Here's my weekly summary of all Victorian trials. As always check out the bottom of the article for the updated list of Black Book Horses to Follow.
HORSHAM 21/11/19
Trial 1: - GRACIE CULLEN pushed forward to find the lead then took cover behind KEAYANG BAZOOKA. She came to the outside as the pair turned for home and she proved to be too quick up the straight. KEAYANG BAZOOKA tried hard in second and they were well clear of the other two runners, which was headed by SHOWEM SHIFTY. He settled down in last position and by the time he angled around the tiring MIRROR DON’T LIE (3 back markers) (Gotta Go Cullect – Robrin Mac 1.59.2, $20,025), the leading duo were off and gone.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.5 Final Half: - 58.00 Margins: - 1.5m, 80.5m
YARRA VALLEY 24/11/19
Trial 1: - The handy performer ARGGGHHH hasn’t raced since a Yarra Valley victory in September but he took out the only trial at that track from the two times winning pacer ROYAL BETTOR, which hasn’t been to the races since September 2018. The unraced gelding CHARISMA KING (Justanotherpoorboy – Shes Limited 2.3.6, $10,550) finished in third position ahead of RISQUE RHONDA.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.6 Final Half: - 57.6 Margins: - Not given
TERANG 24/11/19
Trial 1: - The opening trial was for the trotters and the John Meade trained gelding I STAND ALONE (Danny Bouchea – Diamond Insitu) took it out. He is a close relation to the outstanding trotter Sparkling Success (1.53.9, $420,170) and he took out the trial by 45m so he might be one to watch. BOLD HUSSY was in second position and finished well clear of FREMARKSKUZO (Skyvalley – A Poem Kept 2.6.0, $16,385) making him a close relation to Fremarkspoetry (1.56.8, $47,730).
Mile Rate: - 2.5.7 Final Half: - 62.4 Margins: - 45m, 70m
Trial 2: - BE THE ONE hasn’t raced since producing a mile rate of 1.56.4 at a Swan Hill victory in February but she has had several trials this preparation. She defeated the unraced mare KARIAH BLISS (Artesian – Kariah Bella) by a good margin. The trotter DIAMOND WES, which is a half brother to I Stand Alone, took on the pacers and finished third ahead of LIGHTNING BLUECHIP and BAKERS BANDIT (Blissfull Hall – Smirking Star), a Stephen Lambert trained gelding that is yet to make his debut.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.2 Final Half: - 59.3 Margins: - 15m, 1m
Trial 3: - KEAYANG LIVANA galloped in both of her starts back in May before heading for a break. She took out the standing start trial for the trotters over the 3yo RUM JUNCTION, which showed ability at his first preparation with a victory at Maryborough and a fourth in the Super Series Silver Trot. JILLIBY BULLDOG finished in third position ahead of ALDEBARAN ROCKY, which has struggled to get away safely at his recent race track performances. PENELOPE finished last of the five runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.2 Final Half: - 59.3 Margins: - 6m, Head
Trial 4: - STARS OF COURAGE hasn’t raced since January 2018 but he is a handy pacer having been successful in 10 of his 21 starts to date. He was a runaway winner from JILLIBY GYPSY, which also hasn’t raced for a long period of time (April 2018). The recent Maryborough winner GOODTIME STRYKER finished in third position ahead of the unraced filly KOOL KARI (Shadow Play – Sukari 1.57.8, $29,368). Another unraced performer THE APPEAL (Artesian – Kiriah Keys) was the last runner to greet the judge.
