The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from all over the country for the week ending 29/8/2024

Frisco Bay (3g Downbytheseaside – Idealistic) Tr. R Green

Pukekohe (22/8/24) Showed gate speed to lead out then trailed Hezasweetie after 400m, eased to the outside of leader 450m, did best over the latter in the final 150m. MR:2:03.9, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 26.8. Back on a new campaign after last racing back in May, with natural improvement looks a horse that can build upon the one win to date. Hezasweetie now with Purdon/Phelan after having three starts (1 win/2 placings) for Tony Stratford in the deep south. Still owned by astute southern trainer Graeme Anderson and friends who have had much success with the stock of his sire Sweet Lou. Last raced back in late March.

Better Knuckle Up (3c Bettor’s Delight – Bare Knuckle) Tr. Purdon/Phelan

Straight to the front over two rivals (Mhai Surfer Girl, trail & Leo Lincoln), not extended to stay in front of those runners. Last 800m in 59.3, 400m in 27.6. Smart 3YO getting ready for a new campaign, only had the nine starts but has won four of them and ran the fastest mile of his NZ age group last season as a 2YO. Mhai Surfer Girl & Leo Lincoln both ran attractively to be close up in the minors.

Always Be Mattie (3g Always B Miki – Diamonds And Dust) Tr. T Hopkins

Another to lead over Chanel Noire and two other rivals, didn’t flinch when the latter attacked on the outside last 200m, did enough to keep his head in front in a two horse finish. MR:2:01.4, 800m in 57.8, 400m in 26.8. The winner has had only the one start back in October 2023 when placed second to the good filly Duchess Megxit but now looking to make up for lost time, looks a good bet in a northern maiden at least. Chanel Noire only a 2YO filly and a recent qualifier who has been a ‘star’ at the trials more than once previously, another to follow in the coming weeks

Beetastic (2f Bettor’s Delight – Its All On) Tr. P & V Blanchard

Got to trail in field of four, out to attack 400m, sprinted sharply to do best in a tight finish MR:2:04.0, 800m in 59.6, 400m in 27.8. Qualified back in March and now ready to move forward, its ‘all on’. Hot And Dangerous trailed three deep, caught the eye coming along inner very quickly last 150m and might have won had she received more room over final stages, another to qualify back in March but as yet unraced, has plenty of breeding to support her case to be a successful racehorse, full sister to Hot and Treacherous (17 wins + $479k)

Iron Heart (2f Captain Crunch – Princess Arts) Tr. S & A Telfer

Alexandra Park 23/8/24) Used up to cross four rivals first 400m, always going well after, not extended to stay in front including another three of her stablemates. MR: 2:01.9, 800m in 58.0, 400m in 27.5. The filly has plenty of breeding behind her with her dam winning seven and already the dam of Alta Wiseguy (10 wins + $225k). 2nd dam Natal Franco (7 wins + $117k).

Bring On The Muscle (3g Majestic Son – Mass Invasion) Tr. C Barron

Winton (23/8/24) Stepped best of three but soon third of three in Indian file, improved 1200m to take over, always going well after that move, too good for Joeking and Flying Without Wings. Last 200m MR:2:07.3, 800m in 58.1, 400m in 28.4. Has always looked above average (3 wins from 12 starts + $46k) and ready to improve upon that record in a new campaign. As a 2YO was good enough to place at Group 1 level.

Advance Party (4m Bettor’s Delight – Democrat Party) Tr. K & J Price

Settled sixth of 7, last of the 7 on the final turn, exploded down outer last 150m to swamp rivals in very impressive fashion MR:1:58.9, 800m in 57.4, 400m in 28.9. Quality mare (5 wins from 26 starts + $108k) who has clearly benefitted from her second placing when resuming in early August, her first run back in a fresh campaign. Has great value as a broodmare for her owners but she can add to that value before the matron’s paddock beckons. Fernleigh Blackbird raced last before carting winner up at the 300m, far from disgraced and ready to resume on a high. Stablemate Betting Sensation responsible for the fast MR and close up in fourth, both have trialed nicely last two weeks.

Jaccka Evan (3g Ultimate Machete – Elva Jaccka) Tr. B Gray

For the second time in two weeks, the Gray runner impressed, initially rough in his gate but once he got to the front after 500m always going well, too strong final 100m. MR:2:03.0, 800m in 58.6, 400m in 27.9. Wears a bit of headgear and possibly not the easiest horse to drive but looks to have a big ticker another ready to ‘showoff’ when he resumes in the coming weeks. Always On Sale raced fourth of 4 and still there coming to the 400m, ran home solidly on a quick sectional to snare second.

