The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from all over the country for the week ending 7/8/2024

Bar Louie (2g Sweet Lou – Motu Haughty Helen) Tr. S & A Telfer

Pukekohe (1/8/24) Restrained to the rear of four in Indian file, worked into 1x1 last 800m, swept up three wide final turn and too strong over the final 100m without being really extended. MR:2:01.6, 800m in 56.7, 400m in 27.5. Unbeaten in two starts and as a previous ‘star’ in this forum, he looks the ‘real deal’. Pacemaker Im Not The Maid far from disgraced going down by a neck on such fast sectionals. Qualified back in November of 2023 but as yet unraced.

Always B Misty (2f Always B Miki – Alchemist) Tr. S & A Telfer

Gate speed to lead, took a trail 1400m behind Always Flyin, challenged at the top of the straight and had little trouble getting the upper hand over that rival. MR:2:02.4, 800m in 57.3, 400m in 27.8. Another from the stable who is unbeaten (1 win from 1 start) and deserves to be respected wherever she decides to take her talents in the coming weeks, very professional in this workout.

Jeremiah (3g Lazarus – Flyover) Tr. Purdon / Phelan

Straight to the front from gate release, sprinted sharply last 400m, did enough to keep three rivals at bay who were all close up. Overall time nothing to get excited about but last 800m in 56.9, 400m in 26.9. Showed enough promise from top stable and was given his chance last prep to race against the best of his age group at Group 1 level (last start seventh back in March to Cold Chisel), will need more workouts but likely to be a quick improver. Always B Elite (trail), Mantra Blue and Hawkeye Pierce all went well in behind. Top mare Mantra Blue raced last of the four until putting in some telling strides out wide from the 400m, eye-catching run and likely to be in for a big campaign in the spring. Hasn’t started since just missing out in the NZ Oaks back in December but has still won four of her other six race day starts, looked big and strong here in this heat.

Hearts N Aces (2c Captaintreacherous – Saharazona) Tr. B Butcher

Cambridge (3/8/24) for the second week in a row the upstanding son of Captaintreacherous was a bright light at the Cambridge workouts, this time proving too strong for two rivals including 7-race winner in Caufield, got to trail the latter throughout, up to challenge 400m, strode clear final 100m, by 3 1/2L at the line. MR:2:04.4, 800m in 59.6, 400m in 28.3. Yet to debut but would appear to be building very nicely for that occasion although at this rate, the odds could be quite skinny.

Muchacho (5g Always B Miki – Alisa) Tr. A Stratford

Wyndham (3/8/24) Out strongly to lead four rivals in this ‘learners’ pace, always going well, had little trouble staying in front final stages, last 800m in 58.8, 400m in 28.4. Big horse not yet qualified but connections have obviously decided to keep going even though he will be six next birthday. Fourth foal from unraced mare but the first three foals have all been winners including Mucho Macho Man (9 wins). Let's hope their patience can be rewarded in time. Dragoness only ran fourth but was not pulled out to challenge over the final stages.

Cranachan (4g Sweet Lou - Letatalk) Tr. B McIntyre

Got to trail two and three deep in field of five (one pulled up), came around to challenge 400m and quickly ran clear of rivals for impressive win, last 800m in 59.1, 400m in 28.4. Has had the one race day start, as a 2YO way back in September of 2022 where he debuted and ran sixth of six. Comes from a great family developed by the Cummings family of Tuapeka going directly back to Maureens Dream and a host of winners. Very interested when he lines up in maiden company in the deep south.

Pay Me Speedy (7m Mach Three – Pay Me Painter) Tr. C Faithful

Led from go to whoa, last 800m in 58.4, 400m in 29.8. Four race winner not sighted since December 2023 when form had begun to fall away. Back on a new campaign and one to watch out for. To be fair, winner flattered by winning margin (2L) as the only other two runners collided badly around final turn when challenging. Eight race winner Deny Everything (now with Anderson/Love) content to race third of three in Indian file before coming around three wide at the 400m, badly checked by Hot Fizz who veered out badly at the top of the straight, did very well to recover and get so close to the winner. Thinking he might have just run past Pay Me Speedy. Has a good horse’s record and should not be taken lightly when the astute trainers decided to line him up on race day.

