Trainer-driver Anthony Butt looks set to make more great strides on the Victorian scene, with Vivid Stride catching Craig Rail's eye on the Victorian trials circuit this week.
The just turned four-year-old has only had two starts to date but looks set to have a promising path ahead, being the only horse added to the Trial File Blackbook this week.
Scroll to the bottom for the updated Blackbook.
BACCHUS MARSH 26/12/20
Trial 1: - MEGIDDO was able to win at Geelong on December 04 and has been performing well for new trainer Joe Pace. He took out the opening trial from the standing start over the trotter MADENA BAY, which is the winner of seven races but hasn’t started since April.
Mile Rate: - 2.13.7 Final Half: - 61.9 Margin: - 1m
Trial 2: - CURLY JAMES (A Rocknroll Dance – Someone To Love) is out of an unraced daughter of the fast Canadian mare Kabbalah Karen B (1.52.4, $285,098), which has produced two Breeders Crown winners in Our Little General (1.49.8) and Ladies In Red (1.51.9) along with the classy Kasbah Kid (1.53.1) and Beautiful Woman (1.56.4). He is the first foal and he took out the second trial by a good margin. SUNSHINE WARRIOR (Sunshine Beach – Educated Lady 1.56.2, $62,430) is out of a fast race mare in Educated Lady and finished second with IDENTONY (Sunshine Beach – Little Miss Fire 2.0.9, $7,313) being last of the three runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.7 Final Half: - 61.5 Margins: - 12m, 12m
Trial 3: - BREATHE EASY broke stride and was stood down to trial at his latest Geelong third. He has since joined trainer Tim McGuigan and took out his trial from CAPTAIN SONADOR, hasn’t started since January and has been transferred to trainer Bernard Alder. MEGAFELLA hasn’t started since May and was able to finish in third position ahead of CHEEKY CHEDDAR and MONTY MAJOR.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.9 Final Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 3m, 20m
Trial 4: - DRESS SENSE continued his very good trial form with a win in fast time. He scored by ten metres from the former New Zealand pacer AROCKNATTHEPARK, which joins trainer Tony Romeo. AROCKNATTHEPARK is a strong type and makes his Australian debut at Melton on Saturday night, where he takes on a good field. MAJOR EXCLUSIVE finished third ahead of YANNERIE, which was spelled after a Melton victory back in September. CARMY DAN failed to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.4 Final Half: - 61.4 Margins: - 10m, 4m
Trial 5: - FROSOS GIRL hasn’t raced since having three unplaced runs back in January. She scored over MERRY DANCER with KURUN EXPRESS being in a distant third. TINAS DELIGHT (Bettors Delight – Garden Gate Tina CA (1.53.2, $146,804) is out of a race winning Canadian mare that has produced three Australian winners including the top performer Beach Garden (1.52.9, $135,844). She finished last of the four runners but her breeding would suggest that she will improve.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.8 Final Half: - 62.2 Margins: - 1m, 10m
Trial 6: - BRANDONS PRICE has been able to put together a couple of trial victories in succession. He raced away to win by a big margin over THE SARGENT (Skyvalley – Redneck) with the locally prepared LETHAL LES finishing in third position. The Jess Tubbs prepared juvenile filly ILLAWONG LARAJAY (Sebastian K – Illawong Bardot) obviously struck bother and finished a distant last.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.1 Final Half: - 60.9 Margins: - 25m, Head
Trial 7: - CYCLONE S ADAMS was performing nicely at the trials prior to a big second at his Australian debut. He prepared for his effort at Melton on Saturday with a runaway victory over DARING ANGEL with I CHOOSE, which hasn’t started since September, being in third position. MADENA SKY was last of the four runners to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.11.0 Final Half: - 62.8 Margins: - 15m, 6m
Trial 8: - ZALTA followed his runner up performance at Geelong with a trial victory over BIT OF A DREAM, which finished unplaced at her first run back from a break and should be getting fitter. CALCULATING DANCER has been performing nicely at the trials and was placed at Geelong on December 21. He finished in third position and was ahead of LET’S GO EXCLUSIVE, UNION BOSS and ITEKA ROSE was the last of the six runners across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.8 Final Half: - 59.8 Margins: - 2m, 6m
MARYBOROUGH 27/12/20 (The results of this meeting did not make the Harness Website. The results given are from the broadcast of the video replays and not the official results. Some horse names may be misspelled).
