The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from the trials from all over the country for the week ending 6/6/2024

Hayley Robyn (5m Sportswriter – Von Haley) Tr. M Williamson

Oamaru (29/5/24) Far too good for four rivals coming clear over final stages by 3L. MR:2:04.6, last 800m in 58.1. The winner of three from 64 starts and freshened since last start sixth in Addington amateur contest in 1:58.8 MR. Best form has been in the deep south so will need to be respected when headed in that direction

Massive Merc (2g Muscle Mass – Mercadante) Tr. A Clark

Hammer down and distanced two rivals including last start winner Sweet Lady Jane. MR:2:05.5, last 800m in 61.4. Last start fourth in Group company at Addington and considered good enough to tackle the best of his age at this time. Capable of surprising a few at that level with the ability shown so far.

Bangkok Betty (6m Majestic Son – Roxie Heart) Tr. I Brownlee

Pukekohe (30/6/24) 4-race winner far too good for three rivals, coming clear over the final stages by 4 1/2L. Last 800m in 62.8, 400m in 32.8. Ultra consistent against good Auckland class company and very genuine as a racehorse. Nothing should change when she lines up next.

Slots (3c Sweet Lou – Spin To Win) Tr. S & A Telfer

Got the better of stablemate Medina Magic (2 wins) and two other rivals close to the line with a sharp final sprint. Last 800m in 57.9, 400m in 28.0.
Has won one from 5 starts (last start winner) but hasn’t started since Jan 2024. Has plenty of breeding to suggest he can go a wee bit further than his current rating as he prepares for a new campaign. His dam has left four winners from four foals.

Tyson (2c Art Major – Helena Jet) Tr. R Green

Only an unqualified 2yo pace but the Green runner showed good ability to outfinish Turn O The Tide (Captaintreacherous – Juice Brogden) in a good battle. MR:2:05.0, last 800m in 60.1, 400m in 28.7. Dam was a very good mare winning 13 + $163k + 1:54.4 and has already left Nicholas Cage (6 wins & $102k). Turn O The Tide a full brother to the top priced weanling at the recent sale when purchased by Cran Dalgety for $60k.

Major Sweetheart (6m Art Major – Curragh’s Princess) Tr. C Ferguson

Invercargill (31/5/24) Settled 4th of 6 in indian file, elected to improve 1200m and into the lead, ran clear final 200m Last 800m in 57.5, 400m in 28.3
Her story has been shared before in this forum but all her 3 raceday starts (winning debut) back in 2021 and missed on getting in foal last breeding season. Put back in work and going good enough to give some cheek when going back to the races.

Tua Lipa (3c Sweet Lou – Tara Delight) Tr. S Matheson

A qualifying heat with three runners, Tua Lipa settled third of three, swept up three wide 400m to challenge too strong over concluding stages, coming clear of two rivals. MR:2:06.5, 800m in 60.3, 400m in 28.8. Half brother to Tango Tara (15 wins + $338k) and closely related to a number of very good horses including Tiger Tara. Ticks a few boxes as a potential racehorse.

Rakarompa (2f. American Ideal – Rakarata) Tr. P Hunter

Qualifying heat for 2yos with three runners, Hunter trained runner straight to the front and always comfortably clear, cleared out by a fair margin last 800m, officially 14L at the line, 7 secs under the required time, last 800m in 59.3, 400m in 29.4. Sixth foal of the dam whose first five foals have all got to the races including Rakadan (1:51.1). This family has been a great source of winners for their breeder.

Heavenly Belle (3f Father Patrick – Chiola Belle) Tr. S & A Telfer)

Cambridge (31/5/24) In the qualifying trot, the Telfer runner settled third of four in indian file, giving the leader 5L at the 500m, steadily improved last 400m, kept coming in good fashion to nab pacemaker Two Francs (3g What The Hill – Teachers Pride) on the line, nearly 10 secs under the qualifying time, last 800m in 60.8, 400m in 30.4. Comes from a great family of trotters including $1m dollar earner Stent and this was a very professional effort.

Call Dudley (3g Majestic Son – Aspiring Monarch) Tr. P Nairn

Rangiora (5/6/24) In this qualifying trot, the Nairn runner stepped nicely to trail, there until the hometurn then used the passing lane to get up the inside of the pacemaker Bacardi Belle, 7 secs inside the required time, last 800m in 60.8, 400m in 30.1. Dam a full sister to Royal Aspirations and Dudley a full brother to the promising Royal Action. Respect warranted when he debuts on race day.

Showtym Girl (3f Sweet Lou – Hayley Nicole) Tr. B Butt

Went back to last of seven from wide draw in this qualifier, on the move to get outside leader 500m out, challenged in straight and proved way too strong. MR:2:01.8, 800m in 57.0, 400m in 28.5. First live foal from a handy mare that won three and placed another five times in just 16 starts, belongs to a high profile American family. Blazing Knuckles (2f Bettors Delight – Bare Knuckle), the full sister to promising Better Knuckle Up, caught the eye finishing attractively in the final 400m to snare third. Took a few lengths off the winner over the final stages

Waterloo Station (2g Waterloo Sunset – Karimaia) Tr. P Nairn

Only a two horse heat with the Nairn runner trailing Loveyou To Da Skye, took the short way home and they crossed the line a nose apart with the latter (who has had four race day starts already) getting the decision narrowly, last 800m in 60.3, 400m in 30.2. Dam unraced but pacing bred and has already left the 10 win Hazer. This fellow a big strong type much in the mould of his father, one to paste away.

The Highwayman (2g Fear The Dragon – Asajah) Tr. S & A Telfer

Pulled out of earlier heat (qualifier) and re-entered here (R46-50), showed gate speed to lead from widest draw behind mobile, always going well, kept up powerful run to keep six rivals at bay MR:2:02.4, 800m in 57.3, 400m in 28.4. Rates as a half to the well performed Queen Shenandoah (15 wins + $251k) and comes from a strong performing NZ family. Competitive maiden at least. The well-related She’s A Major Act (3f Art Major – A Christian Act) made up good ground over the final 300m to be close up in fourth, she qualified back in August 2023 but as yet has not made her race day debut. One to follow.

Reklaw’s Dream (3f Bettors Delight – Reklaws Gem) Tr. B Butt

Content to settle fifth of 7 from inside draw (mob), improved with 1x1 cover inside 600m, sprinted up quickly on straightening and ran clear over the final stages, impressive. Last 800m in 57.9, 400m in 28.9. Had the one start as a 2yo back in July of 2023 and ran third. Looked ready to make up for lost time on this effort. Dam showed plenty of potential before injury cut short her racing career. Another to belong to a strong successful studbook family.

Tact McLeod (5g Sweet Lou – Tact Hayley Jane) Tr. T Proctor

Up from the deep south and in front wearing the Mark Jones colours, sprinted too sharply for six rivals without being extended. Last 800m in 57.1, 400m in 27.5. Freshened since last racing and has fashioned a handy record in a short time. (4 wins from 14 starts) Connections have given him time to mature and he should be very competitive in his current rating band. Recent placings behind some very promising types such as Da Vinci and Mo’unga.

Always Impressive (2f Always A Virgin – Miss Elsie) Tr. C & J De Filippi

Made the lead in this learners pace and although hotly challenged by The Jolly Rodger in the straight, stuck to her guns to win well, no great time but home in 60.4/28.3 and the first two home were well clear of the others. Miss Elsie was a very good filly on the track and has done an even better job at stud leaving several good winners. Qualifying shouldn’t be a problem.