Monday’s Bendigo trials proved a happy hunting ground for Craig Rail, who spied three horses worth following in their upcoming race starts.
All three of Rail’s new Blackbook entries came from Lords Raceway, with the unraced Joyful (Brent Lilley), maiden gelding Sumbeach Art (Alex Ashwood) and Kiwi import Itz Miss Auckland (Dean Braun) catching the eye.
Check out Rail’s trial notes from the past week and scroll to the bottom of the page for his updated Blackbook.
STAWELL 26/01/22
Trial 1: - SILENT MAJOR followed a second in the Super Series Final with a disappointing twelfth in the Bendigo Cup. He was stood down for two trials after that performance and had little trouble in defeating the maiden performers in his trial victory, which was conducted prior to the opening event at Stawell last week. KIWI ROYAL (Sir Lincoln (Lincoln Royal) – Regal Anonamiss) is an unraced 3yo pacer for trainer Michael Bellman and finished in second spot. ALOOK TO LIKE (Four Starzzz Shark – Cherie McTago 1.58.1, $18,450) is a Jim Barker trained entire, which stems from a strong maternal family with the second dam being the former top mare My Cherie. He finished in third ahead of the trotter JIMMY BINTANG with RUSTICA RUBRA (Union Guy – Fire Lilly) being last of the five runners across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.8 Last Half: - 58.55 Margins: - 7m, 14.5m
BACCHUS MARSH 29/01/22
Trial 1: - I AM PEGASUS hasn’t raced since being unplaced in the Matchmaker Mile in October. She is a very fast mare and boasts a handy strike rate. She took out the opening trial from PROSTHESIS, which is taking on a strong field at his first run since a break at Melton this evening. IMPERIAL WHIZ finished in third position and will also take on very strong opposition for his first up run at Melton this evening. MADENA SKY was having her final hit-out before tonight’s Mares Sprint Championship Final, where she is drawn on the outside of the front line. She filled fourth spot and beat home DARING ANGEL, which has drawn on the pole position in the final race of tonight’s Great Southern Star program.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.6 Last Half: - 60.9 Margins: - 1.5m, ½ head
Trial 2: - CHAMPAGNE STRIDE (Art Major – Lenola Stride 1.53.7, $13,020) is out of the fast mare Lenola Stride, which has produced Enchanted Stride (1.55.6, $217,100) and her grand dam Champagne Princess was a top mare in New Zealand so she is nicely bred. She took out the trial for the juvenile pacers ahead of AUREUS (Art Major – Siliqua 1.53.7, $53,103), whose dam Siliqua boasts exactly the same personal best mile rate (1.53.7) as Lenola Stride. AMAZING STRIDE (Roll With Joe – Crown Counsel) is a stable mate of CHAMPAGNE STRIDE and finished a distant third with VEE EM GEE MACRAY (Sweet Lou – Wya Mya Macray 1.57.4, $84,650), which is related to the top performers Tee Cee Bee Macray (1.52.5, $246,974), Larajay Macray (1.55.5, $132,153) and Rocco Americano (1.54.4, $22,810) being the last one to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.7 Last Half: - 60.2 Margins: - 1m, 10m
Trial 3: - ROCKNROLL WALLA (Rock N Roll Heaven – Indi Rose 1.58.6, $22,169) is a close relation to three winners including Luvtoo (1.56.1, $28,409) and has been performing nicely at the trials. He was able to record a comfortable victory over ROCKANDANCE, which returned from a break at Maryborough on Thursday afternoon, where he finished nicely at the end to run sixth. ROCKNROLL UPTON finished in third position and backed up with an eighth when resuming from a long spell at Terang on Wednesday night. GOODTIME ROY finished fourth ahead of JAGUAR JAY (Guaranteed – Black Cougar 1.56.9, $60,405). The qualifier BACCHANALIAN (Julius Caesar – Alkadasa) finished in sixth position. The Bacchanalia were unofficial, privately funded popular Roman festivals of Bacchus so a lot of thought went into his name. ECLIPSE LINE (Betting Line – Lucky Eclipse 1.59.0, $84,630) is a close relation of the speedy pacer The Defiant but finished at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.1 Last Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 3m, 10m
Trial 4: - SKYZ ABOVE is a former New South Wales trained pacer, which has joined trainer Bernard Alder. He was able to beat the locally prepared pacer MONTY MAJOR with CHARLIES HEIR (Cullens Hope – Currents Delight 2.1.9, $6,888) finishing in third position. TOTALLY SHATTERED was fourth ahead of the Ian Caruana prepared qualifier BETSYS JOY (Mr Feelgood – Betsy Girl) with LEBOWSKI being last of the six runners across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.0 Last Half: - 63.5 Margins: - 15m, 6m
