Check out Craig Rail’s Weekly Trial File below, a comprehensive wrap of all Victorian trials over the past seven days. Black Book horses to follow at the bottom of the article.
CRANBOURNE 03/08/19
Trial 1: – ICANMOTOR (Somebeachsomewhere – Blue Seelster 1.56.2, $54,905) led from the pole position and raced very greenly throughout the trial but was he was too classy for his rivals having won by a big space. FORNAROLI (Caribbean Blaster – Ablazin Storm) settled three back on the markers and moved into second from WANJIRU, which finished reasonably well for third from four back on the inside. DIAMANTINA (A Rocknroll Dance – Mach Class 1.56.6, $34,500) was last for the majority of the trial but picked up LAKEY LOU (Devilish Smile – Hilton Dream 2.1.6, $38,269) (trailed leader) over the latter stages.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.4 Final Half: – 60.3 Margins: – 10m, 2m
Trial 2: – BETTERMAN STRIDE raced in the one out and one back trail behind GEE HEE ROCKS (Pet Rock – On Fifth 1.59.2, $12,670) for the majority of the trial and peeled out three horses wide from the 500m. He hit the lead on the home turn and may have switched off when he drew clear as he had to be driven out to the finish. GOWIDDAFLOW held the lead from the pole position and enjoyed a nice run throughout. He battled into second in front of LOTAKEVI, which angled into trail the leader shortly after the start but moved away from the inside in the turn out of the back straight. GEE HEE ROCKS settled third in the early stages before moving up without cover with a mile remaining.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.4 Final Half: – 62.0 Margins: – 3m, Neck
Trial 3: – FEND OFF won the final trial after settling in third position before circling around to find the lead from ITS NOT DARK YET at the 1300m. He was safely holding off the challenge of RISQUE RHONDA before she broke stride and caused FEND OFF to lose concentration momentarily. He recovered and won the trial comfortably. RISQUE RHONDA was three back on the markers before moving into the death seat at the 600m. She came within a half of a length to FEND OFF before she broke stride. She was still able to hold down second. ILLAWONG BUZZ made a mistake in the early stages before chasing to catch up with the leading group. He settled five back on the markers and worked into third position late. SCOOTIN AROUND (Bacardi Lindy – Redneck) galloped early before tacking onto the main group. He was picking up ground out wide on the track before breaking stride again on the home turn. He did make up ground when he got back into the trotting gait. SNEAKIN AROUND also made an error at the start and ended up finishing fifth. ITS NOT DARK YET led out then took cover. She dropped out to finish in sixth position but she was never placed under any pressure at any stage.
Mile Rate: – 2.12.0 Final Half: – 63.4 Margins: – 8m, 4m
MARYBOROUGH 03/08/19
Trial 1: – AZZA progressed forward out wide on the track and found the lead from STRAIGHT UP as the field went around the first corner. He set up a slow tempo and held on to win. SPEEDSTAR QUEEN was slow to begin and settled last of the four but as MISSUS MATHILDA (Live Or Die – Andrea Hayley 2.2.3, $4,875) and STRAIGHT UP (Modern Art – Problem Solved 1.59.0, $27,361) left the markers in the final circuit, she was able to slide through to trail the leader. She used the sprint lane but couldn’t pick up AZZA in the straight. MISSUS MATHILDA raced without cover from the bell and tried to inject more speed into the race but tired in the latter stages to finish third. STRAIGHT UP trailed the leader before moving onto the back of MISSUS MATHILDA in the back straight. He yielded ground and wanted to turn his head in the latter stages.
