The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from the trials from all over the country for the week ending 16/5/2024

Rasmussin Effect (3g Ultimate Machete – Abz) Tr. T Mitchell

Cambridge (9/5/24) The Mitchell-trained runner trailed his only rival (Always B An Angel), around at the 400m to take issue, kept up strong run to just nab the latter, 6 secs under qualifying time Last 800m in 60.5, 400m in 29.3. A big boy who has needed time, he traces directly back to a number of good pacers bred by the Cummings family of Tuapeka.

Conrad H (5g Love You – Hilton H) Tr. D Balle

Settled sixth of 7, last of the bunch 600m out, got in behind runners turning in and never clear over concluding stages but good enough for third, last 800m in 60.3, 400m in 29.4. Won one as a trotter from 23 starts. From a Pegasus Spur mare from Martina H who won a Rowe Cup no less. Stranger things have happened but looked comfortable in his pacing gait, will create interest when he debuts as a pacer.

Hawkeye Pierce (3c American Ideal – Go One Bettor) Tr. Hollis/Robertson

Pukekohe (10/5/24) Settled fourth of 7 early stages, out to attack 500m but in the open, led on straightening, too good for rivals over the concluding stages. Last 800m in 58.7, 400m in 28.3. Hasn’t started since October last year where he had four starts against the likes of Cold Chisel and was competitive, winning one and placing twice, currently rated at ‘50’ so should be placed to advantage in the coming weeks.

Old Town Road (6g Bettor’s Delight – Lucy’s Way) Tr. J Dickie

Settled third of 3, still there with 300m to run, sprinted sharply to pick up an impressive pacemaker Better Knuckle Up, in style, last 800m in 57.7, 400m in 28.3. Freshened since being close up fourth to elite pacers in the Race for Grins at Cambridge and will be primed to resume on a high note at Auckland this coming week. Better Knuckle Up has only had the six starts and won half of them. He too is looking to resume at The Park this week and should prove very competitive in his rating band.

Joca’s Hill (4g What The Hill – Jocasta) Tr. S & A Telfer

Stepped safely from the unruly 20m behind but settled last of 8, looped around field after just 400m to lead last 1800m, had rivals chasing from the 800m, strode clear in straight without being extended, bold display, last 800m in 60.6, 400m in 28.9. For the second week in a row, greatly impressed at the workouts. Raceday manners have been missing last two runs, previous 8 starts had yielded three wins and two placings. Obviously talented but probably needs to be taken on trust.

Another Porsche (3g Always B Miki – Ann Other Porsche) Tr. R & J Dunn

Eased to third of 3, out to take issue 600m, eyeballed pacemaker final bend, came clear in impressive fashion, last 800m in 58.7, 400m in 28.3. Only the two starts both at Addington where he took on Chase A Dream in April. Runs this week at The Park for the first time against maidens where Zac Butcher takes the drive. Double Parked debuts in the same race (Race 10) but was well beaten by the Dunn runner in this workout.

Cormac Leo (4g Sweet Lou – Athena Matai) Tr. C Ferguson

Winton (9/5/24) Bided time back in fourth of 4, around at the 1200m to lead, clear 500m, far too good, untouched to the line, last 800m in 57.3, 400m in 28.9. Only had the eight starts for two wins (both at Addington) and two placings, good enough to win again in the deep south at short notice, classy type. Beach Day finished attractively from last on the turn to make up several lengths on the eventual winner in second.

Sodoyahavtime (3g Art Major – Musthavtime) Tr. B Gray

Showed gate speed to lead, always going well and had little trouble keeping five rivals at bay, last 800m in 59.5, 400m in 29.7. Only had the two starts, both at Group 2 level where he placed behind Vessem. Noticed he has drawn the ‘pole’ in a maiden this weekend at Invercargill and should be ready to rumble.

Captain Hokey (2f Captain Crunch – Callmemaybe) Tr. T Hall

Cambridge (11/5/24) Labelled a learners pace, pretty much trialled by herself, only other in trial was stablemate Sonofthemerch (T). Always clear after gate pulled away and did a good solo job in a 2:06MR, 400m in 30.9. She is the fourth foal and the first three all winners headed by Bettor Call Me (1:50.6). Another half sister Waterfront won a Sires Stakes heat at 2 for the Purdon stable.

Aflyin Spur (6g Pegasus Spur – Jazmin Alicia) Tr. T Mitchell

Trailed only rival Presidential Sweet, moved up to challenge 400m, left clear in the lead when that runner broke with 200m to run. Last 800m in 59.6, 400m in 29.2. Hasn’t started since July of last year but has compiled a good record of seven wins + 10 placings from just 29 starts. Not just a Cambridge horse and has defeated the likes of Temporale at Auckland previously, should be respected when he resumes. Smart filly Moonstone there to get her ‘standing start ticket’ which she did with aplomb and then was pulled out after 200m

Five Monkeys (4m Master Glide – Twelve Monkeys) Tr. J Howe

Rangiora (14/2/24) Soon in front in this qualifier and always going well, had little trouble staying in front of her two rivals, last 800m in 62.2, 400m in 31.3. Six secs under the required time with more to give. Dam won five so likely to be competitive in a maiden at least

Bad Habits (3g Lazarus – Real Wings) Tr. R Todd

Secured a nice trail before popping out at the 500m to challenge the pacemaker, too strong over final stages to win in impressive fashion, last 800m in 58.1, 400m in 28.4. Nearly 10 secs under qualifying time. Has plenty of breeding behind him and was a $70k purchase from the 2022 yearling sales for a group of high profile owners who now look to have bought into a promising type. The 2 Locharburns mentioned last week (Bannockburn and Lochdarragh) also qualified and were close up at the line.

Beverley Courtney (3f Lazarus – Courageous Jay) Tr. R Todd

Stablemate of Bad Habits secured trail, left in front at the 600m when the pacemaker broke, kept going strongly to win well MR:2:01.2, 800m in 59.2, 400m in 29.4. Not for the first time has impressed at the trials recently and qualified well within the time required here. Dam won 7 and to be respected when she debuts.

Dynasty (3f Rocknroll Hanover – Special Rose) Tr. B Butt

Settled sixth of 8 in indian file, improved to three back on outer inside final 800m, swept up wide around final bend, too strong final 100m for Renaldo (third then parked last 700m) Last 800m in 57.5, 400m in 29.0. Second trial win in as many weeks and looks to have plenty of upside. Renaldo only a 2YO in Purdon barn and was a $50k purchase at the sales but the filly gave him a start and reeled him in with some purpose. Stablemate of winner Sweet Star Of Mine made solid ground from the rear for third, also has plenty of breeding. Magician (Merlin’s brother) made a mess of the score up and was always chasing.

Dreamalittledream (4m A Rocknroll Dance – Dreamy Lover) Tr. B Butt

Settled fourth of 5 before improving midrace and was able to slot into the trail a lap out, up to attack pacemaker Ask Me Lazarus, 300m out, just did enough to nose out that runner in the shadows of the post. last 800m in 58.5, 400m in 28.3. Formerly trained in the deep south where it won on debut and the only other time it raced was a sixth at Timaru back in November 2023. Now on the beach at Woodend. A half to Western Delight (1:51.2) and closely related to a number of good horses bred by Vin Devery.