Trial 5: - ENCHANTED STRIDE was able to emulate her little sister Champagne Stride by winning her trial on the card. She is a quality mare and beat home her stable mate THE PANTHEIST with the New South Wales Carousel winner BETTER ECLIPSE being fifteen metres away in third position. MAJOR EXLCUSIVE finished fourth ahead of MANTHADEE and the Mercury80 aspirant for Melton tomorrow night in LA PUDDIE was the last one across the line. The winner ENCHANTED STRIDE will compete in the Group 1 Ladyship Cup at Melton tomorrow evening.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.7 Last Half: - 56.4 Margins: - 2m, 15m
Trial 6: - HES THEMIGHYSPIN was able to gain some confidence for his effort at Maryborough on Thursday afternoon with a comfortable trial victory over the lightly raced trotter MAJUCKTE. He produced a good performance at Maryborough as well as he chased hard to finish second behind Fling It Rainbow. AMUNET finished in third position and was able to back up with a third placed effort at Maryborough on Thursday, where she trailed the leader then ended up being three back on the markers before using the sprint lane. ARU AND ME finished fourth ahead of BAD BOY JAY JAY, which is competing at Yarra Valley on Monday. ROLL WITH ROSCO and TELEPHONE TILLY finished sixth and seventh respectively.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.6 Last Half: - 62.8 Margins: - 4m, 10m
Trial 7: - MONT SALLY (Peak – Soliloquize) has performed in several trials recently and was able to win the seventh event by a good margin over MUMPAYSTHEBILLS with the unraced mare WATCHINGIDAONTV (Bacardi Lindy – Mowbray Mates 2.6.5, $16,041) being third across the line. WYLDCAT (Sebastian K – Illawong Bardot) finished fourth ahead of MIX IT UP (Dreamcatcher – Bigonluck 1.59.8, $15,770) with BACARDI SPIRIT (Bacardi Lindy – Maybelina 2.1.4, $37,958) being the last one to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.7 Last Half: - 65.1 Margins: - 15m, 8m
Trial 8: - NORMANDY BELLE is a fast mare and posted a victory at Melton on December 09. She has been freshened since her latest fifth in early January and won the trial by a handy margin. ONE OVER DA SON finished in second as a lead up to his performance in the opening event at Melton this evening, where he has drawn awkwardly on the inside of the second line. ABBRACCIAMI won impressively at his debut then galloped at his second attempt. He did a good job to finish in third position against an experienced field. GEE CEE CALDER finished in fourth position and backed up at Kilmore on Thursday night but unfortunately galloped away. REJUVENATE finished a distant fifth and was ahead of MAORI MAYHEM as the judge called a halt.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.4 Last Half: - 62.3 Margins: - 5m, 2m
Trial 9: - IM EUGENE came from last and was a big winner at Kilmore on January 06 then was slowly away at his latest eighth at Geelong. He is a speedy pacer and took out the ninth event ahead of JEMSTONE GLORY, which hadn’t started since April until his first up eighth at Kilmore on Thursday night, with LENARD ESS being third across the line. IM EUGENE and LENARD ESS will be competing at Yarra Valley on Monday and both horses have winning claims. NONE GRATER was fourth with the Courtney Slater prepared entire REEDS VISION (Art Major – Reeds May GBR 1.51.7, $42,137) being the last horse across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Last Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 2m, Nose
Trial 10: - WINGMAN FLING was able to take out the standing start trial for the trotters but unfortunately left his manners at Bacchus Marsh as he stood still when the tapes released and refused to move at Terang on Wednesday night. MEGEVE is competing in the final event at Melton this evening and finished in second ahead of HIGHLAND HILL. MADENA BAY finished in fourth spot but was able to back up at Geelong on Wednesday night with a winning performance, where he dashed along the sprint lane. The qualifiers IN STRIDE (Yankee Spider – Bettor Belle 1.59.0, $8,445) and ANTISOCIAL (Kvintet Avenger – Squaring About 2.5.9, $16,013) were fifth and sixth respectively but were taking on the winners of multiple races. ANTISOCIAL made her debut at Kilmore on Thursday night and finished fourth after racing greenly throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.3 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 8m, 15m
MARYBOROUGH 30/01/22
Trial 1: - HONOLUA BAY made his first public appearance since winning the Super Series Final at the end of last season. He began quickly and worked to the front, backed off the speed then dashed home in sizzling final sectionals (55.8, 26.7) to score nicely. MACH DAN did well to come from last of the three runners and pick up ground on the winner late. It was a good performance but he takes his place against an elite field in the A G Hunter Cup tomorrow night. MAAJIDA finished last of the trio after trailing the leader and was the only horse to be placed under pressure over the concluding stages but she was taking on two quality horses. She is drawn awkwardly in the Ladyship Cup at Melton tomorrow night.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.1 Last Half: - 55.8 Margins: - 2m, Neck
