A new addition to Andy Gath's stable's landed straight into the Blackbook, with Hes Under Wraps having impressed Craig Rail at his Melton hit-out on Tuesday.
It proved fruitful ground for the form analyst, who was also taken by Majestic Hurricane and both step out at Tabcorp Park Melton tomorrow night.
Scroll down for replays of their wins and Rail's analysis, and roll to the bottom for his updated Blackbook.
CRANBOURNE 06/02/21
Trial 1: - STAY FOCUSED was without cover early, trailed the leader from the 1200m and moved away from the inside at the 300m mark. He produced a big finale to dash away and score easily. He is meeting a stronger field at Warragul on Monday but he has ability. MOJITO MADNESS (Bacardi Lindy – Sunny Folly 2.8.1, $27,778) is a juvenile trotter for trainer Dylan Stratford. He stepped away quickly and led clearly in the early stages. He had a big lead for most of the journey but couldn’t hold off the challenge of STAY FOCUSED in the latter stages. BUNDISGOOD settled in fifth position and moved up without cover from the half mile marker. He ran into a distant third ahead of MASTER SPARK, which was four back on the markers throughout. MASTER SPARK is competing in the same race as STAY FOCUSED at Warragul on Monday. SUNDAYS SHADOW (Majestic Son – Lazy Sunday 2.3.8, $23,778) was second in the early stages and dropped back to third at the 1200m mark. He finished fifth ahead of WICKED LIQUOR and CELESTIAL TOPAZ (Major Bronski – Celestial Diamond), which were both tailed off after making errors at the start.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.5 Final Half: - 63.2 Margins: - 15m, 25m
Trial 2: - JUST AS WELL (Well Said – Justalittlebettor) is a New Zealand bred filly for trainer Luke Tabone. She was three back on the markers early, ended up being behind the leader at the 600m mark and moved away from the inside on the home turn. She was able to cruise to the lead in the straight and scored easily, seemingly with plenty in reserve. ILLAWONG LORD began quickly to lead and set up a moderate tempo. He found JUST AS WELL to be too quick up the straight and was just able to cling on for second. He ran a fair race from midfield on the outside at Melton on Thursday and is backing up from barrier two at Warragul on Monday. WRITTEN COURAGE was four back on the inside, kept on following the markers throughout and used the sprint lane in the home straight. He worked home well and just failed to pick up second. It wasn’t a bad effort in view of his performance at Warragul on Monday but he has come up with the outside of the front line. PRIDDY EASY attempted to lead and was without cover early, was able to angle in for a trail behind the leader then came to the outside again with 700m remaining. He peaked on his run over the latter stages and was the last one to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.1 Final Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 6m, Nose (approximately)
BLACKBOOKER: - Just As Well NZ
Trial 3: - GLENLEDI BOY dropped back to be last of the four runners early, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 700m mark, came wide on the turn and sprinted quickly to win with ease. He is a National Ratings 66 assessed pacer and his nearest rival was assessed at NR52 so he was the class runner of the field. He meets a stronger field at Warragul on Monday but he does possess a powerful finishing burst. CLASSY COUNTESS was behind the leader early then three back on the inside from the mile marker. She moved into the death seat at the 700m and boxed on well over the latter stages. She appeared to have her chance when a distant third at Melton on Thursday but has drawn nicely in a small field at Warragul on Monday. HAIR RAZOR was third early but pushed forward in the back straight on the first occasion to find the lead. He wanted to hang out when going around the final bend, lost his momentum and couldn’t pick up in the straight. He finished a distant third with KICK IT TO JACK being last of four runners to complete the course after leading out then taking cover.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - 10m, 15m (approximately)
MILDURA 07/02/21
Trial 1: - ACES ARE COUNTED (Pet Rock – Count The Aces 2.0.7, $19,415) is a 3yo pacer for trainer Andrew Stenhouse and showed plenty of promise at her qualifying performance. She settled three back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the bell and sprinted home nicely to get the prize. OPAL CROWN began quickly to race without cover, pressured the leader, hit the front at the 700m and kicked on strongly for second. It was a good performance but he has drawn poorly at Mildura on Tuesday. BELLA ABBY (Betterthancheddar – Live In Abby 2.1.0, $11,393) settled seventh on the markers, moved into the running lane (1-3) and came out three horses wide at the 500m. She finished on determinedly and produced a solid effort to fill third position. AUCKLAND LASS (Auckland Reactor – Danamite Lass 1.55.9, $60,348) was five back on the markers, gained a lovely run through to trail the leader at the bell and finished fourth ahead of SPORTSBILLY, which enjoyed a reasonable trail throughout (1-1, 1-2). JESSIES GIFT (Alta Christiano – Jessie Hill) began quickly to lead, copped some pressure mid-race and dropped out to finish last of the six runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.2 Final Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 2m, 1m
