Punters don’t have to wait long for a look at Craig Rail’s latest Blackbook arrivals.
The Harness Racing Victoria form analyst added Hugo Maguire and Peppermint to the file this week after both produced promising displays on the Victorian trial circuit.
Rail says Hugo Maguire “should prove hard to beat” when he steps out at Cranbourne on Sunday and that Peppermint “must be considered as a winning chance at Hamilton on Monday”.
Check out Rail’s trial report from this week and scroll to the bottom of the page for his updated Blackbook.
TRIAL REPORT
SHEPPARTON 04/05/23
Trial 1: – LONG LOU LONGTIME NZ showed very good gate speed to lead and was always in control of the trial. He dashed home in a slick final half of 56.7 seconds and looked very sharp in the run to the finish. NEW YORKER trailed the leader but never peeled to the outside at any stage and went to the line jogging in second place. ROARFORROSCOE was wide into the first turn, moved into the death seat and dropped back to being fourth on the pegs at the 1500m. He gained a one out and one back trail at the 800m and came out three horses wide at the 300m before working home reasonably well for third. HY LEINVINCIBLE (5 back pegs) finished off well via the sprint lane for fourth and JACKSBOY (6 back pegs) was never extended at any stage.
Mile Rate: – 1.59.5 Last Half: – 56.7 Margins: – 5m, 3m
Trial 3: – OUR MYSTERY BET trailed the leader and showed good acceleration via the sprint lane to score. OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS attempted to lead throughout and finished in second position. He is racing at West Wyalong this afternoon. MAC ALMIGHTY NZ settled three back on the markers, moved to the outside at the 500m and finished in third. MOMENTUM SWING settled four back on the markers and went to the line hard held with no clear run.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.6 Last Half: – 59.0 Margins: – Head, 3m
Trial 4: – ROAM was four back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 800m and hit the front with 500m remaining. She sustained the run to win by a large margin and it shouldn’t be long before she breaks through for her maiden success. She backed up to finish second at Cobram on Thursday afternoon. BLACK JAX showed brilliant gate speed to lead and was headed at the 500m but she was able to hold down second. STARZZZOFMICHAEL finished third after trailing the leader and coming to the outside at the 300m mark.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.4 Last Half: 58.0 Margins: – 30m, 4m
MARYBOROUGH 07/05/23
Race 1: – MILLIONDOLLAR KISS trailed the leader before moving to the lead at the 1300m. She remained strong at the finish and is capable of improving on her recent performances. SWEETSAZZYMYLAZZY continued her good trial form with a handy second. She was three back on the markers before moving to the death seat at the 900m and battled on well for second. She is resuming from a spell at Hamilton on Monday. HELEN BET MARY led out then took cover at the 1300m and battled on well for third.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.8 Last Half: – 59.8 Margins: – 3m, 2m
Trial 4: – PRINCE OF ROCK finished fourth when resuming from a long break and appeared to be very impressive in scoring at the trials so he is ready to break through for a win. He settled three back on the markers, moved into the death seat at the 600m and hit the front at the 400m before drawing well clear in the run to the finish. He is backing up in the New South Wales Derby at Menangle tomorrow night, where he is taking on a field of top class. KYVALLEY SURFRIDER attempted to lead throughout and finished second with FUN ON RUM being third after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.4.8 Last Half: – 59.3 Margins: – 15m, ½ head
Trial 6: – HENRYS HORSE began quickly to lead, took cover and moved away from the inside at the 300m mark. He finished off stoutly to get up on the line over STATELY SALOME, which worked to the front with a lap remaining. KOUFAX finished in third position after settling three back on the inside and battled on fairly well in the run to the finish. All three horses are backing up at Maryborough this afternoon.
Mile Rate: – 2.7.3 Last Half: – 62.3 Margins: – Nose, 12m
KYABRAM 07/05/23
Trials 1 + 2 were won by SURFIN AT MIDNIGHT and DANNY HINSON. SURFIN AT MIDNIGHT is a John Morris prepared filly that has only started once and scored in a mile rate of 2.13.5. DANNY HINSON is a trotter by Danny Bouchea out of the handy mare Dottie Hinson for trainer Daryl Poxon and recorded a mile rate of 2.25.9 in his victory.
