The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from the trials from all over the country for the week ending 15/8/2024

Words (3f Downbytheseaside – Premier Cruz) Tr G Shirley

Pukekohe (8/8/24) Showed gate speed to lead, always going well, scooted clear turning in, came away for impressive qualifying effort/win. MR:2:02.9, 800m in 58.5, 400m in 28.1. First foal from an unraced mare but further investigation reveals a strong pedigree further back. Went as well as she looked on this occasion.

Chanel Noire (2f Captain Crunch – Chanel) Tr. Purdon/Phelan

Trailed third of 5 until pacemaker Street Fighter off stride inside final 800m and took advantage of trail horse going wide to take over, kept up strong run to hold rivals at bay. MR:2:03.5, 800m in 59.5, 400m in 28.1. Recent qualifier for top northern stable and looks a promising type, must be respected when she makes her race debut. Street Fighter tangled at the 700m after showing good gate speed to lead from the outside of the gate, recovered to secure a late 1x1 cover before going rough again at the 300m & losing all chance.

Aye Aye Captain (Captaintreacherous - Priscilla Shard) Tr. M White

Not rushed early before improving to lead two rivals at the 1400m, always going well after that, stayed on strongly to hold out a fast finishing Mako (lead/trail). Last 800m in 59.1, 400m in 27.7. Winner has won three from 11 starts, his last start being a second back in May behind the smart Better Knuckle Up. Connections had to be pleased with Mako who was taking ground off winner last 100m on a sharp sectional. Only beaten once in three race day starts, one to follow for sure.

Dragoness (3f Fear The Dragon – Land Patrol) Tr. C Laurenson

Invercargill (8/8/24) In this qualifier, the filly settled fourth of 5 before improving to lead with 1400m to run, kept up strong run to score nicely. Previously written up in this forum and looks a competitive maiden, last 800m in 59.7, 400m in 28.9. Beluga (2c Bettor’s Delight – Arden Caviar) caught the eye even though he did not qualify, raced fifth of 5 and some 7L off winner at the 500m, then was noticed running on strongly final 200m and got to third only to tangle inside last 50m, otherwise would have qualified.

Sacetas (2g Bettor’s Delight – Scorcha) Tr. T Bagrie

Rangiora (8/8/24) Settled third of 3, still there 300m out, brought wide around final turn and ‘scorched’ away from rivals, quickly putting them away in the final 150m, untouched! Last 800m in 58.5, 400m in 28.6. Expensive yearling sales purchase who debuted back in May (seventh of 9) and looks to have benefited from his break, bred to be very handy.

Mighty Logan (5g Creatine – Landora’s Siesta) Tr. R & J Dunn

Made light of a 20m handicap and in front after 400m, kept going strongly to win with something in hand. MR:2:05.0, 800m in 58.5, 400m in 29.2. Very good last campaign including placings behind the very smart Bet N Win, looked ready to resume on a high note. (trial winner again on 14/8/24). Backmarker off 40m, Sunny’s Sister took some time to tack onto the back of the bunch, still fourth of 4 500m out but was finishing very stylishly in the straight, making up several lengths on the winner.

Zoltan Boscik (4g Majestic Son – Tilthesungoesdown) Tr. J and L Whittaker

Out well to trail in field of four, didn’t wait for passing lane top of the straight, went past pacemaker easily then held on to score. MR:2:04.0, 800m in 60.7, 400m in 30.0. Has won the two races from only four starts and looks full of promise, sure to be competitive in the right company and ready to build upon his early career stats. Viva La Vida (2g Love You – Quite A Moment trailed third and was putting in telling strides last 150m only to break and lose its winning chance. Recent qualifier yet to make his race debut and bred to be above average.

Itz Flash Harry (3g A Rocknroll Dance – Itz Fatima Kiwi) Tr. T Yesberg

Worked into a three deep trail in a field of 5, asked to take issue 400m out, too good for the pacemaking Spirit Downunder last 150m. Last 800m in 58.6, 400m in 27.4. Dam won three in a short career and has already left three winners including a 1:51 horse, this fellow qualified back in May and may not be just a ‘flash Harry’.

Mighty Looee (7g Sweet Lou – My Little Princess) Tr. R & J Dunn

Settled in rear of 7, still well back starting last 400m, swooped on rivals down outer to get up in the shadows of the posts. Last 800m in 59.1, 400m in 28.2. No slouch as he has won 16 races and looks good to go again. Some good runs in behind. Stablemate Dance Til Dawn never saw daylight final stages, was poking through late. The run of Perun noted, trailed only to break and go back to last 1400m, worked into late 1x1 cover at the 600m, not far away at the line and remembering he is only a one win horse

Beach Ball (5h Somebeachsomewhere – Twilight Rascal) Tr. K Chapman

After a couple of quiet trials, Beach Ball reminded us all of his talent heading into upcoming spring racing, off 30m but away well and soon fifth of 7, improved to lead 1700m, skipped away on the turn to win with plenty in hand. MR:2:02.4, 800m in 57.5, 400m in 27.5. No secret that the 2023 NZ Cup placegetter back on track to be a major player in that race again and hard to argue with. Good runs in behind especially from Charlie Brown, finishing on from midfield for second and stablemate Who’s Delight who was running on strongly from well back for fourth. Mo’unga had a quiet trial, running on late without being pushed at all.

