A pair of former New Zealand pacers have caught the eye of form analyst Craig Rail, who has made two additions to his Trial File Blackbook.
Andy Gath-trained Mister Fortunia and Amanda Grieve’s Hezacrocwatcher stepped out in the same trial at Geelong on Monday and finished first and third respectively.
Both runs were full of merit according to Rail, who has made them key horses to follow.
Enjoy the latest edition of the Trial File and scroll to the bottom of the page for the updated Blackbook.
HAMILTON 05/04/21
Trial 1: - EYETHINK (Sunshine Beach – Sassy Rose) is a juvenile for trainer Aaron Dunn, which defeated her stable mate HOT DEAL (American Ideal – Hotazgabby) with the Gary Barton prepared TORPEDO BART (Sweet Lou – Holmencontents 1.54.3, $107,033) being in third position. FLASH JIMMY (A Rocknroll Dance – Whata Impact 1.58.5, $28,375) finished last of the four runners but wasn’t beaten far from the winner.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.3 Final Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 3.5m, Neck
Trial 2: - NOT TELLING (Tell All – Strong As Arma 2.1.6, $16,585) is a 3yo pacer for trainer Kevan McLeod, which won comfortably over the trotter JIMMY BINTANG with THE NAKED FARMER (Auckland Reactor – On Her Game) finishing in third position. REMEMBER OUR KENAE (Armbro Variable – My Sweet Caroline) was last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.8 Final Half: - 61.5 Margins: - 9m, 31m
BACCHUS MARSH 10/04/21
Trial 1: - COPACABANA hasn’t raced since finishing fourth in the Super Series Silver Trot in December. She defeated the talented filly THAT’S NOT MY GAIT, which finished third in the Breeders Crown Final last season. TENNERSON finished third and wasn’t beaten far by the two smart fillies with FROSTY RECEPTION being in fourth. KRAKEUR (Sebastian K – Mia Mosca 1.59.9, $52,216) is an unraced gelding out of a nice race mare in Mia Mosca. He beat home ROSIES PRIDE with RYMES coming in at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.1 Final Half: - 62.4 Margins: - 2m, 4m
Trial 2: - The Need for Speed Princess winner QUEEN ELIDA was taking on the pacers and was able to win by a comfortable margin. BRAD CULLEN filled second position and was beaten by four metres on the line. DAWN OFA NEW DAY USA was listed as finishing in third position but considering he was born in 2002 and he is the sire of 133 winners in Australia, that probably wasn’t the case. A LIL BETTOR finished in fourth position leading up to his comeback at Ballarat this week and the qualifier FOUR EVER A STAR (Four Starzzz Shark – Gabbys Sweetheart 2.0.1, $4,378) finished ahead of MY LINDSAY BELL, which is scheduled to compete at Ararat on Tuesday night.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.8 Final Half: - 62.7 Margins: - 4m, 2m
Trial 3: - TRIXY NIXIE is a nicely bred gelding being out the handy producing mare Starcus and won the third trial over the qualifier OUTSIDE WIRE (Guaranteed – Playboys Dream 2.0.7, $25,125), which is by the pacing first season sire Guaranteed. OUTSIDE WIRE backed up with a debut fourth at Kilmore on Thursday night. BEE BEE BEROC broke stride several times at his debut and finished third in the trial with ILLAWONG LARAJAY (Sebastian K – Illawong Bardot) being fourth. KYVALLEY PAINT got into trouble at his debut but has ability. He beat home ALDEBARAN GWEN and backed up with a sound second behind Kyvalley Pierro at Kilmore on Thursday.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.8 Final Half: - 63.7 Margins: - 3m, 6m
Trial 4: - MERRY DANCER was unplaced in all of her three starts at her initial campaign of racing and hasn’t raced since November. She started her second campaign promisingly with a victory over ALL SAINTS BEACH (Somebeachsomewhere – Bit Of A Gem 2.2.3, $15,344) with CARUSO STAR being six metres away in third position. OFFLOAD (Art Major – Bettor Give It 1.57.4, $138,061) is a nicely bred pacer for trainer Nathan Purdon and filled fourth with PLAIN ED (Heston Blue Chip – Shalackin 1.56.8, $27,125) being in fifth. AN FELLA MOR (Major In Art – Mumsthaword Lombo 2.0.9, $17,758) and MELODY BEACH were the last two horses to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.1 Final Half: - 62.0 Margins: - 3m, 6m
Trial 5: - IM ANOTHERMASTERPIECE was able to take out the open class trial on his way to the Captain Sandy FFA at Geelong tomorrow night, where he takes on a handy field. JAWBREAKER is a former New Zealand pacer, which raced a little below expectations at his first campaign, even though he was successful at Bendigo in January. He hasn’t raced since leading and finishing fourth in a heat of the short distance Mercury80 Series on January 16 but he did excel over the longer trips in New Zealand. LEXUS ON THE BEACH finished third as a lead up to his efforts at Geelong on Saturday and Ararat on Tuesday. WILLIE GO WEST returned from a Tasmanian campaign with a fourth placing and BALDOCK was last of the five runners to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.9 Final Half: - 57.7 Margins: - 6m, 3m
