With his ears pricked as he comfortably saluted at Bendigo, there's at least one triallist that Craig Rail didn't Mind following as he scoured the Victoria circuit for his Friday column.
And the three-year-old makes his debut in the fourth at Swan Hill on Sunday, when he'll go up against fellow Blackbookers Spencer and Wyattflynn in race 4.
Get the good oil before race day courtesy of this week's trial file, with the updated Blackbook at the bottom.
WARRAGUL 12/12/20
Trial 1: - LEOSABI began quickly to lead, took a trail shortly after the start then came to the outside with 300m remaining. He was able to dash past the early leader ONE MANS TRASH to win comfortably. ONE MANS TRASH set up a slow tempo in the lead and just held off HAIR RAZOR to finish second. HAIR RAZOR was three back on the markers, angled out three horses wide with 150m remaining and was picking up ground without being extended. Both ONE MANS TRASH and HAIR RAZOR are racing at Warragul this afternoon. MYSTIC CASTLE was without cover early, dropped back to be last on the markers and remained at the tail of the field for the remainder of the journey.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.0 Final Half: - 57.74 Margins: - 4m, head (approximately)
Trial 2: - SCRUFFY MOTO (Auckland Reactor – Magic Music 2.1.9, $28,855) trailed the leader ALL HONOUR for the entire journey before coming to the outside approaching the home turn. He finished off best to get the prize and without being pushed at any stage. MAGIC CRAFT settled last of the three runners and broke stride with 300m, losing her chance but she was approximately 15m behind the second horse at that stage. That effort was a bit of a concern for her performance at Warragul this afternoon after she put in two very good efforts to start off her career.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.6 Final Half: - 58.09 Margins: - 5m, 100m (approximately)
BACCHUS MARSH 12/12/20
Trial 1: - ROBLEN DANCER made it through to the Breeders Crown Final recently so she is better than what her current numerical form suggests. She was able to defeat BRANDONS PRICE by a comfortable margin with MOREFLINGTHANBLING, which was stood down to trial after galloping at Yarra Valley at his latest attempt, being in third position. RYMES (Majestic Son – Genayas Girl) was the last of the four trotters to cross the line. The winner ROBLEN DANCER competes in a strong heat of the Super Series on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.2 Final Half: - 61.0 Margins: - 15m, 15m
Trial 2: - STAR OF BROADWAY is a juvenile trained by Shannon McLean and was able to take out the trial for the 2yo’s. Unfortunately, when trying to find the breeding of this pacer, the only STAR OF BROADWAY that could be found was the colt born in 1979. HOLDONTIGHT (Sportswriter – Classic Bliss 1.53.0, $103,898) is out of a very good race mare and was able to finish second for trainer Tim McGuigan and the former New South Wales trained pacer FLUFFY DADA finished last of the three runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.5 Final Half: - 60.7 Margins: - 2.5m, 10m
Trial 3: - ROSE COOPER hasn’t raced since finishing last at Ballarat in September, where she was stood down to trial. She has since joined trainer Denis Grieve and she took out the third trial over LETS GO EXCLUSIVE, which hasn’t raced since June. ROSE COOPER is drawn awkwardly for her return at Geelong on Monday night. MONTY MAJOR was 20m away in third position and finished just ahead of UNION BOSS, which hasn’t started since April. The qualifier PEDANTIC (Art Major – Bettor Charm 1.57.3, $35,153) finished in fifth position with ITEKA ROSE coming in last of the six runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.4 Final Half: - 60.6 Margins: - 3m, 20m
Trial 4: - MAJESTIC MATADOR prepared for his run in a heat of the Super Series at Maryborough on Monday with a victory over the unraced 2yo trotter TRIXY NIXIE (Trixton – Starcus $55,576), which is out of the good producing mare Starcus. ROSIES PRIDE hasn’t raced since June and finished in third position with THE SARGENT (Skyvalley – Redneck) being last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.1 Final Half: - 64.2 Margins: - 3m, 15m