Mile Rate: - 2.2.1 Final Half: - 60.1 Margins: - 30m, 2m
MILDURA 24/11/19
Trial 1: - ZIVA (Shadow Play – Im Living The Dream 1.57.4, $103,431) trailed the leader WATCHMEDANCE and came to the outside in the home straight. She sprinted home too well and won nicely on the line. There was plenty of trouble early in the trial and the leading pair were always well clear of the remainder of the field. MUSTANG MAX (Village Jolt – Highview Hanover 2.3.3, $20,285) broke stride in the early stages and picked up ground on the beaten brigade to run into third. RAINBEACHGIRL was severely hampered in the back straight on the first occasion and had to swing out very wide on the track. She finished fourth ahead of ARTISTICBUTNAUGHTY (Artistic Fella – Naughty Maree 2.6.1, $5,475), which settled down a distant third. RUBY REACTOR (Auckland Reactor – Larilla Lace 2.3.2, $13,585) galloped at the start and finished fifth ahead of PRINGA CUP (Falcon Seelster – Malabe Art 1.58.5, $13,675), which struck trouble on the first bend.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Final Half: - 60.7 Margins: - 3m, 50m
Trial 2: - RAINBOW RACER was able to dash to the lead in the early stages and set up a slow tempo. He was joined by FORTITUDO, which came wide from last at the 600m (1-2), on the home turn but he kicked on too well for that pacer in the straight. BO CARSON finished in third position after trailing the leader throughout. HES A MODERN BOY (Modern Art – Washingtonsfirstlady 1.58.9, $31,300) settled three back on the inside and finished in fourth. FLAME BLASTER finished fifth but showed some potential. He was four back on the inside and appeared to be travelling well on the home turn. He was running up behind the leading pack but broke stride with 50m remaining. THOMAS HEIGHTS raced one out and one back behind MISS SUGARANSPICE and was able to get past that pacer in the run to the finish.
Mile Rate: - 2.8.9 Final Half: - 60.7 Margins: - 1.5m, 3m
Trial 3: - Only two horses contested the final trial with DASHING JULIUS leading SMYNANNA MICKEY. SMYNANNA MICKEY came to the outside at the half mile marker and moved up to join the leader. She lost her compass on the home corner and ended up in the middle of the track but she was still able to win over DASHING JULIUS with something in hand.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.3 Final Half: - 60.1 Margin: - 2.5m
MARYBOROUGH 24/11/19
Trial 1: - SAVANNAH JAY JAY has been performing in sparkling form at the trials and put in another quality performance to beat the pacers. He settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside with 600m remaining and was able to get up and win in a slick final half of 57.0 seconds. ROCKNROLL BABY battled on well for second after setting the speed and SIXTY came from last to fill third position. SUNDONS COURAGE wasn’t far away after trailing the leader and using the sprint lane and the eye-catching runner was the horse that ran last, IDEALSOMEMAGIC. He went to the line bolting with no clear run at the finish.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.2 Final Half: - 57.0 Margins: - Head, Short Head
Trial 2: - RADIUS settled four back on the markers before moving up without cover from the 1100m mark. He put pressure on the leader THE FAMILY GUY in the back straight and got to the lead before the home turn. He had to fight hard in the straight and scored by a narrow margin. ITSALLABOUTJACK settled behind the leader and manoeuvred into the one out and one back trail at the 500m mark. He came to the outside on the turn and just failed to run down the leader. WONGA LAKE settled three back on the inside and worked through for third, which was a handy effort for a NR51 assessed pacer. THE FAMILY GUY tired from the home turn and finished fourth in front of EDWIN BROMAC, which missed the start by approximately 20m before trying to trail forward behind RADIUS.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.3 Final Half: - 57.4 Margins: - Head, 5m
Trial 3: - CEE CEE IN AMERICA was a very impressive trial winner. He settled five back on the markers and gave the leader IRON CHARIOT approximately 30m start as the field entered the back straight. He picked up a lot of ground to trail the leader at the quarter pole and waited until the home straight before he peeled to the outside to make his winning run. IRON CHARIOT (Julius Caesar – Sheza Beach Babe 2.3.2, $13,388) set up a strong tempo and was a game second. MISS MORAINE (Pet Rock – Major Love) came from four back on the markers and ran into a distant third in front of ACES JETT (Bettors Delight – Donna Rosso), which trailed the leader. DICKIE MACRAY (Shadyshark Hanover – Macray Amore) was very slow to begin and missed the start by 15m. He beat home MASLIN BEACH (Sunshine Beach – Bridget Franco 2.3.9, $13,865), which raced three back on the markers.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.5 Final Half: - 59.2 Margins: - 4m, 20m
