The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from the trials from all over the country for the week ending 27/6/2024

Captain Zenzi (2g Captain Crunch – Bettor Think Quick) Tr. M Logan

Cambridge (20/6/24) In front after 200m in this qualifying heat, challenged hard by a couple of rivals last 200m, kept going strongly under his own steam to stay in front. Nearly 7 secs under the required time, last 800m in 58.5, 400m in 29.1. Second live foal from a mare that won 9 + $95k in stakes who in turn is from Group race winner Rona Lorraine. First foal J T Boe one start for one win ! Looks promising.

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

Auckland (21/6/24) Sped to lead only rival right from the start, hit the ‘go button’ at the 300m & cleared away by 7L at the line, 4 secs under qualifying time. MR:2:04.2, 800m in 59.8, 400m in 28.9. Noted previously in this forum, dam was a nice mare winning 13 from 32 starts + $163k. The colt is a full brother to Nicholas Cage (6 wins + 1:53 + $102k to date).

Pantani (3g Father Patrick – Sagan) Tr. R Paynter

Settled third of 4, improved 500m to eyeball leader turning in, kicked strongly last 200m to come clear in impressive fashion, last 800m in 62.2, 400m in 30.3. Formerly with the Hopes at Woodend Beach where he had the three starts as a 2yo, winning on debut at Addington. Not sighted since October 2023 and has had a change of stable since. Looked well forward to resume in the north.

Sea Of Love (4m Downbytheseaside – Highly Regal) Tr. D & C McGowan

Secured nice trail in field of five, out to attack 400m, far too strong over final stages, winning by 4L, last 800m in 60.2, 400m in 29.1. Freshened since mixing her form last campaign but looked good enough to win a maiden on this effort. Bazooka (3g Bettors Delight – Asuka) caught the eye making strong ground from the rear to snare third, qualified but as yet unraced.

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

Settled fourth of 5, worked into 1x1 last 800m, strong finish down outer to get over the top of You Little Beauty, last 800m in 57.4, 400m in 27.7.
Has had the one win from four race day starts but shows enough ability to improve upon that record at short notice, certainly one to follow. You Little Beauty far from disgraced after leaving a three deep spot to sit parked last 800m, it took a quick sectional to get past her. Last start unplaced in the Group 1 NZ Oaks back in December but has already won five races. Deserves respect when resuming.

Lilac Luxury (3f Downbytheseaside – Lilac Splash) Tr. D Taylor

Chertsey (22/6/24) Too strong for two rivals on the Chertsey track (not Ashburton) where times not overly quick, last 800m in 61.5, 400m in 29.2
Good enough to win as a 2yo against the older fillies/mares then freshened since last placing on the grass. Dam has left another four winners including Lilac Flash (23 wins + 1:51 + $225k). This has been a very solid family producing handy horses for a long time. This filly looks good enough to go to the next level at least.

Shonny Lou (4g Sweet Lou – Kilkeel Lady) Tr. S McCaffrey

Cambridge (22/6/24) Straight to the front and kept up a strong run to hold five rivals at bay. MR:2:04.6, 800m in 57.0, 400m in 28.5. Qualified but yet unraced, first foal of dam who won 7 and nearly $100k in stakes. Patient connections could soon be rewarded after this effort. I Can Too (4 minor placings in 4 raceday starts) improved in the open last lap from well back and was there to challenge on turning in, 3/4L away from the winner at the
line on a fast closing 800m, a maiden win looks very close indeed.

Joe’s Rock (5m Racing Hill – Netty’s Kingdom) Tr. A Donnelly

Trailed two and three deep, eased to sit parked 600m out, right there to challenge on home turn and did enough to get her nose in front, last 800m in 59.0, 400m in 28.4. The winner of 6 + $103k has been sent north by her owners to revitalise her career and on her best days she should be very competitive in the north over the winter months. Pacemaker Vincent’s Girl (1 win) did plenty of work early from a wide draw to get across her rivals, not knocked about in holding 2nd, narrowly beaten. Wicked Wanda (3 wins from 15 starts) and not sighted since the Group 1 NZ Oaks at Addington back in December, rushed home wide out from back in the field when the heat all over, represents quality amongst the northern mares.