Trial 5: - MOJO MAJOR ran an eye-catching race against the claiming class when he was resuming from a long spell and produced a quick final half of 57.3 seconds to win his trial by a narrow margin. He is competing at Melton on Saturday night but has drawn a wide alley. OFF THE RADAR is a handy sprinter and finished a close second with the former Queensland pacer TARGARYEN HANOVER being in third position. MAJALINER finished last of the four runners but went into the trial with the lowest National Rating.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.0 Final Half: - 57.3 Margins: - ½ head, 10m
Trial 6: - JASPERINE broke stride and was stood down to trial at Geelong on December 04. She was able to take out the trial in what was a terrific finish. She is drawn poorly at Geelong on Monday night. ZARAS ALL GOOD was in second position with BROADWAY AND FIFTH being a close up third. That trio were able to dash well clear of MY LINDY ANGELS with CALYPSO MISTRESS being the last of the five competitors to reach the finishing line.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.0 Final Half: - 60.0 Margins: - Head, Neck
Trial 7: - MEGIDDO won a race at Geelong on December 04 and was able to keep the trend going by winning a standing start trial where he commenced from the handicap of 40m. BACARDI CARTA finished in second position with the Alison Alford trained juvenile trotter ALGORITHM (Great Success – Jumanji Franco) filling third spot. OUR CHEEKY DEVIL (Shadow Play – Riverside Oakes) was fourth and MADENA BAY was the last horse to complete the course.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.7 Final Half: - 61.5 Margins: - 3m, 15m
MILDURA 13/12/20
Trial 1: - CAULONIA COURAGE (Courage Under Fire – Caulonia Babe 1.55.3, $46,838) was an impressive winner of the opening trial. He was five back on the markers early, came away from the inside at the 1500m mark, took a trail behind the leader turning out of the front straight with short of a lap remaining then peeled out three horses wide from the 300m. He sprinted sharply in the straight to win comfortably. His only blemish was on the home turn when he hit the final corner at speed and broke stride momentarily. He did show enough ability to be competitive for his debut performance this evening. BEAU BRONSKI began quickly to lead, pulled very hard then hung out badly on the corner out of the front straight with 800m remaining. He was left without cover for the remainder of the journey. He obviously has some ability but he is still learning and is drawn awkwardly for his performance at Mildura tonight. LAST ARTIST trailed the leader before gaining an inside run and punching through to find the front at the 800m mark. He went with BEAU BRONSKI in the back straight but he couldn’t sustain the run and ended up in third position. UNETHICAL was in last position early and attempted to work up in the one out and one back trail behind CAULONIA COURAGE but couldn’t get into that position with the hectic early speed. He ran home reasonably well at the end for fourth. SPORTSBILLY finished in fifth position after settling four back on the markers early. REDBANK RENDEZVOUS was second last to begin and was trailing up behind UNETHICAL before coming out three horses wide at the 1200m. He worked hard mid-race and it was a fast tempo at that stage of the event. He ended up being one out and one back when BEAU BRONSKI hung out at the half mile marker but he tired at the end. BEAUDIENESGOLD ((The) Gold Ace – Beaudiene Riviera 2.0.6, $37,578) settled three back on the markers and was last of the seven runners to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.2 Final Half: - 63.3 Margins: - 2m, 7m
Trial 2: - PROMISE ME HEAVEN began quickly to lead and completely dominated his rivals. He set up a genuine tempo and dashed away in the final stages to win by 30m. THE VERGINIAN settled three back on the markers, moved away from the inside to pursue with 600m remaining and battled on fairly for second position. He was beaten by a long way but he beat the beaten brigade by just as far. He might be able to run a place at longer odds tonight from the inside of the second row behind a reasonable beginner. TICKLE TICKLE (Sir Galvinator – Happy Easter Lombo) finished in third position after trailing the leader throughout and THE ANT KILLER (4 back markers) filled fourth spot. RUBY REACTOR (Auckland Reactor – Larilla Lace 2.3.2, $13,585) broke at the start and settled down last. She finished ahead of LIVINGINTHESHADOW, which settled five back on the markers but broke stride at the 900m mark then again in the back straight on the final occasion.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.3 Final Half: - 58.3 Margins: - 30m, 30m
