The Trials Report - Six of the Best

These horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week (11/9/25), they head back to the racetrack

Critical Image (2g Always B Miki – All Time Glory) Tr. A Donnelly

Half brother to Dalton Shard on debut against 4 rivals at Cambridge this Thursday in Race 4 where he has drawn the outside over 1700m. All but one rival on debut. Went to the Pukekohe workouts (2/9/25) and sat last of 5 with race rival Imon in front setting the pace, brought very wide around final turn and stormed home to get within a neck of that Purdon runner. MR:2:07.5, 800m in 59.6, 400m in 29.4. Zachary Butcher drove on this occasion and he sticks with the Donnelly runner. Has had plenty of practice at northern workouts and expected to be competitive in this line up.

Ada RJ (3f Sky Major – Viscountess) Tr. B Gray

Multiple workout wins during August backed up with two solid runs in a fresh campaign. The last of those at Wyndham (4/9/25) where she trailed throughout and chased hard after Party Up Denario in a 1:58.1MR when well supported. The two race day starts were her first since November 2024 and now third up, she goes to Invercargill this Thursday in Race 2 where she has drawn the pole over 1700m. Shouldn’t have to improve much to be a strong contender this time around. Has the services of top southern driver Brent Barclay. Hardest to beat might be another couple of Sky Major fillies (Nos 2 & 3)

Leithen Louie (3g Sweet Lou – Delight) Tr. T Stratford

Freshened since solid debut (4th) at Kurow (17/9/25) where things didn’t quite go to plan behind Captain Cool. MR:1:57.5, 800m in 57.0, finishing 4L behind the winner. Prior to that debut, had been unbeaten in 4 public outings. Goes back to Invercargill Thursday (Race 4) with top driver Blair Orange sticking with him. Cops a handy draw and on exposed form, should be the one to beat. Odds may not be substantial but let's be thankful for the small return.

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

Made this column last week and not disgraced behind two Purdon/Phelan runners after sitting parked for a good way, leading in then getting run down over the final stages. 2:02.6MR, 800m in 57.9, 400m in 27.3. Back at Auckland this Friday in Race 8 where he should strip a fitter horse. The negative is the 8 draw but he looks good enough to overcome that with many of his rivals struggling to register any consistency in their form lines. Go again!

Mediator (3g Captaintreacherous – Willow) Tr. M White

Produced a nice third at the Pukekohe workouts (26/8/25) after trailing and not being asked for a supreme effort over the concluding stages. MR:2:02.8, 800m in 57.2, 400m in 27.2. Put aside early April after recording a meritorious fifth behind Bettor’s Anvil and other top 3YOs at Cambridge. Won his only other two starts showing plenty of promise. Resumes this Friday at Auckland (Race 2) where he has drawn the inside of the 2nd row. Held in some regard by his young trainer and all going well, will get his chance against the best of his age group later in the season. Certainly one to follow in the north.

Bettor’s Anvil (3c Bettor’s Delight – Isabella Anvil) Tr. S & A Telfer

Smart colt resuming this Friday at Addington in Race 5. Caught the eye in a ‘star studded’ trial at Rangiora (3/9/25) when officially only 6th of 9. Ran on well from back in the field with winner The Lazarus Effect running his last 800m in 55.1 off the front. In the early part of the season, he was very competitive against the likes of Marketplace and Got The Chocolates and expected to be a key contender in the 3YO classics coming up. Sure to improve with the run on this occasion but his class should make him competitive at least at this level.