The Trials Report – Six of the Best

These horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week (15/1/26) they head back to the racetrack.

Paradise Ali (5m Muscle Mass – Majestic Ali) Tr. Wallis/Hackett

Won a four-horse trial at Pukekohe (23/12/25) by stepping and leading throughout in a 2:13.3MR, last 800m in 59.4. Muscle Memory was second. Blew the start when resuming (9/1/26) at Cambridge when well supported (first start since May 2025) and since has been put on the unruly. Goes to Kapiti Coast (on the grass at Hawera) this Thursday and starts off 30m against non winners in Race 8. Race really devoid of good form but only over 2000m so she will have to bring her manners. If she does, she should go close to winning.

Duchess Of Kent (4m Art Major – Galleon’s Honour) Tr. L Pearson

Classy southern mare who has won 5 of just 11 starts. Taken back to the Invercargill workouts (9/1/26) when she proved too good in a three-horse heat after leading and defeating good mare Beach Day by 6L. MR:2:02.7, 800m in 58.2, 400m in 28.0. Prior to that was an impressive winner at Invercargill in a 1:56.2MR leading throughout over 1700m. Back at that track this Thursday (Northern Southland) in Race 9 where she has drawn awkwardly out wide over 2200m but her class is going to have her well in contention. Her clash with the exciting Havtimewillfly (3 wins from 6 starts) will be a feature of the day's racing.

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

Second (again) in second race day start behind the very promising Cinderella Franco at Omakau albeit nearly 8L away. That form has been franked with the latter going on to win again at Cromwell. The Ferguson- trained mare had multiple workout wins before launching her race career and this Thursday she gets a royal chance to snare her maiden win at Northern Southland in Race 2 where she has drawn sweetly over 1700m against other non-win fillies and mares. Only thing is, the returns to those who stick with the ship might be quite small.

Typhoon Tere (9g Washington VC – Vera’s Moon) Tr. J & I Thomas

What an interesting backstory to his fellow. Has had the one race day start way back in July 2020 (over 5 years ago) where he ran fourth as favourite on debut at Addington and after a tough trip, fought on to be less than 2L from the winner on a 1:58.8MR. Two public outings in December recently including a win at the Ashburton trials (16/12/25) where he came off the back of subsequent Nelson winner Shanky’s Shot and easily ran past him without too much effort. MR:2:08.2, 800m in 57.1, 400m in 28.4. Reappears at Blenheim this Friday in Race 3 (on the grass) and judging by his trial win looks to be a live hope. Connections deserve a medal for their patience and hopefully they are pleasantly rewarded.

Prestigious (4g Majestic Son – Prestine) Tr. J Cox

Promising trotter who has had just the 4 starts for a win and a couple of placings. Placed second in a Rangiora trial (23/12/25) behind Roydon Muscle, coming from last at the 600m and stretched out stylishly over the final 150m. MR:2:08.1, 800m in 60.4, 400m in 29.4. Then went to Omakau and turned in another solid performance to claim second from well back behind Spiritinthesky. Heads to Blenheim on Friday (Race 5) and rated an E/W hope in a large field. Half brother to Master Class (5 wins to date) and dam won 5 as well. From a winning breed and looks destined to win more in the coming season.

Cheer The Captain (4g Captaintreacherous – Cheer The Lady) Tr. S & A Telfer

Well-bred type who has already won 3 races from just 9 starts. Won a trial at Rangiora (6/1/26) where he came off the back of Captain Commodore and easily got the better of him over the final 100m. MR:2:07.6, 800m in 58.3, 400m in 28.7. Starts a new campaign at Blenheim this Friday in Race 10 where he has drawn the inside of the second line. Last started back in September where he got his chance against the best 3YOs including Got The Chocolates and Rubira. Nothing in that class on the grass this weekend but somewhat reliant on how the pole horse begins. Dam was a high class racehorse winning 11 races and $314k in stakes so he has a bit to live up to.