Mile Rate: – 2.8.6 Final Half: – 59.4 Margins: – Neck, 4m
Trial 2: – HASHTAG settled last of the four runners before moving away from the markers at the 800m mark. He ended up being out three horses wide from the 600m but he had enough speed to run over the top of his rivals late. QUAMBY REACTOR trailed the leader before moving into the death seat half way down the back straight. He hit the lead and appeared to be the winner on the home turn before being run down by HASHTAG late. TIME THIEF was three back on the markers and followed QUAMBY REACTOR from the 600m. He ducked back to the inside with 100m remaining but he couldn’t pick up the leading pair. SHADOW TERROR was unchallenged to lead in the early stages and he was pacing very roughly before getting into a rhythm. He set up a slow speed but was overhauled from the home turn.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.1 Final Half: – 58.1 Margins: – Head, 2m
Trial 3: – JERICHOS TRUMPET pushed forward to find the lead comfortably as KIMMYWHO was content to take cover. They ran along at a reasonable tempo and JERICHOS TRUMPET was able to kick on too well in the run to the finish. KIMMYWHO tried hard via the sprint lane for second with PRETTY MAJESTIC in third position after settling last and moving around SARAHLEONIE BOW (Down Under Muscles – Walara Bow) mid-race to be four back on the markers. She was never extended at any stage. SARAHLEONIE BOW started to yield ground from the 700m but worked passed SOMEONES SINGING, which tired from her position of being three back on the markers.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.2 Final Half: – 59.8 Margins: – Neck, 6m
Trial 4: – IOLANTA was outstanding after making an early mistake in the Tatlow Stakes at her latest attempt and she had a bit of class on her rivals in the trial. She began nicely and angled onto the markers to be three back before moving away from the inside with 600m remaining. She quickly assumed control and ran away for an easy victory. CROCROCK (Pet Rock – Shes A Killer 1.59.6, $45,880) settled last and tried to follow IOLANTA. He was no match for the winner but he did chase valiantly and showed some potential. LA GIOCONDA (Tiz A Masterpiece – Mumsthaword Lombo 2.0.9, $17,758) trailed the leader MOLON LAVE (Fling It – Atego Lilly 2.3.0, $48,992) before coming to the outside in the back straight. She quickly drew to the lead but no sooner had she got to the front, she was tackled and headed by IOLANTA. MOLON LAVE set the speed but was overhauled in the back straight and went into a gallop shortly afterwards.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.8 Final Half: – 57.5 Margins: – 25m, 40m
BLACKBOOKER: – CROCROCK
Trial 5: – A FAIR OL DANCE was victorious after a perfect drive from Michael Stanley. He settled four back on the markers, gained the one out and one back trail at the 700m then ducked back to the sprint lane over the concluding stages. MAKE HASTE paced roughly at the start but held his position and trailed the early leader RAANI. He made a move to find the lead at the bell but he couldn’t hold off the challenge of A FAIR OL DANCE late. SURBITON HARTBREAK settled three back on the markers and moved up without cover with 800m remaining. He battled on well for third and RAANI finished fourth but was never extended at any stage. EL BOSTON (Union Guy – Flip Miss) settled last and was hitting the line nicely prior to breaking stride at the 100m mark.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.6 Final Half: – 58.1 Margins: – 3m, Head
Trial 6: – MATADEROS was on his best behaviour and speared across the field to lead comfortably. He was never extended at any stage and won with plenty in reserve. SELF EXCLUSION (Orlando Vici – The Sun Goddess) settled three back on the markers before shooting through to trail the leader with 500m remaining. He came to the outside in the straight but couldn’t make an impression on MATADEROS. COMANDANTE trailed the leader and had a brief crack for the front at the 1300m. He went back into the trail before coming away from the inside again at the 500m. He shifted his gait noticeably and finished out very wide on the track in third. COCO COUTURE was four back on the markers for the majority of the trial and moved into the one out and one back trail in the back straight on the final occasion. She finished fourth and WHOS COUNTN was tailed off after galloping with 1700m remaining.
Mile Rate: – 2.8.2 Final Half: – 62.3 Margins: – 3m, 15m
Trial 7: – SER PATRICK (Bacardi Lindy – Duchess Pat 2.2.8, $28,453) settled three back on the markers before moving into the one wide line when CHARLIE WALKER (Louey Louey Louey – Telern Tilly 2.6.3, $40,791) left the back of the leader LADY HA HA to park without cover with 500m remaining. He came out three horses wide on the final bend and finished off too well. LADY HA HA held off the challenge of CHARLIE WALKER to finish second and FAIRFIELD FLYER (Skyvalley – Princess Marauder 2.8.8, $8,650) broke stride at the quarter pole and lost all chance.
Mile Rate: – 2.14.9 Final Half: – 60.1 Margins: – 4m, 2m
MILDURA 04/08/19
Trial 1: – SHADYS PURSUIT settled last of the five runners before manoeuvring to the outside at the 800m and finding the back of MISTER JIMARINGLE (Modern Art – Caro Ella 2.3.1, $6,430), which moved into the death seat from third half way down the back straight. He launched a winning claim turning for home with MISTER JIMARINGLE boxing on well for second. The early leader MISS SUGARANSPICE held down third with APACHE WIND (4 back markers) finishing in fourth. PASSIONATE PURSUIT trailed the leader and had no clear run, seemingly with plenty in reserve, so she should have finished much closer.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.4 Final Half: – 60.2 Margins: – 2.5m, 2.5m
Trial 2: – YARRARA BEN began very quickly to lead and was always in control. He ran along at a genuine tempo and scored by a large margin. DONTCH SEE IT was five back on the markers before moving into the one wide line (1-2) at the bell. He finished nicely and just grabbed second from COME ON ELVIS on the line. COME ON ELVIS was four back on the markers before angling into the one out and one back trail when KILLER DRAGON made a move from last at the 1200m. He battled on well for third in front of SYSTAMATIC, which raced three back on the markers throughout and KILLER DRAGON tired late into fifth. MACHNIFICENTSTELLA broke stride momentarily in the score up but was in position at the start and showed gate speed. She trailed the leader but yielded ground from the 600m mark.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.0 Final Half: – 59.9 Margins: – 10m, ½ head
BALLARAT 04/08/19
Trial 1: – SHARK LUCK has shown some ability despite having been unplaced in all of his four starts to date. It was a slowly run trial but he dashed home in a quick final half to comfortably defeat CROMPTON BAY. KOOL KARI (Shadow Play – Sukari 1.57.8, $29,368) is out of a speedy race mare and finished third but was beaten by a large margin. The 3yo trotter ALDEBARAN LEROY finished in fourth position ahead of BETTY HALL and the unraced juvenile GERRY GIRAFFE (Bonavista Bay – Princess Yum Yum 2.9.4, $12,150) finished in sixth position.