Da Vinci (4g Art Major – Rockin Cullen) Tr. C Ferguson

Wyndham (24/8/24) Settled third of five in Indian file, pushed back one place when stablemate Rollon Summer improved to lead at the 1700m, would have been giving the latter at least 5L at the top of the straight, made steady ground under a hold for third and on the back of the winner across the line. Last 800m in 58.1, 400m in 29.4. Has fashioned a good horse’s record winning 10 times from 24 starts + $140k, won’t be afraid to take on the guns in Canterbury as the November carnival looms closer

Saucy Delight (3g Bettor’s Delight – Saucycullen) Tr. C Ferguson

Trailed out in a field of only three, came out just before the final turn and ran clear by 3L. MR:2:05.1, 800m in 61.6, 400m in 30.7. Not yet qualified but the third foal of a race-winning Cullen mare. The first foal was Chimichurri (9 wins + $112k) and her second,Tabasco (2 wins to date). A good sized horse with plenty of scope who has needed time, qualifying looks a formality and after that a horse to look out for.

Coba Charged (2g Lather Up – Ultimate Art) Tr. R Todd

Ashburton (27/8/24) Good gate speed to lead two rivals, always in control, looked comfortable going to the line first MR:2:04.5, 800m in 59.1, 400m in 28.7. Placed in two of his three starts when having his first race campaign against some handy 2YOs and by a sire who is starting to kick some goals from small numbers, with natural improvement, can be followed with some confidence.

Galway Girl (6m Majestic Son – Una Bromac) Tr. S McRae

Safely away from back mark of 20m to race fourth of 4, still there 400m out, sprinted sharply along inner last 200m to reel in the pace-making Franco Josiah. MR:2:06.6, 800m in 58.0, 400m in 27.6. Now the winner of 8 races + $112k, she came very solid when last racing back in May, on her best day, she looks more than capable of surprising a few of her more touted rivals in the spring.

Onwardsandupwards (5m Art Major – Mind Freak) Tr. A Edge

Stepped quickly to lead, stayed on solidly when others came alongside to stay in front narrowly over Here’s Herbie Last 800m in 56.2, 400m in 27.2. A late starter but the winner of three (from 18 starts) and last seen back in May, her time to shine may not yet be over, one to watch. Here’s Herbie raced fourth of 4 before finishing strongly along inner last 250m and possibly could have won had ‘CJ’ got urgent, ‘Herbie’ has won the seven races and $116k but last campaign found the strong Canterbury classes a tough nut to crack and his form dropped away, back in a fresh state, this was a promising effort in a new campaign.

My Friend Louie (4g Sweet Lou – Nicky’s Delight) Tr. B & T White

Rolled forward from wide draw to lead after 400m, never in doubt from that point. Last 800m in 58.9, 400m in 29.1. Has won two from only 8 starts but was a bit ‘hit or miss’ last campaign, last racing in May where he galloped behind the gate and was pulled up. Overall time here nothing to write home about but looks to be rather untapped and can surprise going forward. 2YO Irish Dream (1 start for 1 win) caught the eye running on late for a closing fourth. Has been freshened since that effort in late June with an eye on bigger assignments

Valyrian (3g Volstead – Arya) Tr. R Todd

Just a ‘learner’s trot’ and in a 2:17 MR but got our attention as the first foal of a mare who won 15 races & $302k and by a ‘hot’ sire making plenty of noise especially in Australia. Slow but safe on this occasion, settling fourth of 7, asked to improve 400m, kept coming in the straight to outpoint pace-maker Pat Benatar. Last 800m in 63.6, 400m in 29.9. Very professional effort over the closing stages and likely to improve quickly.

Princess Sadie (3f Muscle Mass – Shell Seeker) Tr. M Williamson

Oamaru (27/8/24) Smart filly from last campaign where she took on the best of her age group and now back getting ready for another crack at the 3YO specials. The overall time nothing startling but home in 58.3 when downing Cody Banner (10 wins + $153k) and sure to improve with this run under her belt. Was a model of consistency last time in and that might not change any time soon.

Feta Go Fernco (5m Betterthatcheddar – Betta Go Fernco) Tr. M Williamson

Only had the one rival but cleared out by 8L running the last 800m in 57.2. Has yet to race debut but qualified over two years ago so one can only assume that she had a setback then a lengthy recovery period. Connections have persevered so good luck to them in what comes next. Dam won four and her dam won six!