Trial 3: - ROCKNROLL FEVER makes his local debut for trainer Frank Cavallaro tonight at Mildura and should be a chance on his trial victory. He led throughout and rolled along at a genuine tempo but the best part of his win was the way he kicked back strongly over the final stages, which showed his tenacity to get to the winning post. MISS CULLENREACTOR settled three back on the inside, moved away from the markers at the 200m mark and chased hard. It seemed as though she was going to win the trial but ROCKNROLL FEVER just kicked on too well late. IMPETUOSO trailed the leader, pulled hard and finished in third position. BEAU RIVER settled last of the five runners and dropped off the pack when HIS A DREAMER, which settled four back on the inside, broke gear and had to be eased out of the event.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.1 Final Half: - 61.8 Margins: - Neck, 10m
Trial 4: - CALGARY BAY led throughout to win the final trial. OHOKA DIESEL trailed, came to the outside at the 600m mark and the pair staged a good duel over the latter stages. OHOKA DIESEL poked his nose in front but CALGARY BAY picked up to win on the line. CHEVAL CHARETTE remained last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.8 Final Half: - 60.9 Margins: - ½ head, 6m
MARYBOROUGH 13/12/20
Trial 1: - MAJOR MANBAR settled in third position, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 900m mark and came out three horses wide in the home straight when he dashed home to win nicely. He has been performing extremely well at the Maryborough trials over the past few weeks. BONUS PLAY was without cover early, pushed forward to find the lead at the 1500m mark and finished in second position with JOBELLS IMAGE being in third. She led early, took a trail and moved up without cover at the 900m mark. SIXTY settled last of the six horses, moved into the running lane in the final lap (1-2) and wasn’t asked to do much over the final stages. VALENTINA BRAVE was four back on the markers but got a nice run through to trail the leader with 900m remaining. She finished ahead of KONAN, which settled in fifth position and failed to beat a runner to the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Final Half: - 57.0 Margins: - Head, 1m
Trial 2: - RUBY WINGATE settled three back on the markers, came to the outside in the straight and finished strongly to get the prize over WELEASE WOGER (Barna Straide – Seven Nations 1.59.5, $63,000), which led and gave a great sight but was beaten on the line. SEACHANGE settled in fourth but moved up without cover at the mile marker. She battled on well for third position ahead of HEDEALSINDIAMONDS (American Ideal – Rebel Diamond 1.56.8, $59,750), which settled fifth on the markers, gained a one out and one back trail at the 1600m. DECEPTIVE STRIDE (Captaintreacherous – Delightful Joy) was last of the five after trailing the leader for the majority of the trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Final Half: - 57.7 Margins: - 1m, 1m
Trial 3: - WINGATE GUY pushed forward to race without cover in the windy conditions and did a good job to knuckle down in the straight and get the prize. LEFTHOOKRIGHTCROSS began quickly and set up a reasonable pace during the middle stages. He kicked on well and finished a close second with IMAGE OF COURAGE being in third after trailing the leader throughout. DANMAN settled three back on the markers and was doing his best work late in fourth. NEPHEW OF SONOKO settled in the one out and one back trail, trotted roughly at the quarter pole and couldn’t regather momentum, finishing at the tail of the field. LEFTHOOKRIGHTCROSS should give a bold showing from the pole position at Swan Hill on Sunday.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.0 Final Half: - 57.5 Margins: - 1m, 8m
