The Trials Report - Six of the Best

These six horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week 28/8/25 they head back to the racetrack.

Always B Misty (3f Always B Miki – Alchemist) Tr. S & A Telfer

Two-race winner (from 9 starts) who resumes at Cambridge this Thursday in Race 1. Last seen against the best 3YO Fillies back in March but found the going a bit tough. Back at the workouts early August, the last effort a winning turn over two stablemates at ‘The Park’ (15/8/25) where she settled third of 3 then came around at the 500m to get up over the top without being fully extended. 2:02.9MR, 800m in 58.1, 400m in 27.8. Many of the Mikis get better with time and she cops an inside draw on this occasion. The half sister to open class pacer Alta Meteor is expected to prove very competitive against only five rivals.

Alecto (2f Bettors Delight – Time And Tide) Tr. M & N Purdon

Primed by workouts in July August then resumed at Auckland (15/8/25) with a bold close up third behind a couple of smart boys. 2:01.5MR, 800m in 57.8, 400m in 27.6. Back at Auckland this Friday (Race 5) where she has drawn the pole against her own sex. Top stable flexed their muscle last week with three wins at the venue and there should be natural improvement from this filly two weeks on from her last start. As a Sires' Stakes heat, it has drawn a quality field but the draw over 1700m gives the Purdon runner a huge advantage over her rivals.

To place a bet on this race click here 

Lakelsa (5m Captaintreacherous – Oh Tara) Tr. R Todd

Good mare who has won the six races (+ $155k) to date. Won a trial at Rangiora (7/8/25) where she led and stayed on strongly to hold out stablemate and race rival Treacherous Gal. 2:04.5MR, 800m in 56.4, 400m in 27.0. First run back at the races since late March was in the Kurow Cup behind Bar Louie (17/8/25) and she finished hard up in behind the placings with no room to improve further, officially 8th, less than 3L from the winner. Second up at Addington this Friday in Race 7 against her own sex and the only horse drawn the second line. Proven performer in these mares races, will only strip fitter again.

To place a bet on this race click here 

Jumal (2c Downbytheseaside – Beuadiene Blinkz) Tr. S Reid

An early season star amongst the 2YOs winning all three starts in impressive fashion. Back at the trials in August and couldn’t have been more impressive on 20/8/25 when clearing out from his rivals at Rangiora 2:00.9MR, 800m in 58.6, 400m in 28.3. Resumes this Friday at Addington in Race 5 and although he has drawn the outside of six rivals, it is going to take a very good effort to end his winning streak. Safely through this assignment, he could be the one to beat in the classic races in the latter part of this season.

To place a bet on this race click here 

Jesse Owens (4g Bettor’s Delight – The Princess) Tr. J Morrison

Half brother to Princess Meritaten (7 wins to date) who qualified over a year ago and won consecutive trials back in April 2025 but scratched from his debut a short time later and not sighted since. Looks set to relaunch his racing career at Ashburton on Sunday in Race 1 where he meets six rivals. Trained on the track and has shown more than once he is capable of running quick halves. Standing starts haven’t been a problem thus far in his trials. You would think with a name like Jesse Owens, he could run a bit.

Smackdown (2f Downbytheseaside – Lady Smack) Tr. S Reid

Things didn’t go to plan when debuting against the boys (1/8/25) when sent out favourite after winning three trials during July in impressive fashion. Back at the Rangiora trials (20/8/25) where she trailed after showing gate speed, left in front at the 600m when leader tangled badly and ran clear of her rivals final 150m for an easy win. 2:00.7MR, 800m in 58.5, 400m in 28.4. Second up this Sunday at Ashburton (Race 4) against her own sex where she has drawn the ace over 1700m. Specific gear changes may have helped recently and expected to go some way here to redeeming herself.