The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from all over the country for the week ending 28/11/2024

Utah Jazz (2f Bettor’s Delight – Rockabilly Blues) Tr. N Williamson

Winton (21/11/24) Only a learners' pace and only two rivals but the well-bred filly led, showed her greenness final turn but once balanced up strode clear for a nice win. MR:2:11.7, 800m in 61.2, 400m in 30.4. Another purchase for Aussie owner Mick Boots and yet to qualify but that ticket shouldn’t be that far away. First foal of a mare who won three and ranks as a half to the mighty Chicago Bull. This family keeps on giving!

Forever Arden (5g Always B Miki – Young Tegan) Tr. J Adams

Settled third of 4, asked to improve 500m to get outside leader, too strong for his rivals over last 100m, track was easy as well. MR:2:03.2, 800m in 57.8, 400m in 29.0. Showed promise first campaign (1 win/1 placing from 4 starts) but hasn’t started in nearly a year when last produced. A big horse who will have benefitted with a patient approach. The trainer is a part-owner, let's hope his patience gets rewarded. Sodoyouhavtime set pace and stuck on well for third, only had the 3 starts but placed behind Vessem as a 2YO and just the one start as a 3YO back in May when winning at Invercargill. Likely big improver with the run under his belt, one to follow.

Franco Elvis (3g Bettor’s Delight – Eden Franco) Tr. G & N Hope

Rangiora (21/11/24) Safely away to trail Rutherford in three-horse heat, out to challenge 200m, got the better of the latter last 50m and they were 12L clear of third runner. MR:2:06.5, 800m in 56.7, 400m in 28.3. Has had a stable change since last racing back in September, this effort didn’t look like a 12-start maiden who has only placed twice previously. The beach must be helping. Rutherford gave plenty when challenged final stages.

South Sydney (3f Father Patrick – Unyielding Spirit) Tr. B Hope

Trailed in two-horse heat behind Lover Boy, fair bolting on the home turn, went whoosh at the 200m and strode away for an impressive win, officially 14L at the line. MR:2:10.1, 800m in 62.4, 400m in 31.7. Third foal of a mare who won 7! First two foals both winners and named after Aussie rugby league stars, not hard to see who the trainer supports in the NRL.

Shake A Leg (3g Downbytheseaside – Saturation) Tr. S Reid

Trailed out, there to challenge final turn, did enough to nudge Courtney Rose right on the line. The latter sat three deep before coming out to take issue 600m out, led on straightening, just caught MR:2:02.6, 800m in 57.2, 400m in 28.9. No further back than fifth in 17 starts on race day although he has only won the once (9x second), went super over cup week (especially Show day) and a strong chance to secure that next victory for his recently relocated trainer, the Reidman. Courtney Rose did race with purpose in the North Island recently, formline would suggest another win not that far away, three wins to date.

Vins Deal (2f Vincent – Deal On The Day) Tr. M Purvis

Settled fourth of 8 in single file, eased to sit parked 800m, swept up to challenge final turn, ran clear last 100m, impressive MR:2:03.4, 800m in 57.4, 400m in 28.1. Emphatic win (5 1/4L) by a filly that qualified back in April, race day debut now eagerly awaited. Lasa (3g Always B Miki) broke as gate pulled away and settled last, caught eye running on late without threatening for sixth, another who qualified some time ago but yet to start on race day, smokie.

Bluey (4g Peak – Ruthless Success) Tr. L McKay

Settled third of 5, up to attack 500m, led on straightening, too strong final stages. MR:2:07.2, 800m in 59.8, 400m in 28.8. Recent qualifier who has rated a mention in this forum previously. Dam won a couple and Bluey is her first foal. Second dam won 6 and left the very handy Ruthless Kayla (7 wins + $128k). Freya ran on solidly to snare second, fair effort on Show Day and placed in Group company behind Empire City recently, being by Volstead gets a tick as well

Neymar (6g Sportswriter – Miss Lara) Tr. A Donnelly

Cambridge (23/11/24) Showed gate speed to lead four horse heat, still there final turn, didn’t flinch when Shonny Lou (trailer) came alongside courtesy of the passing lane. MR:2:02.5, 800m in 58.4, 400m in 28.1. Has won just the two from 37 starts but a significant stable change here with David Butcher doing the steering in this heat, form rather bleak before this but a change of scenery might have a desired effect. Both the winner and Shonny Lou went to the line under their own steam without being overly taxed.

Dragonstone (3f Father Patrick – Daenerys Targaryen) Tr. A Donnelly

Stepped quickly to lead only rival, always going well, kept up strong run to stay nicely clear. MR:2:06.3, 800m in 58.3, 400m in 28.5. Well bred filly (dam won 15) who has been given her chance at Group level against the best of her age group. Has won once from just the 8 starts and manners have let her down in recent times but she was faultless in this workout. 

Cracker Opie (3g Bettor’s Delight – Saucy Operator) Tr. C Ferguson

Wyndham (23/11/24) Out well to lead five rivals, cranked up the speed 800m out to skip clear 600m, lonely turning in, bolted in by nearly 5L. MR:2:04.0, 800m in 58.2, 400m in 30.4. Recent qualifier (where he ran third) and certainly in the right stable, half to four winners easily the best of those Jarcullenbra (10 wins + $209k), should at least prove to be a competitive maiden in the deep south.