Trial 2: - EDWINA EXPRESS progressed forward to find the lead, rolled along at an even tempo and scored comfortably at the end. She is a definite winning chance at Mildura on Tuesday if she is on her best manners. ENCOSTA STAR (Art Major – Badlands Beauty 2.5.8, $11,498) settled four back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 500m and worked home well for second. ITZOK TO ROCK trailed the leader and was still with the leaders on the home turn but peaked late to finish a distant third. AUSSIE CASH showed gate speed but was left without cover and restrained to be third on the markers shortly after the start. He finished fourth with SHORTYS MATE MAL (Julius Caesar – Gracious Pearl 2.7.1, $6,593) being last of the five runners throughout after having a tendency to hang in for most of the journey. AUSSIE CASH has drawn poorly at Mildura on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.5 Final Half: - 60.5 Margins: - 10m, Neck
Trial 3: - MEXICAN STANDOFF was left stranded without cover, dashed to the front at the 600m mark and sustained the run to win by a large margin. He is improving every time he steps out onto the track and is racing at Mildura on Tuesday but he is probably better suited being drawn on the front row. WROXTONS FAREWELL showed gate speed to lead, set up a slow tempo and kicked on for second after being headed in the back straight on the final occasion. He is drawn to receive every chance at Mildura on Tuesday but Edwina Express, which is also in the race, ran over four seconds quicker at her trial victory. BEAUDIENESGOLD was three back on the inside, moved out wide on the track on the home turn and finished off fairly well over the latter stages. KATE KANARDLY was one out and one back for the majority of the journey and finished fourth ahead of THE ANT KILLER (trailed leader) with SHELLDOME being the last one to greet the judge after being last on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.4 Final Half: - 61.6 Margins: - 20m, Neck
Trial 4: - SOMEDEAL SAFARI settled fifth on the inside and moved into the running lane with 1200m remaining (1-2). He came out three horses wide from the 400m and ran home well to grab victory on the line. He is taking on a few handy performers at Mildura on Tuesday but is drawn to run a good race. VIEIRA was three back on the markers early and moved up without cover at the 1200m mark. He hit the lead approaching the home bend and was run down in the last stride. IRONBARK FELLA finished third after attempting to lead throughout and ELPINE SALLY finished last of the four runners after racing fiercely in behind the leader throughout. Both VIEIRA and IRONBARK FELLA have drawn poorly at Mildura on Tuesday night while ELPINE SALLY comes up with barrier two but against a strong field.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.6 Final Half: - 61.4 Margins: - ½ head, 15m
Trial 5: - GERONIMO DAN was an impressive winner of the final trial but he was clearly the class runner of the event being assessed as a National Ratings 69. He was out of position at the start and missed away by 20m, settled three back on the markers and moved away from the inside at the 700m. He ran away at the finish and was never fully extended. TWOBOBJACK trailed the leader, angled out three horses wide on the home turn and finished off well in the latter stages. OHOKA DIESEL dropped back into third spot after setting the speed. Both TWOBOBJACK and OHOKA DIESEL compete in the seventh event at Mildura on Tuesday but are taking on a handy field including The High Roller and Wow You Can Dance, which is shooting for a hat trick.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.6 Final Half: - 60.8 Margins: - 10m, 20m
MARYBOROUGH 07/02/21
Trial 1: - SIXTY began quickly to find the lead and ran along at an even tempo. He was never in any danger of defeat and coasted away to win easily. He has drawn nicely in barrier two at Melton tomorrow night but it is quite a strong field. EMIJAY trailed SIXTY throughout, came to the outside on the home turn but couldn’t make up any ground on the winner in the straight, which is understandable considering her National Rating is 20 points lower. REAL DASH settled three back on the inside and finished in third position ahead of WALMARA, which trailed him throughout. CALCAVADO settled down last of the five runners, moved into the death seat at the 1100m and peaked on his run late, finishing in fifth position.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.8 Final Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 8m, 2m