Jesse Owens (3g Bettor’s Delight – The Princess) Tr. B Butt

Trailed only rival until 400m out in this unqualified pace, up & around that runner (Assisi Lover) at that point and far too good in the run to the line. MR:2:09.6, 800m in 60.7, 400m in 29.0. Not yet qualified but a half to four winners including the smart Princess Meritaten (4 wins from 8 starts) which got our attention. With a name like this, you would expect him to run/sprint pretty quick. (qualified 14/8/24 at Rangiora).

Atlantic City (2f Volstead – Liberty City) Tr. P Williamson

Oamaru (13/8/24) The full sister to last season’s 2YO trotter of the year Empire City and one of 5 (out of 5) lined up by trainer Phil Williamson, all 5 qualified, all 2YOs. The forementioned filly found one better in Have A Little Faith (2f Majestic Son – Flying Hilary) but only by a nose. MR:2:09.6, 800m in 60.3. Atlantic City is the third foal of an unraced mare by The Pres. Besides Empire City (2nd foal), she has also left American Muscle (7 wins + $113k to date). One imagines she might follow a similar path to her older sister all going well.

Wavewatcher (4g Downbytheseaside – Lislady) Tr. E Latimer

Only the two rivals but sprinted stylishly to score with a closing 800m in 57.2
Has won just the 1 race (in 23 starts) but placed another 6x. Hasn’t started since March but logic says he should be even stronger this time in. Good enough to place as a 2yo and could add spice to those exotic bets especially around his home track.

Paddy McDaddy (2g Father Patrick – Tip Your Hat Loui) Tr. R & J Dunn

Rangiora (14/8/24) In this 2YO Mob trot, the Dunn runner showed good gate speed to lead, always going well, did enough to keep Jupiter Jewel at bay who ran on very solidly from three deep. MR:2:05.6, 800m in 60.7, 400m in 30.4. $31k purchase from the yearling sales for the Gordons, ‘Paddy" has a stylish way of going and shaping as a good prospect for the 2YO specials coming up.

Music Mistress (2f Sweet Lou – Rock Chic) Tr. S & A Telfer

Not for the first time the Telfer filly impressed, ambled out of gate to settle last of 6 in Indian file, worked into 1x1 cover last 800m, up around them to challenge final turn and proved too strong for Without You (Captain Crunch – River Polka) who had improved to sit parked. MR:2:02.8, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 28.5. The winner beaten only once in three race day starts and is going to be a strong contender in the 2YO filly specials just around the corner

Captain Moonlight (2c Always B Miki – Miss Moonlite Shadow) Tr. H Cullen

Another ‘repeat offender’ previously mentioned in this column, settled sixth of 7 before sliding around in the open from the 800m, there to challenge turn, stretched out impressively last 100m to pick up the pace-maker Beaudiene Hunter who looked home for all money. MR:2:01.9, 800m in 57.5, 400m in 28.1. Winner looks a real athlete and ticks a lot of boxes going forward.

Misty Blue (3f Sweet Lou – Nicky’s Power) Tr. Ford/Tomlinson

Enjoyed good trail throughout, used passing lane to outpoint CC Arden who raced in the rear of seven before quickly becoming prominent last 500m, certainly not disgraced. MR:2:00.8, 800m in 57.3, 400m in 28.8. Winner placed in four of her six career starts, the half to the very promising Pinseeker shouldn’t be a maiden for too much longer. CC Arden a winner already from just two starts and has the breeding to go on with the job for sure.

Brando (5g Bettor’s Delight – Caitlin Banner) Tr. B Butt

Secured soft trip three deep of 6, up to challenge final turn, finished too well for stablemate Bronson last 100m. MR:1:57.4, 800m in 56.1, 400m in 28.4. Only had the four runs, the last being nearly 18 months ago but judging by this effort, now ready to make up for lost time and quickly.
Bronson has had a stable change since running fifth in 2023 Sapling Stakes back in June of that year. Now in the ownership of trainer and one Matthew Cross! Only had the three starts but another looking to make up for lost time, not disgraced here by any means. Some in this heat (Lewey Maguire and Munroe’s Mate) just not ready to trial so fast.

Sandy Shore (3f Sunshine Beach – Stradowan) Tr. S & A Telfer

In front after 300m, stuck to her guns when Revolution (trail) came up along passing lane, kept going under her own steam for nice win. Last 800m in 56.9, 400m in 28.1. Recent qualifier who has obviously improved again after that run. Dam won five and the family tree has thrown out its share of good types. In a field of nine, Rakero Ice caught the eye making steady ground wide out from far back on the final bend, officially 5=.

Charlie Brown (4g Art Major - Gold Elite) Tr. R & J Dunn

The Dunn runner got to trail then used passing lane to outfinish seven rivals although there were some notable runs in behind. Last 800m in 55.4, 400m in 26.8. The winner of seven + $205k in stakes, has not started since winning at Addington back in May but looks ready to power up when he resumes. Xlendi sat midfield before improving with late 1x1 cover, good finish to dispute placings, likely to be very competitive back in his grade. Ohoka Connor again missed away and lost several lengths before settling, tracked Xlendi last 600m, ‘blackbooker’ finish to snare third equal. His last 400m must have been close to sub 26. Pinseeker never clear from three deep.

Macandrew Aviator (7g Panspacificflight – Arts Mistress) Tr. S Boyd

Another to make this forum recently, soon in front and stayed on too well for six rivals. MR:2:02.7, 800m in 55.1, 400m in 27.2. Whatever was bothering him at the end of his last campaign (2023 NZ Cup) has obviously been rectified and now simply flying. Stablemates Dalton Shard and Who’s Delight both went very well to fill minor placings. The latter in particular came from second last at the 500m and very wide on the final turn to dispute finish.

To see previous Trials reports click here