Trial 6: - MADENA SKY is a Metropolitan class trotter and was able to defeat the pacers in reasonable time. JAY BEE is a former New South Wales trained pacer, which has recently joined trainer Alex Freeman and RING MY BELLS finished in third position. Both horses are competing at Ballarat this evening. CALYPSO MISTRESS was fourth ahead of MICTON MOUSE and the qualifier EVOS DREAM (Pet Rock – Dashem) ended up being in sixth position. STARZZ IN DISGUISE was the last horse to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.5 Final Half: - 61.5 Margins: - 2m, 8m
Trial 7: - SEBS CHOICE was clearly the class runner of the trial considering he was placed in the Tasmanian Derby and followed with a victory in a Metropolitan 3yo event at Melton. He ran away for an easy victory over BRONSKI MOMENT, which hasn’t raced since October with RUNSAFARIRUN being in third position. EARS PONDER and FOREVER AND A DAY were the last pair to cross the line and finished a good distance behind the winner SEBS CHOICE.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.3 Final Half: - 58.7 Margins: - 15m, Head
Trial 8: - MODERN GINGER (Modern Art – Thegingerbreadgirl) took out the juvenile pacing event, where each of the four runners are yet to make their debut. He is the first live foal of Thegingerbredgirl, which stems from a strong maternal family. IMA CHARMA (Grinfromeartoear – Miss Momentum) was second for trainer Richie Caruana and beat home ROAD TO REIGN (Pet Rock – No Good At Maths 1.58.9, $11,475) with SPORTSRAMA (Sportswriter – Rocknroll Rama) being last but only about a length behind the winner on the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.16.6 Final Half: - 64.2 Margins: - Nose, 2m
Trial 9: - TAILORED ELEGANCE is a very smart mare, which has been freshened since a seventh in the Breed for Speed Gold Final in February. She was clearly the class runner of the trial and went on to score over DARING ANGEL, which finished close up in second position. STUNNING JASPER wasn’t beat by far in preparation for his first up performance at Kilmore on Thursday night where he finished seventh behind Carnera and MADENA BAY was last of the four trotters to salute the judge.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.9 Final Half: - 62.3 Margins: - 1m, 1.5m
Trial 10: - FRANKYTHEFRENCHMAN (Used To Me – Estee Poppy) is an Alison Alford prepared trotter, which defeated his older stable mate ALGORITHM with the locally trained LETHAL LES being in third position after commencing from the handicap of 20m. HOW ABOUT LOUEY (Louey Louey Louey – Speedy Jolter 2.6.5, $36,075) has had a few trials recently and was last of the four runners across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.14.5 Final Half: - 63.0 Margins: - 3m, 15m
MARYBOROUGH 11/04/21
Trial 1: - Only two horses competed in the opening trial with BONA KHAN leading throughout to defeat OXS COURAGE, which waited for the sprint lane run. It was a moderate tempo early with a quick third quarter and a last section of 29.9 seconds.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Final Half: - 57.6 Margin: - 2m
Trial 2: - PUZZLE PIECE (Heston Blue Chip – Bring Her Back) was able to lead throughout and took out the trial for the juvenile pacers. He dashed well clear over the concluding stages and scored easily. HURRIKANE DUSTY (Hurrikane Kingcole – Art For Art Sake 1.58.4, $40,735) trailed the leader throughout and finished second with SWEET EMMYLOU (Sweet Lou – Inevitable) being in third. SWEET EMMYLOU was out of position at the start by ten metres, hung out approaching the first corner and angled in behind MAJOR PEARL to be last of the four. MAJOR PEARL became detached from the leading pair, which meant SWEET EMMY LOU had to make a move at the 1300m mark and chased hard. She made up some ground but ended up being a distant third. MAJOR PEARL saw the field to be safely home.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.7 Final Half: - 59.4 Margins: - 30m, 20m
Trial 3: - ZWICK (Courage Under Fire – As Above 1.59.5, $4,658) trailed the leader then was three back on the markers, moved up without cover from the 700m and joined the leader before the home turn. He was able to edge clear in the straight to win well. HANOVER JACK (Shadyshark Hanover – Libinski) showed gate speed and moved up without cover, found the front at the 1800m and tried to kick back when pressured in the home straight. He finished second ahead of ROUGH CUT, which led out then took a trail. ROUGH CUT followed with an unplaced performance at Charlton on Thursday. BROADWAYS GIRL (Bling It On – Isabelle Delacour 1.54.3, $74,170) settled four back on the markers and broke stride with 600m remaining hence losing her chance. MY DARLING DANCER (B G’s Folly – Farnsworth) broke stride at the start and was retired from the trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Final Half: - 57.7 Margins: - 5m, 15m