Trial 2: - EVERYSECONDCOUNTS began very quickly and speared to a good lead in the early stages. He ran along at a genuine tempo and was able to dash away at the end to get the prize. SER PATRICK was the only horse to race away from the markers for the majority of the journey and kicked on strongly for second. ALGORITHM settled three back on the inside and finished quite well to be in a distant third. ALLAWART BOB began fast and angled in behind the leader on the first turn. He peaked over the latter stages and finished fourth ahead of TE AMO (Love You – I Am Majestic), which settled down last of the six runners. JIMMY BINTANG was four back on the markers before trying to move into the one out and one back trail in the final lap. He was battling to keep in touch however and was the last horse to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Last Half: - 59.8 Margins: - 10m, 12m
Trial 3: - ACT NOW began fast to find the lead and took a trail behind his stable mate STRUVE with 1800m remaining. He came away from the inside at the 300m mark and produced a handy finish to score. STRUVE progressed forward to find the lead and set up a solid tempo. He kicked on strongly in the straight and went down by a narrow margin. BONDI LOCKDOWN settled last of the quartet, came away from the inside at the 500m mark and was out three horses wide on the home turn. He finished strongly and was under a hard hold so it was a very good performance by the Super Series champion. ROCK N ROLL DOO settled three back on the inside, used the sprint lane and wasn’t beaten by far. He also appeared to have something left at the finish. ACT NOW, BONDI LOCKDOWN and ROCKNROLL DOO all appeared to go up to their usual high standard leading up to the 4yo Bonanza on Saturday night.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.6 Last Half: - 55.2 Margins: - Head, 1m
Trial 4: - ROGUE WAVE began fast and was able to dash to the lead shortly after the start. She set up a genuine tempo and dashed well clear over the concluding stages to post a very impressive victory. It was a terrific performance leading up to the Ladyship Cup at Melton tomorrow night. KARMA QUEEN trailed the leader and had every chance but she raced fiercely and she met an outstanding mare on the day so her performance was sound. BONA KHAN settled down last of the four runners, came to the outside at the 600m and tried to make ground but found the final sectionals (56.1, 27.4) to be too quick. CAPTAIN PINS settled three back on the inside but broke stride with 300m remaining and lost his chance.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.9 Last Half: - 56.1 Margins: - 25m, 20m
Trial 5: - BEYOND DELIGHT showed exceptional gate speed to find the lead, took a trail behind LONGFELLOW with 1800m remaining, came away from the inside at the 500m, sprinted sharply to find the front shortly afterwards then cruised down to the line to win nicely. He has drawn on the inside of the second line in the 4yo Bonanza tomorrow night but he has the speed to be in the finish. LONGFELLOW was quickly overtaken after setting the speed but to his credit, he came again in the straight and finished within a length of BEYOND DELIGHT on the line. Unfortunately, he has been withdrawn from the 4yo Bonanza and won’t take his place in the prestigious event. MADEEBA was three back on the markers and used the sprint lane. He finished in third position with another 4yo Bonanza aspirant GO DANCING being last of the four throughout but he was picking up some ground over the latter stages.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.5 Last Half: - 56.4 Margins: - 2m, Neck
Trial 6: - BEACH LIFE showed very good gate speed to lead and was always in a dominant position throughout when she coasted down to the line to win easily. She dashed home in slick final sectionals (56.7, 27.5) and scored comfortably. She is a maiden from three starts but she showed enough ability in the trial to suggest she can run a cheeky race in the Gold Chalice tomorrow night. MYKORONA began quickly to trail the leader and held her ground of the concluding stages. She will also take her place in the Gold Chalice. REFORMED settled fifth on the inside and made ground for a handy third. She hasn’t started since 2020 so it was a very good performance. NARRA VANE settled three back on the inside and finished in fourth ahead of the trotter YOU REALLY GOT ME, which raced four back on the inside. YOU REALLY GOT ME will compete in the last event at Melton this evening. ABITOFDELIGHT settled down in last position, came to the outside at the 800m mark but couldn’t make ground in the fast last half and remained at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.4 Last Half: - 56.7 Margins: - 5m, 8m