BLACKBOOKER: - Cee Cee In America
Trial 4: - RIVER BOSS settled at the tail of the field and moved into the running lane to be sixth (1-2) at the bell. He was the widest runner turning for home and produced a big finish to win nicely. STAR PUPIL (Alta Christiano – Lady Dynamo) was in various positions and so were several others in what was a chopping and changing affair early. He ended up being in the one out and one back trail without using any energy early. He peeled to the outside in the straight and finished off well but not as fast as the winner. SHELDON could have led early but elected to take cover then was shuffled back on the markers. He moved away from the inside with 1300m remaining and raced without cover for the remainder of the trip. He battled on reasonably well for third in front of JITTABUG, which was without cover early before sliding to the lead with a mile remaining. BONAVISTA BOY (Bonavista Bay – Bianca Jasper 1.59.2, $22,758) was going for a run in the middle half way down the front straight but the gap closed and he was checked and galloped. He was going to be running through nicely until then. ORPHAN CODY (Grinfromeartoear – Can Y Gwent 1.59.8, $21,055) ended up being second last on the markers and finished sixth in front of THUMP (Village Jolt – Umi 1.56.5, $36,725), which dropped out to the tail and was struggling to keep in touch from approximately the 600m mark.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.4 Final Half: - 59.7 Margins: - 3m, Head
Trial 5: - ALDEBARAN LEROY dashed to the lead in the early stages and ran along at a reasonable tempo. He opened up in the back straight on the final occasion and established a big lead. He kept going to the line to win impressively. CHER AMI was in trouble at the start but it was hard to see what occurred as she was hidden by the mobile barrier. She settled in fourth and chased hard from the 700m mark. She was beaten by a long way but she defeated the remainder of the field comfortably. SPEEDWAY QUEEN settled three back on the markers and was held up behind her tiring stable mate PIESRIDINGSHOTGUN in the back straight. She rallied late and finished third. RAGNA THOR galloped early and dropped out to last. He got up to third in the back straight but peaked late. He just beat PIESRIDINGSHOTGUN to the line but there wasn’t much between them.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.8 Final Half: - 58.5 Margins: - 60m, 8m (approximately)
BLACKBOOKER: - Aldebaran Leroy
Trial 6: - MEET MICHAELANGELO began quickly to find the lead and was always in control of the trial. The field remained in the same order throughout the entire trial with DYNAMIC DIESEL finishing second after trailing the leader and CHANTILLY DEE (Danny Bouchea – Town Player 2.3.2, $26,275) being last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.4 Final Half: - 60.4 Margins: - 4m, 4m
Trial 7: - STAR OF VOUVRAY was given time to balance up in the early stages and was in third position before making a move to find the lead without too much effort with a mile remaining. He set up a slow tempo and kicked on too well. MAJOR MAYHEM ended up being three back on the markers prior to moving up without cover at the 800m mark. He wanted to hang out from the 500m and was probably three horses wide for the remainder of the trip and the extra ground he covered cost him winning the trial. LORIMERLAGG led out then took cover behind STAR OF VOUVRAY. She held down third in front of FLUSHED, which settled down last and moved into the one out and one back trail behind MAJOR MAYHEM but lost ground late.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.8 Final Half: - 58.5 Margins: - Neck, 4m
Trial 8: - STRAZEELE began slowly but safely from the handicap of 20m and was last of the three runners early until SURBITON ARMISTICE galloped from behind the leader with 1700m remaining. STRAZEELE was giving the leader OUR YANKEE a bit of a start but he kept on chasing until he was able to close approaching the home turn. He came to the outside in the straight and drew away over the latter stages. OUR YANKEE tried hard for second and SURBITON ARMISTICE made up a lot of ground in the final lap but was never a chance after his costly error.