Trial 4: - JADEN GIL stepped away safely and settled in second position. He moved to the outside with 600m remaining and got up to win by a head margin. He is racing at Ararat on Tuesday night but is taking on a good field. SURBITON ARMISTICE was the fastest to begin and rolled to the top. He set up a slow tempo and was run down on the line. He is competing in the same race as JADEN GIL on Tuesday night. COLUMBIAS JEM galloped away and missed the start by approximately 40m. She tacked onto the group at the 1700m, used the sprint lane over the final stages but couldn’t extend late.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.8 Final Half: - 60.2 Margins: - Head, 15m
Trial 6: - SHAKARA settled three back on the markers and moved to the outside with 800m remaining. She was able to get the better of her stable mate IKARA over the concluding stages. IKARA trailed the leader early but was racing keenly. He moved away from the inside at the 1400m mark, raced roughly and found the front at the 1100m but got a little tired over the latter stages. SMART CHA CHA settled down last and moved away from the inside at the 500m mark. She beat home JORDANS MATE, which led out then took cover before yielding ground from the quarter pole.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.9 Final Half: - 64.4 Margins: - 3m, 2m
BENDIGO 11/04/21
Trial 1: - KYVALLEY PIERRO (Muscle Hill – Kyvalley Kyrie 1.59.0, $100,251) is a nicely bred and smart juvenile trotter. He trailed the leader, moved away from the inside on the home turn and jogged home to win effortlessly. It was another impressive trial display and backed it up with a runaway debut win at Kilmore on Thursday night. He appears to have a promising future. IRENE ROSE attempted to lead throughout and filled second position with TRUMPIT LIL being last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.7 Final Half: - 63.0 Margins: - 5m, 12m
Trial 2: - SPOTLIGHT (Muscle Hill – Imitating 2.9.1, $4,495) settled three back on the inside, moved into the death seat at the 600m, got in behind the leader for a breather in the back straight and came to the outside in the straight. He finished off best to win nicely and considering he was a qualifier taking on the winners of multiple races, it was a tidy performance. FLAMING FIVES attempted to lead throughout and pulled hard in the run. She was run down late and backed up at Charlton on Thursday afternoon with an unplaced effort behind Sangreal. VINCENT KAI settled four back on the inside, came to the outside with 500m remaining and finished third. He did trot roughly in the final 50m of the event. WIL PATRICK was last of the four horses to pass the post after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.3 Final Half: - 60.7 Margins: - 4m, 10m
Trial 3: - TOOBY GOLD (Sportswriter – Tess Finnigan 1.57.0, $13,660) settled three back on the inside and moved into the death seat at the 300m mark. He was able to get up and score on the line to complete his third trial success. He backed up with a second placing at Shepparton on Wednesday when he tried to lead throughout. SABOTAGE (He’s Watching – Roxie Romance) showed very good gate speed to lead and kicked on at the finish. LAVENDI RICKY (Betterthancheddar – Julies Equity 1.58.4, $197,969) began quickly and trailed the leader. He battled into third with AS SHE SAYS (Well Said – Arts Bliss 2.0.1, $81,275) being in fourth after settling four back on the inside and gaining a one out and one back trail behind the winner. CURVEBALL (Betterthancheddar – Jaz Equity 1.57.5, $54,023) broke in the score up and was tailed off throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Final Half: - 59.8 Margins: - Head, 15m
Trial 4: - IM TERRORTORIAL is a former New Zealand pacer that scored at his only start at Rangiora. He settled five back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 800m and was one out and one back shortly afterwards. He came out three horses wide on the home turn and scored comfortably at the end. THE KEW LEGEND trailed the leader, moved up without cover at the 700m mark and ran a nice second. He backed up with a seventh at Kilmore on Thursday night. STORMBOY STAR finished third after showing good early pace to find the front. INFERRNO (Courage Under Fire – Allfouru) was fourth after being three back on the markers throughout and beat home HAVELOCK (Major In Art – Blissfull Mood 1.59.2, $37,991) (6 back markers) with DESIRE TO LIVE being at the rear of the field after behind in fourth position early. DESIRE TO LIVE is racing at Cobram on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Final Half: - 57.6 Margins: - 3m, 3m
