The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from all over the country for the week ending 20/6/2024

Major Boy (2g Always B Miki – Itz A Major Babe) Tr. M Williamson

Oamaru (12/6/24) Unqualified before the non winners heat but got the job done over one qualified but unraced rival in a handy MR: 2:03.3, last 800m in 60.4. Has a bit of breeding behind him, dam won two from only 10 starts and the sire leaving horses that are getting better and better with increased maturity. Should prove competitive in a maiden at least.

Sweet Lady Jane (6m Peak – Lady J) Tr. K Kelly

Only had the one rival but too good for that runner over the final stages. MR:2:07.5 Last 800m in 60.9. Has only had the three starts but won her maiden second up before blowing to bits shortly after start when up in grade last time out. Does show ability however and could surprise a few especially with Matty Williamson (who seems to get on with her) back in the bike.

Simone Lindenny (6m Love You – Siera Roydon) Tr. B Williamson

10 win mare who just did enough to nose out Sheza Gift (3 wins) in four horse heat. MR:2:06.4, 800m in 59.2. Interestingly, was sent to Australia last year and won four while there but her form fell away towards the end of that campaign and now back in the stable of her part-owner. With a 1:56.8MR time beside her name, doesn’t need to really prove herself to be a valuable broodmare. Handicap racing over winter might be her thing! Sheza Gift has ability but has let herself down at Addington last couple of starts.

Louezyana (4g Sweet Lou – Lady Lindenny) Tr. D Butcher

Cambridge (15/6/24) From outside of gate (4), was able to get across after 200m and lead, there all the way, did enough to hold out You Little Beauty who trailed. MR:2:02.7, 800m in 58.5, 400m in 28.3. Hasn’t started since October 2023 when fourth but has compiled a tidy record in a short time (2 wins + 5 placings from just 9 raceday starts), should prove competitive in his current rating band. You Little Beauty has won the five but not sighted since unplaced effort in the NZ Oaks back in December, likely improver in the coming weeks.

Latefordinner (3g Sportswriter – Shezallgood) Tr. P Fraser

Settled last of five before being asked to improve in the open last 1200m, eyeballed pacemaker Major Major at the 400m and good enough to nose that runner out in the shadows of the post, last 800m in 59.4, 400m in 28.6. Qualified back in October of last year and is the first foal of a mare who rates as a half sister to Campora (1:48.8) and two others in sub 1:51. One had to be impressed with this workout effort after doing so much work in the running.

Always An Angel (3f Always B Miki – Pomis Princess) Tr. J Teaz

Trailed throughout, didn’t wait for passing lane around final bend, kept up strong challenge to just catch the pacemaking Cupids Arrow (2 unplaced runs to date) MR:2:02.7, 800m in 58.8, 400m in 28.0. Recent qualifier who rates as a half sister to Arms Of An Angel (9 NZ wins + $194k + 1:49.5 in Aust.). Deserves respect when the raceday debut comes around.

Enchanted Lonnie (3f Bettors Delight – Miss Lonnie) Tr. C Faithful

Invercargill (15/6/24) All on her lonesome and on an easy track, the filly went more than 7 secs under qualifying time, last 800m in 58.8, 400m in 28.8
Wouldn’t need to go much quicker to be very competitive in a F and M maiden. Is the third foal of an unraced Cullen mare with the first two getting to the races including her full brother Howling Wolf. This is a family the late Wayne Francis had good success with.

Ocean Tears (3f Downbytheseaside – Crimson Glory) Tr. J Morrison

Ashburton (18/6/24) ***Weather Showery + track slushy. Yet another showing promise from the Mid Canterbury barn of John Morrison, led then skipped away, dealing to three rivals winning by 6L but more impressively ran home in 55.9/27.1 in lousy winterish conditions. Qualified back in early March but yet to debut. Dam won a couple without setting the world on fire but did place in a sub 1:55 MR and has already left a couple of handy types. This is foal number five. Stablemate Heaven’s Mark sped out to lead from outside of the gate and after successfully negotiating that start was promptly eased out of the heat. She debuts this Friday but has copped a horror draw

Teddy The Terror (3g Terror To Love – Jane) Tr. J Morrison

Stepped nicely to trail tearaway pacemaker Franco Chaplin, peeled to the outside at the 250m and too strong for that runner in this qualifying heat running 3 secs under the qualifying time. Overall time just ok but sprinted attractively in 57.9 / 28.8 considering the conditions. Just the second foal from the dam, by NZ Cup winner Flashing Red (there wouldn’t be many of them about?) but her first foal Total Diva won one here in a short career before crossing the Tasman and winning in a 1:51 MR. She has gone on to win another 16 races + $255k in stakes to date. The stable has any number of nice maidens ready to fire up at the races.