Trial 2: - PIESRIDINGSHOTGUN began nicely and was able to hold the lead going around the first corner. He was unchallenged throughout and rolled away from his rivals in the straight to win comfortably. He ran a big race at Melton on Thursday where he led and finished second behind Cork. BACARDI JESS settled four back on the markers and moved away from the inside just after the bell to race without cover. She worked into second placing with TURTLE following BACARDI JESS throughout (5 back markers, 1-1) and running into third. BACARDI JESS appears to be a strong chance at Charlton on Monday. JORDANS MATE began quickly but couldn’t head off PIESRIDINGSHOTGUN at the start and dropped in behind for the trail. She finished fourth ahead of CANADIAN ALM, which was three back on the markers throughout and SMART CHA CHA was tailed off after breaking stride at the start.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.6 Final Half: - 61.1 Margins: - 12m, 6m
Trial 3: - LENNY TEE (Betterthancheddar – Our Pocket Princess) settled sixth on the outside (1-2), came out four horses wide on the home turn and finished off well to snare victory on the line. THUMP trailed the leader early then ended up being three back on the markers before moving into the one out and one back trail at the 900m mark. He came out three horses wide and loomed up to win in the straight but was gunned down on the line by LENNY TEE. LOCAL ICON led out then took a trail at the 1300m. He finished third in front of the trotter SUNOFATRUMP, which settled in fifth position, raced without cover for the final 1300m and broke stride momentarily when hitting the lead with 200m remaining. He may not have won the trial had he kept on trotting but he certainly would have gone close. LONGASULOVEME settled in fourth position, came to the outside at the mile marker and found the lead at the 1300m. She tired late and finished fifth with BAGSHOT BOY (Bacardi Lindy – Nikality) being the last one to cross the line after breaking stride in the score up and missing the start by approximately 40m.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.2 Final Half: - 60.7 Margins: - Head, 6m
Trial 4: - BIONIC STRIDE (Always B Miki – Cougar Bromac) settled three back on the inside, moved up without cover from the 800m, hit the front at the 400m and drew away to win easily. HUNTRESS STRIDE (Excel Stride – Sapphire Stride 1.52.2, $134,115) began well to trail the leader, came to the outside turning for home and tried hard but couldn’t match her stable mate in the latter stages. BUNDY MAJOR (Major In Art – Notfitforsale) finished third after beginning quickly to find the lead and SWEET EMMYLOU (Sweet Lou – Inevitable) was the last of the herd after racing greenly. She settled four back on the markers, gained a one out and one back trail at the 700m mark and broke stride with 500m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.9 Final Half: - 60.8 Margins: - 12m, 6m
Trial 5: - SURPRISE TO ME progressed forward to find the lead and set up a very slow tempo. He had a good kick left in the home straight and was able to win comfortably. JESSICAS STORY finished second after trailing the leader throughout. ELLEN RUVAL was three back on the markers, moved away from the inside on the home turn and was grinding away in the straight. She finished third ahead of MY VELVET, which broke at the start and lost approximately 60m. The first three horses across the line all finished unplaced in their respective events on Thursday.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.3 Final Half: - 63.2 Margins: - 5m, 10m
Trial 6: - BALMY BOB (Modern Art – Kentucky Sarah 2.6.2, $5,350) was four back on the markers, moved into a one out and one back trail at the bell and came out three horses wide turning out of the back straight. He finished off best to defeat ULANI (Mach Three – Classic Bliss 1.53.0, $103,898), which produced a very nice run. She was without cover early, restrained to last, moved into the running lane at the 800m mark (1-2) and came out four horses wide turning for home, finishing strongly to miss out by one metre. The overall time and sectionals were slow but ULANI did show enough ability to suggest she could run a bit of a race at odds at Charlton on Sunday. SUNDAY MORNINGS (Julius Caesar – Black Magic Lady 2.2.7, $7,850) began quickly to find the lead and held on in the straight to finish in third position. OUR RUBY ROSE (Shadyshark Hanover – McArdle Lassie 1.58.1, $39,817) was three back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the bell and finished in fourth position ahead of OPHELIA CARMEN (Lincoln Royal – Carmen Atcha), which raced keenly behind the leader and used the sprint lane. OPHELIA CARMEN is taking on a very tough field at her debut run at Charlton on Sunday. CARRAMAR KASIANO was in the one out and one back trail, switched to the markers to be in fifth position and ended up being last of the six runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.9 Final Half: - 60.6 Margins: - 1m, 3m