Trial 4: - WYATTFLYNN was without cover early before pushing forward to find the front running role at the 1700m mark. He set up a good tempo and was able to hold off his rivals to take the prize. NIKITA ADELE led out, took a trail and came to the outside at the 400m mark. She worked home well for a close second then backed up at Echuca on Thursday night and was successful, which is a good form reference for WYATTFLYNN when he next steps out onto the track. SCENE OF TERROR (Western Terror – Clean The Scene) finished in third position after settling down in last position and moving up without over at the bell. He makes his debut at Swan Hill on Sunday. JOEWEST (Roll With Joe – Maximum Joy 1.58.2, $31,250) was four back on the inside throughout and beat home HES GONESKI, which settled one position ahead in the run but broke stride with 300m remaining.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.7 Final Half: - 58.2 Margins: - 1m, 18m
BLACKBOOKER: - Wyattflynn
Trial 5: - PARIS FAITH prepared for her tilt at the Super Series with an easy trial victory over COULD DOWITHARAIN (Danny Bouchea – Lily May 2.2.6, $18,512). She broke stride in the score up but was able to catch the gate at release point and fired through to lead comfortably. COULD DOWITHARAIN was checked at the start and lost approximately 20m hence settling in a distant third. He picked up good ground and finished second with a large distance to HIDDEN FIRE in third after she broke stride at the start and settled four back on the inside. IM JOSEPHINE trailed the leader and finished fourth. The other two runners STRATEGIC STRIDE (Love You – Glory Stride) and MAJOR MAX both broke stride at the start and put themselves in a position where it was impossible to recover.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.2 Final Half: - 64.2 Margins: - 15m, 30m
Trial 6: - GOT EQUITY (Village Jolt – Royal Equity 1.56.2, $120,539) is another rising 2yo pacer that has shown ability at the trials so it could be a competitive season upcoming. He trailed the leader UNITED, came to the outside turning for home and was just able to prevail. AN FELLA MOR (Major In Art – Mumsthaword Lombo 2.0.9, $17,758) was third after being three back on the markers throughout and AMPHIJET (Village Jolt – Bianca Jasper 1.59.3, $22,758), which is a brother to the Gordon Rothacker Memorial (Melton Saturday) aspirant Franco Jolto, was last of the four runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Final Half: - 59.0 Margins: - 1m, 8m
Trial 7: - FUN ON RUM (Bacardi Lindy – Pepperell Mistral) settled down last on the four runners, came out three horses wide at the 250m mark and ran home best to score in a good finish. TENSION SEEKER pushed through on the inside of MICHAELSMENAME at the start to hold the lead then enjoyed a good run mid-race. He finished second with PRESIDENT ROYDON in third after trailing the leader throughout and finishing third. He hasn’t raced for over two years but put together four wins in succession at the end of his last campaign and he went to the line under a strong hold, seemingly with enough in reserve to win the trial easily had he been allowed to stride. MICHAELS MENAME unsuccessfully tried to lead early, took a trail then moved to the outside at the 500m mark. He wasn’t beaten by far but ended up finishing last of the four runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.5 Final Half: - 61.1 Margins: - 2m, Head
Trial 8: - EVERYBODYLUVSKENNY (Majestic Son – Midnightatpinevale 1.59.6, $40,195) took out the first trial for the rising 2yo trotters of the season. It was an extremely windy morning so all of the three young trotters did a fantastic job to trot all of the way. EVERYBODYLUVSKENNY bounced away in second place but quickly took the lead away from MAJESTIC EM (Majestic Son – Heart of Glass) before the first turn. He got into a nice rhythm and was able to win comfortably. MAJESTIC EM trailed the leader throughout and finished second with EARL PATRICK (Louey Louey Louey – Duchess Pat 2.2.8, $28,453) being last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.12.5 Final Half: - 62.3 Margins: - 15m, 30m
TABCORP PARK, MELTON 14/12/20
