ is backing up at Melton tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.3 Last Half: – 55.8 Margins: – 5m, 18m
TERANG 26/08/25
Trial 1: CODE BAILEY NZ hasn’t raced since being unplaced in the Terang Cup in February. He is a very smart pacer when racing at his peak form and recorded fast time in his trial victory. GOLDEN TRIBE has been freshened since his latest fifth at Melton. He is a bold front running pacer and wasn’t beaten by far behind an open class performer so his effort was sound. INVITATION ONLY NZ finished in third position with PICK UP ELVIS being the fourth horse across the line.
Mile Rate: – 1.57.1 Last Half: – 56.3 Margins: – 6m, 2m
Trial 3: – LEWIELEWIS hasn’t raced since being unplaced at Mildura in June. He recorded handy time in his comfortable trial victory. SMASHED IT was placed at Mildura on debut then was put away. He finished in second ahead of the trotter KEAYANG GUCCI with KEAYANG YUSRA being the fourth horse across the line. KEAYANG YUSRA is scheduled to compete at Terang on Monday.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.5 Last Half: – 59.1 Margins: – 6m, 3m
Trial 4: – MAXY CAN DANCE won on debut at Charlton then finished unplaced at his next attempt and was sent out for a spell. He was able to win the trial over his stable mate JILPANGER ROSE, which is competing at Swan Hill on Tuesday. JILLIBY KYMY LOU finished in third and KEAYANG MEMORY was the fourth horse across the line. Both JILLIBY KYMY LOU and KEAYANG MEMORY are competing at Terang on Monday night.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.0 Last Half: – 57.7 Margins: – Head, 2m