Rollon Summer (5m Bettor’s Delight – Summer Ale) Tr. C Ferguson

Restrained back to fifth of 6, improved with 1x1 cover inside final 600m, hooked out 200m & swept on by without too much urging from her trainer, smart win. MR:2:05.7, 800m in 58.5, 400m in 29.1. That stable again - has won the three from 16 starts but hasn’t started since late September. Rollon Summer indeed as those summer ales may be flowing !

Prosperity (2c Sweet Lou – Rose Ryal) Tr. Anderson/Love

Settled fourth of 5, improved with 1x1 cover inside 800m, wide final turn to challenge, solid finish to pull in rivals close to the line. Last 800m in 60.3, 400m in 29.2. Not yet qualified but astute trainer Graeme Anderson has a great record with the stock of the stallion and owner/breeder Tardina Stud (Nth Island) have retained ownership of this boy, his progress down south will be watched with interest. ***Went to Oamaru 26/11 and qualified by 4L MR:2:03.1, 800m in 58.1

Nubliah Chamay (6m Love You – Sarah Lindenny) Tr. Edge/Buchan

Oamaru (26/11/24) Showed she had trained on since winning at Ashburton during cup week by easily dealing to three rivals MR:2:11.8, 800m in 61.1. Looks like she is going to get her chances in better Canterbury fields and like many of the stock of Love You, she has got better and better with time. Rising 7YO but racing since she was 3, four of her 5 wins have come this season.

Maggie Q (2f Captain Crunch – Alta Shangri La) Tr. S Dolan

Rangiora (27/11/24) Trailed third before easing to a 1x1 spot behind an improving Berrettini 800m, out to challenge 250m and just got the better of the latter final 50m. MR:2:02.2, 800m in 57.2, 400m in 29.4. Second live foal from the mare, the first being Coney Island Lou (4 wins + $70k from only 15 starts) before getting exported across the Tasman. In a heat where all 8 runners qualified, Berrettini went super after settling last then improving in open last lap, led 400m, just caught. They were 7L clear of the others. The Howe trained runner rates as a half to the grand performer in Nandolo (1:48.6).

Vesta (3f A Rocknroll Dance – Ardensplace) Tr. M Swain

Trailed out before electing to pop out at the 1200m to take over, kept up strong run to keep rivals at bay MR:2:02.7, 800m in 56.7, 400m in 28.6. The full sister to Tempo Warrior (9 wins + $117k) qualified back in June but as yet unraced. On this effort, should measure up to a maiden as a starting point. Tipstar (2f Captain Crunch – Starlet Lavra) broke as gate pulled away and lost considerable ground, caught eye trying to make ground in the straight. Three unplaced runs to date, the last back in July.

Caught The Eye (2f Captain Crunch – Spicey Delight) Tr. S & A Telfer

Got to trail, out to lead 900m, did enough to hold out Samkerr who had improved inside final 800m to sit parked, the latter didn’t flinch last 200m, close up. Last 800m in 57.5, 400m in 28.3. The Telfer runner had just the two runs on race day, placed on debut then fourth at her last start in May at Group 2 level against the best of her age group. The spell was probably a blessing and now ready to show her true worth. Strongly fancied to be a winner sooner rather than later.

Spicey Crunch (2f Captain Crunch – Spicey Lady) Tr. S & A Telfer

Showed gate speed to lead, still there final turn, had too much in the tank for her 7 rivals, clear at the line. MR:2:01.3, 800m in 58.6, 400m in 28.4. 
Very closely related to above filly, freshened after form dropped away after very promising start to her race career including a placing at Group level. The veteran of only 8 starts to date and good enough to bounce back in the near future.

Dance With The Boss (4g Bettor’s Delight – Dancing In The Dark) Tr. M Purvis

Settled third of 5, worked closer 400m, just did enough to pip the pace-making Bryson Dechambeau. MR:2:02.3, 800m in 57.1, 400m in 28.3. The winner of four but struggling to find his best form in his last campaign, this effort suggested he might have regained his mojo. Bryson Dechambeau went strongly in front and as the veteran of only four starts (1 win), he should improve quickly with this run under his belt. Uptown Funk the run of the heat, tardy in behind mobile but ran home strongly last 200m for a very good third and close up.

Paramount Kiwi (3g Father Patrick – Paramount Star) Tr. M White

Off 30m settled at the back of an 8 horse heat, still there 800m before setting off three wide around field, swept to lead 400m, showed his class coming clear final stages. Last 800m in 58.3, 400m in 29.5. Was clearly the benchmark youngster early in his career (has won 5 of 9), was a fair sixth behind the Aussie superstar Keayang Zahara on Show day and this effort suggested he is improving as he approaches peak fitness. Not easy at the top level but at his best, he is a very smart type, heading towards the Trotting Derby.

Piccadilly Pete (3g Sweet Lou – Piccadilly Princess) Tr. M Purvis

Trailed two and three deep, improved sharply 450m to attack pacemaker Harrison John (20m), after a battle up the straight with that runner, got the better inside the final 50m. First two home well clear of the rest Last 800m in 56.6, 800m in 28.6. Overall time nothing flash but likely to be much improved after this trial, last race day start back in September. Bred to be above average and good enough to improve upon his two wins to date, certainly one to follow.

To see previous Trials Reports click here