Mile Rate: - 2.10.8 Final Half: - 62.3 Margins: - 8m, 30m
ECHUCA 24/11/19
Trial 1: - MASTER MACH MANUS settled down at the rear of the field and moved into the one out and one back trail behind OUR SUMMER BAY with 1000m remaining. He peeled to the outside in the home straight and was too quick for OUR SUMMER BAY, which boxed on well after working in the death seat. STUART settled behind the leader COBBER MAC but was held up for a run at a vital stage when that horse began to tire. He worked through nicely for third with COBBER MAC being the last of the four that finished. IN THE MOMENT came out very fast to lead comfortably early but eased to the outside fence and was retired from the trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.7.4 Final Half: - 60.0 Margins: - 1m, 1m
Trial 2: - IN THE MOMENT may have retired out of trial one but he finished with an easy victory in trial two and showed just as much gate speed at his second attempt, leading comfortably again. DALLAS CHARLIE came from three back on the markers to finish a distant second in front of SHEEZABAY (Alta Christiano – Pacific Made), which settled four back on the inside. THEANGRYWIFE (In The Pocket – Mistylyn) came from last and picked up AJAYS RACER (P B Bulliville – Globes Mistake 2.3.2, $67,450), which trailed the leader.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.0 Final Half: - 61.5 Margins: - 20m, 2m
Trial 3: - STARZZZOFMICHAEL (Four Starzzz Shark – Chess Timer 1.57.2, $25,400) trailed the leader and accelerated nicely via the sprint lane to win comfortably and with something in reserve. FREDDYFROMZANZIBAR (Betterthancheddar – Safina $11,295) galloped away and lost approximately 20m. He moved up without cover from the bell and tried hard at the finish. SARGEANT MAJOR (Art Major – Im Sassi) is a new season 2yo and set up the speed. He tried hard in the straight but just missed out on second. PATCHWORK finished last of the four runners after settling three back on the markers.
Mile Rate: - 2.14.2 Final Half: - 64.0 Margins: - 3m, head
BENDIGO 24/11/19
Trial 1: - RULES DON’T APPLY is a smart trotter when he puts it altogether and he was quite impressive in taking out the opening trial. He settled three back on the markers and moved to the death seat in the back straight on the final occasion. He applied pressure a long way from home and was too strong at the finish. COMANDANTE began quickly to find the lead. He kicked on well when challenged and defeated the remainder of the field by a large margin. PINEVALE VICTORIA came from last to finish a distant third in front of GRAEMES WISH, which trailed the leader. GET SMART MAX settled behind RULES DON’T APPLY and moved away from the markers to try and follow in the final stages but he couldn’t accelerate and finished at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.8 Final Half: - 58.6 Margins: - 2m, 30m
Trial 2: - MARVELLOUS MAX has been trialling extremely well over the past few weeks and was impressive again with a completely dominant display over the pacers. He was last on the first bend, chased to move around KENANDI DENISE (3rd last) and REGRETABLE (2nd last) in the early stages of the back straight, then chased again to move around SPECULATOR (4 back pegs) to get up to fourth. He then gained an inside run with 600m remaining when KIWI KALAHARI (3 back pegs) ran off the track before coming to the outside and chasing down the leaders. He drew clear to win easily in a very handy mile rate of 1.59.4. BEACH BABE NIKKY did everything wrong in the run but still managed to finish second. She motored out of the mobile to lead easily but galloped momentarily going around the first bend. She then took cover behind CARIJOY and seemed to be going okay with cover. She came to the outside with 700m remaining and really applied pressure to the leader before drawing to the front at the 300m mark. Once she found the lead, she thought her job was over and she pulled up allowing MARVELLOUS MAX to get passed her. After she had been overtaken, he got going again and tried to chase. She has a big motor but she has to learn how to race. KIWI KALAHARI was able to get back into third after hanging out in the back straight. REGRETABLE worked into a distant fourth passing the early leader CARIJOY. KENANDI DENESE (Falcon Seelster – Golden Illusion) was always in the second half of the field SPECULATOR was struggling to keep in touch a long way from home.
