The Trials Report - Six of the Best

These horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week (23/10/25), they head back to the racetrack

Radha (4g Always B Miki – Reklaw) Tr. C & A Edmonds

Last raced back in May but has been very active at the Rangiora trials during October. Won a trial (9/10/25) then went even better (16/10/25) when he came from the rear to get within 2L of winner Chase A Dream and The Surfer, both open class horses. MR:2:03.8, 800m in 57.1, 400m in 27.8. Patiently handled (he’s a big horse), he has won four of just 12 starts and resumes this Sunday at Waimate (being run at Timaru on the grass) in Race 9. Has won on the grass before and a bold run would come as no surprise at attractive odds.

Double Parked (4g Downbytheseaside – Mockingjay) Tr. T Herlihy

Little chance to make an impression from the rear when resuming (17/10/25) with the leaders coming home in 56.6 behind the impressive Tytate. Had beaten that subsequent winner at the Pukekohe workouts (8/10/25) where he came off her pace-making back to win nicely MR:2:00.0, 800m in 56.6, 400m in 27.6. Second up at Auckland this Friday (Race 9) where he has drawn the pole over 1700m. Giving away some rating points to some handy sorts but expecting him to be in or around the pace throughout and naturally a fitter horse after last week’s run.

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One Eyed Bandit (3g Always B Miki – Break Dance) Tr. B Butt

Key trial at Rangiora (9/10/25) where the ‘bandit’ settled second last in a field of 8 with race rival Jessie Owens in front, improved smartly in the open from the 600m, there to challenge 200m, ran pacemaker to a nose with petrol left in the tank. MR:2:05.7, 800m in 56.7, 400m in 27.5. Rivals again at Addington this Friday night (Race 6) and likely to get back from a second line draw but the Butt trained runner looks to have a bit of ‘X factor’.

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Blaze Lightening (3g Sweet Lou – Nek Time) Tr. B Gray

Two workouts wins at Winton during the early part of October, the most impressive on 3/10/25 where he ran home in 56.1 on a 2:02.0MR. Only the second foal from a smart mare who won eight (from 25 starts and $159k). Goes to Tuapeka (being run at Invercargill) on Sunday (Race 3) to make his debut and has drawn the inside over 2200m. Has only six rivals and should get a ‘soft’ trip from the draw. You wont miss him, he has the big white face typical of some of the Sweet Lous.

She’s A Lady (3f Captain Crunch – Paddy Me) Tr. J Morrison

Sound debut at Akaroa on the grass (12/10/25) where she finished on strongly to nab second behind Folliejon Star. Prior to that debut had won several workouts, the last one a comfortable win over subsequent Oamaru winner Molly Maeve Estelle on the grass at Methven after leading. MR:2:21.6, 800m in 63.2. They did race several carts out from the running line in this heat, hence the slowish time. Second up on her home track on Monday at Ashburton (Race 2) where she has drawn the outside of the front line in a standing start. Promising filly good enough to go one better.

Captains Mistress (3f Captaintreacherous – Imaginary Bet) Tr. N Williamson

Classy filly who hasn’t started since a very successful Australian campaign back in our winter. Did go to the Winton workouts (17/10/25) and proved too good for her four rivals after leading but not asked for much more than a sprint home under her own steam. MR:2:06.9, 800m in 59.5, 400m in 27.0. Hasn’t qualified for the rich Nevele R fillies final yet and gets her one chance at Ashburton on Monday (Race 8) where she has the luxury of drawing the pole over 1700m. It won’t be easy as some have race fitness on their side, throw in the likes of Duchess Of Kent and this will be one of the races of the day. Her class will take her a long way and the trainer should have her primed for a big effort.