Trial 1: - IM SHADOW BOXER settled down in midfield (1-2) and made his move with 500m remaining. He quickly joined the leaders and forged to the front on the home turn before holding off the challengers to win by a narrow margin. STRUVE settled down in the one out and one back trail and was held up for a run at a vital stage. He switched back to the inside late and drove through to be beaten narrowly. CARLOAD trailed forward behind IM SHADOW BOXER (1-3), came to the outside in the straight and finished off strongly without being extended. OUR SIR OLIVER finished in fourth position after racing without cover throughout and hitting the lead at the 500m mark. It wasn’t a bad trial performance but he is very awkwardly drawn on the inside of the second row at Maryborough on Monday. SIXTY settled three back on the markers, was held up behind tiring horses at a vital stage and finished off nicely late. BUNDY PLAYBOY finished sixth after the trailing the leader and TELL NOBODY, which has been in great form recently, dropped out to be last of seven runners after setting the speed.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Final Half: - Not Given Margins: Head, Neck (approximately)
Trial 2: - INAUGURATE enjoyed the perfect trip in the one out and one back trail and was able to dash home and get the prize over the early leader IMAGE OF COURAGE. CAYMAN GONE trailed the leader throughout and used the sprint lane to finish third. ESSPEE SUPREME raced without over and finished ahead of SILVER REACTOR (3 back markers), which was last of the five runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - 3m, 4m (approximately)
Trial 3: - HARRYHOO prepared for his tilt at the Group 1 Super Series Grand Final with an easy trial victory. He trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 500m mark and used his speed to race clear and win well. THUMP pulled hard at the start, showed good gate speed to lead and produced a really nice trial performance to finish in second position. With the trial results not being posted on the website, those astute punters that watched the video replays were rewarded handsomely at Ararat on Wednesday, where he opened up at $23 on the fixed odds markets and was extremely well supported, getting the money on the line. FIGHTNFURY finished in third position after settling three back on the markers and using inside runs throughout. He is backing up from a good draw at Maryborough on Monday. CHALKNCHEDDAR was four back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 800m, gained the one out and one back trail behind HARRYHOO leaving the back straight and battled on fairly well for fourth. ON WATCH was five back on the markers throughout and finished fifth with LOVEN LAUGHTER being last for the duration.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - 10m, 5m (approximately)
Trial 4: - RELENTLESS ME trailed the leader and lost ground with 500m remaining but was able to stick to his task nicely and lifted in the final stages. He came to the outside on the home turn and dashed clear at the end to win nicely. BARACK ENOBRAC tried to lead throughout and dashed clear in the back straight but got tired in the final 100m, finishing second. CHEDALAYO settled fifth on the markers, came to the outside on the home turn and finished off nicely for a distant third. PHIL ROCKS was three back on the markers throughout and finished fourth with VICTORIOUS GEORGE (4 back markers) just failing to pick him up on the line and ending up being the last of them in.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - 6m, 12m (approximately)
Trial 5: - IMA CHERISHED STRIDE was able to lead comfortably and was unchallenged from the start. She kicked clear in the run home to score by a good margin. HIDDEN FIRE trailed the leader throughout and finished in second position with JORDANS MATE being last of the three runners for the entire trip.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - 10m, 7m (approximately)
Trial 6: - FINAL LOVE settled behind the leader and trotted roughly for most of the first lap. She lost ground in the backstraight before peeling out wide approaching the home turn. She seemed to trot more fluently when she was not in a trailing position and extended nicely to win well. TENSION SEEKER was three back on the markers early before moving into the one out and one back trail. She battled on fairly well in the straight to finish second ahead of ALDEBARAN PETE, which galloped at the start and lost ten metres then raced without cover for the final 1700m. SMART CHA CHA was the last one to complete the course after beginning quickly to lead early.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Final Half: - Not given Margins: - 6m, 3m
Trial 7: - JERICHOS TRUMPET started from a big handicap in the field of three trotters but stepped away cleanly and was able to tack on comfortably with a slow tempo being set. He trailed the leader from the 1100m, came to the outside at the 600m mark and was able to work past the young trotter STRATEGIC STRIDE to win easily. STRATEGIC STRIDE did everything right in the leading role and finished second with SURBITON ARMISTICE being tailed off after galloping at the 1100m then again at the 700m.