Trial 7: - MYRNIONG IS AWAY began quickly to find the lead and looked very sharp in her very easy trial victory. She began her last campaign very nicely with a first up win since 2018 so she obviously can sprint well when fresh. MUCKINBAR DIVA was headed off at the start and settled four back on the markers. She moved into the one out and one back trail with 500m remaining and came out three horses wide on the home turn before running home nicely at the finish. The trotter MISSUCCI NZ came from last of the five runners to pick up third position. She is likely to go forward and give a bold showing in her effort at Melton this evening. STORY TO TELL trailed the leader and finished fourth with FLUFFY DADA being the last one home after settling three back on the markers and coming to the outside with 500m to travel.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.0 Last Half: - 56.4 Margins: - 10m, Head
Trial 8: - RINAAZ (Betting Line – Arterial Way 1.55.8, $37,258) settled last of the three runners, moved to the outside with 600m remaining and got up to win over the early leader BEACH HEAVEN (Sunshine Beach – Champagne Heaven) with CHILLIN (Captaintreacherous – Hot Chili Stride) being last of the three runners after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Last Half: - 58.7 Margins: - Neck, 30m
Trial 9: - SIR EROS led out then took a trail at the 1800m mark and obtained an inside run with 500m remaining. He was able to drive to the lead in the straight then held out the challengers in the run to the judge. DOWN UNDER EARL settled three back on the inside, moved through to trail the leader before the home turn and tried hard for a close second. THE PENNY DROPS prepared for his efforts tonight in the prestigious Great Southern Star with a third placed performance. He commenced from the handicap of 50m, settled down last, came away from inside at the 700m and was untouched going to the line. The distance of the Great Southern Star series is not his preferred trip but he is very tough. STRAZEELE pushed forward to find the lead at the 1800m, set up a slow tempo and hung out at the 500m. He lost momentum turning out of the back straight and was the last horse to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.1 Last Half: - 58.6 Margins: - 1m, 1m
ECHUCA 30/01/22
Trial 1: - SIRIUS MAJOR (Major Bronski – Angel of Music) began quickly to find the lead, raced fiercely throughout the middle stages but still had a good kick left at the finish and was able to win by a comfortable margin. SMILEFORAWHILE settled three back on the markers, moved away from the inside with 600m remaining but was approximately 30m behind the leader at the time and made ground for a game second. EAGLES WILL RISE (Fly Like An Eagle – Midnight Cheval) broke stride in the score up, missed approximately 15m at the start, settled down in last position and came away from the inside when entering the back straight on the final occasion. He produced a reasonable effort to work into third. WESTERN COMMAND (Pet Rock – Pacific Made) trailed the leader and finished fourth with the qualifier KENZEE (Modern Art – Carkariarzzz) being the last one to greet the judge after settling down in fourth and racing greenly.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Last Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 6m, 12m
Trial 2: - JITTERBUG ARDEN trailed the leader and came to the outside with 600m remaining. He was able to muster speed in the home straight and got up to score. UPRIGHT settled in fourth position, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He worked into second in front of the three juvenile pacers MOMENTUM SWING (Vincent – Night Vision), SIR VINCENT (Vincent – Yekatarina) and IVANA BYTHESEASIDE (Downbytheseaside – A Few Dollars More 1.57.4, $4,088). MOMENTUM SWING was three back on the markers before trailing the leader at the 600m mark and went to the line with something in reserve. SIR VINCENT attempted to lead throughout and IVANA BYTHESEASIDE broke at the start, lost approximately 10m and was last for the duration.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.5 Last Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 2m, 4m
Trial 3: - BERRIESANDCHERRIES trailed the leader and moved to the outside with 300m remaining. She kept on chipping away in the home straight and was able to claim victory right on the line. She followed with an eight at Kilmore on Thursday night. MYNAMESGRAHAM began quickly to find the front and set up a slow tempo. He was in front all of the way until being claimed on the line. CINKARI broke at the start and lost approximately 25m, settled last of the three runners then broke stride again at the 600m mark and lost another 10m. She couldn’t recover after her second error.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.9 Last Half: - 63.0 Margins: - Head, 25m
BENDIGO 31/01/22