Mile Rate: – 2.8.1 Final Half: – 57.3 Margins: – 6m, 30m
Trial 2: – RADIUS is a tough competitor and has run some big races during his current campaign. He took out the trial from the nicely bred IONA DIAMOND, which has had one start since coming from New South Wales, with FEROCIOUS SON finishing in third position. SAFARI CHEER finished fourth ahead of the unraced 3yo pacer MY JUSTICE (Western Edition – Rogue Union) and the Lightfoot Laurels winner HOTJANE BLING finished last of the six runners.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.7 Final Half: – 57.8 Margins: – 8m, 8m
KYABRAM 04/08/19
Trial 1: – ASTA LEUGO was the class runner of the trial having won three races previously and scored by a good margin over FANNYCHENAL, which has only started once since moving from New South Wales. CRESCO THREEPEAT was a distance away in third with CATCH ME IFYOUCAN being last of the four runners.
Last Mile: – 2.7.4 Final Half: – 60.6 Margins: – 10m, 15m
Trial 2: – INPHILTRATE (Blissfull Hall – Ceratophylla 1.58.1, $78,410) is out of a good race mare, which has produced Phirey Philtra (1.56.3). She was able to defeat three juvenile pacers in the combined 2yo and 3yo Pace. APHRODISIAC (Shadow Play – Soho Winslet 1.57.6, $27,819) did the best of the 2yo’s in finishing second ahead of ROCKS CAN ROLL (Pet Rock – Bowland Borg 1.59.1, $16,706). JUKEBOX JET (Rock N Heaven – Beautifulsmile 1.59.2, $8,868), the first foal out of the race winning mare Beautifulsmile, finished last of the four runners.
Last Mile: – 2.9.3 Final Half: – 61.9 Margins: – 1m, 2m
Trial 3: – GIANT JACKSON raced consistently during his first Victorian preparation and shows a good turn of speed. He was the class runner of the trial and duly saluted by a good margin. KEPT MY WORD has been unplaced in all of her four trotting attempts and has had the one outing since April. She finished second in front of the unraced performers in MISSMETRO (Metropolitan – Immortal Lass) and MYNAMESGRAHAM (Imperial Count – Strike Destroyer 2.5.3, $36,119), which is a close relation to Liava (2.2.9).
Last Mile: – 2.7.6 Final Half: – 62.4 Margins: – 10m, 10m
WANGARATTA 04/08/19
Trial 1: – IDA THOUGHTSO has shown ability in her sixteen starts to date with two victories and she did contest the Pink Bonnet during her juvenile season. She hasn’t raced since being unplaced in the String of Pearls at Albury in February but a big showing can be expected first up after she recorded blistering time in her trial victory. The speedy type MARCHELLO GOLD finished second in front of LETTUCEVENTILATE, which was stood down to trial after failing to finish at her latest Shepparton performance. THE DIAMOND KING finished last of the four runners.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.4 Final Half: – 60.2 Margins: – 8m, 4m
BLACKBOOKER: – IDA THOUGHTSO
Trial 2: – GET ME OUTTA HERE has been unplaced in three starts to date but she took out the final trial from SWISS OPAL (Betterthancheddar – Artistic Opal), which is out of a daughter of the top race and producing mare in Gemfire. OK SUNI, a maiden from five attempts, finished last of the three runners.
Mile Rate: – Not Given Final Half: – Not Given Margins: – Not Given
GEELONG 05/08/19
Trial 1: – MATADEROS was backing up from his trial success at Maryborough on Saturday and was able to score again. His manners have been an issue for some time but he did everything right in both of his trial victories so he might be able to deliver on the potential he has shown. CLOVER LOU trailed the leader early before MATADEROS was able to angle onto the markers in front of her. She finished well from three back on the markers and appears to have ability. PEEL MY GRAPES attempted to lead throughout but was gunned down late. BILL DISPUTE was fourth throughout and beat home the unraced colt BOOTSANDALL (Cullens Legacy – A Beautiful Sound).