Mile Rate: - 1.59.4 Final Half: - 59.6 Margins: - 12m, 15m
Trial 3: - ROCKSLIDE (A Rocknroll Dance – Soky Sue) ended up being three back on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail when WHERES WOOD WOOD left the back of the leader with 600m remaining. He then peeled out three horses wide at the quarter pole and was able to grind out a victory over WHERES WOOD WOOD in the straight. Both horses performed very nicely. MOBSTER (Four Starzzz Shark – Led Suitcase 1.55.8, $261,395) settled last of the five runners, was held up for a run at a vital stage and worked through nicely into third position. COSTLY MISTAKE (McCardle – Costly Bonus 2.3.8, $4,450) finished fourth after setting the speed and AMERICAN TIGER (American Ideal – River Reos 2.4.0, $2,250) (4 back markers) came in at the tail of the field.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.5 Final Half: - 58.8 Margins: - 1m, 12m
Trial 4: - AZTEC INTI led throughout and appeared to be under pressure before the turn but was strong at the finish to win comfortably at the end. LION HEART trailed the leader throughout and just dropped off a little on the home turn before lifting in the straight. ACOUGARZSUN travelled strongly in the breeze and moved up to join the leader on the home turn. He did get a little tired late and was nosed out for second on the line. SPIDER DUNBAR settled three back on the inside before trying to follow behind ACOUGARZSUN in the back straight. He started to yield ground with 600m remaining and finished last of the four runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.4.6 Final Half: - 60.7 Margins: - 6m, Head
Trial 5: - FORM ANALYST was the class runner of the trial and he gained the perfect trail forward from last behind KINGOFTHESTARS before pouncing in the latter stages. He won drawing away from KINGOFTHESTARS, which tried hard from the one out and one back trail. WENTHESTARZZZALINE was a gallant third after racing without cover throughout and having an unsuccessful crack for the lead in the back straight on the first occasion. OLLIE AND BROCK competed well outside of his grade and finished a distant fourth but under the circumstances, it was a good effort as he copped a lot of pressure in the leading role. FLOODS ROAD finished fifth after trailing the leader and LOUNGE ART finished last after following the markers throughout (3 back inside).
Mile Rate: - 1.58.3 Final Half: - 57.2 Margins: - 4m, 8m
TABCORP PARK MELTON 25/11/19
Trial 1: - The opening trial was for the juvenile pacers and the Rita Burnett trained pair CURLY JAMES (A Rocknroll Dance – Someone To Love) and SHEFFIELD PEAK (Artspeak – Chloe Sheffield) were able to run first and second. CURLY JAMES trailed the leader LET GO MARSHALL (Hurrikane Kingcole – Sokysatin), which showed good gate speed, before coming to the outside and joining the leader quickly with 700m remaining. He sustained the run and held off SHEFFIELD PEAK, which made up ground via the sprint lane. LET GO MARSHALL wasn’t beaten far at the end but came in last of the three runners.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.7 Final Half: - 59.18 Margins: - 2.5m, 1.5m
Trial 2: - OLLIES MOLLY (Jet Laag – Ka Mate) began quickly to lead and was able to hold off the late challenge of her stable mate PRIDDY ARTFUL (Art Major – Our Priddy Diva), which sat behind the leader throughout. PRIDDY ARTFUL did appear have something in reserve at the finish. LETS GO EXCLUSIVE settled down in fourth position and came to the outside at the 500m mark. He was able to work past FROSOS GIRL (Dawn ofa New Day – Tully Belle 1.55.7, $82,795) (3 back markers) to finish third. SWEET LOUISE failed to finish after having difficulties in the score up.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.7 Final Half: - 59.06 Margins: - Nose, 4.5m
Trial 3: - MAJESTIC CRUISER is racing in the best form of his career and he recorded a sizzling mile rate of 1.52.7 to win the open class trial, courtesy of KONAN running along at a hectic tempo. MAJESTIC CRUISER settled three back on the inside and zoomed past his rivals and he amazingly seemed to have something left at the finish. BLISSFULL STRIDE tried hard after trailing the leader throughout and THREE WAYS did a good job to run home from last to pick up third. KONAN hung out under pressure in the straight and became weary after flying early. He tired to fourth with KOTARE ROLAND (4 back markers) in fifth position.