HORSHAM 08/05/23
Trial 1: – AINTSOBAD prepared for her first up performance at Hamilton on Monday with a victory in the pre meeting trial at Horsham. She defeated the juvenile colt EASTBRO KOZZY with SUPREME DOLL being in third position.
Mile Rate: – 2.5.5 Last Half: – 60.0 Margins: – 7m, 100m
BENDIGO 08/05/23
Trial 1: – HILLSIDE continued his good form with a victory in the opening trial. He raced without cover early before pushing forward to find the lead over JAY BEE FLEX shortly after the start. HESALLMUSCLE NZ settled four back on the inside, moved into the one out and one back trail at the 600m and finished off strongly. It was his first trial back since his latest race track performance in the Breeders Crown in November. TAIMATE SASS NZ came from last of the five runners to fill third position.
Mile Rate: – 2.6.7 Last Half: – 59.4 Margins: – Head, 8m
Trial 4: – HUGO MAGUIRE NZ settled four back on the inside, moved to the outside at the 800m and sprinted quickly to hit to the front at the 500m. He sustained the run and jogged home to score comfortably. He should prove hard to beat at Cranbourne on Sunday. CHILLIN was five back on the inside and tried to follow up behind HUGO MAGUIRE NZ in the last lap. He couldn’t match the winner but was able to pick up second position. OLIVER SHARK came from three back on the markers to finish third and MYSTIQUE STRIDE was fourth after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.3.5 Last Half: – 58.9 Margins: – 24m, head
BLACKBOOKER: – Hugo Maguire NZ
Trial 7: – ROYAL DAN is an Emma Stewart prepared trotter by Orlando Vici out of Royal Treat, which is a granddaughter of the champion mare La Coocaracha. He was able to lead throughout and scored by a large margin without being pushed out at any stage. DOUBLE DOT finished second after trailing the leader throughout and RYMES was third across the line after moving into the breeze from fourth at the 800m mark.
Mile Rate: – 2.9.8 Last Half: – 59.6 Margins: – 16m, 15m
Trial 9: – SOME AMERICAN trailed the leader and came to the outside at the 400m mark. He extended very nicely to score by fifteen metres and appears to have a promising future. SPORTS NARRATOR settled three back on the markers and was doing his best work at the finish with the early leader ANGEL OF ROCK finished in third position.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.4 Last Half: – 58.0 Margins: – 15m, 12m
MILDURA 08/05/23 (The Mildura trial results have not been listed on the Harness Website, the results given in this report were as Broadcast on the night)
Trial 1: – HALF MOON BEACH prepared for her assignment tonight with a victory in the opening trial, where she led throughout. MACH HU raced fiercely behind the leader but held down second with TRIPLETS being last of the three runners throughout.
Mile Rate: – Not Given Last Half: – Not Given Margins: 3m, 8m (approximately)
Trial 2: – IMPETUOSO trailed the leader BIZNESS CLASS throughout and was able to accelerate nicely when asked for an effort in the home straight to get up on the line. BIZNESS CLASS was narrowly beaten into second position and is nicely drawn for his Mildura assignment this evening.
Mile Rate: – Not Given Last Half: – Not Given Margins: – Neck, 15 (approximately)
Trial 3: – LORNE BEACH led throughout and just held off the challenge of STARTUP, which sat int the trail and came to the outside on the home turn. JAY MILLAR finished in third position after settling three back on the markers and all three horses will be competing at Mildura this evening.
Mile Rate: – Not Given Last Half: – Not Given Margins: – Head, 4m (approximately)
Trial 4: – ARMA VEYRON began quickly to find the lead and always appeared to be in control of the trial, winning with something in reserve. POWERSOFPERSUASION tried hard after sitting in the trail throughout but found ARMA VEYRON to be a little too strong on the night.
