The Trials Report – Six of the Best

These horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week (31/12/25) they head back to the racetrack.

Muscle Memory (2g Creatine – Muscle Factor) Tr. T Herlihy

Trial winner 16/12/25 at Pukekohe where he defeated stablemate BD Castleton and race rival Andarta led throughout on that occasion after stepping safely and not extended to keep his three rivals at bay. MR:2:14.5, 800m in 62.4, 400m in 30.4. Goes to Auckland on New Years Eve in Race 2 for his race debut for his high profile ownership group and as a 2YO, taking on some promising older horses first up. Astute trainer will have him ready. Back at the workouts 23/12/25 where he trailed race winner Paradise Ali and pushed her all the way over last 200m, looked to have more left. Dam is a half sister to Rowe Cup winner Bet N Win (15 wins).

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Buddy Good (2g American Ideal – Dana Maguire) Tr. A Donnelly

Full brother to Kango (14 wins and $556k) and another 3 winners who won a trial at Cambridge (5/11/25) before resuming at Auckland behind Black Beauty in a 1:58.8MR when only seventh, running on from the rear with little hope of threatening. Well supported second up on his home track at Cambridge where he went huge for third after racing wide without cover throughout (18/12/25) and just 1L from winner Katama. Now goes back to Auckland on Wednesday (Race 5) to take on other 2YOs. Meets a couple of very nice types but has scored a very handy draw and he looks a promising sort who has inherited much of the family ability.

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Turn N Burn (4m Art Major – Take A Bet) Tr. C Ferguson

Multiple workout wins in the deep south in December and as a consequence sent out favourite on debut at Invercargill (19/12/25) where she showed gate speed to lead, only to find one better in the form of King Hit in a 2:00.2MR, 800m in 58.9. Second up at Omakau (Race 3) on January 2 where she has a nice swing in the draws over 2000m mob. Before the December workout wins, she had won several workouts earlier in the year. Has some breeding behind her with her dam winning 50% of her 6 lifetime starts and the grand-dam won 6. All things considered, she looks a strong chance to go one better than her debut result.

Anita Mary (4m Fear The Dragon – Glenburn Jewel) Tr. B Gray

Won a trial at Winton (12/12/25) where she led and proved too good for the likes of Just Like Jagger and Palladium. MR:2:04.3, 800m in 58.6, 400m in 28.5. Backed that up by running a slashing fourth behind Duchess Of Kent in a 1:56.2MR, getting within 2L of the winner. The veteran of only three career starts but looking full of promise, she goes to Omakau January 2 in Race 6 where she has drawn handily in a field that should hold no terrors. Dam won 5 and has already left Smokin Annie (10 wins) and Boots Electric (14 wins and 1:51.3).

Birstall Babe (4m Muscle Mass – Love A Moment) Tr. G & B Hope

Maiden trotter down to debut at Rangiora on New Year’s Day in Race 2. Qualified back in June and her connections have been patient in the meantime. Won a trial at Rangiora (9/12/25), coming with a sustained finish to get over the top of 6 rivals. MR:2:14.7, 800m in 60.8, 400m in 29.9. Rates as a half sister to the promising Lotties Moment (3 wins to date) and from a family that gets better and better with time. Held in some regard by the trainers and while benefitting from this experience, she should be very competitive in this line up all the same.

Ukraine (4g Captain Crunch – Back In The USSR) Tr. B Butt

Former buzz 2YO who hasn’t started since August 2024 since going amiss but a regular at Nth Canterbury trials and workouts in recent weeks, the last when second behind Warrior Chief (23/12/25) after trailing 3 deep, led on straightening only to be reined in last 50m by the winner. MR:2:06.1, 800m in 58.9, 400m in 28.7. Goes to Rangiora on Jan 1 in Race 9 over 2600m (stand) and is the highest rated runner. Standing start didn’t look an issue in his latest trial and if anywhere near his best looks clearly the one to beat. Has only had the 4 career starts and connections will be hoping that he can return to his early 2YO form.