Trial 7: - EBONYS AVENGER (Kvintet Avenger – Death Defying 2.0.4, $87,493) trailed the leader in the early stages, moved into the death seat at the 900m and extended nicely in the straight to win well. He is out of a fast race mare and looked quite impressive going to the line. STINGOFAWASP (Kvintet Avenger – Just Spur Me On 2.3.5, $20,141) settled down last of the four runners and moved into the one out and one back trail behind the winner. He had his chance in the straight but beat the remainder of the field by a handy margin. IM WALKERVILLE (I’m Stately – Starlight Beau) finished third after trying to lead throughout. YANKEE AVENGER (Kvintet Avenger – Yankee Truscott) was without cover early, dropped onto the markers in third position, trailed the leader from the 900m and was last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.0 Final Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 6m, 25m
Trial 8: - DYNAMIC DIESEL stepped away nicely to find the lead and set up a slow tempo. He had a good kick left at the finish and got away in the straight to win easily. CAESAR MOMENT settled down last of the three runners, moved away from the markers at the 400m mark and worked into second placing. TELEPHONE TILLY saw the field to be safely home after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.5 Final Half: - 63.3 Margins: - 12m, 15m
Trial 9: - ZEUSES VENGEANCE (Kvintet Avenger – Truscott Photo 2.7.5, $12,606) settled three back on the markers and worked home best to land the prize in the final trial. GOODGIRLSAVENGER (Kvintet Avenger – Goodgirltruscott) was behind the leader early, moved away from the inside at the 600m and battled on well for second. She was only beaten by a head and appeared to have something in reserve at the finish. MIDNIGHT AVENGER (Kvintet Avenger – Rainbowinparadise 2.7.1, $16,770) settled down last of the four runners and ran into a distant third ahead of REMI WALKERVILLE (Kvintet Avenger – Spannerintheworks 2.8.4, $14,400), which set the speed, broke stride momentarily at the bell but kept the front then yielded ground late.
Mile Rate: - 2.18.1 Final Half: - 65.0 Margins: - Head, 25m
KYABRAM 07/02/21
Trial 1: - HIGH FLUX hasn’t raced since August but was able to score comfortably in the opening trial. He has drawn poorly on the outside on the second row for his comeback run at Charlton on Sunday. JODIS CHOICE was unplaced in four starts since returning from New South Wales then was spelled. He hasn’t raced since November and he possesses high speed when at his best form. TANGAROA also hasn’t started since November. He was a winner at Mildura three starts ago and finished third in the trial ahead of the trotter ATEGO TITAN.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.0 Final Half: - 63.6 Margins: - 5m, 2m
Trial 2: - LETTUCEVENTILATE has recently joined trainer Peter Chamouras and was able to win the final trial over PENSINI, which backed up at Shepparton on Wednesday but did a bit wrong. ROCKWITH THEDEVIL is a former Queensland trained pacer, which hasn’t raced since October 2018. He finished in third with WHATEVER WILL BE (Mach Three – Chi Serasera Lombo 1.59.0, $25,525), a qualifier for trainer Darren Rowney finishing last of the four runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.0 Final Half: - 61.9 Margins: - 1m, 10m
TERANG 09/02/21
Trial 1: - FREMARKSROCKY (Rock N Roll Heaven – Rosie McFly) was without cover in the early stages and was able to slot in behind the leader with 1300m remaining. He moved away from the inside at the quarter pole and did best to claim the prize. BOTANIST (Roll With Joe – Rocktheniteaway) is an Ange McDowell trained juvenile, which finished second and shaped up very nicely. He trailed the leader, settled three back on the markers at the 1300m, moved away from the inside on the turn and raced roughly but was running home nicely at the end. GOOD THINGS was third across the line after being four back on the markers throughout. TEDKANE showed very good gate speed to lead but peaked late and BILUM (Mr Feelgood – Silvia Fisher 2.1.8, $14,894) was last of the five runners for the duration.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.6 Final Half: - 59.2 Margins: - 2m, 15m
BLACKBOOKER: - Botanist
Trial 2: - GOODTIME MADDIE (Sportswriter – Married To The Mob 1.56.1, $119,775) was last early, moved up without cover at the 1500m, and scooted to the lead at the 1300m. She never appeared to be in any danger of defeat and cruised to the line to win comfortably. The trotter ME PAT MALONE led out then took a trail behind GOODTIME MADDIE and held his ground in the straight to finish in second position. BRIEN (Auckland Reactor – Miss Moyneyana) made ME PAT MALONE work to the get to the front early, took a trail and ended up being last of the three during the middle stages. He was in last position for the remainder of the journey.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.6 Final Half: - 59.5 Margins: - 3m, 4m