Trial 1: - ARAIGNEE FLAIR produced a good performance in preparation for her Super Series heat at Maryborough on Monday. She settled three back on the markers, moved away from the inside on the home turn and sprinted quickly in the home straight to win comfortably. GOODMAN raced without cover early then progressed forward to find the front on the first turn. He was never allowed to stretch out at full speed at any stage in the home straight but was still able to finish second. MARIACHI is racing in a heat of the Super Series on Monday and filled third position after settling last of the four runners early. PRINCE OF LIGHT stepped away quickly from the standing start to lead, took a trail and dropped out in the latter stages but he was taking on some very good trotters.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.4 Final Half: - 59.69 Margins: - 6.5m, Neck
Trial 2: - IM READY JET was extremely impressive and will be incredibly hard to beat in her heat of the Super Series on Monday. She settled fourth on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 600m, sprinted very sharply to hit the lead and drew away to win by a large margin. IZMOK settled three back on the inside, moved away from the markers at the 500m mark and filled second position with GALLEONS VICTORY coming from last of the five runners to pick up third. ORLANDOS PRINCESS stepped away best from the standing start but quickly took cover behind MASS DESTRUCTION. She was switching back to the sprint lane in the home straight when she broke stride. MASS DESTRUCTION was still in front of her when she broke and galloped at exactly the same time.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.7 Final Half: - 57.29 Margins: - 18.5m, 5.5m
Trial 3: - PRIDDY SUBLIME (Art Major – Our Priddy Diva) began quickly to lead and ran along at a reasonable tempo. She had a good lead on the turn and held off the late challenge of SPECIAL LADY (American Ideal – Lady Patti 1.57.5, $17,661) in the straight. SPECIAL LADY was three back on the inside and finished off very nicely with IONTHEBULLION being in third position after trailing the leader throughout. POPCORNFRIDAY (Camlach – Christmas Cleo) is a rising 2yo and was taking on older horses. She was last of the four horses throughout and wasn’t beaten by far at the end.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.5 Final Half: - 58.20 Margins: - 1.5m, 16m
Trial 4: - KYVALLEYHONEYBUNNY was able to gain plenty of confidence leading into the commencement of the Super Series on Monday with a very easy victory. She trailed the leader, moved away from the inside on the home turn and quickly pounced, drawing well clear at the end to win by over 40m. CAPTAIN GRAYWOOD finished in second position after setting the speed and THE SARGENT (Skyvalley – Redneck) was last for the duration, dropping off with a lap remaining but picking up again in the back straight on the final occasion.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.5 Final Half: - 62.92 Margins: - 43m, 2.5m
Trial 5: - KEAYANG DESTINY was able to lead, set up a slow tempo and sprinted home too quickly in the 400m dash for home. The last quarter was run in a brilliant 26.7 seconds. WOLF STRIDE settled down last and only came to the outside on the home turn. He was running home powerfully at the end so he ran an incredible final 200m to get as close as he did. KEAYANG DA VINCI trailed the leader and used the sprint lane. He finished last of the three but he held his own in comparison to the leader so his own final sectional was also fast.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.7 Final Half: - 56.0 Margins: - 1.5m, 3m
Trial 6: - MAJESTICAL BELLE has been racing consistently and produced a very good performance in her final hit-out for the Super Series on Monday. She began quickly to lead, ran along at an even tempo and kicked well clear of a good field. FEAR THE YANKEE trailed the leader throughout and finished second just in front of BOOTLEG BERT, which settled down last and burst through the middle late. It was an eye-catching trial and he is obviously at his peak but he is also on a hard mark. The Breeders Crown runner up OFORTUNA pulled hard in the early stages and was without cover before angling onto the markers to be three back. She finished in front of IS THAT A BID, which was four back on the markers before easing away from the inside at the 400m mark. IMAMAORIJET was five back on the markers and was out three horses wide with 300m remaining. She finished last of the six runners but wasn’t beaten by far. The last three horses across the line are all taking place in a heat of the Super Series and they were never seriously pushed at any stage.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.2 Final Half: - 58.62 Margins: - 13.5m, Nose