Mile Rate: - Not Given Final Half: - Not Given Margins: - 20m, Distanced (approximately)
TABCORP PARK, MELTON 29/12/20
Trial 1: - ALAKAZAM wasn’t the fastest away but was able to burrow through along the inside and gained the trail behind the leader GOODTIME MADDIE (Sportswriter – Married To The Mob 1.56.1, $119,775). He came to the outside with 150m remaining and got home best to score. GOODTIME MADDIE battled on well after trying to lead throughout and finished second with BOWLED GARY (Well Said – Cool Machrista 1.56.5, $72,458) being third. He settled fifth on the inside, came wide into the straight and was making up ground before easing in behind the winner with 100m remaining. WHATISAYGOES (Grinfromeartoear – Crystal Journey 2.0.2, $113,185) settled four back on the inside and appeared to be the winner turning for home as she quickly joined the leader after popping off the markers with 300m remaining. She unfortunately galloped on the final corner and lost her opportunity. STARZZZLASS (Four Starzzz Shark – Sports Lass) began quickly and drew three metres in front but couldn’t get across to the markers and ended up without cover. She hung in and raced roughly at the 500m then couldn’t regather any momentum after that point.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.0 Final Half: - 60.32 Margins: - ½ Neck, 5m
Trial 2: - HEY LISTEN began fast and found the lead easily despite racing a little roughly 50m after the start. He wanted to switch off in the lead, particularly when there was no horse near him but he was still able to draw well clear at the finish. LARINGA (Bacardi Lindy – Springhassprung) trailed the leader early, was three back on the markers from the 1200m and moved away from the inside turning into the back straight on the final occasion. She finished a distant second with RYMES (Majestic Son – Genayas Girl) being the last horse to cross the finishing line after starting off in third, trailing the leader from the 1200m and yielding ground in the back straight on the final occasion.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.1 Final Half: - 60.54 Margins: - 42.5m, 34.5m
Trial 3: - VIVID STRIDE was three back on the markers before moving through to trail the leader with a half mile remaining. He peeled to the outside at the quarter pole, hit the lead on the turn and was given an easy time over the concluding stages. OUR GEORGINA ROSE followed VIVID STRIDE throughout and was one out and one back approaching the home turn. She gained a run through the middle in the latter stages and flew home late but just failed on the line. OUR MASTER GEORGE began quickly to lead but couldn’t repel the challengers in the straight. EQUITY STRIDE settled down last of the five runners, got into fourth when ALL HONOUR, which trailed the leader, galloped and remained in fourth for the remainder of the journey. ALL HONOUR lost fifteen metres when he broke stride with 900m remaining but was yielding ground in the final 400m.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.8 Final Half: - 58.01 Margins: - ½ Neck, 4m
BLACKBOOKER: - Vivid Stride
Trial 4: - ALPINE STRIDE trailed the leader in what was a hectic tempo and came to the outside on the home turn. He finished off strongly and won well in a slick mile rate of 1.53.9. AHA REACTION can race fiercely and he was allowed to stride in the trial. He boxed on gamely after setting the strong speed and finished second. DIAMOND GRACE settled down last of the four runners and was able to get past MYSTIC CASTLE over the concluding stages.
Mile Rate: - 1.53.9 Final Half: - 56.41 Margins: - 2.5m, 17m
Trial 5: - MAH MUKKER dropped back to be last of the four runners and trailed forward nicely behind ORLANDOS PRINCESS throughout. He came out three horses wide turning out of the back straight and always appeared to be travelling like a winner. He locked wheels momentarily with ORLANDOS PRINCESS turning for home but he dashed away in the straight to win with plenty in reserve. ORLANDOS PRINCESS was three back on the markers and moved into the death seat with 700m remaining. She battled on well for second with the early leader STAIRWAYTOTHEMOON being in third. LETHAL LES trailed the leader, appeared to be under pressure with 600m remaining and broke stride shortly afterwards so he finished a tailed off last.