Trial 3: - OUR SIR IVANHOE settled three back on the inside, moved away from the markers to race without cover at the 1300m mark, found the front shortly afterwards and dashed home in a quick final quarter of 28.2 seconds to get the prize. MADAZALWAYS trailed the leader early then was three back on the markers when OUR SIR IVANHOE made his move. He came to the outside with 150m remaining and made good ground over the concluding stages. He has drawn widely against a strong field at Ararat this evening. The trotter SPARKLING SUCCESS began very quickly to lead, took cover and finished in third spot. LUVYOUBABE dropped back to be last of the four runners early, broke stride at the 1300m and failed to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.8 Final Half: - 57.2 Margins: - 3m, 12m
TABCORP PARK, MELTON 09/02/21
Trial 1: - HELLUVA created a huge impression on his local debut then did things wrong in the Caduceus Classic. He stepped away slowly from the standing start but being the only runner to start from the front line, he was able to trail the leader. He moved away from the inside with 300m remaining and produced a good finish to score. WILLIE GO WEST stepped away quickly and was able to roll to the top. He paced roughly over the latter stages but kicked on strongly for a narrow second. HOLY BASIL was three back on the markers, gained a one out and one back trail on the home turn and finished off nicely for third. It is fair to say that each of the first three place getters had something in reserve at the finish. TYPHOON STRIDE was poorly away from the standing start, lost approximately 40m and came in at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.4 Final Half: - 56.18 Margins: - Head, 2.5m
Trial 2: - NORQUAY was three back on the markers, moved into the death seat with 600m remaining and was able to kick on strongly at the finish. NEXT THRU settled down four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m to follow NORQUAY and came to the outside in the straight to pursue. It was a similar scenario to the opening trial where both the winner and the runner up appeared to have plenty in reserve. PHARISEE was without cover early, restrained to last (5 back markers) and used the sprint lane over the final stages to run into third position. It was a nice effort but he meets a quality field at Melton tomorrow night. WILCANNIA ran a handy race for a maiden trotter against metropolitan assessed horses. He trailed the leader, obtained an inside run at the 500m and was still with the pack until the final 100m. FIELDS OF KYVALLEY began quickly to lead, set up a slow tempo but broke stride with 500m remaining and lost all chance.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.4 Final Half: - 60.68 Margins: - Head, Neck
Trial 3: - VALOUR STRIDE (Well Said – Gypsy Stride 1.54.9, $30,110) trailed the leader from the pole position, used the sprint lane and was able to dash through to grab victory on the post. He did want to turn his head on the line when he reached the winning post and drifted out a little so he is still learning. HIDDEN VALUE (Art Major – Iridium Castle) began quickly to find the lead and ran along at a reasonable pace. He only just failed to fend off the challenge of VALOUR STRIDE in the final stages. MASTER STRIDE (Captaintreacherous – Hi Ho Silver Lining) settled last of the four runners and worked to the line nicely without being pushed so it was a handy performance. SHEZ SO IDEAL (American Ideal – Shezacullen 1.58.9, $59,410) settled three back on the inside, moved away from the markers at the quarter pole but hung out badly on the home turn and was the last of the four runners to pass the winning post.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.3 Final Half: - 58.32 Margins: - ½ head, 4.5m
Trial 4: - THREE ONE TWO ONE began quickly to lead, set up a slow tempo throughout and sprinted home too quickly in the run to the post. STRAWBERRY MOUSE began well and trailed the leader throughout. He held his ground over the latter staged and remained in second position. He is meeting a strong field from the standing start at Warragul on Monday. The two juvenile trotters COURAGE STRIDE (Muscle Hill – Nitengale Stride USA) and TOUGH LOVE (Love You – Tough Tussle 2.3.4, $105,135) finished third and fourth respectively but they didn’t do a bad job. COURAGE STRIDE was three back on the inside and moved into the breeze at the 500m mark and TOUGH LOVE followed behind him every step of the way.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.6 Final Half: - 62.11 Margins: - 6.5m, 1.5m
