be a rough trot

To be an especially difficult period or series of misfortune(s) or hardship(s). Primarily heard in Australia, New Zealand. It's certainly been a rough trot for the beleaguered celebrity family, as news of yet another scandal started hitting the media outlets this afternoon. Jake's chemotherapy was a really rough trot for a while there, but he seems to be handling it much better recently. Jenna lost both her job and her husband last year? Wow, that's a rough trot.