Trial 7: - SHANIA TEE began quickly to lead, ran along at an even tempo and had the field strung out during the early and middle stages. She kept on rolling and was able to win nicely without ever looking in any danger of defeat. WAVE OF DEFIANCE (A Rocknroll Dance – Definite Girl 1.58.1, $41,550) settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m and came out three horses wide from the 300m. She ran home well for second with ILLAWONG AWESOME (Mach Three – Miss Astronomical) being third after trailing the leader. Both WAVE OF DEFIANCE and ILLAWONG AWESOME are contesting the final race at Geelong on Monday night. PRIDDY SPUNGEE (Pet Rock – Billion Smiles 1.58.0, $25,480) settled down last but was able to pick up enough ground to beat ALAKAZAM (3 back fence, without cover at 600m) to the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.3 Final Half: - 58.02 Margins: - 5m, 5m
Trial 8: - JILLIBY ADORE settled three back on the inside, moved to the outside with 500m remaining and dashed home in very fast final sections to take the prize. GO JO JOLT did a great job to finish second after settling down in fifth position before moving into the running lane approaching the home turn (1-2). He finished off strongly out wide on the track. The Breeders Crown winner ALWAYS READY ran third but produced a strong performance against some handy pacers. He settled down last of the six runners, moved to the outside at the 700m, was one out and one back momentarily leaving the back straight and was wide on the home turn in a very quick final half of 56.84 seconds. LONGNWINDINGROAD was headed off early by AMAYA BECOMES but was able to circle around to find the lead at the 1700m. He finished fourth with AMAYA BECOMES in fifth after using the sprint lane in the straight. FANNING settled four back on the inside and was the last horse to pass the post.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.6 Final Half: - 56.84 Margins: - 7m, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: - Jilliby Adore
Trial 9: - ILLAWONG ARMSTRONG prepared for his comeback to racing at Melton on Saturday night with a victory over the pacers. He scored by a narrow margin but recorded reasonable time. KNOW REPLY (Heston Blue Chip – That’s All Right 1.59.9, $24,127) has had an extensive trial campaign leading up to his first attempt. He finished in second position with CMONBABYLITEMYFIRE running a distant third. QUIETACHIEVER is now with trainer Rita Burnett and finished fourth with MEGAFELLA being last of the five runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.9 Final Half: - 59.46 Margins: - Neck, 13.5m
Trial 10: - MEYDAN was able to take out the last trial in what was a competitive finish. MAESTRO and ELECTROJET both performed well in their final hit-outs for the Super Series heats on Monday finishing fourth and fifth respectively. CHERRY PICKER (Great Success – Cherry Sweet 2.7.7, $21,900) is an unraced 3yo trotter for trainer David Garbutt and finished last of the four after striking bother.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.9 Final Half: - 57.60 Margins: - 1/2Neck, 1.5m
HAMILTON 14/12/20
Trial 1: - The 2019 South Australian Oaks winner WELLSAIDLUCY hasn’t raced since February but she was able to put a huge gap on her rivals to take out the opening trial by 80m. She is now with trainer David Lewis after previously being with Matthew Craven, where she won five of her ten starts. SWITCHER (Union Guy – Bantom Belle 2.2.2, $22,731) met a very smart horse in his qualifying trial and finished a distant second ahead of CHICAGO NIGHTS, which hasn’t raced since May 2019.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.2 Final Half: - 59.3 Margins: - 80m, 4m
Trial 2: - SHEEZA PONY hasn’t raced since March but she was a winner at Mount Gambier when she was last in work. She scored over SMILE WITH A GRIN (Grinfromeartoear – Unique Mistress) with SHEZ AN ANGEL (Sunshine Beach – Rosharni 1.58.5, $42,821) finishing in third position. The last horse to cross the line was RAINBOWSNPEARLS (Rocknroll Heaven – Soho Cannes 1.59.1, $115,282).