Trial 5: - SAINT WIN was without cover early, pressured the leader, got three metres in front but appeared to be a little reluctant to get across to the markers and ended up being in a trailing position mid-race. He moved into the one out and one back trail at the 400m mark and finished off too well at the finish. MISSMETRO was three back on the markers early, circled around to find the lead at the 1200m and boxed on fairly well for second. JET JOCKEY settled four back on the inside, moved into the death seat in the back straight on the final occasion, dropped in for a breather behind the leader on the home turn and angled into the sprint lane. He finished third ahead of THREE SHADOWS, which led out then took a trail. TISEH LUCKY LADY broke at the start and lost 40m early. She was tailed off for the remainder of the trial and was the last horse to finish.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Final Half: - 59.6 Margins: - 5m, Head
Trial 6: - SIR JULIAN has recently returned to trainer Justin Brewin after a long stint in Queensland. He settled in last position, came out three horses wide on the home turn and finished off strongly to win over DANMAN, which trailed the leader and moved away from the inside on the home turn. ULTIMATE ME attempted to lead all of the way but was run down over the latter stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.5 Final Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 3m, 2m
TERANG 12/04/21
Trial 1: - ROLLINJACKSRAINBOW began quickly to lead and dashed home in fast final half to win narrowly. He makes his return to racing at Ararat on Tuesday night where he should prove hard to beat. JILLIBY NITRO is a brilliant pacer, which has been placed in all of his fifteen starts and is a proven Group 1 winner. He settled last of the four horses, moved into the one out and one back trail and finished off strongly out wide on the track to finish a game second. KEAYANG KAMIKAZE settled three back on the inside and moved up without cover at the 600m mark. He finished a close up third with KEAYANG BALBOA being last of the four runners after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.9 Final Half: - 56.8 Margins: - Neck, ½ head
Trial 2: - IMAGOLDCLOUD began very quickly to lead and was a good margin in front of the pack for most of the journey. He was able to hold off the late challenge of TORPEDO BART (Sweet Lou – Holmencontents 1.54.3, $107,033), which finished nicely from last and missed out by a narrow margin. TOODLE PIP (Art Major – Swift Retort 2.4.4, $4,606) was without cover early, trailed the leader from the 1200m and used the sprint lane. She finished third ahead of FLASH JIMMY (A Rocknroll Dance – Whata Impact 1.58.5, $28,375), which ended up being three back on the markers after trailing the leader in the early stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.2 Final Half: - 60.1 Margins: - 1m, 8m
Trial 3: - MISS MAIA pushed forward to find the lead at the 1700m and scored by a narrow margin but she went to the line bolting with plenty in reserve. HONEY BOURBON led out, took a trail and used the sprint lane. She finished off well but couldn’t peg back the winner. ENLIGHTENED GIFT was four back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 600m and battled on well for third position. FIRE ALERT (Great Success – Fire Chase 2.7.5, $12,025) broke in the score up and lost 30m early before tacking on at the 1400m mark. He beat home his stable mate KENTUCKY JIM (Great Success – Lucky Kentucky), which settled three back on the markers.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.6 Final Half: - 60.8 Margins: - 1/2Neck, 1.75m
Trial 4: - A JEWEL IN THE CROWN settled four back on the markers, moved into the one out and one back trail before easing in behind the leader. He then moved away from the markers at the quarter pole. His job was made easier when FREMARKSPOETRY galloped but he did look impressive in the run to the finish. KEAYANG SAMBUCA (Sam Bourbon – Bohemian Queen 2.4.1, $13,170) trailed the leader early and ended up being four back on the markers. He ran into a distant second with FREMARKSPOETRY being third after working to the lead at the 1700m and going with A JEWEL IN THE CROWN before galloping in the final 100m. ALDEBARAN DAMON (Love You – Aldebaran Deegan) led early and was shuffled to three back on the markers mid-race. He finished fourth and was well clear of MALLEE BOYZ (Skyvalley – Wannabeamaori), which twirled around like a ballet dancer at the start and missed away badly.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.8 Final Half: - 59.6 Margins: - 72m, Head
GEELONG 12/04/21