Trial 1: - IM OFF N GONE began quickly to find the lead from the standing start and set up an even speed. WILLIE GO WEST stepped away okay and angled onto the markers to trail the leader. He came to the outside approaching the home turn, raced roughly in the dash up the straight but almost got up on the line. It was a good trial by both horses and they are competing at Melton on Saturday night. IM OFF N GONE is racing in the Ladyship Cup and WILLIE GO WEST will take his place in the A G Hunter Cup.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Last Half: - 55.1 Margin: - Nose
Trial 2: - LA SERENA settled six back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 1300m mark and ran to the front shortly afterwards. She shot away down the back straight and was very impressive in the run to the finish. It was a very good hit-out leading into the Mares Sprint Championship at Melton this evening. WISH UPONA DREAM raced without cover in the early stages, pushed forward to find the lead at the 1500m and took a trail at the 1100m. She finished second and was well clear of her rivals over the concluding stages. DON’T CARE settled in last position, came to the outside with 600m remaining but was the best part of 50m behind LA SERENA and ended up being out three horses wide from the 350m. He made up a lot of ground and put in a very good performance despite being beaten by a long way. NEXTA NUNN led out then took a trail at the 1500m, was three back on the markers from the 1100m and finished a distant fourth. LEOTARDANDLACE settled four back on the inside and was fifth across the line. She backed up at Maryborough on Thursday afternoon and finished in ninth position. DYNAMIC DIESEL was sixth after ending up being five back on the markers mid-race and MURTAGH KAI followed DYNAMIC DIESEL throughout but couldn’t get past that runner over the concluding stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.2 Last Half: - 59.5 Margins: - 30m, 12m
Trial 3: - SPORTY PHILTRA (Sportswriter – Phirey Philtra 1.56.3, $27,978) settled four back on the inside, moved through to trail the leader approaching the home turn and used the sprint lane to get up by a narrow margin. JOYFUL (Always B Miki – Joyfuljoy) broke stride in the score up, settled last on the markers, moved up without cover at the 700m and came out four horses wide on the home turn. She finished fast out wide on the track and missed out by a narrow margin. She looks to be a nice type and produced a good performance so she might be worth following. PARIS PRINCESS (Sir Lincoln (Lincoln Royal) – Art In Paris 1.56.2, $53,741) settled three back on the inside, came to the outside on the home turn and finished a close third. PANIC BUY (Art Major – Acaptivatingeagle 1.58.3, $25,308) began quickly to trail the leader, came away from the markers at the 400m and hung out on the home turn. He finished fourth with IDEAL PERFECTION (Western Ideal – Modern Girl 1.58.2, $122,135) being the last one across the line after galloping in the score up, getting up to the gate and running to the front shortly after the start.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.9 Last Half: - 60.4 Margins: - ½ head, Nose
BLACKBOOKER: - Joyful
Trial 4: - LAVADA GOLD (He’s Watching – Weona Beach Girl 1.58.2, $90,381) began brilliantly from a wide draw to lead clearly, ran along at a reasonable tempo and slipped nicely clear before the home turn. He went to the line with plenty in reserve and never appeared to be in danger at any stage. CATALPA RESCUE (American Ideal – Soho Siren) began well and trailed the leader throughout. He went to the line under a hard hold and produced a solid effort for second. NOTHINGBUTWAVES (Yankee Rockstar – Somedreamsomewhere 1.56.6, $74,957) settled in fourth position, moved away from the markers at the 700m mark and sprinted quickly down the back straight to get to second but peaked a little over the concluding stages. CAPTAIN TOM (Captaintreacherous – Heavens Trend 1.52.1, $385,683) settled down last and raced very roughly with 400m remaining but was able to beat home KATIES LEGEND (Betting Line – Spirited Storm USA 1.59.1, $3,435), which settled three back on the markers.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.3 Last Half: - 58.6 Margins: - 5m, 4m
Trial 5: - LOLLIPOP began quickly to find the lead and rolled along at an even tempo. She is a speedy filly and won comfortably over the concluding stages. ROLL WITH RON was four back on the inside, moved up without cover from the 600m, pulled hard and battled on well for second. He backed up at Maryborough on Thursday and finished in seventh position. MY ANNAMAE (Bettors Delight – Artistic Dash 2.1.3, $8,588) was three back on the inside before breaking stride from the 300m mark. She recovered sufficiently to run into a distant third. MAAS BETTING AGAIN (Betting Line – Maastricht 1.55.3, $89,989) began quickly and was able to trail the leader but broke stride approaching the home turn. TAKE MY WALLET NZ (Auckland Reactor – Take A Break) settled last of the five runners, came out wide on the home turn but just held her ground over the concluding stages.