Mile Rate: - 2.7.1 Final Half: - 61.8 Margins: - 4m,8m
Trial 3: - GLORIOUS FINALE won four races at the beginning of the year from January through to March so he has had a good season. He started from the handicap of 20m and was able to get up and win narrowly over KING JEWLIEN (Angus Hall – Black Curlew 2.7.3, $7,805), which has had an extensive trial campaign leading up to his debut performance. STELYN KISSES hasn’t raced since March and finished at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.9.36 Final Half: - 60.5 Margins: - Nose, 100m
BENDIGO 14/12/20
Trial 1: - Only two trotters contested the opening trial from the standing start with TEETREETOMMY defeating BUDDY HINSON (Majestic Son – Dottie Hinson 2.3.5, $48,295). It was a very slow start to the event but TEETREETOMMY was able to lead with BUDDY HINSON angling in behind. BUDDY HINSON moved to the outside on the home turn and tried hard but the winner was safely able to hold him at bay.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.8 Final Half: - 59.3 Margin: - 2m
Trial 2: - QUAKE PROOF settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 900m and was out three horses wide from the quarter pole so he delivered a tidy performance to win untouched over LADY LIL, which set the speed. YANKEE LOVER (Love You – Yankee Princess 2.4.8, $24,588) trailed the leader and held her ground in a reasonable final half so it wasn’t a bad run for an unraced qualifier. WAIKARE COLLEEN was three back on the inside and made a move with 900m remaining. She finished fourth with MURTAGH KAI (Down Under Muscles – Subitize 2.9.7, $6,106) being in fifth after galloping 50m after the start. COMANDANTE broke stride at the start then again on the first turn so he was tailed off throughout. Both QUAKE PROOF and WAIKARE COLLEEN will take on very tough opposition in their respective heat of the Super Series on Monday.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.2 Final Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 5m, 5m
Trial 3: - OUR DOREEN DAYS began quickly to lead and rolled along at a genuine tempo. He kicked clear on the home turn and still looked to be strong going to the line, winning comfortably. SHAWAMI LASS settled three back on the inside and moved away from the inside at the 500m mark to give chase in what ended up being a slick final 800m. SPECULATOR finished third after trailing the leader throughout and ILLAWONG LIVELY finished last of the four after settling down approximately 15m behind the pack.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.8 Final Half: - 56.2 Margins: - 5m, 8m
Trial 4: - SHEER MODERN was four back on the inside, moved away from the markers at the 1200m and made a lightning dash around the field to lead shortly afterwards. She was always in control and recorded handy time in winning. REVA was without over early, behind the leader from the mile marker and three back on the inside when SHEER MODERN found the lead. She chased hard and finished in second position. IMTHE GOLDEN CHILD trailed the leader early, ended up being four back on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail at the quarter pole. He was never extended at any stage and could have finished closer. BUNDY PLAYBOY was last early, without cover at the 1600m and dropped back to be fifth on the markers shortly afterwards. He finished fourth in front of LEGENDS LAST, which led out then took a trail.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.5 Final Half: - 57.3 Margins: - Neck, 2m
Trial 5: - WOULD YOU MIND (Auckland Reactor – Monicas Revenge) was an impressive winner of the fifth trial and had his ears pricked on the line so he did it very easily. He settled five back on the inside, moved up without cover at the bell and asserted his superiority in the straight. He looks promising and is worth following. He does appear to be a big winning chance at Swan Hill on Sunday. SASSYS A TERROR began quickly to lead, ran along at a genuine tempo and finished second ahead of ONECROWDEDHOUR, which trailed and moved away from the inside on the home turn. PIPPI was three back on the markers throughout and beat home A ROCKNROLL WALTZ (A Rocknroll Dance – Our Waltzing Mathilda 1.57.7, $12,131), which moved into the one out and one back trail from four back on the markers at the 900m mark.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.7 Final Half: - 56.5 Margins: - 1m, 3m
BLACKBOOKER: - Would You Mind NZ
Trial 6: - FOUR STAR SAINT took out the final event on the program by leading throughout and setting up a genuine speed. ABBIE LINCOLN trailed and came to the outside at the 500m mark. She tried hard in second position. OZZIE JOY (Rock N Roll Heaven – Courtney John 1.55.0, $78,247) is a rising 2yo and showed ability. She dropped back to be last of the three runners but she raced greenly at times. She came to the outside in the straight and picked up ground in fast closing fractions to finish in third position.