Mile Rate: - 1.52.7 Final Half: - 56.73 Margins: - 5.5m, ½ head
Trial 4: - ILLAWONG MIMI settled four back on the markers and moved into the one out and one back trail with 600m remaining. She came to the outside in the home straight and sprinted home quickly to score. MY COUSIN LENNY settled down third and moved up without cover in the back straight. He hit the lead on the home turn but couldn’t repel the challenge of ILLAWONG MIMI. CONFUSIONANDDELAY came from fifth to run into a distant third and was well clear of HEERA RANI, which picked up some ground from last. WARP SENSA HUMA led out then took a trail behind EL CEE with 1200m left to travel. He was able to beat EL CEE to the line but both horses were beaten by a large margin.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.1 Final Half: - 58.75 Margins: - 4.5m, 20.5m
Trial 5: - I CHOOSE was able to trot to the front shortly after the start and was always in control. He went to the line comfortably to win by a handy margin. NAKED AMBITION settled down four back on the markers and finished off strongly out wide on the track to grab second in front of AMUNET, which settled in third position. FLOATING MOUNTAIN was fourth after trailing the leader throughout and the other pair ALDEBARAN STEVIE and DARING ANGEL both made errors at the start and were tailed out for the remainder of the trial.
Mile Rate: - 2.3.8 Final Half: - 59.29 Margins: - 8.5m, 2m
Trial 6: - CULLENS DESIRE began quickly to lead and was able to back off the tempo in the early stages. He kicked on well when put under pressure in the home straight and held on to score. TREVEAN settled down in fourth position before moving up without cover at the 700m mark. He continued to make up ground and fought on well in the run to the finish. BAO NIEN followed TREVEAN throughout the trial before coming to the outside in the straight. He picked up ground in the straight to be narrowly beaten. POWER OF ZEUS (Bells And Whistles – That’s Final 2.2.7, $3,600) finished fourth after trailing the leader throughout and THE NIGHT TERROR (Western Terror – Music of the Night) (3 back markers) was last of the five.
Mile Rate: - 2.0.3 Final Half: - 58.48 Margins: - 1/2Neck, Head
Trial 7: - The three runners remained in the same order from start to finish with ARRESTED leading throughout to defeat VARIANCE, which used the sprint lane, with AUNTIE POPPY being close up at the finish. VARIANCE made a late lunge at ARRESTED and missed out narrowly while AUNTIE POPPY was never extended at any stage.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.3 Final Half: - 60.35 Margins: - ½ Neck, 4.5m
Trial 8: - It was a competitive trial and MAJOR EXCLUSIVE came from second last early to swoop around the outside and get the prize. He moved into the one out and two back position when the moves occurred in the turn out of the front straight. WILL I ROCKNROLL settled down in last position and trailed forward behind MAJOR EXCLUSIVE. He hit the line strongly for an eye-catching trial second. BETTER EXCLUSIVE settled down behind the leader CARMY DAN before moving to the death seat at the 700m mark. He applied pressure in the back straight and did a very good job to finish third narrowly in front of CARMY DAN in what should be a good form line in future weeks. SHADOW STYLE was three back on the markers before moving into the one out and one back trail. He finished fifth in front of SAVE THE GAME, which drove through to be behind the leader from four back on the markers when the two horses in front of her moved away from the inside and ART PREVAILS finished at the tail of the field after trailing SAVE THE GAME throughout.
