The Trials Report – Six of the Best

These horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week (20/11/25) they head back to the racetrack.

Caufield (6g Sir Lincoln – Cosi Bella) Tr. D Butcher

Eight race winner going to Cambridge this Thursday in an amateur drivers race (Race 2) where he is clearly the best credentialled horse in the race. Won a three horse trial on the track (5/11/25). MR:2:03.1, 800m in 59.5, 400m in 29.0. Followed that up with a resuming ninth 9th of 11 when unable to make any impression from back in the field. That was his first run back since late May so one would expect him to be fitter again for this assignment. No star but does look very well placed from a handy front line marble. Tote should be another reliable guide to his chances.

Don’t Tell Jenny (4m Vincent – Takemetothebech) Tr. R Houghton

Won a trial on the grass at Methven (9/11/25) after trailing and narrowly getting the better of a pacemaker Jay R Tolkien. MR:2:13.4, 800m in 60.8, 400m in 29.1. Followed that up with a brave effort at Ashburton last Thursday, sitting parked throughout on a slushy track on a 1:57.9MR for 1700m, last 800m in 59.3. Going again this Thursday at Rangiora (Race 1) and another targeting an amateur drivers event. Wouldn’t need to improve much on her Ashburton run to be a major player here. Looks more than capable of building on her two win race record.

Paramount Lady (4m Tactical Landing – Paramount Faith) Tr. M Jones

Freshened since running second behind Donna’s Boy (26/9/25) where she sat parked for the last lap and fought on strongly. MR:2:03.0, 800m in 58.3, 400m in 28.6. Before that had a quiet trial at Rangiora (3/9/25) behind Dreams Pat when only fifth of 9. Campaigned in Auckland over the winner with mixed success including a win at ‘The Park’. Next up at Rangiora this Thursday in Race 5 where she has drawn the pole in a 2000m Mob. Field doesn’t look overly strong in disclosed form and with good manners, expecting her to be highly competitive. Has only won the two from 26 starts but is a half to the mighty Muscle Mountain.

Franco Harlem (2g Captain Crunch – Haiti Franco) Tr. R & J Dunn

Debuted at Kaikoura and was ok in a 2:00MR, running on to be 3L from the winner All Of Me who went on to star in Cup week. Goes to Rangiora this Thursday (Race 8) where he has drawn the inside over 2000m against other non- win 2YOs and should be a better horse for the debut experience. Did win a trial at Rangiora (18/10/25) with some authority when he left the third line to blaze to the front 600m out and cleared out by 5L from his rivals. Stable certainly had a strong cup week and this 2YO primed to carry that form forward

Cold Chisel (4h Always B Miki - Shezaball) Tr. Purdon / Phelan

Class horse on the comeback trail going to Auckland this Friday night in Race 8. Impressive at the recent Pukekohe workouts where he led in a four-horse trial and sprinted sharply to win with smart sectionals. MR:2:00.8, 800m in 55.3, 400m in 26.4. Princess Savoy (trail) did extremely well to stay so close over the final stages as a one-race winner. Cold Chisel clearly the best performed horse in his race and has drawn the outside over the 1700m accordingly due to the preferential draw. Third up after his first 2 runs back didn’t go to plan but well placed in this field and his class alone should take him very close. Astute trainers have three of the 8 runners engaged

Captain’s Mistress (3f Captaintreacherous – Imaginary Bet) Tr. N Williamson

Star filly who got her chance to tackle the boys last week in a national record race (The Velocity) where they went an unbelievable time. She went 2:20.3 herself albeit 13.6L from the winner. That was her first race day start since July in Australia. Won at the Cup trials where she beat Chase A Dream. MR:2:01.8, 800m in 57.8, 400m in 27.9. Missed out on qualifying for the rich Nevele R final so the NZ Oaks this Friday (Race 7) at Addington is her major target and has been blessed with the inside draw over 2600m. Should be in or near the speed throughout and as long as that first up run hasn’t flattened her, she is the filly to beat in a very strong line up.