The Trials Report – Six of the Best

These horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week (27/11/25) they head back to the racetrack.

Take The Miki (6g Always B Miki – Unforgiven) Tr. W Stapleton

Hasn’t raced since August 2022 but the trainer has the ability to resurrect careers for those unsound horses and his connections deserve a medal with it being over three years since he last officially raced. In that previous campaign he showed real ability winning two of 6 with another two placings. Goes to Oamaru this Thursday as the tightest assessed horse in Race 4. Readied for this assignment by winning a trial at Methven (9/11/25) where he outfinished Mighty Flying Lou in a field of 5. MR:2:010.5, 800m in 61.0, 400m in 29.6. Placed in an earlier workout on the same grass track (1/11/25). Naturally going to improve with racing but looks sound enough currently to go a big race in a fresh state.

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Mattie Nevin (2f Downbytheseaside – Mary Niven) Tr. M Jones

Won a trial at Ashburton (18/11/25) where she trailed two stablemates and race rivals Miss Ethel and Better Together and proved too strong over the final stages and under her own steam. MR:2:00.6, 800m in 57.6, 400m in 27.4. The half sister to good mare Francent goes to Oamaru on Thursday (Race 6) for her debut and has copped the outside draw of 8 runners with four of them on debut. She has had four public outings at the trials/workouts and won a workout heat in a 1:59.2MR all the way back in early August. The draw gives her no favours but looks like she has inherited some of the family ability.

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Sonofamistery (2c Sweet Lou – Luna Danza) Tr. S & A Telfer

Form looks average but involved in two top races recently where both were won in 1:53MRs and out of racing luck especially on Cup Day in Sires' Stakes final after getting carted back by tiring rival. Better guide is his trial win at Ashburton (14/10/25) where he led and held out race rival Jessie Owens. MR:2:02.4, 800m in 55.1, 400m in 26.8. Back at Addington this Friday night (Race 8) where he has a major advantage in the draw over the Morrison runner although the chances do not end there. Only had the 6 starts for one win (ironically over Sires' Stakes winner Freeze Frame at Wyndham) back in March where he showed good gate speed to lead throughout. From his handy draw, similar tactics could be employed.

Milou (5m Sweet Lou – Le Vado) Tr. N Le Lievre

Very solid at Cup trials when third behind Sideshow Bruce after trailing throughout MR:1:58.4, 800m in 56.7, 400m in 28.3, albeit 3L from the winner. Minor placings at prior workouts in October behind the likes of Arthur Shelby and Duchess Of Kent. Resumed on Show Day (1st run back since August) and not disgraced when eighth behind Esmeralda in a 1:54MR. Second up at Addington this Friday night (Race 6) in the Junior Drivers Championship where Harrison Orange gets aboard. Equal tightest assessed horse in 2600m mob where she has drawn 2 on the second line. Expecting her to improve further again and her tote odds could be quite appealing. This race represents a drop back in class.

Real Velocity (3f Always B Miki – Hamsa) Tr. J MacDonald

Showed early promise as a 2yo then turned out after just two starts. Back trialling late October and ran an ok third at the cup trials behind Bettor Belle (5/11/25). MR:2:02.3, 800m in 58.1. Showed real benefit from that effort when produced in a fresh state at Banks Peninsula on the grass (23/11/25) and finished boldly to claim third after being held up early in the run home. Goes to Methven on Sunday for her second race back (Race 2) in the new campaign and should be fitter again. Drawn the middle of the front line from a stand and a real chance to live up to her name on this occasion

Buckskin (9g American Ideal – Got Milk) Tr. R Davis

The winner of 11 races, nine on the grass including two at Methven. Has dropped right back in the grades (rating 47) and lines up in a Junior Drivers' Championship race on Sunday at Methven in Race 7 with a handy draw. Went to the cup trials and ran sixth of 7 behind Always Dreaming then backed that up with a nice win at a Methven trial (9/11/25) where he pounced from the trail to outpoint the pace-making Pioneer. MR:2:13.3, 800m in 60.1, 400m in 28.1 Subsequently back at the races 21/11/25 and ninth behind Commander Joe in a 1:57MR but only 6L from the winner. No form to speak of but he does like Methven and the grass. Could the ‘old boy’ upset the favourites ?