Mile Rate: – 2.4.5 Final Half: – 61.0 Margins: – 2m, 3m
Trial 2: – It was an interesting trial with BO YANG and BIG TOM BART both wanting the lead in the early stages. BIG TOM BART became fierce on the outside of BO YANG, which was also racing keenly and the pair set up a lead of approximately 40m over CAESAR MOON. The mile rate for the trial was 2.1.6 and the last mile was 2.6.0, which indicates how quickly the leading pair went for the first 500m. ARTS DASH settled in fifth position and trailed into the race nicely before hitting the lead on the home turn. He held off the late challenge of HIS DREAM LIVES ON (Four Starzzz Shark – Strawberry Field) to win the trial. It was a trial in which the horses at the back were entitled to run on but considering ARTS DASH is undefeated in two Australian starts, HIS DREAM LIVES ON impressed to pick up a lot of ground in the final 100m. MAGIC CAESAR came from last to finish third and CAESAR MOON (Julius Caesar – Bonitas) was fourth after being given the job to chase the two tearaway leaders. BIG TOM BART (Gotta Go Cullect – Karamea Dreamin 1.59.3, $37,226) did a big job to beat home IZA SPORTZ STARZZZ (Sportswriter – Polite Lee) (4 back markers) and BO YANG.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.6 Final Half: – 61.5 Margins: – 2m, 10m
BLACKBOOKER: – His Dream Lives On
Trial 3: – PHARISEE hasn’t had a great of luck at the races recently but he is performing well enough to secure a victory in the near future. He settled last of the five runners and was able to swoop around his rivals to record a narrow but decisive win. MAH MUKKER settled behind the leader but was shuffled back one position further when HOTJANE BLING found the lead mid-race. He came to the outside and finished well but not as quickly as the winner. HOTJANE BLING was left without cover and had to push quite hard to find the lead at the 1100m. Once she found the lead, she raced keenly, which could have been detrimental to her finishing burst. GUS AN MAORI was four back on the markers for the majority of the journey and was able to sneak through along the sprint lane in the latter stages to beat home ACCOUNT CLOSED, which led out then took cover.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.0 Final Half: – 61.6 Margins: – Head, 10m
Trial 4: – EXTORTION led comfortably from the pole position and was keen to run throughout. He continued to travel strongly to the line and won by a good margin, seemingly with something in hand. ZALTA settled three back on the markers and poked through along the sprint lane in the latter stages to finish second. LETS GO BETTER was left stranded without cover and tried to ease back to last but the pace wasn’t quick enough for him to be able to angle onto the markers. He eventually found cover at the bell when MAGICAL MOVER, which was five back on the inside, moved into the death seat, so his effort to finish third was sound. HOOK EYE JOH (Dawn ofa New Day – Inyaface) finished fourth after being four back on the markers throughout in front of MAGICAL MOVER and SUMO GRIN, which trailed the leader. JAHUN JOE was last of the seven runners throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.0 Final Half: – 60.0 Margins: – 10m, 2m
Trial 5: – The classy mare GOODTIME HEAVEN sprinted to the lead in the early stages and ran along at a genuine tempo. She extended beautifully in the final quarter of the trial and raced to a big victory in slick time. ADMIRAL trailed the leader throughout and considering he is a National Ratings 62 assessed pacer and MUSTANG BART, which finished last of the three, is assessed at 95, he did a good job to kick on for second placing.
Mile Rate: – 1.58.1 Final Half: – 56.0 Margins: – 20m, 6m
Trial 6: – NEXT THRU started from a handicap but stepped away nicely and was quick to tack onto the back of THE BONT (Armbro Variable – Smokey Robyn), which was slowly but safely away. ENTICING SMILE set the speed but was no match for the classy trotter NEXT THRU, which came to the outside in the back straight on the final occasion and went to the line with something in reserve. THE BONT did everything right but was a distance away in third position.
Mile Rate: – 2.15.6 Final Half: – 63.0 Margins: – 3m, 25m
BLACK BOOK HORSES TO FOLLOW
Apologize
Bettorz Beach
Crocrock
Fear The Yankee
Fend Off
Have Ago Joe
His Dream Lives On
Iconic Major
Ida Thoughtso
Kraze
Magicool
Mirakuru
Mongiana
Pin Stripes
Prettylilangus
Rhythm And Grace
Rules Dont Apply
Sassys A Terror
Van Sank
Wayonbye
