The Trials Report - an Alexandra Park special

With Auckland's big night this Friday, this week's Trials Reports looks at some southern contenders heading to Alexandra Park.

Kawatiri Trev (3g Marcoola – Buller Whitebait) Tr. P Nairn

One has to always respect the trainer and these famous colours when travelling north and he obviously thinks the horse is worth going all that way despite being the veteran of only four race day starts of which he has won three. Kicks off the Auckland programme in Race 1 and off the front could step and lead them a merry dance even though it is his first go the Auckland way around. Last start at Addington (17/4/26) he stepped away well to lead and proceeded to run his last 800m in 57.5, holding out his stablemate Tu Tangata who will start later in the night. Has been kept up to the mark by going to the Rangiora trials (21/4/26) where he finished on terms with stablemate Rowdy Yates in a two-horse heat. MR:2:06.2, 800m in 60.7. Giving away some serious rating points but gets a head start over the 2200m trip. Should not be underestimated on this occasion

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Mickey Holler (3g Always B Miki – Close Escape) Tr. B Hill

Some might suggest he has come north as a travelling companion for Cath (in the Oaks) but he did go a big trial at Rangiora (21/4/26) when he came from well back in a field of 9, widest of all around the final bend and picked his rivals up under his own steam for an impressive win. MR:2:03.2, 800m in 62.1. Last year won a couple of trials/workouts as a 2YO and had plenty of support at his only race day start where he ran on late for seventh at Ashburton (13/11/25) on a slushy track. Has copped the visitor’s draw (outside of the second line) in Race 4 but could surprise a few if he gets some racing luck. Although unraced, his dam is a Christian Cullen full sister to the very smart Tosti Girl (7 wins), dam of NZ Cup winner The Fixer.

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Petite Armour (3f What The Hill – Another Love) Tr. R & J Dunn

Well bred filly making a fair fist of being a talented racehorse and has already won three of just 7 starts. Bested by Our Col when resuming (10/4/26) but did get within 1L of Kyvalley Ray as a 2YO over Cup week as a 2yo on a 1:57.5MR. Showed she has trained on with a super run at the Pukekohe workouts (21/4/26) after giving 5 rivals a massive start, came around wide on the final turn and gobbled up the ground to just miss picking up the pacemaker Home Grown Girl. MR:2:08.8, 800m in 61.3, 400m in 28.5. She has good gate speed so could surprise by crossing the two favourites at the start. Obvious top 3 contender in Race 5.

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Secret Wish (3f Bettor’s Delight – Secret Lotion) Tr. H & A Cullen

In-form filly who has gone from strength to strength in recent weeks. Smart trial winner at Rangiora (7/4/26) where she led and proved too strong for 4 rivals. MR:2:00.5, 800m in 56.6, 400m in 28.3 and she had more to give if required. Came back to Addington (17/4/26) and after trailing Cath, had too much gas at the business end to record her third win in a row, her fourth career win in 10 starts. Goes into the Oaks at Group 1 level (Race 6) and while she has drawn wide on the second line, it is over the longer journey of 2700m and she still rates as the one to beat, all things being equal. She can get over the top of her rivals here.

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Got The Chocolates (4g Art Major – Kate Black) Tr. R & J Dunn

The Diamond Racing team would have been rapt with his last start effort in the Taylor mile last week and now with a major swing in the draws this week against the same horses in Race 7, he looks the one to beat. Much is made of his lack of gate speed but the 4YO version of Got The Chocolates is a far more refined model and he may be able to do enough to hold up. A second scenario has him trailing The Lazarus Effect who in turn might hand up to Swayzee putting the Dunn runner three deep at worst. He came from much further back in the mile last week and just missed picking up the winner. Might be a big statement at this time but he could just be the best horse in NZ currently. This race might go some way to confirming this.

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Jumal (3c Downbytheseaside – Beaudiene Blinkz) Tr. S Reid

Top-ranked 3YO drawn the pole so hard to see him beaten. No doubt the trainer wasn’t happy with the drive at his last start when beaten for only the second time in 11 career starts and he has now employed the country’s leading driver to make it happen in the time-honoured Great Northern Derby (Race 8) at Group 1 level. Likely leader and it remains a question mark if he was to hand to any other rival. Most of his rivals haven’t been able to get past him previously and it would come as a major surprise to see his colours lowered on this occasion.

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