The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from all over the country for the week ending 13/7/2024

Loteria (3f Majestic Son – Charlotte Galleon) Tr. S Kilgour

Pukekohe (4/7/24) Sat third of 3 (4th runner broke & took no real part), swept up at the 300m & rushed on by in a matter of strides for an impressive win, by 3L at the line. MR:2:09.4, 800m in 61.9, 400m in 30.1. Last raced December 2023 when placed second at second Australian start (bred in Australia) and has come across with her trainer Sammy Kilgour & partner Josh Dickie. Highly impressive in this trial and it could be sign of things to come. The well-bred Sunset Hill (3g What The Hill – Our Sunny Whiz) had its chance from a good trail and got his qualifying ticket at the same time, in third. Dam won 19.

Theo (4g Vincent – Festina Lento) Tr. P Fensom

A qualifying heat, the Fensom-trained runner out best to lead three rivals but back to 3rd midrace in Indian file, moved up stylishly at the 500m to challenge pacemaker, kept up strong run to get the better of that runner (Princess Of Savoy) final 100m. Last 800m in 59.0, 400m in 29.2 & over 3 secs under required time. Dam won 4 and had already left a nice type in Wimbaliri (6 wins + $42k) by Gotta Go Cullect. Connections have been patient and hopefully they get some reward for their efforts. Princess Of Savoy another bred in the purple, (2f Captain Crunch – Tosti Girl), dam won 7 of only 19 starts and has left millionaire-NZ Cup winner The Fixer and top mare The Honey Queen (1:50.3). A top commercial family as well.

Semba (3g Captaintreacherous – Sem’s Delight) Tr. S & A Telfer

Settled third of 4 in Indian file, asked to improve in open from the 500m, put plenty of dash into his finish last 200m to get over the top of his rivals.
Last 800m in 58.0, 400m in 25.5. Third foal from 2-win Bettor’s Delight mare and third winner after winning once in 5 starts, 4 of those at Manawatu, the last being back in March. Good family further back in pedigree and may still be able to pay back some of that $80k yearling sale purchase price. Worth following.

Kowalski (2f Always B Miki – Rozelski) Tr. R & J Dunn

Beaten for gate speed in this qualifier and settled third of 3, giving leader 5L at the 500m, improved to take issue inside final 400m, not knocked about to get within head of that runner (Carrera Hombre). MR:2:04.8, 800m in 59.2, 400m in 29.1. Dam was a handy mare winning 6 and has done a very good job at stud leaving the likes of Cosmic Major (9 wins from just 14 starts + $188k + 1:50.2) & Harrison John (3 wins to date). Quality filly who looks very likely to add to family achievements.

Alwaysbesecret (3f Always B Miki – Secret Love) Tr. N Chilcott

Got to trail in field of 6, eased to sit outside leader 500m out, charged clear on straightening, far too good over final stages, confidently driven by the trainer herself. Last 800m in 58.7, 400m in 28.3. Qualified back in January but yet unraced. Stable has had good success with progeny of dam previously. Current stable favourite Blazing Louie (3 wins to date) ranks as a half brother. Secret Love one of 7 foals and all good enough to be winners.

Delightful Chic (3f Bettor’s Delight – Rock Chic) Tr. S & A Telfer

Gate speed to lead, still there turning in, showed plenty when challenged, strong to the line. MR:2:05.6, 800m in 59.0, 400m in 27.8. Three raceday starts haven’t returned a great deal, the last start back in February. Belongs to a family that Stonewall Stud have been involved with for a very long time and picking this filly to be a good improver in the coming weeks. Bazooka raced fourth of 4 throughout and still well back with 400m to run, belated finish last 100m to make up many lengths in the straight, close up just past the finish line.

Miki Mirage (3f Always B Miki – Pocket Miss) Tr. P & V Blanchard

Three deep mostly, up to challenge 400m, ran clear for comfortable & impressive win final stages. Last 800m in 58.7, 400m in 27.9. This just a learners' pace and the winner not yet qualified at this time but shouldn’t be a problem based on this effort.

Jimmyray (7g American Ideal – Shining Eyes) Tr. J Morrison

Chertsey (6/7/24) No great time but sprinted sharply to get over the top of three rivals including two stablemates. Last 800m in 63.8, 400m in 28.1. Has won the six races including a last start win at Addington in June. Don’t let the age put you off as he didn’t really start racing until he was a 6yo and has compiled a handy record in this time. Stable firing and looms as a genuine competitor over the winter months.

Wicked Wanda (4m Sweet Lou – Better Be A Lady) Tr. G Rogerson

Cambridge (6/7/24) Interesting heat, only the two runners but led up by a galloping pacemaker, Wanda trailed, eased to sit in the open 500m out, kept up strong run to the line, officially first of the two runners. MR:2:03.0, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 27.7. The winner of three from 15 but hasn’t started since NZ Oaks 10th back in December 2023. Looks primed for a good resumption to a new campaign. The second runner Blazing Louie sat on Wanda’s back throughout and never pulled out in the run home. Now the winner of three from 14 starts after resuming with a very good win at Auckland June 27th, stable makes no secret of his untapped potential.