The Con Artist (2g Vincent – Love The Odds) Tr. N Purdon

Ashburton (3/8/24) In a three horse 2YO heat, the Purdon runner led out and then sprinted sharply to fend off Rylee Maguire when the latter threatened to run past at the 150m. MR:158.2, 800m in 56.5, 400m in 26.6. Qualified back in February for prominent owner Jean Feiss and now well primed by trials, has breeding as well so a potential successful racehorse on the cards. Filly Rylee Maguire, a recent qualifier, also has strong bloodlines to back up her claims to be a racehorse.

Mystic Magic (2f Bettor’s Delight – Wiggleit Jiggleit) Tr. S & A Telfer

In the hands of northern horseman Josh Dickie, the Telfer runner settled third of five in Indian file in this 2YO filly specific heat, improved to challenge final turn, not overly exerted to just get in front of stablemate/pacemaker Mythical who kept going strongly. MR:2:01.0, 800m in 57.4, 400m in 27.2. Both fillies yearling sales purchases with the winner costing Stonewall Stud $210k as the last lot of the day back in 2022. Without You tracked the winner throughout and wasn’t pushed to get within a neck of the winner, gave the impression she could have got over the top of first two home. Another sales purchase by Australian owner Jean Feiss in the Purdon stable. All three likely to be key contenders when the 2YO filly specials come around later in the season.

Take The Deal (4g American Ideal – Give Or Take) Tr. R Houghton

Trailed, checked 1400m when pacemaker ‘ran off’, recovered to lead then back in the trail when Mighty Miki improved to lead 800m out, got the better of that runner final 50m on fast closing sectionals Last 800m in 55.7, 400m in 27.5. Had the one run back in fresh campaign after missing in four attempts in 2023. Fitness obviously improving and could surprise a few in the coming weeks. Mighty Miki responsible for fast last 800m, two placings from three race day attempts, the last being back in January, only going to get better one would think.

Live On Legend (5g A Rocknroll Dance – A legend) Tr. K Austin

Settled last of five in Indian file but lost contact with the lead/trail horses (Mr Kaplan & Molly Belwin) when the third horse couldn’t keep up, must have been giving the leaders some 15L with 1000m to run, improved quickly inside 800m to get into third, kept coming in straight to be only 1/2L away at the line with Molly Belwin nosing out Mr Kaplan. Last 800m in 55.9, 400m in 26.6. The winner of five (from 24) hasn’t started since January but looks on the right track to improve upon this record judging by this effort.

Revolution (3g Courage Under Fire – Paddy Me) Tr. C & J DeFilippi

Stepped strongly to lead, said goodbye to four rivals turning in and simply too good, officially by 5L, overall time not anything to write home about but home in 57.3/26.6. Interestingly, qualified all the way back in February 2023 so either needed time or had a setback. Comes from a family that was very handy once upon a time but not in recent seasons.

Warrior Chief (4g Sweet Lou - Here We Go Again) Tr. J Gameson

Stepped slowly from unruly and settled last of six, asked to improve in open from the 800m, there to challenge 250m, exerted himself last 50m over his rivals. Last 800m in 55.6, 400m in 26.5. Progressive type who has won five from just 17 starts + $62k. High hopes held for him by the stable and should not be underestimated wherever he goes in the coming weeks. Last started back in late May when a close up second.

Pinseeker (4g Downbytheseaside – Nicky’s Power) Tr. J Cox

Stepped ok and pressed on to lead early doors, kept going strongly to come clear final stages when Anything Goes (trail) threatened to run past 200m out. On a perfect Canterbury winter day, he sprinted home in 54.5, 400m in 25.8. Ashburton a fast track but these sectionals outstanding from very promising horse who has won four of just 8 starts. Has always looked very promising and could be in for a great campaign. BD Joe (20m) began well to settle fourth of 5, not pushed to snare third albeit 6L from winner, remembering he hasn’t started since last NZ Cup and had had surgeries in the meantime. His comeback one to follow. Stablemate Ohoka Connor (20m) made a mess of the start and never made contact with the bunch.

To see previous Trials Reports click here