Trial 5: - MARTINI STRIDE (Somebeachsomewhere – Pearl Stride 2.1.7, $18,828) settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 900m and came out wide on the home turn. She finished off nicely to score from ANDREW (Always B Miki – Drewsam 2.2.7, $6,875), which led out, took a trail at the 1200m mark and moved into the death seat half way down the back straight. COCORA (Sunshine Beach – Rockin In Eden) was fifth on the inside early, moved into a trailing position behind MARTINI STRIDE (1-2) then switched to the inner and finished off well via the sprint lane for third. MITZI SAID was headed off at the start and ended up being three back on the markers. He moved away from the inside turning into the back straight, sprinted quickly to hit the front at the 600m but peaked on his run late. LADY STRIDE (Somebeachsomewhere – Exotic Stride 2.5.3, $2,840) settled down in last position (6 back markers, 1-3) and was able to pick up IDEAL HEAVEN (American Ideal – Fashion Heaven), which showed gate speed, raced roughly on the first turn and got to the lead at the 1200m before being overtaken in the back straight on the final occasion.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.9 Final Half: - 58.55 Margins: - ½ Neck, 2m
Trial 6: - MOONSHINE LINDA trailed the leader CRUISIN AROUND, came to the outside at the 300m mark and produced a strong finishing burst to draw away and win clearly. CRUISIN AROUND finished second after setting the speed and MASS DESTRUCTION was last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.9 Final Half: - 57.79 Margins: - 9.5m, 2.5m
Trial 7: - PLATINUM SPARKLE showed very good gate speed to lead, took a trail with 1400m remaining and fired along the sprint lane in the home straight to record an impressive victory. JACKS HAWK raced without cover early before rolling to the top at the 1400m mark. He set up a genuine tempo and couldn’t repel the challenge of PLATINUM SPARKLE in the latter stages. ORCHID STRIDE settled three back on the markers, moved up without cover at the 700m and filled third position with stable mate RADAR STRIDE following her throughout (4 back markers, 1-1) to run into fourth. ROYAL HART (Sir Lincoln (Lincoln Royal) – Miss Sweehart) settled five back on the inside, wanted to hang out badly in the run and lost the compass completely with 600m remaining, dropping out to be a long last.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.7 Final Half: - 56.55 Margins: - 4m, 5m
Trial 8: - HES UNDER WRAPS is a former New Zealander for trainer Andy Gath. He showed good gate speed to lead, took a trail behind TRITTRITTBANGBANG then moved away from the inside with 500m remaining. He sprinted strongly to the line and won impressively. JOANNA was three back on the inside, followed the move of HES UNDER WRAPS and finished nicely for a game second. TRITTRITTBANGBANG was third after setting a strong speed. All three horses should be winning a race in the near future in what appeared to be a quality trial. HES UNDER WRAPS is a big chance after drawing on the pole position at Melton tomorrow night and TRITTRITTBANGBANG is also a strong chance of leading all of the way at Warragul on Monday. BETTA BOPPER settled five back on the markers and ran into a distant fourth. LONGNWINDINGROAD settled down last and was able to run past ULTIMATE ME (4 back markers) in the run to the finish.
Mile Rate: - 1.56.3 Final Half: - 56.02 Margins: - 5m, 4.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Hes Under Wraps NZ
Trial 9: - MAJESTIC HURRICANE began brilliantly and led the field by a clear margin. He wanted to pull very hard in the run but he still managed to dash home his last quarter in 27.77 seconds and scored by a large margin in the process. He is a very strong chance of leading throughout at Melton tomorrow night. PROSTHESIS settled five back on the markers, came to the outside with 700m remaining and put in a very good performance to fill second position. ALL CASHED UP settled down four back on the markers then moved into the one out and one back trail at the quarter pole. He held his own in the straight but he did break stride just after the post. BOOTLEG BERT settled three back on the markers and finished in fourth position. OUR THUNDER BUDDY trailed the leader and broke stride on the home turn, losing his winning chance.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.5 Final Half: - 57.62 Margins: - 13.5m, Head
BLACKBOOKER: - Majestic Hurricane NZ
Trial 10: - MACH DAN hasn’t raced since a fourth in the Breeders Crown Final but he put in a brilliant performance to win the trial over IM ANOTHERMASTERPIECE after getting the trail behind that pacer throughout. The last quarter was a scintillating 26.05 seconds and he was able to come from behind to win! IM ANOTHERMASTERPIECE couldn’t do much more than he did and was far from disappointing in second position. He looms as one of the leading chances in tonight’s Ararat Pacing Cup. TWO TIMES BETTOR was three back on the markers throughout and couldn’t go with the two quality horses in front of her at the finish.
