The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from all over the country for the week ending 12/6/2024

South Side Story (2g Always B Miki - Supremacy)

Auckland (6/6/24) The Purdon/Phelan runner trailed its stablemate Greased Lightning (g. Vincent – Motu Racy Girl) throughout in this 2yo heat over 1700m, got his nose in front right on the line over that runner but to be fair the first three home almost in line with Always B Magic (f. Always B Miki – Pure Magic) coming on strongly from three deep last 200m. Impressive sectionals 57.5/26.6 & 5 secs under the qualifying time. Supremacy, 9 wins, a daughter of the mighty Victor Supreme but this is only her second live foal in an eight year period. First foal Bounty Lady has race timed in 1:51 in USA.

Coastal Babe (3f Downbytheseaside – Jessie’s Girl) Tr. S Reid

Pukekohe (7/6/24) The smart filly across from outside of gate to lead, always going well, far too strong over the final stages, last 800m in 58.5, 400m in 27.3. The veteran of only nine starts where she has won four and a staggering $252k. Major Hot sat in the trail and was never asked for an effort in the home straight but still good enough to place second. One should remember he has placed multiple times at Group level.

Debrief (2c Captaintreacherous – Elle Mac) Tr. S & A Telfer

Settled third of three before improving at the 400m to challenge, quickly swept up to lead inside final 200m, came clear in impressive fashion. Last 800m in 61.4, 400m in 29.8. Qualified back in January but is a big boy and has been given time to fill his frame. Only the second foal of his dam who won 12 and just over $607k in stakes. Still looked green in this trial but the motor there and an exciting prospect going forward.

Waihemo Hannah (8m Peak – Waihemo Sam) Tr. K Hannah

Chertsey (8/6/24) Showed a clean pair of heels to her two rivals clearing out by 5L at the line, last 800m in 62.0, 400m in 30.2. Started racing at four (as a pacer) and lone win was a 7yo (as a trotter) back in 2023. Only had the 28 starts and clearly unruly at the best of times judging by the formline
but she had her mind on the job on this occasion, blow out hope at big odds?

Major Major (3g Art Major – Miss Elsie) Tr. A Donnelly

The well bred 3YO continued with his ‘trials’ form as he prepared to make his racetrack resumption dispatching his six rivals with some ease although the margin a tad flattering (neck). MR:2:04.9, 800m in 58.1, 400m in 28.3. Time has been his friend and definitely looks one to follow in the coming weeks.

Adelphi Storm (3c Sky Major – Bettor In The Dark) Tr J Morrison

Ashburton (11/6/24) Stepped nicely in Learners pace and soon in front, kept going strongly for an ‘alltheway’ win, coming clear in the final stages, with impressive sectionals, last 800m in 58.2, 400m in 27.8. Ashburton a noted fast track but another who looked promising from a stable that is developing a nice team and ready to unleash. Belongs to a family tracing back to the likes of Luxury Liner and Christopher Vance and by a colonial sire kicking some goals currently.

Superazz (2g Always B Miki – Pembrook’s Delight) Tr. B & T White

Sat fourth of four in the 2yo qualifying heat, still there turning in but got going late and was doing his best work over the final 100m, sectionals off the front 59.2/28.3 but this fellow would have gone quicker over the final 400m. Dam was a good mare winning 9 and winning close to $140k and has already left a couple of handy horses in Flashazz and Rightazz. Stable does a great job of getting horses ready to race, one to follow.

Irish Dream (2c Downbytheseaside – Splendid Bet) Tr. B Negus

Sat in the trail behind the pacemaker in this qualifying heat, pulled out inside final 200m and came clear of that rival by 4L, nearly 5 secs under the required time. MR:2:04.2, 800m in 60.9, 400m in 29.9. Dam won five and comes from arguably NZ’s most commercial breeding family, tracing directly back to Scuse Me and closely related to a host of top performers.

Mighty Flying Lou (3g Sweet Lou – Fleet’s Pocket) Tr. L Hanrahan

Sat last of five until improving 800m out but in the open, there to challenge final turn but driver Ricky May elected to stay on the back of the pacemaker/heat winner Penny Weight (in second) last 800m in 58.2, 400m in 26.8. Only had the three runs on raceday, winning on debut but not seen on raceday since December 2023. High strike rate trainer has brought him along quietly and no doubting he will be ‘fit enough’ when resuming. Way better than his current rating

Spy Da Moment (11g Monarchy – Pick The Moment) Tr. K Cox

Stepped nicely from 10m to trail two and three deep, out to challenge 200m, late lunge good enough to get up in the shadows of the post, last 800m in 59.1, 400m in 28.4. Great to see Katie Cox doing what she loves best, out on the track. The ‘old boy’ has won six and not far away from $100k in earnings, hasn’t started since September 2023. Really liked the way KD Royalty hit the line from well back to snare third. Has also won five from just 20 starts. Down from the North Island after being trained by Nicky Chilcott (last start late January in Group company). Now with the Whites at
Ashburton.

The Jolly Rodger (2g Always B Miki – Ice Imperial) Tr. R & J Dunn

Rangiora (12/6/24) In this 2YO qualifier, the Dunn runner trailed third of eight, improved to lead 600m out, sprinted strongly from the 400m, came clear final stages, impressive Last 800m in 55.9, 400m in 28.5. Second dam Champagne Dreams a 10 win half-sister to the might Lazarus, this fellow looks like a very promising type.

Dash Dosh (2f Trixton – Dosh) Tr. T Bagrie

2YO Trot qualifier, trailed in a field of three, looked to be running second until late charge got her home last 50m Last 800m in 61.9, 400m in 30.6. Second dam left the very smart Bordeaux (11 wins + $174k). In the same heat the Hopes produced Luca, another of their Carltons (from The Earth
Moved) to run second and also qualify, led until final 50m

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

For the second time in as many weeks the Butt trained filly impressed, eased off gate to settle fourth of five, improved 500m to challenge pacemaker, had no trouble getting the better of Happy Harper to win MR:2:02.2, 800m in 56.5, 400m in 27.5. Punters won't get rich but should be winning at short notice.

Justcallmemiki (3c Always B Miki – Alchemist) Tr. H Cullen

Straight to the front of three rivals, trailed midrace, used passing lane to win with some authority MR:2:01.3, 800m in 56.7, 400m in 28.5. Has won two from just four starts and freshened since last start failure against quality opposition at Auckland back in February. Plenty of upside to respect here.
Wild Willow caught the eye making up strong ground final 150m to snare second.

Crown The Moment (4g Father Patrick – Quite A Moment) Tr: G & N Hope

Stepped nicely to trail in field of four, looked to be cruising, used passing lane to score with some ease, Last 800m in 61.3, 400m in 30.7. Has only won the one race (dam won 16 + $428K) and hasn’t started since October 2023 but everything suggesting he is way better than his current rating and ready to build on his previous 17 starts. Good enough to place as a 2yo.