Mile Rate – 2.2.6 Last Half: - 58.2 Margins: - 8m, 35m
Trial 6: - BULLDOG KHAN (Restrepo – Rosie Khan) settled down last of the four runners and moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m mark. He came out wide on the home turn and finished off best to win by a narrow margin. RANGER STRIDE (Excel Stride – Heavenly Cullen 1.54.8, $26,493) attempted to lead throughout and was run down in the final few strides. SOUNDS LIKE FUN (Western Terror – Sounds Alive 1.54.6, $66,941) was third early and tried to sustain a run from the 600m mark. She loomed up on the turn, raced greenly and picked up again late when BULLDOG KHAN worked past her. MY LADY NATASHA trailed the leader and appeared to have every chance, finishing last of the four runners. She has drawn on the pole position at Shepparton on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Last Half: - 57.9 Margins: - Head, Head
Trial 7: - SUMBEACH ART is now with the Alex Ashwood stable and was extremely impressive in winning her trial. She trailed the leader, came to the outside on the home turn and immediately struck the lead before running away to win by an extending margin of 40m! JOHNNYS CASH began quickly to lead early, set up a moderate tempo and was outgunned by SUMBEACH ART but was able to hold down second. FUMIA REACTOR was three back on the inside, came away from the markers at the quarter pole and finished a distant third. MISTER NIEN was four back on the pegs and remained in fourth position throughout. SOCIAL WRITER settled down in last position, came away from the inside and finished ahead of HEZA BERGSTEIN, which trailed the leader but broke stride at the 1700m and lost approximately 30m.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.2 Last Half: - 57.6 Margins: - 40m, 6m
BLACKBOOKER: - Sumbeach Art
Trial 8: - ITZ MISS AUCKLAND NZ boasts strong Southland form in New Zealand and possesses a powerful finishing burst. She settled down in fifth position, came out three horses wide at the 300m and seemingly jogged home to win albeit by a narrow margin. She beat home SPOT ON NZ and REAL DASH NZ, both of which won at Maryborough on Thursday, so she appears to have a promising future in Australia. SPOT ON was four back on the markers and was held up for a run at a vital stage before running home well at the finish. He backed up to win at Maryborough despite travelling awkwardly on the home turn and his form in New Zealand would suggest he is capable of winning through the grades. REAL DASH settled three back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 300m, was held up for a run at a vital stage and finished well towards the inner. He backed up at Maryborough on Thursday, came from last and finished brilliantly to secure his first victory since August 2018! MALAVA MISS was six back on the markers and made ground late for fourth. The form out of this trial is already proven so she appears to be a good chance at Shepparton on Tuesday night. PLAYNICE (Auckland Reactor – Village Guest) began very fast to lead early, took a trail at the 1700m, pulled hard and was fifth across the line. ALSDREAM (Changeover – Murrawee Del 2.0.9, $27,293) settled down last and only beat one runner across the line but he jogged around out the back and wasn’t asked for an effort at any stage. OUR DOREEN DAYS started in second position before pushing forward to lead at the 1700m. He was the last horse to find but it was a quality trial and he backed up at Kilmore on Thursday night, where he finished fourth.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.5 Last Half: - 57.6 Margins: - Head, 1m
BLACKBOOKER: - Itz Miss Auckland NZ
Trial 9: - AMERICAN TIGER began very quickly to find the lead then rolled along at a reasonable tempo after copping some pressure from GOODTIME SOMETIME. He was getting a little weary at the end but he was able to hang on and get the prize. THE BOOST began quickly and angled in behind the leader on the first turn. He moved to the outside at the 100m and came home fast but just ran out of time. MISS TYLER settled four back on the markers, waited for the sprint lane and rolled through into third position. She backed up with a fifth placed effort at Maryborough on Thursday afternoon. GOODTIME SOMETIME was three back on the inside, moved to the death seat at the 1600m, pressured the leader but wanted to hang in and race roughly before easing to be three back on the markers again at the bell. He backed up with an unplaced effort at Kilmore on Thursday night after he did a few things wrong. HOLY BASIL is undefeated from six starts but hasn’t raced since December 2019. He lobbed around out at the back and wasn’t asked for an effort at any stage.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.7 Last Half: - 59.1 Margins: - Neck, 6m
