The Trials Report – Six of the Best

These horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week (5/2/26) they head back to the racetrack.

Patiro (6g Rocknroll Heaven – Christian Seel) Tr. B Hill

Back at the trials (28/1/26) with a win in a three-horse heat, trailed after a tardy beginning then swept to the front with 400m to run, too good for JT Boe who gave it a 20m headstart. MR:2:06.3, 800m in 58.1, 400m in 28.0. Last raced late December 2025 when a solid fourth on the grass and now heads back to the races this Thursday at Addington where he has drawn the inside of the second line in an Amateurs drivers race (Race 1). Could need luck to find late gaps depending on what happens in the first 400m but as the winner of seven races should be up to this class of horse all things being equal.

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Fanfare (2c King Of Swing – Ovaride) Tr. B Butt

Buzz 2YO who has won all 4 of his public trials at Rangiora including a 1/2L win over last week’s debut winner Volare (6/1/26) where he trailed and proved too strong over the final stages. MR:2:05.0, 800m in 58.4, 400m in 28.5. The first of his sire’s stock to hit the track and much anticipation around this guy’s debut start which happens this Thursday at Addington in Race 10. Draws 2 in only a four-horse field and if the hype is anything to go by, he should be winning. Plenty of breeding to support his case being a half-brother to millionaire WA pacer Minstrel (28 wins).

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Doo You Want Me (4g Captain Crunch – Delightful Lana) Tr. A Herlihy

Resumed on a high note for his new trainer (23/1/26) when proving too good for Blazing Louie in a 1:55.9MR on a slushy track at Auckland. Prior to that run, was readied for racing with two workouts at Pukekohe resulting in a win and a placing. Goes back to Auckland this Friday (Race 1) and has five rivals to contend with from a mid-row draw. With natural improvement again in his fitness levels, one might assume he will be very hard to hold out again. The winner of 5 from just 12 starts, the half brother to Our Shangri Lana (6 wins and $126k to date) has always looked promising.

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Ms Collins (3f Lather Up – Slangevar) Tr. S & A Telfer

Hasn’t started at the races since early March 2025 where she ran a strong placing on debut behind Angelic Copy but reappeared at the Pukekohe workouts (22/1/26) and after trailing Its Not Kathy, finished over the top of that runner last 100m in a 2:01.2MR, last 800m in 56.8. In context, last week’s Auckland winner Chanel Noire was some 17L back in third place. Resumes at Auckland this Friday in Race 3 in what is a very strong maiden field with plenty of form to recommend her rivals. Interestingly, first choice stable driver Tim Williams making the trip up north to drive.

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Downbythebeach (3g Downbytheseaside – Allaboutjoy) Tr. M Jones

Only qualified in January but has been back at the trials again (30/1/26) where he popped out from three deep in a heat of four to lead with 1000m to run, proved too good for Okiwi Bay (5 wins) in the run to the line. MR:2:08.3, 800m in 59.0. Goes to Hororata (at Methven on the grass) for his debut in Race 4 where he has drawn handily in a big field. Key rivals drawn beside him and should be better for the experience but does have some breeding behind him for a select group of high profile owners. Tote might give some indication of confidence levels.

Johnny Arma (4g Sky Major – Cindi Arma) Tr. M Swain

Won a workout on the Methven track back in December then had a quiet trial at Rangiora (6/1/26) behind Divine Mercy MR:2:04.2, 800m in 57.9. Three subsequent raceday starts have yielded a win (on the grass at Blenheim) and a minor placing last week at Ashburton. Really caught the eye in the latter race coming from a long way back at the 600m to finish less than 1L from the winner Stormy Vista. Would have most likely won had he received clear racing room when it mattered most. Heads back to the grass at Methven (Hororata) on Sunday in Race 7 against some race hardened rivals but has looked very promising in a short space of time. Start all important and if successfully negotiating that part, expected to play a role in the finish.