Shard De Arch (3f Sweet Lou – Dolce Denario) Tr. M Heenan

Stepped nicely to trail, used passing lane to finish best in three horse heat. Last 800m in 59.7, 400m in 30.5. Qualified back in November 2023 but as yet unraced. Was a bargain buy at the 2022 yearling sales but does have some breeding behind her with second dam being the Group performing Stylish Sweetheart and this is the family of Group 1 winner Let It Ride (1:48). Black Billie Gee was there to gain its standing start clearance and once away safely was pulled out after 250m.

Ask Me Lazarus (3f Lazarus – Ask Me Mach) Tr. M House

Missed away to settle fourth of four, but then rushed around to lead after 600m, under real threat 250m out, rallied under her own steam to hold out an eyecatching run from Threebeersdeep who ran home stylishly from last. Last 800m in 59.0, 400m in 29.0. Getting ready for a fresh campaign, hasn’t started since an unplaced run back in January but before that did start against the best of her age group in Group 1 company. Good enough to win at two and certainly looks capable of being competitive at her current rating of R44.

Carlin (2g Art Major – Oranje) Tr. B Negus

Only a learners heat but looked the part in overcoming four rivals after stepping nicely and trailing throughout, eased out at the 250m and too strong in the end for the pacemaker Erratic, last 800m in 57.8, 400m in 28.8. What grabbed our attention was the fact that he is the first foal from a mare who rates as a full sister to the top racemare The Orange Agent (23 wins from just 33 starts + $746k). Qualifying is not going to be a problem for this boy!

Midnight Diamond (4m Royalty For Life – Lady Midnight) Tr. R Holmes

Rangiora (19/6/24) *** Weather Showery + Track Slushy. Stepped quickly to lead clearly, always going well, came clear in impressive fashion, final 200m, last 800m in 61.0, 400m in 30.9. Hasn’t shown much in three raceday starts, the last back in January but does come from a strong trotting family. Dam rates as a half to Midnight Dash (13 wins + $365k). Could be getting stronger with time based on this effort.

CC Arden (2g Captaintreacherous – Arden’s Choice) Tr. S & A Telfer

Did plenty of work to lead after 600m, then found plenty again final 200m when challenged by Rumble Strip (trail) to keep that runner at bay, they were clear of the rest, last 800m in 58.1, 400m in 29.6. Recent qualifier, a big money purchase at the 2022 yearling sales and the second foal from a Group winning mare who won seven + $282k. Strong family connections, ticks a lot of boxes and on his way to becoming a potential successful racehorse.

Cathy Freeman (3f Sweet Lou – Tres Vite) Tr. M Jones

Good gate speed to lead six rivals, clear 250m, too good for The Diamond Hunter who ran on from midfield, MR:2:01.8, 800m in 58.2, 400m in 28.6
Qualified back in November 2023 but yet unraced. Dam won seven from only 18 starts and this filly is her first foal. Named after an Olympic Gold Medallist (Athletics) and this filly looks like she can run fast too!

Bet N Win (4g What The Hill – Factor The Odds) Tr. D & S White

Showed good gate speed to lead four pacing rivals, still in front turning in, went down narrowly to Mighty Flying Lou in final 50m MR:1:59.3, 800m in 58.3, 400m in 29.6. Outstanding trial under these conditions as he heads to Australia in peak form. The winner of six from 13 starts (last three on end) and already bankrolling $104k+, he will give those Aussies something to chase if his NZ form is replicated.

Paramount Lady (3f Tactical Landing – Paramount Faith) Tr. M Jones

Stepped straight to the front, although pushed by Mavis Wood (trail) final 200m, was not extended fully in winning the heat Last 800m in 59.2, 400m in 31.0. The half sister to Muscle Mountain back on a new campaign trail after last start 2YO failure in December at Group 1 level. Should have little trouble adding to her residual value over the winter months.

Miracle Memphis (2c Bettors Delight – Memphis Melody) Tr. M Jones

Got to trail in five-horse heat, challenged 200m, kept coming to just miss picking up pace-making Moonlight Blood, last 800m in 58.5, 400m in 29.2
Only a learners heat and found 1 better in the end but looked the goods and not surprising when we learn he is a full brother to a host of top liners including Delightful Memphis (1:51.5), Memphis Tennessee (1:50.8) and Stylish Memphis (1:49.2). Looks a strong chance to add to his dam's fantastic breeding record. Bautista caught the eye running on late for a close up fourth after racing in the rear position throughout.

To check out June 13's Report Card click here

To check out June 6's Report Card click here