Mile Rate: - 1.56.0 Final Half: - 54.56 Margins: - 1/2 Neck, 19.5m
BLACKBOOKER: - Mach Dan
Trial 11: - JAFFA JOSH continued his impressive trial form with a runaway victory. He settled three back on the inside, moved to the death seat and blasted home his last 800m in 55.99 seconds, which is an exceptionally quick sectional for a National Ratings 50 assessed pacer. TOP GUN TILLY (Art Major – Tara Toplady 1.56.9, $122,455) pushed forward to find the lead on the first turn and backed off the tempo. She couldn’t match the blistering speed of JAFFA JOSH over the final stages but she still managed to hold down second position. SPACEWRITER began well to find the markers first then took a trail behind TOP GUN TILLY. He used the sprint lane and finished in third position. ESCAVADOR was four back on the markers throughout and finished fourth ahead of MY CEDUNA (Modern Art – Manwarra Artemis 2.4.1, $15,825), which was six back on the markers before trying to trail forward behind JAFFA JOSH in the final circuit (1-1). BALTIC ACE settled down last before moving into the running lane (1-2) and was able to get past BRAD CULLEN (3 back markers) in the final stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.6 Final Half: - 55.99 Margins: - 24m, 1.5m
Trial 12: - KRAFTY BART settled three back on the markers before moving up without cover mid-race. He was able to forge to the lead on the turn and held off a determined challenge from PRESTONPANS to win in fast time. PRESTONPANS was four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail in the straight and loomed up as a chance in the straight but just couldn’t get past the winner. WHERES SEGGY showed good early pace to get across to the markers and lead. He set up a genuine tempo and was fighting hard when challenged before peaking in the final 100m. It was a good performance considering he was competing against some handy horses. BARNBOUGLE JACK trailed the leader and finished fourth. TOP THE ACE broke at the start and lost approximately 50m, did very well in the hectic tempo to catch the field at the 1500m but the effort had taken a toll and he faded out at the finish.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.1 Final Half: - 56.90 Margins: - 2.5m, 21m
Trial 13: - SHE SAILZ was very impressive in beating a handy field. She led out, took a trail at the 1700m, moved into the death seat with 600m remaining and was very strong at the finish. She was still learning last season and this may be her campaign. BANGLEZ was four back on the markers and moved forward to trail SHE SAILZ over the concluding stages. She battled on well in the straight but couldn’t make too much impression on the winner. MY USED TO BE was without cover early, moved forward to find the lead at the 1700m and ran his trial in patches, switching off in the leading role. He came again after being headed and finished in third position. CENTRAL OTAGO settled five back on the inside and came out wide on the home turn. He finished off well to finish in front of KYVALLEYHONEYBUNNY, which trailed the leader early before ending up being three back on the markers. AMOUR FRATERNELLE was six back on the markers and remained in that position while the qualifier KRAKUER (Sebastian K – Mia Mosca 1.59.9, $52,216), which was taking on a quality field, galloped at the start then again at the 1500m mark.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.9 Final Half: - 59.45 Margins: - 3m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: - She Sailz
Trial 14: - GENERAL DODGE settled three back on the inside, trailed the leader on the home turn and motored along the sprint lane for a big win. He hasn’t raced since an extremely unlucky fifth in the Ararat Cup a year ago but he appeared to be very sharp in the trial. IDEALSOMEMAGIC trailed the leader, moved away from the inside on the home turn and finished second with the early leader MAAJIDA being a close up third after setting up a reasonable speed. VEE ROCK was last of the four runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.57.8 Final Half: - 55.32 Margins: - 4.5m, Head
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