Mile Rate: - 1.56.6 Final Half: - 56.24 Margins: - 4m, 5.5m
Trial 9: - SAMMY SHOWDOWN was an impressive winner after racing without cover throughout. He dashed past the early leader on the home turn and drew clear to win by a healthy margin. CASH LOVER (Ready Cash – Lucky Love) finished boldly from behind the leader and was a game second in front of MONTPELLIER, which raced three back on the inside. CELTIC CASH settled last of the group and picked up late ground for fourth in front of the early leader ILLAWONG LUNA. YANKEE VELVET was second last of the main group throughout and finished sixth with NORMANDY BELLE being tailed off after making an early error.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.3 Final Half: - 59.67 Margins: - 10m, 10.5m
Trial 10: - ROCKTAGONAL did a good job to come from last of the six runners and win the trial. He made up ground in the latter stages of the back straight, found room on the markers for a little breather then switched to the sprint lane and stormed through to win. HAVEACHAT pushed forward to lead and was holding on down the straight but just failed to secure victory. SOEXTRA (Bettors Delight – Lagoon Lady 1.57.3, $203,183) finished third after trailing the leader and the leading trio were able to get well clear of the others. EXPRESS BEAUTY (Art Major – Braeview Express 2.1.4, $9,985) settled four back on the markers and finished fourth ahead of LA PUDDIE (Somebeachsomewhere – La Machane 1.54.6, $335,268), which came out wide from second last. ALL THAT DANGER (Bells And Whistles – Francisco Diva) was the last one to greet the judge after being three back on the markers throughout.
Mile Rate: - 2.1.8 Final Half: - 61.12 Margins: - Neck, 1.5m
Trial 11: - CHIEF RUNNINGCLOUD performed very nicely in preparation for his shot at the Stawell Trotters Cup on Sunday. He stepped away swiftly to lead, travelled well and wasn’t fully extended, running home in a final half of 58.22 seconds. DANCE CRAZE was slow to move from her handicap of 30m and trotted home powerfully from last to pick up second and she did have plenty left in reserve. DESTINEE JENILOU was also a little tardy from the stand but settled in front of DANCE CRAZE. She was the first to make a move but couldn’t repel the powerful finishing burst of DANCE CRAZE. LAW LEGEND finished last of the four runners after trailing the leader.
Mile Rate: - 2.5.9 Final Half: - 58.22 Margins: - 9m, 3m
Trial 12: - CHAMPAGNE PRINCE settled last of the four runners from his handicap of 20m and came to the outside on the home turn. He finished swiftly and was able to get up and defeat RED WHITE AN BLOOM (Orlando Vici – Moyabamba 1.59.3, $83,242), which was a terrific trial for an unraced 3yo trotter taking on multiple winners. He began slowly from the front mark, settled three back on the markers and went with CHAMPAGNE PRINCE late. He seemingly had something in reserve so he is worth following. SOBOMBA trailed the leader and came to the outside in the straight. He finished a close up third with ZAMBA DEVILLE coming in last of the four. ZAMBA DEVILLE stepped away brilliantly and unbelievably led from the handicap of 40m before the field got around the first corner.
Mile Rate: - 2.6.0 Final Half: - 61.10 Margins: - Head, 2m
BLACKBOOKER: - Red White An Bloom
Craig Rail's Black Book Horses to Follow:
Acougarzsun
Adapt
Aldebaran Leroy
Arden Voyager
Carlas Mach
Cee Cee In America
Esterna
Galactic Gal
Just Anything
Little Peanut
Longnwindingroad
Manthadee
Mar Pacifico
Miracle Marcus
Queen of Diamonds
Red White An Bloom
Rhythm And Grace
Rocknroll Ronnie
Showmethecash
Thedevilindisguise
Topzavski
Van Sank
Western Sonador