The Trials Report - Six of the Best

These horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week 4/09/25 they head back to the racetrack.

Onedarkknight (3g Bettor’s Delight – Luna Danza) Tr. S & A Telfer

Made this column a few weeks ago after showing up at northern workouts and backed those efforts up with a solid placing on debut at Cambridge (2/08/25) when third behind Better Be A Legend beaten just over 1L MR:2:00.4, 800m in 59.2, 400m in 28.9. Back at Cambridge this Thursday (Race 3) where he has drawn the pole. Should be naturally improved from that first up effort and as a fitter horse should be very competitive against many who finished behind him on that debut.

Dragoness (4m Fear he Dragon -Land Patrol) Tr. C Laurenson

Super winning a workout at Wyndham (16/08/25) where she ran her last 800m in 55.7. Proved that run no fluke by going to the races (31/08/25) at Winton and leading all the way with the ‘deafeners’ not activated due to having the field covered according to her driver. MR:1:58.5, 800m in 58.7, 400m in 28.0. The veteran of only four starts and heads back to Wyndham this Thursday in Race 2 in a Junior Drivers contest. Drawn outside the likely favorite (Lasa) but obviously well within herself and might give the Dalgety runner something to think about.

BB King (2c American Ideal – Better B Amazed) Tr. S & A Telfer

Won his debut at Addington in some style (8/08/25) in a 1:58.3 MR then back at the Rangiora trials (26/08/25) where he showed gate speed to lead and looked comfortable holding his three rivals at bay, MR:2:01.9, 800m 57.4, 400m 27.6. Top stable has elected to send him south for assignment No 2 where he has drawn handily in Race 7 at Wyndham this Thursday with stable driver Tim Williams also making the trip south. Comes up against unbeaten filly She’s Crunchy (3 from 3) but his breeding suggests he could be well above average.

Seaside Boss (3c Downbytheseaside – Bettor Romance) Tr. B & G Hughes

Only the two race day starts, the last way back in May 2024 but did show plenty of promise then behind some nice types. Won a workout at Pukekohe (12/08/25) where he finished best from a 1x1 sit. MR:2:05.4, 800m in 58.9, 400m in 28.8. Showed more improvement again (22/08/25) when running second at ‘The Park’ in a 4 horse trial behind Twista, trailed throughout, last 800m in 56.2, 400m in 26.7. Back at the races this Friday at Auckland (Race 9) against five rivals including two from the Purdon/Phelan barn. Looks like a horse to follow over the coming weeks.

To place a bet in this race click here

Bazooka (4g Bettor’s Delight -Asuka) Tr. S Reid

Resumed behind Mo'unga (22/08/25) at Addington and after doing extra work, not surprisingly wilted on a 54.8 last 800m. Had a couple of quiet trials during August without drawing attention to himself but has fashioned a good record already, winning 5 of 15 with another 5 placings to boot. Drops back to a race where he is the highest rated horse in Race 6 at Addington this Friday night and therefore cops the worst draw but does have the services of B Orange. Held in some regard by astute trainer and the stable certainly firing at this time.

To place a bet in this race click here 

Mr Love (6g Love You -The Earth Moved) Tr. G & B Hope

Blew apart behind the mobile when resuming (22/08/25) in a race won by stablemate Muscle Mountain and took no real part when well supported. Went to Mt Hutt workouts (30/08/25) on the grass and after settling last, looped his rivals to lead over the last lap and not extended to stay in front final stages.
Overall time not that quick and opposition a few grades down on what he will meet this Friday at Addington in Race 9 but let's remember that he went very close to winning a Rowe Cup last season. Gets a head start over his main rivals and should not be underestimated.

To place a bet in this race click here