Addington "Cup Day" trials review

Addington Raceway ‘Cup Day’ trials Wed. 8th November
Weather Overcast / Track Good

2yo Colts /Geldings 1980m Mob

Vessem, in hands of Mark Purdon, worked over to lead after 400m from wide draw, left alone on sedate pace, did enough, without being extended to hold out Shard’s Matrix who led out then trailed, used passing lane to run leader to half a length.

Cold Chisel trailed third (field in indian file), blocked for a run until inside final 150m, not pushed to snare third. Renegade and Quinn in latter two of six throughout, doing their best work out wide final 200m. Quinn in particular came widest of all from last and his final 400m sectional would have been sub 27s. Its Tough fourth of six in running, led line up at 600m, fought on to be close up. MR:2:04.6, 800m in 58.3, 400m in 27.3

2yo Colts/Geldings 1980m Mob

Art Jordan, a 2yo full brother to the well credentialed Dance Till Dawn (6 wins) from the Dunn stable went straight to the front and kept going strongly to just keep out Ragazzo Major who trailed three deep. Commander Joe trailed and was never asked for an effort over the concluding stages, finishing on the back of the winner.

In a race where all seven runners qualified, Mighty Flying Lou caught the eye making solid ground in the straight from well back at the 800m. Franco Elvis ran on late from last albeit some distance from winner MR:2:01.8, 800m in 58.2, 400m in 28.1

2yo Fillies 1980m Mob

Melody Banner trailed early then elected to pop out and around pacemaker Waterfront with 900m to run, kept up a strong run to just prevail over Ultimate Racy Girl who enjoyed a nice trip just in behind, came strongly along inner final 100m to just miss. Coastal Babe settled last of seven and was still there with 600m to run, improved in open from there and kept going strongly wide out to dispute the placings. Kiss trailed three deep and never got clear in straight, hard held in behind winner. Waterfront led out then trailed at the 900m, looked to be travelling at the 400m but lacked a kick at the business end. Treacherous Love settled back and ran on without being asked for serious effort. MR:2:01.2, 800m in 57.2, 400m in 27.8

2yo Trotters 1980m Mob

Wilma’s Boy settled sixth of 9 before improving at the 600m with 1x1 cover, challenged at the top of the straight, gobbled up the leaders with giant strides to win in impressive fashion final stages (one of the highlights of the day). Paramount Lady led, skipped away on straightening but simply beaten by a better one. Aspirational Dream trailed and fought solidly for third. Lil Whip made ground from midfield for fourrth. Bacardi Doll and We Can Have It All made costly mistakes in the running and tailed field home. Origin broke in the home straight when under pressure. MR:2:03.6, 800m in 59.7, 400m in 29.5

Non Winners Pace 2000m Mob

Rock Me Lou worked to front before taking a trail behind Yukon Be Serious a lap out, used passing lane to outfinish that runner last 100m. Eyecatching run from Didjaseemiki who finished strongly from rear wide out and got up for third. Belmont Valor ran on from three deep. The others beaten off headed by My Sweet Bella Rose who led the running line up at the 800m and was there until the last 100m where the effort told. MR:2:03.8, 800m in 59.1, 400m in 29.1

41 & faster Pace 1980m Mob

Sweet Diamond worked around to lead 1600m, stayed on strongly to keep out early pacemaker Kiwi Hero in a rousing trial (time honours for the day). Pandaia got back then asked to improve in open 500m out, kept going strongly to place third, run full of merit. Point Break trailed three deep mostly, had his chances in straight but 4L away at the finish. Warrior Chief handy enough in running, up to challenge turn, battled the last bit. Deny Everything made ground from the rear on a fast last 800m and More Gooda not disgraced in behind, making solid ground in the final 200m. MR:2:00.6, 800m in 55.7, 400m in 27.0

65 & faster Pace 1980m Mob

Some run here by Aardie’s Express (in arguably the best trial field at Addington in recent times) after being some 12L off leaders at the 800m, started to improve inside the final 800m, moved up a gear at the 400m and ran on too strongly for her rivals (second highlight of the day). Stablemate Aardiebytheseaside raced handily throughout and fought strongly for her placing ahead of Merlin who enjoyed a nice trail throughout and looked comfortable at the line in third. Alta Meteor, Kahlua Flybye and Sooner The Bettor all made ground under their own steam from back in field but the race was notable for the non emergence of unbeaten filly Millwood Nike and top 3yo Don’t Stop Dreaming. The former went back from the outside of the gate and never threatened at any point. Don’t Stop Dreaming had a good draw but showed no gate speed and ended up in the rear division and didn’t flatter at any stage. Their supporters would give them the benefit of the doubt and suggest they both had ‘quiet’ runs. The Falcon showed good gate speed to lead but battled on once headed Here’s Herbie another to never get close from way back in big field. MR:2:01.7, 800m in 57.9, 400m in 27.3

40 & faster Trot 2600m

Elizabeth Hill looked on track for her cupday assignment here, soon in front and kicked strongly to keep out Sunny Louis who trailed. They gapped the rest headed by Monarch Prince who was handy throughout. KD Hawk midfield then secured 1x1 cover inside 700m, fought on ok. Magic Dash and Whats Wanted got back but were making solid ground wide out over final 200m. Hard to get excited about the rest. MR:2:07.7, 800m in 59.0, 400m in 29.2

40 & faster Pace 2600m

Borrisokane and Mandalay Bay fought out a close finish to the heat. Borrisokane soon in front then trailed First Rose at bell, came on solidly once clear to nab Mandalay Bay who raced in midfield before improving in open inside 600m, led on straightening, not really pushed and caught in shadows of post. Fernleigh Blackbird got back after tardy beginning but caught the eye making up many lengths in the straight wide out for third. Ebury Street led out then trailed two and three deep, fought on ahead of Kingsdown Atom who ran on from back on inner. Tact Teel tracked Mandalay Bay into race and looked likely on the home turn but just battled over final 100m. First Rose left handy spot to lead bell, still there 250m, just battled behind placings MR:2:07.6, 800m in 58.5, 400m in 27.9

120 & faster Trot 2600m

Dominion favourite Muscle Mountain (30m) dealt to his five rivals after giving them all a start, tagged on to six horse bunch then strolled around from the 800m, simply ran away in the straight, nearly 6L at the line. Galway Girl trailed throughout, did best of others. Stablemate of winner Eurokash (10m) ran on from the rear as did Walkinonsunshine who looked comfortable enough in run home. Pacemaker Greenbank Don faded to fifth with Royal Del no threat from three deep. MR:2:04.1, 800m in 59.9, 400m in 28.0

120 & faster Pace 2600m

In a disappointing field of only three for the ‘cup trial’, BD Joe led and was too good for Franco Marek and the ever improving Beach Ball, went to the line full of running. Franco Marek finished attractively from three deep to nab Beach Ball who began splendidly, trailed and wasn’t asked to challenge the leader at any point. MR:2:01.2, 800m in 57.8, 400m in 27.4.

To see the trials click here