The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from the trials from all over the country for the week ending 12/4/2024

Tactical Approach (3g Tactical Landing–Classic Armbro) Tr. Rogerson/Ferguson

Cambridge (4/4/24). Stepped nicely in four horse qualifying heat to lead and always going well, not extended to stay in front, last 800m in 60.4, 400m in 30.1. The first crop of this high profile sire to get to the races, dam won one and has already left Sertorius (10 wins), Tailored Elegance (4 wins) and I See Fire (8 wins), 2nd dam Merinai (19 wins) and wouldn’t hold it against the connections if the raceday expectations were high. Pat Yates, trained by Tony Herlihy, also did a nice job in second after trailing the winner

Got You Covered (6g Art Major – Cartier) Tr. B & T White

Winton (5/4/24). 12 race winner only had the one rival (after third runner Takeitout eased out after 200m; began safely from stand and that was all that mattered), sprinted sharply under his own steam to win untested, last 800m in 57.3, 400m in 28.4. Astute trainers obviously keeping him in the deep south for his next assignments and his all round game deserves to be respected whatever he competes in.

Justanothersip (2f Franco Ledger – Justasip) Tr. P Hunter

Zipped out to the front and kept up a strong run to keep Captainshavtime (third of 4) and Captains Mistress (trail) at bay MR:1:59.3, 800m in 59.3, 400m in 28.3. Showing the benefit of two runs at the races and with the experience may have caught up to the other two high profile fillies. Appeared to have them well covered at the line. One to follow as the 2yo specials heat up.

Connie Jaccka (4m Always B Miki – Come On Jaccka) Tr. B Gray

Raced fourth of 7 mostly, caught the eye running on very late for a closing third when the pace was at its quickest, last 800m in 59.2, 400m in 27.4. The two Williamson runners that finished ahead of her have won three and four races respectively, she won at her second start back in March of 2023 (her only win in 7 starts) and hasn’t raced since early December, looks to have strengthened up and back in her own rating band, could represent some value when she resumes.

Ted (3c Sweet Lou – Claire Bear) Tr. M Brown

For the second week in a row was ultra impressive, sat last of 5 and still there with 500m to run, must have been giving leaders Franco Sailor and John Snow (pacemaker) 8-10L at this time, doing his best work last 100m and got within a neck of the winner, last 800m in 57.4, 400m in 28.5. Short by name and likely to be ‘short’ when those debut odds come out.

The Night Agent (2g Captain Crunch – The Orange Agent) Tr. Purdon / Phelan

Pukekohe (5/4/24). Got our attention as mum was a superstar winning 23 of 33 and just over $740k, settled third of fourth in this qualifier then carted into race at the 400m, swept up wide on straightening to finish over the top of his rivals. MR:2:05.3, 800m in 60.3, 400m in 29.1. First foal of the dam and was a $220K yearling sale purchase for his high profile ownership group which includes Nevele R Stud. Hopefully this was the first step in a successful race career.

Seaclusion (4m Sweet Lou – Classy Beach) Tr. Rogerson / Ferguson

Raced third of 5, moved up to take issue 400m, led on straightening and proved too good over the final stages, last 800m in 57.5, 400m in 29.1. Has only won the one race (in 10) but has placed at Group level behind the likes of champion Millwood Nike and Mantra Blue. Could see her adding to her winning tally quickly down in the grades and the type to be respected wherever she goes.

Hadron Collider (3g Sweet Lou – Pacing Delight) Tr. R & J Dunn

Settled third of 4, improved sharply inside 400m to lead, kept up strong run to finish clear of his 3 rivals, last 800m in 57.9, 400m in 27.2. Didn’t disgrace himself when last racing behind the best of the 3yo crop at Auckland back in March. Has still compiled a handy record all the same in 11 race starts and should be placed to advantage in the coming weeks judging by this effort.

Dark Ghana (5g The Pres – That’s Random) Tr. C Morrison

Chertsey (6/4/24). Popped straight to the front and always going well, extended clear in home straight, officially 19L clear at the line, last 800m in 59.7, 400m in 28.2. Gave a faultless display, running some 6 secs under the qualifying time. Connections have obviously been patient and that approach could be rewarded sooner than later.

Shards Matrix (3g Sweet Lou – Lady Gaga) Tr. B & T White

Settled last of 4, dragged into the race at the 400m with 1x1 cover, caught the eye finishing stylishly out wide on quick final sectionals, 800m in 56.0, 400m in 27.1 times of those off the front and leading at those points. Won Sapling Stakes on debut at Group 2 level then took on the best of his age group but found that a bit too much. Only had the 7 starts, (last start Nov 14th 2023) and looks to have benefited from the spell. One to follow when resuming.