Mile Rate: - 62.05 Final Half: - 62.05 Margins: - 3m, 22.5m
Trial 6: - RED HOT TOOTH began brilliantly to lead, ran along at a genuine tempo and was able to record a slippery mile rate of 1.55.2 in winning the last trial. The former New South Wales trained trotter MAJESTIC COURTNEY is now being trained by Andy Gath and prepared for his effort at Melton on Saturday with a good performance, despite being last of the two runners. He met a proven Group 1 performer, travelled keenly and fleetingly appeared to be a winning chance on the turn so there is no reason why he can’t go well on Saturday night.
Mile Rate: - 1.55.2 Final Half: - 56.01 Margin: - 4m
SHEPPARTON 29/12/20
Trial 1: - PENSINI (Modern Art – Howards Dilemma 2.0.4, $75,806) began quickly to lead and was able to lead throughout. He has trialled impressively over the past few weeks and is out of a former handy race mare in Howards Dilemma so he does appear to have a promising future. He makes his debut at Swan Hill on Tuesday, where he appears to be a big winning hope. The rising two years old OUR CHRISTIANO (Alta Christiano – Our Odette 1.58.1, $17,253) ran a terrific second. He settled down last of the three runners, rushed around and had a brief look for the lead at the 1200m mark before angling in behind the leader. He chased hard and finished second. DIDN’T MIDGE trailed the leader early, ended up being last of the three runners from the 1100m and dropped off late.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.4 Final Half: - 59.4 Margins: - 10m, Dist
Trial 2: - MUMMYS BOY was able to win the 200m dash up the straight in a trial, which appeared to be more like trackwork than a competitive affair. He trailed the leader, used the sprint lane and got home to beat his stable mate MAX DELIGHT, which led. Both horses went to the line nicely with plenty in reserve. CHEVRON FLIES was three back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 300m and couldn’t sprint with the two David Aiken trained runners over the final stages.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.6 Final Half: - 58.9 Margins: - Head, 10m
Trial 3: - BELLA LUCY produced a tidy performance to win the trial after she galloped at the start and missed approximately 40m early. She moved away from the inside to race without cover in the final 900m and hit the lead in the straight before holding off the late challenge of TEQUILA BREE. She is a winning chance at Echuca tonight, providing she gets away safely. TEQUILA BREE trailed the leader and angled to the outside with 150m remaining. She finished quickly and was able to get up on the line to finish second with the early leader BOOZER being in third position. MONTANA MUSCLE (Down Under Muscles – Madiskita 2.6.3, $31,875) settled three back on the markers and finished fourth with ABBIE (Majestic Son – Aldebaran Peggy) (4 back on the markers) being the last horse across the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.5 Final Half: - 61.2 Margins: - 1m, 1m
Trial 4: - MOONSHINE LINDA settled four back on the markers, moved up without cover from the bell and produced a strong performance to claim the leader ALEPPO MURPHY on the line. ALEPPO MURPHY didn’t help his cause by racing fiercely throughout the middle stages but he kicked on well in the straight and was nosed out at the finish. HOT WIRE (Village Jolt – Hot To Trot Lombo 2.2.0, $26,800) finished third after trailing the leader throughout and was well clear of THE DIAMOND KING, which was three back on the markers and began yielding ground with 500m remaining. MEGGS IS ME (Shadow Play – Caracas) was slow away and was always detached from the pack. She finished fifth and THE LONGEST DAY was tailed off throughout after galloping at the start.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.3 Final Half: - 60.5 Margins: - Neck, 10m
Trial 5: - MAGIC MAID (Majestic Son – African Magic) settled 3 back on the inside, moved through to trail the leader on the home turn and drove through along the sprint lane to win narrowly over HALUNKE (Yankee Spider – Miss Eliza 2.5.9, $43,000), which showed good standing start manners to lead clearly early. MALHANA MUSCLES (Down Under Muscles – Hanabration 2.6.9, $6,119) trailed the leader throughout, came to the outside with 300m remaining and tried hard in the straight to finish in third position. STARLIGHT RUBY (Yankee Spider – Starlights Child 2.2.2, $60,315) broke stride just after the start and was tailed off throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.15.7 Final Half: - 63.0 Margins: - 1m, 5m
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