Mile Rate: - 1.58.9 Final Half: - 56.4 Margins: - 2m, 2m
ARARAT 14/12/20
IMPRINCESSNATALIE (Sweet Lou – Glenferrie Shuffle 1.57.0, $279,839) is a nicely bred filly being by Sweet Lou out of a top race mare and she took out the opening trial comfortably. ROYAL CADENCE (Bettors Delight – Thepresidentslady 2.1.6, $4,922) has had several trials recently and finished second with IM PRINCESS BELLA (A Rocknroll Dance – Missy Elliott) being in third position. COSMIC ICON (Sportswriter – Charming Ruler) is out of a daughter of Janoela Star, the dam of six winners including the former Mildura pacing idol Cosmic Legacy and more recently Sixty. He was last of the four runners to cross the line.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.8 Final Half: - 62.6 Margins: - 10m, 80m
Trial 2: - ULTIMATE VINNIE (Alta Christiano – Bella Enobrac) is a Sam Barker prepared gelding, which has had several trial performances recently and was able to score over EXTRA, which hasn’t started since October 2019. SHARDY (Smiling Shard – Pondering) finished 5m away in third position and the beautifully bred trotter ZESTA LA GO GO (Majestic Son – Zesta 2.1.6, $143,460) was last of the four runners to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.8 Final Half: - 59.8 Margins: - 2m, 5m
Trial 3: - The open class pacer IM SIR BLAKE had a bit of class on his rivals and was able to record an expected victory over ELEGANT SAFARI, which is a maiden from nine starts. CROSSROADER hasn’t raced since a third at Mildura in July and filled third spot with the trotter SHADOW JUSTICE finishing a distant last of the four runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Final Half: - 58.0 Margins: - 10m, 2m
Trial 4: - GLENFERRIE DEVOTEE finished unplaced at Geelong when having her first run since August. She should be getting fitter and took out the final trial from the trotter ZEPHIANE, which has been performing well at the trials over the past few weeks with FREMARKSROOSTER being in third position. DANCINGALLALONE has ability when he puts it altogether but he had three starts at the beginning of the year and galloped on each occasion. He was fourth across the line with the qualifiers MORSURE DAMOUR (Love You – Calder Fury 2.6.2, $25,841) and IN VINO VERITAS (Fling It – Sun Legend) being fifth and sixth respectively.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.7 Final Half: - 60.7 Margins: - 10m, head
BALLARAT 15/12/20
Trial 1: - NOTNEGOTIABLE began quickly to lead and set up a slow tempo. He was able to dash home in a fast final 800m of 56.9 seconds and scored with a little bit left in reserve. GOODTIME MACH trailed NOTNEGOTIABLE throughout, came to the outside and the 300m mark and picked up some ground late to be beaten by a metre on the line. They compete against each other again at Geelong on Monday night. ROGERVALERIO LOMBO was last throughout the entire trial but none of the three runners were extended at any stage.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.6 Final Half: - 56.9 Margins: - 1m, 6m
Trial 2: - AUSSIEPRIDE settled three back on the markers, came out three horses wide on the home turn and ran home best in the straight to win with something in reserve. EXALTED FIGURE (Safari – Nakasaki Magoo 1.56.9, $47,363) trailed the leader, came to the outside at the 400m mark and hit the lead on the turn but couldn’t repel the challenge of AUSSIEPRIDE late. FULLER CEE ESS attempted to lead all of the way but raced keenly in the middle stages and tired from the home turn.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.2 Final Half: - 61.6 Margins: - 1m, 30m
Trial 3: - It was only a field of two runners but JILLIBY LORENZO was quite impressive. He led throughout but extended beautifully to run his last quarter in a scintillating 26.5 seconds. LA LOLA trailed throughout and lost ground in the last section but she probably ran her last quarter in approximately 28.0 seconds so there was nothing wrong with the run.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.3 Final Half: - 55.3 Margin: - 20m
Trial 4: - KEAYANG NINJA is a very talented juvenile trotter and came from last to win the trial without being fully extended. He gained the one out and one back trail at the 300m mark and only came to the outside with 125m to run. KEAYANG XENA settled down in third position, moved away from the inside approaching the home turn and hit the front in the straight but was run down late. Both horses should perform very well in their respective heats of the Super Series on Monday. ITSALLANDOVER began quickly to lead and was run down late but he met two very smart trotters on the day. BROMWICH trailed the leader but unfortunately broke stride with 250m remaining and lost his opportunity.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.8 Final Half: - 58.6 Margins: - 1m, 8m
Trial 5: - A JEWEL IN THE CROWN was in second position early, found the front when his only rival FORGOT TO REMEMBER galloped at the 1600m mark and was always in control thereafter. FORGOT TO REMEMBER picked up a lot of ground after galloping and got within 10m of A JEWEL IN THE CROWN but galloped again on the home turn.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.9 Final Half: - 58.3 Margin: 150m
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