Mile Rate: – Not Given Last Half: – Not Given Margins: – 2m, 125m (approximately)
Trial 5: – SIR VINCENT was able to lead throughout and win the final trial from CAPTAINS GOLD, which settled last of the three runners and finished on well. DRUNKEN MISTAKES is making his debut at Mildura this evening and wasn’t beaten by far in third position after trailing the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: – Not Given Last Half: – Not Given Margins: – 2m, head (approximately)
SHEPPARTON 09/05/23
Trial 1: – IM JIMMY JONES was impressive in taking out the opening trial. He settled last of the main division after a slow beginning before commencing his run out three horses wide on the home turn. He sprinted sharply in the home straight and was able to record a soft victory. SAVERIO finished second after setting the speed and MAJOR BILL was third across the line after being behind the leader throughout.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.7 Last Half: – 61.5 Margins: – Head, 6m
Trial 2: – ROARFORROSCOE has had numerous trials leading up to his resumption and was able to take out trial two after leading for the majority of the journey. He appeared to be very lazy in the front running role but was able to get the job done comfortably at the end. BARNY BILL finished in second after sitting three back on the markers and FELLINI came from last of the five runners to finish in third spot.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.0 Last Half: – 58.1 Margins: – 8m, 10m
MELTON 09/05/23
Trial 1: – DOUGS FLAME took out the trial for juvenile pacers and was able to dash home in a slick final quarter of 28.05 seconds. He was able to angle in behind the leader DEWDROPS, came to the outside at the 600m mark and finished off well. HARRO HILL produced a tidy display to finish second. He settled last of the three runners and hit the line strongly to be beaten by a neck margin.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.7 Last Half: – 57.40 Margins: – Neck, 14m
Trial 3: – KEAYANG LADYBUG prepared for her first up effort at Hamilton on Monday with a big victory over I BET YOU. She settled down in sixth position, was five back on the markers at the bell and made her winning move at the 600m, sustaining a long run to win comfortably at the end. I BET YOU trailed the leader and used the sprint lane while the early leader FLAMING SPARKS held down third position.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.3 Last Half: – 58.43 Margins: – 3m, Head
Trial 4: – JUST BELIEVE had a good final workout before heading off to Sweden to take on the best trotters in the world. The champion trotter rolled to the front shortly after the start and strolled to an effortless victory, recording some impressive final sectionals without being fully extended. COURMAYEUR trailed the leader and finished second with BULLION HARRY (3 back markers) being in third. REVELSTOKE was last of the four runners throughout but all horses in the trial were not fully extended and performed very well.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.6 Last Half: – 56.19 Margins: – 14.5m, Neck
Trial 7: – BATMAN BARRY trailed the leader UPSIZE ME NZ, used the sprint lane and speared through late to get the prize. KEAYANG JACKIE worked home well from last of the four runners to pick up third and BOLLINGER (3 back pegs) finished at the tail of the field but was only beaten by 1.5m in a terrific finish.
Mile Rate: – 2.1.8 Last Half: – 55.62 Margins: – ½ head, 1.5m
Trial 8: – PEPPERMINT was very impressive in his runaway success and must be considered as a winning chance at Hamilton on Monday. He settled four back on the inside but was racing fiercely and moved to the outside with a mile remaining and dashed to the lead. He won by a large margin and has a low National Rating of 45 so he can pick up a race in the near future. BIG ROCKIN DAN finished second after leading out then taking cover and IM ROWDY came from three back on the markers to pick up third position.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.2 Last Half: – 58.53 Margins: – 13m, 5.5m
BLACKBOOKER: – Peppermint
KILMORE 09/05/23
Trial 2: – ARCEE PHOENIX continued his impressive run at the trials with a dominant display. He settled last of the five runners, moved into the death seat at the 800m and sustained a strong run to win comfortably. MAESTRO attempted to lead throughout and finished second with SOVEREIGN TIGER came from three back on the markers to finish in third position.
Mile Rate: – 2.2.9 Last Half: – 58.80 Margins: – 8.5m, 17m
Trial 3: – MARY AUSTIN NZ trailed the leader early before moving into the leading role at the 1600m. She ran along at a genuine tempo and was strong at the finish, winning nicely. PRAY TELL finished second after settling five back on the inside and moving into the one out and one back trail. ROCCO AMERICANO settled three back on the inside and finished in third with the early leader END GAME being fourth across the line.
Mile Rate: – 2.0.7 Last Half: – 59.7 Margins: – 4.5m, head
