The Trials Report - Six of the Best

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

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

Smart horse who only trialed the once before resuming with a very solid third behind Franco Salah in a 1:59.2MR, last 800m in 57.6, finishing less than 2L from the winner. That was his first race day start since early April where he locked horns with the good 3YOs and wasn’t disgraced in fifth behind Bettors Anvil. Second up at Auckland this Friday night in Race 4 and although giving away plenty of ranking points to some, has copped a nice draw to race prominently. Bold run expected with improved fitness and still a possibility that he might travel south to take on the big guns at Addington later in the season if results were to go his way.

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Just Us Two (2c Art Major – Dancing Diamonds) Tr. M & N Purdon

Had just the one race day run when sixth back in February behind the very smart Incentivise but looked ready to rumble when last produced at the Pukekohe trials (16/9/25). Trailed stablemate Dream Light on that occasion and too strong over the final stages closing 800m in 56.1, MR:2:04.1. Full brother to standout mare Princess Tiffany who resumes at Auckland this Friday in Race 9 and had drawn handily in small field. Carries the right colours and expected to be right in the fight here with Captain Moonlight the obvious danger. Odds on offer won't be anything fancy.

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Landman (2c Muscle Hill – Cash Lover) Tr. G & B Hope

Very impressive win on debut backed up with a 10L trial win at Rangiora (17/9/25). Led on the latter occasion and simply ran away from his rivals. MR:2:06.4, 800m in 61.4. Second up at Addington this Friday night in Race 5 where he comes up against some very smart sorts including the unbeaten Duchess Maria (3 from 3). Held in high regard by the stable and this will give some indication of where he sits in the pecking order. The trial was just awesome and he looked very solid in the first 200m with a rival galloping inside him. One of the races of the night.

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The Lazarus Effect (4g Lazarus – Brook Street) Tr. B Butt

Likely to be the hottest favourite of the night (Addington Friday night Race 2) after two glittering trial wins at Rangiora, the last on 17/9/25 where he bided his time in fourth of 5 before whipping around at the 400m and scooting away from rivals to win untouched. MR:2:02.6, 800m in 58.9, 400m in 27.5. 
Has always had a reputation and it will be a major surprise if he cant make it four wins from just 6 starts for his large army of owners. Multi bait for many punters.

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Prestigious (3g Majestic Son – Prestine) Tr. J Cox

Has looked very promising at Canterbury trials with multiple wins, the last being 3/9/2 at Rangiora where he sat fourth of 5 in single file before moving up to take issue 400m out, kept going strongly to keep four rivals at bay MR:2:15.5, 800m in 61.5, 400m in 30.5. Went to Oamaru(14/9/25) for his debut and not disgraced behind a smart one in Axel Rose. The half brother to Master Class goes to Timaru for his second race day appearance this Sunday (Race 1). While he starts from the unruly, he has looked solid at the starts and not expected to be a non-winner for too long.

Samtapa (2g Bettor’s Delight – Scorcha) Tr. M Jones

Impressive trial winner at Rangiora (17/9/25) where he came out of a 1x1 sit to breeze past his rivals, won with authority in the end. MR:2:01.1, 800m in 58.1, 400m in 28.1. Has had just the one race day run back in June when fourth behind Helius (beaten 1.5L) in a 1:58.7MR on a slushy track. Sneaks down to Gore this Sunday (Race 7) for a maiden 2YO race over 2200m where he has drawn handily on the front line. Held in some regard by his trainer and should be an improved horse this time in. Dam won 4 of 12 in a brief career and has already left a full brother in Sacetas (2 wins + 1:54.3). Samtapa is only her second foal. Stable has second in the race but the stablemate was well adrift in the above trial at Rangiora.