Missile (4g Trixton – Triple A) Tr. P Williamson

In a field of six where the trainer provided the first five home, Missile did enough to outpoint Love N The Port (9 wins + $306k) & Majestic Love (5 wins). The Trixton gelding has always been held in some regard and won all four of his races as a 3yo but after three ordinary runs as a 4YO back in January, was put aside and given a decent spell. Astute trainer sure to have him back in the groove if he comes back to the racetrack and deserves the utmost respect when he resumes

Rock Lobster (3f Majestic Son – Kenny’s Commando) Tr. R & J Dunn

Rangiora (28/8/24) Got the start badly wrong and galloped away losing considerable ground, recovered to race fourth of four, up to attack stablemate/pacemaker I’m A Doosie final turn, still had enough in the tank to come clear over that rival by 5L officially. MR:2:10.2, 800m in 58.6, 400m in 30.4. Only had the one race day start back in March where her manners let her down on that occasion, but no doubting the ‘motor’ and this win was comprehensive. Comes from the ‘Kenny’ family so her breeding alone deserves closer scrutiny.

Frazzled (2f What The Hill – Flashman) Tr. R & J Dunn

Quickly made the front, stayed on nicely to keep Luca (trail) at bay with Ya Rite Darl close up in third. MR:2:05.0, 800m in 58.8, 400m in 29.5. Three race day starts earlier in the year and a last start winner at Addington, sure to be better horse this time in and gives the stable a strong hand in the 2YO specials. Stablemate Ya Rite Darl, already a Group 3 winner (2 wins from 3 starts) trailed in third before finishing on along inner without being really pushed.

Gone Surfin (2f Downbytheseaside – Surfin Safari) Tr. R & J Dunn

Got to the front and always going well, clearly too strong for some handy types final 200m. MR:1:59.2, 800m in 55.8, 400m in 27.7. Already a Group 3 winner in a 1:55MR first campaign and judging by this effort, she is going to be a major player in the age group specials coming up. Partly owned by the trainers and held in some regard by the stable.

Malakai (2g Captain Crunch – Chieko) Tr. R & J Dunn

In front and still there turning in, didn’t flinch when others threatened to run past. MR:2:02.1, 800m in 57.4, 400m in 28.0. Proved very competitive against the best 2YOs in his first campaign and likely to be better again in a fresh campaign. Stablemate Got The Chocolates (3 wins/3 placings from 6 starts) tucked away in behind leaders and poked through late without being rushed to snare second. Bettor’s Anvil got back in six-horse field, caught the eye coming home wide out for third on fast sectionals, will add to the form puzzle on race day.

Queen Of Swords (3f Bettor’s Delight – Queen Camille) Tr. R & J Dunn

Led before taking a trail behind stablemate Harrison John, out to take issue 400m, couldn’t get past but close up all the same. MR:2:00.9, 800m in 56.8, 400m in 27.5. The winner of three races already from only 7 starts and a last start placing at Group 1 level at Auckland back in May. Some notable runs in behind - Princess Meritaten made late ground from midfield for fourth on a fast sectional. Vessem not knocked about from back in field. Group 1 winner We Walk By Faith sat last of eight and never pulled out in the straight.

Sherlock (4g Vincent – After Party) Tr. N Purdon

Trailed early but out and around 1600m to lead, clear 600m, had no trouble staying in front. MR:2:06.1, 800m in 56.7, 400m in 27.9. Has always been a good horse and he is going to add real spice to the open class ranks. Republican Party (20m) trailed third of 4 mostly, worked closer 500m, sound finish to snare second just ahead of Beach Ball (20m) who had improved from the rear at the 600m to get outside the leader, fought on to be close up in third. Built For Glory (5 wins from 10 starts) led early before taking a trail, found going too tough last 600m & dropped away

Scott Four Shoes (3f Art Major – Scott Real Speed) Tr. R Houghton

Not yet qualified and only a learners workout yet still ran a 2:00.9 MR in outstaying four rivals, last 800m in 59.1, 400m in 30.1, led after 200m, clear 400m, stayed on too well for the win ahead of Better Be Quick who finished on solidly through the middle to snare second. The winner is the fourth foal from the mare with her first two foals both winners in sub 1:59. Better Be Quick already qualified (Jan 2024) but as yet unraced. Has a lot to live up to as her dam has already left Lightning Mach (10 wins), Pats Delight (12 wins) & First Rose (5 wins) amongst her progeny.

To see previous Trials Reports click here