The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from all over the country for the week ending 27/7/2024

Little Hoofananny (3f Art Major – Western Willow) Tr. Hollis & Robertson

Pukekohe (18/7/24) Settled third of 5 in Indian file, improved 300m to challenge pacemaking stablemate Mack Pack, judge couldn’t split them at the finish. MR:2:01.2, 800m in 57.3, 400m in 27.7. They cleared out from the rest with third some 7 1/2L away. The winner raced seven times as a 2YO behind some pretty talented types, often being not far away on a number of occasions, should be stronger this time in and a maiden win looks well within her capabilities. Last run back in November 2023. Mack Pack had the one run back in December 2023 then turned out. Full brother to Need You Now ($257k) and a half to Hey Bartender & Billy Badger.

Papenhuyzen (3f Vincent - Beckinsale) Tr. Hollis & Robertson

Soon in front of three rivals, still there 400m, stretched out stylishly to maintain a handy advantage over those rivals, last 800m in 57.3, 400m in 27.9.
Thereabouts in all of her six starts, the last being back in March and with more time, one might expect that she has got stronger this time in. Certainly showed some zip in this workout and likely to be competitive in a Fillies and Mares maiden at least.

That’s What We Do (5g Love You – Great Getaway) Tr. J Dickie

Gave three rivals 30m head start & so fourth of 4 most of the trip, improved with 1x1 cover 500m out, swept up wide on straightening and powered past rivals with consummate ease. Last 800m in 60.5, 400m in 29.3. Has fashioned a handy record (4 wins in 17 starts) but not sighted since December 2023. Bred to be good and the Love Yous get better with time. Should be a force over the winter in northern intermediate trot races if that’s the target.

Kevin Kline (2g Always B Miki – Matai Mies) Tr. R Green

Led out over three rivals before trailing after 400m, out to attack 500m, led on straightening, kept up strong run to keep rivals at bay, last 800m 59.7, 400m in 28.3. Still an unqualified 2YO but dam won six in a relatively short career and has left five winners already as a broodmare. Should keep getting better and looms as a strong prospect to be a successful racehorse.

Superfast Ronnie (4g Superfast Stuart – Hazel Maud) Tr. M Brown

Wyndham (20/7/24) was going to trail after stepping nicely but broke after 200m and back to fourth of four, got to three deep soon after, after another runner ahead broke, still there 400m out, angled for a run final bend and got in the deciding strides final 50m with being pushed too hard, last 800m in 61.1, 400m in 30.3. Only had the one start back in January where his manners let him down. His dam, by Sundon was handy enough winning seven and her first three live foals have all won at least three times. He is her fourth foal.

Waikaka Magic (2g Raging Bull – Mila Kunis) Tr. A Stratford

Settled in trail of three horse ‘learners’ heat, popped out midrace to take control and put some speed into the race, strode out nicely from that point to look very comfortable staying in front, last 800m in 60.1, 400m in 29.3. Obviously not qualified as yet but with natural improvement, that shouldn’t be too hard. First foal of dam that traces directly back to some ‘Bute’ horses including Badlands Bute (13 wins + $338k)

Playing The Ace (4m Auckland Reactor – Leola’s Delight) Tr. M Brown

Field of four but turned into a race between Hot Fizz (pacemaker) & Play The Ace (trail) as they got right away from the other two over the last 1000m. The latter came to the outside on straightening and under her own steam did best final 50m. Last 800m in 59.5, 400m in 28.8. The winner not yet qualified and runner up, also by Auckland Reactor, already a race winner, but hasn’t started since March 2023. Play The Ace comes from a well performed Southland family and her dam is a race winning half sister to a very smart type in Ewie Duncan who won eight here before going to America & running a 1:49.1 mile.

Spirit Downunder (2g Downbytheseaside – Spirit Of Love) Tr. R Todd

Ashburton (23/7/24) Showed gate speed to lead four rivals, skipped away on straightening for an impressive win MR:1:59.7, 800m in 56.6, 400m in 27.0. Full brother to Spirit Of Anarchy (4 wins from 13 starts) and only the second foal from the Modern Art mare, got his ticket 5 secs under the required time. Shards Lyric doing her best work final 150m from three deep to snare second, qualified back in March and the Sweet Lou 2YO filly has some breeding to back up her claims around being a successful racehorse.

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

Settled in nice trail in field of 9, used passing lane to finish best over final 100m. Last 800m in 57.0, 4500m in 26.9. Adored Dreamer settled last of that 9 but gradually improved with cover to be three back on the outer with 900m to run, up wide to challenge 400m, kept coming in straight to run the winner to a head. Placed once in three starts as a 2YO and thought good enough to take on Group 1 company at her last start (7th behind Coastal Babe) back in September 2023. Stable expecting bigger & better this time in.

Yosemite (3f Volstead – Majestic Blaze) Tr. R Houghton

Away well to lead then trailed two and three deep in field of five in Indian file, worked into 1x1 last 600m, angled wide on straightening and finished stylishly to get over the top of her rivals. Last 800m in 59.1, 400m in 28.6. Has had a stable change since last racing in Group 3 company back in November 2023. Previously has shown a good deal of promise winning one from just 5 starts with a further placing. Sire doing a really good job in Australasia. Wudabubbit (unruly) looked a threat in behind before going off stride 200m out and lost her chance.

Koko Kaboom (4g Superfast Stuart – Ko Wrected) Tr.S Lethaby

Stepped nicely from pole to secure good trail, used passing lane to get the better of the pacemaking Kiss Me Kate (unruly) who had also began well. These two some 10L ahead of the rest. Last 800m in 58.2, 400m in 28.6. Only had the one raceday start back in December 2023 and on that occasion, his manners let him down.

Ridge (2f What The Hill – KC Spur) Tr. B & T White

Nearly 7 secs under the required time in this qualifying heat, began safely from the unruly and soon in front, always going well, had no trouble staying there over three rivals. Last 800m in 60.8, 400m in 30.0. Further scrutiny of her pedigree uncovers some very handy trotters in their time, suggesting she has every chance to be a successful racehorse. Trained by the Whites but owned by trainer Bruce Negus

Tabasco (4g Bettor’s Delight – Saucycullen) Tr. B Williamson

Made the trip up from Oamaru worthwhile. Settled fourth of 6, bided his time & not pulled out until 100m out, strong finish to get up with the trainer having a good grip of the winner. Last 800m in 57.0, 400m in 27.8. Freshened since last racing back in May, has won the two and hasn’t been afraid to travel so could well see at Addington later in the winter. Music Mistress (2 wins from 3 starts as a 2yo) raced at the back of the bunch then caught the eye running home belatedly to finish a fast closing third. Last started in March when winning at Group 3 level, one to definitely follow.

Maxed Out (3c Buy Kiwi Made – Living Glory) Tr. S Payne

Only a ‘learners’ pace but straight to the front after beginning best over his three rivals, had no trouble coming clear of those runners final 200m without being extended. Last 800m in 57.1, 400m in 27.8. Accepting that Ashburton is a fast track, his sectionals would suggest that there is some ability ‘in the tank’ for the Payne trained runner.

*** No trials at Rangiora this week but instead at Addington on Monday 29th July

To see previous Trials Reports click here