Moonlite Blood (4g Art Major – Blood Moon) Tr. A Stuart

Rangiora (26/6/24) A qualifying heat (stand), the Stuart runner settled fourth of 5 but left in last place 1800m as the rear runner (Delight With Me) looped around to take control, improved stylishly at the 800m and quickly into the lead, well clear 400m, easy in the end, nearly 7 secs under the required time, last 800m in 57.7, 400m in 28.6. Plenty of gaps in the end but all five runners qualified. Carlin, written up last week in a
learners heat, made steady ground over the final stages to snare second, only a 2YO. The winner is the first foal from the mare who is a daughter of Miss Moonlite (13 wins + $213k) and arguably the trainers ‘best ever’ to this point. Not to be outdone, Moonlite (4g Art Major – Miss Moonlite) a stablemate & close relation of Moonlite Blood, won the very next qualifying heat after practically leading all the way MR:2:02.6, 800m in 58.6, 400m in 29.9. Showed good determination when the trailer (Tosana) threatened to run past. Heaven Forbid (3g Rock N Roll Heaven – Slinky Bromac) made strong ground in the straight to finish third and in the photo with the winner.

Brandi Snapp (3f Betterthancheddar – Crystal Bromac) Tr. J Curtin

Left in the open early so pressed on to lead 1600m out, did enough to just stall off a qualifier in Captain Christian (2c Captaintreacherous – A Christian Act) trained by the Telfers, last 800m in 57.7, 400m in 28.5. Brandi Snapp qualified back in early April and has her racing potential backed up by a solid breeding background. A Christian Act was a $50k yearling sale purchase by Stonewall Stud and he too has good breeding credentials to suggest that he will be a successful racehorse in time.

Lakelsa (4m Captaintreacherous – Oh Tara) Tr. R Todd

Settled midfield of six in Indian file, improved to lead 1000, elected to trail 800m, used passing lane to win with some authority, last 800m in 58.3, 400m in 29.1. Only had the one race day start back in March when sixth at Wyndham, a big mare who has obviously needed time to grow into her frame. One to follow. The Night Fox, a 4YO gelding trained by the Dalgetys rushed home from the rear for fourth. Placed second three times in 8 starts, more than capable of picking up a maiden win at short notice.

Mr Love (5g Love You – The Earth Moved) Tr. G & N Hope

Stepped nicely from 20m behind to race fifth of 7 in indian file, still had plenty to do 400m out, big finish under his own steam to grab Edward Longshanks right on the line. Last 800m in 59.2, 400m in 29.2. The winner of six from just 14 starts and freshened since a third placing behind the
talented Bet N Win (now in Australia). The Woodend trainers know how to prepare smart trotters and this fellow can compete against the best grade of trotter by season's end. Already has compiled a race day record of a smart type.

Ten Da Touch (4g Downbytheseaside – But Beautiful) Tr. B Butt

Stepped nicely to lead, sprinted sharply, challenged hard final 200m by the trailer, just pipped by a three-win pacer (Sky Rocket), last 800m in 57.0, 400m in 28.6. Only had the three race day starts for one win on the grass at Westport and not sighted since December 2023. Belongs to the immediate family of Dillon Dean & Dillon Dale and the stable must think he is worth the effort. Rating at R48 and can feature in the right company.

Boy Blue (2c Rock N Roll Heaven – Lulli Midfrew) Tr. T Bamford

Only a learners' heat but soon in front, untouched to come clear final stages. Overall time nothing to fuss about but this good looking colt smoked home in 57.5/28.5 and looked to have plenty of petrol left in the tank. Dam won six and second dam won 8. Qualifying should be next on the radar and this looks a formality after this effort.

To check out June 21's report card click here