Tanzania (4g Rock N Roll Heaven – Mashika) Tr. L Hanrahan

Led and proved too strong for 3 rivals. Overall time nothing flash but sprinted sharply closing stages, 800m in 56.7, 400m in 26.7. Has only had the 6 starts and after starting with two wins, form became a bit of a mixture. Put aside by astute trainer and now getting ready to go again. Deserves respect wherever he is placed on raceday.

Delta Kilo (4g Sweet Lou – Star Of Heaven) Tr. K Bublitz

Made a mess of the score up in a qualifying heat and lost 30m before settling, 15L from pacemaker / heat winner Emma Swan at the 1400m, big run 800m to get within 3L of the leader, just battled in straight for third, not surprisingly, and didn’t get her race ticket because of her indiscretion at the start. Winner home in 60.6, 400m in 29.0. Delta Kilo still able to run 4 secs under qualifying time, effort noted.

Blastfromthepast (4g Grinfromeartoear – Lil) Tr. P Young

Only a learners pace for unqualified pacers, the Young trained pacer trailed two and three deep after beginning well from the stand, took the short way home as rivals fanned out, kept up strong run to score nicely, last 800m in 59.3, 400m in 27.8. What was worth noting about his breeding was that his 4th dam was cup class mare Atanui (10 wins), in the 60’s and 70’s when Ashburton trainer Ted Lowe dominated with stock from a very prolific family. Atanui a half to other ‘cup class’ pacers in Wag (15 wins) & Pun (10 wins). A much younger Paul Young was a key stable driver back then for that Lowe stable……..a real ‘blast from the past’

Goma Dale (5g Auckland Reactor – Love Filly Dale) Tr. A Stratford

Wyndham (6/4/24). Settled last of 7 in Indian file, 10L off leader at the 1000m, improved on back of eventual winner (Gem’s Delight) but 3rd line outer, burst through the middle to push the winner close, last 800m in 58.3, 400m in 28.6. Only had the four starts and good enough to win on debut over a mile in 1:57.4 but last couple of runs last campaign showed he had a few issues. The size of the motor not in question so hopefully time has been his friend.

Ferdinand (4g What The Hill – Fear Factor) Tr. T Mitchell

Cambridge (6/4/24). Off the front and trotted away well to lead and never relented over three rivals. Last 800m in 61.8, 400m in 29.6. Qualified way back in June 2023, well related to six winners including Prince Fearless (8 wins+ $188k) and Stress Factor (4 wins + $47k from only 15 starts). Another full brother Levi showed very good promise last season as a 2yo. Good things come to those who wait !

Prohibited Bid (3f Volstead – Piri Piri) Tr. M Jones

Rangiora (10/4/24) Away safely in this qualifying heat and soon in front, attacked at the 400m by the ‘trailor’, didn’t flinch and without too much effort stayed in front. Last 800m in 58.7, 400m in 29.1. Part of a small crop by his sire but whose progeny certainly kicking goals, only the second foal from the mare and the first foal already a winner from the same stable. There is also some breeding on the dam's side to suggest connections can be positive going forward

Miki’s Courage (3g Always B Miki – Siena Franco) Tr. R & J Dunn

Raced third of 5 in Indian file, asked to improve at the 400m and finished far too strongly for rivals, impressive, Last 800m in 57.7, 400m in 28.1. Started against the gun 2yos last season and placed in half of his 8 starts including a placing behind Chase A Dream. Last start unplaced back in November of last year in Sires Stakes final and likely to follow a similar path as a 3yo, stronger this time in?

Sweet Maggie Mae (2f Sweet Lou – Molly Fever) Tr. S & A Telfer

Midfield of 8, four deep final bend and easily 5L from leader, took the short way home and stormed home late to get within a nose of that runner, Katy’s Shadow. Last 800m in 59.2, 400m in 28.6 but her sectionals would have been much better. Half to Molly Belwin who has won three of her last 4 from the same stable, dam is an unraced daughter of Molly Darling (24 wins + $575k)

Carla Pixie (2f Carlton – Mega Pixie) Tr. G & N Hope

The first of the Carltons on the track (Carlton owned and trained by the Hopes), only had the two rivals but soon in front and always going well, untouched in straight to stay well clear. Last 800m in 63.3, 400m in 30.1. Second dam a half to 10 winners including the very good Sovereignty (28 wins + $780k). This filly one of only a handful of his progeny when his service fee was ‘free’ !

Rockingood (3g A Rocknroll Dance - Good Girl Becqui) Tr. B Hill

Soon in front of four rivals, turned up the heat at the 400m and came clear for impressive win, last 800m in 59.4, 400m in 28.4. Comes from a good family, is the fifth foal from the mare and the first four of her progeny have all been good winners.