Trial 10: - WHATA JOURNEY was three back on the markers, moved up without cover at the bell and battled on strongly to get the prize. He started from the inside of the second line and finished fourth at Kilmore on Thursday night. PRAY TELL also backed up at Kilmore on Thursday and ran her usual honest race into third. In the trial, she settled down last, angled onto the back of WHATA JOURNEY in the one wide lane and came out three horses wide on the home turn. She was running home well and missed out by a narrow margin. SIMON trailed the leader CARLOAD and was able to run into third with CARLOAD being last of the quartet to finish. At Maryborough on Thursday, CARLOAD was able to reverse the result, finishing third after trailing the leader whereas SIMON was fourth after parking in the death seat throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.7 Last Half: - 57.4 Margins: Head, 10m
BALLARAT 01/02/22
Trial 1: - ROCKIN CHARMER (Pet Rock – Sentimental Charm) settled down last of the three runners, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 300m and came out three horses wide on the home turn. He finished off best to score over the trotter DIAMOND WES, which trailed the leader KEAYANG FINCH (Roll With Joe – Keayang On Fire 1.58.7, $8,853) and was able to pick up second on the line, relegating KEAYANG FINCH back to last of the three.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.6 Last Half: - 61.1 Margins: - 2m, Head
Trial 2: - TOO THE MAX began fast from the outside of the front line to find the lead, rolled along at a genuine tempo and got away at the end to win by a good margin. QUIET STORM (Rock N Roll Heaven – Security Code) settled down last of the four runners, was the first to make a move at the 500m mark and tried hard for second. KEAYANG CRIPPA (Captaintreacherous – Keayang Princess 2.0.7, $35,378) settled three back on the inside and was able to beat home his stable mate KEAYANG FROGGY (Betting Line – Keayang Torah 1.57.1, $53,240), which trailed the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.9 Last Half: - 57.2 Margins: - 15m, 1m
Trial 3: - The last event was a standing start affair for the trotters with KEAYANG SAMBUCA (Sam Bourbon – Bohemian Queen 2.4.1, $13,170) getting the prize after stepping quickly to find the front. KEAYANG ZENDAYA (Andover Hall – Keayang Yankee 1.55.4, $51,240) was second after trailing the speed and KEAYANG DUCHESS (Muscle Mass – Icantremember) was last of the three runners throughout but all three horses were able to get away safely and do everything right.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.3 Last Half: - 58.69 Margins: - 15m, 25m
TERANG 02/02/22
Trial 1: - ELLI JOH has finished unplaced in her two attempts this year at Geelong and Maryborough but recorded reasonable time in winning the opening trial, which was an encouraging sign. She defeated the Gary Lawlor prepared pacer TREACHEROUS REIGN (Captaintreacherous – Lagertha 1.56.5, $20,805) with the juvenile colt SWEETHEART BART (Sweet Lou – Shezacullen 1.58.9, $59,410) finishing in third position. BETTORBEWRIGHT (Bettors Delight – Illbewright 1.59.8, $7,800) is related to two winners and finished fourth ahead of the Steven Fennell prepared 3yo JILLIBY IVY (Western Ideal – Jilliby Princess). LEICA GEM beat home the two qualifiers MUFASA BART (Sweet Lou – Ravishing Girl 1.57.1, $39,798), which is a 2yo, and LOTTIES PLACE (Sportswriter – Very Good 2.0.9, $14,419).
Mile Rate: - 2.1.3 Last Half: - 57.5 Margins: - 7m, 2m
Trial 2: - Only two horses contested the open class trial with MUSCLE BART finishing off in a slick final half of 56.4 seconds to down SILENT MAJOR, which secured a victory at a Stawell trial a week earlier.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.0 Last Half: - 56.4 Margin: - 3m