Trial 1: - MISTER FORTUNIA began quickly to lead and dashed home in a quick final half to score by a narrow margin in what should be a strong form reference. He makes his Australian debut at Cobram on Monday and should run a big race. BLUE CHIP DELIGHT trailed the leader throughout and finished second with HEZACROCWATCHER being an eye-catching third after settling in fourth position, moving into the one out and one back trail and making up late ground. DOUBTLESS BAY dropped back to last early, moved up without cover from the 1100m mark and battled on well for fourth. HAWAIIANBEACH finished fifth after being three back on the markers throughout and SEIZE POWER (5 back markers, 1-2 at 800m) was the last one to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.4 Final Half: - 56.4 Margins: - ½ Head, 3m
BLACKBOOKERS: - Mister Fortunia NZ & Hezacrocwatcher NZ
Trial 2: - KYVALLEY HELEN (Muscle Hill – Aldebaran Revenue) was without cover early before moving into the lead with 1700m remaining. She gained a nice run in the leading role and held on to score. WINGMAN FLING was four back on the markers, ended up being in the one out and one back trail at the 1200m, dropped in behind the leader then came away from the inside on the turn. He finished off well and missed out narrowly. THUNDER WING (Lawman – Kosmanoid) was last on the markers in the early stages and was able to work home nicely into third position. He did well for a juvenile taking on older horses and finished ahead of SHEZ A DOOD, which moved into the death seat from behind the leader at the 1500m mark. FLING IT ALL ABOUT began quickly to lead, took a trail and yielded ground at the finish.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.7 Final Half: - 61.3 Margins: - ½ Head, 12m
Trial 3: - COBBER (A Rocknroll Dance – Star Crossed 1.56.2, $46,847) trailed the leader in the early stages before moving around to take the front. He set up a slow tempo but won very softly. BYE LINE led out, took a trail and came to the outside to pursue on the home turn. He held his ground in the straight and finished second. He returns from a spell at Ararat on Tuesday night. COBALT STRIDE (Captaintreacherous – Eye Catching 1.56.8, $38,730) was last of the four runners for the majority of the journey before coming to the outside on the home turn. He finished third with PEDANTIC (Art Major – Bettor Charm 1.57.3, $35,153) using the sprint lane from three back on the markers but failing to run on in the straight and finishing at the tail.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.4 Final Half: - 60.6 Margins: - 5m, 2m
Trial 4: - IM ARTS BETTORSECRET began quickly and drew two metres in front but couldn’t get across to the markers in the early stages. He angled in behind the leader at the 1700m mark before making his winning move with 500m remaining. CURLY JAMES began quickly to lead, pulled hard and started racing roughly turning out of the back straight on the final occasion. To his credit, he fought on strongly in the straight and missed out by a narrow margin. JUST AS WELL settled down last of the five runners, moved up without cover at the half mile marker before receiving cover at the quarter pole. He came out three horses wide on the home turn and missed out by a narrow margin. IM ALRIGHT JACK (Village Jolt – Phoebe Jack 2.1.4, $11,180) finished fourth after settling three back on the markers and AMATERASU (4 back markers) was the last one across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.3 Final Half: - 58.4 Margins: - Head, Head
Trial 5: - ROCK N ROLL CHAPEL began quickly to lead and backed off the tempo mid-race. She finished off in a slick final 800m and won the trial nicely. WILLIE GO WEST was three back on the markers and finished off strongly via the sprint lane. BOOTS ELECTRIC trailed the leader and never peeled to the outside at any stage, going to the line hard held in third position. PACIFICO DREAM finished last in preparation for his effort in the Captain Sandy FFA at Geelong on Saturday night, where he is assessed at a short quote. He was last throughout and he wasn’t overly convincing but he is a bold front running pacer, which is likely to be trying to lead throughout from the pole position on Saturday.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.0 Final Half: - 57.5 Margins: - 4m, Nose
Trial 6: - LADY IN THE SKY began quickly to lead, pulled hard throughout the middle stages and jogged home to score comfortably in preparation for her effort at Ballarat on Friday night. She is meeting a tough field at Ballarat but she performed well enough at the trial to suggest she is one of the leading chances. ABUNDANCE trailed the leader throughout and finished second with MONARCH STRIDE (Muscle Hill – Nitengale Stride USA) being third after trailing the leader, using the sprint lane and being untouched in the run to the finish. BULLAPARK BENO was four back on the markers and moved away from the inside with 300m remaining. He finished ahead of the Need for Speed Prince winner HAVE NO FEAR, which settled last and was never extended at any stage. HALLABOUTME was five back on the markers throughout and was the last one to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.9 Final Half: - 61.3 Margins: - 5m, ½ head