Samkerr (2f Art Major – Naiya Franco) Tr. M Jones

Ashburton (9/7/24) Trailed throughout, came around pacemaker at the 400m, did best final 50m. MR:2:00.4, 800m in 56.5, 400m in 27.5. Dam is a daughter of the very smart Nearea Franco (11 wins + $441k) and a half sister to the top Australian mare Nike Franco (32 wins + $914k) and Shan Noble (7 wins + $165k). Stablemate Burnham Girl (2f Bettor’s Delight – Tinisha Franco), the only other runner in this heat led, stuck on solidly, was only a neck away at the line.

Passchendaele (3g Betterthancheddar – Passion Flower) Tr. R Wilson

For the second time in as many weeks, the Wilson trained runner impressed, raced in midfield, improved to challenge leader 600m out, stumbled & nearly ‘lost it’ at the 300m when vying for the lead, recovered strongly to outfinish rivals without too much trouble, impressive Last 800m in 56.9, 400m in 27.9. Ashburton well known for being a fast track but you still have to do the business. Hasn’t debuted yet on race day but has been qualified for some time.

Reggie Golightly (6g Bettor’s Delight – Marilyn Golightly) Tr. A Garters

When you post a trials win by some 26L in a 1:57.9MR, it gets one's attention, quickly to the front and just as soon well clear, lonely final turn, gapped six rivals with few excuses for the rest. Last 800m in 61.1, 400m in 31.0. Has won four from 35 starts and the formline for the last handful of starts looks rather bleak, the last of those back in February. Puzzling as to what to read into this effort.

Geraldine Clowers (2f Creatine – Gina) Tr. M Williamson

Straight to the front and always going well over just one rival, Della’s Fella, the margin 4L at the line but was nearly double that at the 600m, so credit to the second horse. Even so, the winner very professional. Full sister to Virginia Clowers (9 wins + $100k + 1:56.7) and a ½ to Clifden Clowers (13 wins) & Time In A Bottle (9 wins). Looks full of promise

Sweet Raine (3f Sweet Lou – Black Raine) Tr. L O’Reilly

Stepped safely to settle just behind midfield in field of 9, improved in open midrace then kept going to assume control 1000m out, impressed by coming clear last 100m without being overly taxed. Last 800m in 57.3, 400m in 27.1. Has had only the one race day start & fell (150m out) at Motukarara on the grass back in November 2023 when expected to do well and was looking likely at the time to dispute the finish. Given time to get over that incident, certainly looks good enough to win a maiden at short notice. Labelled urgent !

Ruby Tuesday (3f Courage Under Fire – Gwendoline Ruby) Tr. R Todd

Rangiora (10/7/24) Led out then trailed then back in front 1600m out over three rivals, applied the screws 500m, clear turn, far too good for some handy types last 200m. MR:2:01.1, 800m in 56.6, 400m in 28.2. Has featured in this column previously but remains still unqualified at this time of writing. One to watch out for when she officially gets to the races. The Bettor Deal doing his best work over the final stretch to be a closing second as was Captainess, although only fourth.

Louretta (4m Sweet Lou – Falcon’s Flybye) Tr. R Todd

Parked before pressing onto lead 1600m, had to do some work to get there, had the cheek to skip clear on the home turn, arrogant win, officially by 6L at the line. MR:2:00.5, 800m in 58.5, 400m in 28.6. Another to recently get noticed at the trials, freshened since last start second back in March, looks primed to get into the winners circle sooner than later.

Courtney Rose (3f Vincent – Take A Break) Tr. R Houghton

Settled third of 8 in Indian file, up to attack 400m, did best final 100m with sharp sectionals. MR:2:00.5, 800m in 57.0, 400m in 27.6. Thereabouts on race day without being able to deliver ‘killer blow’. Going good enough to get that initial win with some luck going her way. Betterthancash caught the eye coming on strongly from well back for a closing third, has had the two race day starts as a 2yo, the last of which was in September 2023. Looks a lot stronger this time in and confidently expected to step up this campaign

Treacherous Gall (4m Captaintreacherous – Galleon’s Pleasure) Tr. R Todd

Got to settle sixth of 8 in Indian file, improved in open last 1000m, clicked up to lead turning in, kicked strongly under her own steam to win with some authority. MR:2:01.4, 800m in 56.3, 400m in 27.4. Has always looked above average on her way to winning 8 & $132k to date, that record looks well & truly under threat based upon this trial effort.

Tactical Bid (3g Tactical Landing – Habibiti Sadie) Tr. R Todd

Stepped safely from inside to trail three deep of 5, improved 600m to be right there final turn, responded sharply when clicked up at the 250m, impressive hit out to win. Last 800m in 59.3, 400m in 29.4. Qualified way back in August of 2023 and had the one raceday start back in September 2023 but that didn’t go well when manners let him down. Looks a completely different proposition this time in. One of many from the Todd stable to look primed on this day. No denying his quality breeding.

To see last week's Trials Report click here 

To see previous Trials reports click here