The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from all over the country for the week ending 5/12/2024

Iron Brigade (3g Art Major – Trigirl Brigade) Tr. S & A Telfer

Pukekohe (28/11/24).  Away safely to land in trail, issued challenge 200m out, got the better of a game pacemaker Minjee final 100m with petrol left in the tank. MR:2:04.9, 800m in 55.5, 400m in 27.3. Freshened since mixing his form, last start in late October, still has won three from 16 starts and that 800m sectional naturally got our attention.

Lincoln Lou (2c Sweet Lou – Sea Of Gold) Tr. R Green

Straight to the front from inside draw, sprinted sharply 300m, kept up a strong run to the line to win with some authority. MR:2:03.3, 800m in 57.8, 400m in 27.5. Hasn’t started since going roughly in the 2YO Colts and Geldings Harness Million at Addington and running down the track, closely related to a number of good horses and his astute trainer will have him ready to resume in the north.

Treacherous Gall (4m Captaintreacherous–Galleons Pleasure) Tr. D & J Ferguson

Across to lead in a three horse heat, sprinted strongly 300m, stayed on strongly to stay in front of Telfer stablemates Bar Louie & Seaside Rose, all three not pushed hard over final stages. MR:2:03.9, 800m in 57.0, 400m in 27.7. Back from Australia where she won once from 7 starts, now the winner of nine + $153k, last NZ start was in Group 1 company and now in a new stable. Deserves respect when she lines up in the north.

Sunset Strip (2f Downbytheseaside – Run To Vegas) Tr. D Balle

Allowed to settle fourth of 4, improved 600m from rear only to be pushed three wide, up to parked 400m, too strong over the concluding stages, impressive stuff from the big fella. MR:2:04.0, 800m in 58.4, 400m in 28.8. Recent qualifier yet to debut on race day, fifth foal of a mare doing a grand job in the broodmare paddock with first three foals all winners in sub 1:55

Sea Of Love (4m Downbytheseaside – Highly Regal) Tr. D & C McGowan

Showed gate speed to lead, skipped away 400m and far too good for three rivals, officially 3L at the line. MR:2:02.7, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 29.2. Not sure how she is a 14 race maiden still but surely her time is close, has placed in half her starts to date and deserving of a winning turn.

Burning Love (4m Love You – The Fiery Filly) Tr. K Green

Winton (29/11/24) Gave three rivals a start and raced fourth of 4 until improving midrace and got to trail bell, improved again 600m to lead, cleared out final 400m to be lonely at the finish. MR:2:08.2, 800m in 61.0, 400m in 31.5. Has just won the two but the half sister to Smokin Bandar (13 wins) & Fiery Bandito (7 wins) is good enough to improve upon her record. The stock of Love You seem to get better with time.

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

Settled third of 3, improved to lead bell, not extended to stay in front of trotter One Two Menny (5 wins) who finished on attractively along the inner from 3 deep. MR:2:02.8, 800m in 58.8, 400m in 29.4. Forever Arden has rated a mention in this forum previously, on the comeback after not starting since December 2023. Shaping nicely for a racetrack return, has won the one from just 4 starts, watching his progress with interest.

Amazon Annie (4m Art Major – Amazon Lily) Tr. A Black

Got to trail then used passing lane to finish best over four rivals. MR:2:04.2, 800m in 59.7, 400m in 29.5. Has had three race day starts (1 as a 2yo, 1 as a 3yo and 1 as a 4yo) the last back in May so there have been issues to sort out but the ability looks to be there. If she can hold together, there potentially looks like a win in the locker. The Beach House (3c Luck Be Withyou) came on strongly from three deep once clear for a promising second. Qualified in early February but as yet unraced.

Rakamick (2g Always B Miki – Raksbet) Tr. C Barron

Balfour (grass track) 1/12/24. Soon in front of four rivals, turned up the heat at the 600m and proceeded to leave his rivals well behind, in a canter by some 11L. MR:2:04.1, 800m in 59.1, 400m in 29.8. Has had nine starts as a 2YO with a couple in Group company, placed in 1:55 so not without ability and definitely better than a maiden. Mention should be made of qualifier in Just Like Jagger who was very show to go and some 50m off the winner on settling, kept chasing and eventually ran past others for a plucky second albeit some distance from the winner.

*** Great to hear the one and only Davey Mac calling these trials/workouts.

Miki’s Beauty (3f Always B Miki – Dancing Dixie) Tr. C Barron

Parked before taking over midrace only to take a trail soon after behind stablemate Delightnjoy, back in front when that runner ran off the rail 500m, headed 200m only to come back strongly final stages for narrow win over Angus Finn (always handy). MR:2:07.1, 800m in 60.4, 400m in 30.2. A 22-start maiden who has threatened to win a race on numerous occasions (incl 5 seconds), last raced back in late April, could this be her time?

Hacksaw Ridge (5g A Rocknroll Dance – Insar) Tr. R Gutsell

Straight to the front, kept up strong run to hold out Secret Agent Man (1 start, 1 win). MR:2:03.8, 800m in 58.1, 400m in 29.2. Didn’t get a lot of favours when at Addington over cup week but as the winner of four races, has fashioned a handy record nevertheless and looms as a horse to follow over the southern Xmas circuit. Secret Agent Man (Sweet Lou – Carabella) strong in debut win back in April and part of the Boots/Williamson racing fraternity, not pushed on this day.

Our Superfund (6g Superfast Stuart – Majestic Dream) Tr. C Barron

Trailed out but pushed back to midfield of seven as lead changed twice, improved sharply to take control 700m, clear 400m, not seriously tested in run home. MR:2:09.0, 800m in 59.5, 400m in 30.9. Freshened since last racing in September, has won just the once from 14 starts but not overly raced as only started racing this year as a 6YO. Flying Without Wings (20m) finished stoutly final 200m from back in field to snare second. 

Itoje (6g Bettethancheddar – Its Ella) Tr. N Williamson

Trailed third, got closer 400m, left it late but grabbed a game pacemaker Falcon Watch in the shadows of the post, confidently driven by his trainer. Went to Addington Show day and ran a game second in the South Of The Waitaki race, another to not be overly taxed in his racing career, stable always has to be respected in the deep south. Brookies Player got well back but caught the eye coming hard last 300m for a close up third,  not very big but the heart must be (9 wins + $103k)

Moonshiner (2g Always B Miki – MacFire) Tr. J Hay

Ashburton (3/12/24) In a three-horse heat, this winner got to trail, up to challenge 400m, led late, just held out a fast finishing Delightful Peg by a nose. MR:2:00.5, 800m in 58.5, 400m in 27.9. A recent qualifier who is owned by his trainer who doesn’t travel to the races as much as he used to. Half brother to the very handy Franco Mac (6 wins + $165k) and in context, Delightful Peg has already won a race.

Wheel Of Fortune (5g Always B Miki – Spin To Win) Tr. J Hay

Settled last of five, improved in open from the 600m led on straightening, too strong for his rivals final stages. MR:2:04.4, 800m in 57.2, 400m in 26.8. Won half his first dozen starts but struggling thereafter to put in foot in the till. Last start fourth back in April against the likes of Mo’unga and Tact McLeod so not a forlorn case. Astute trainer/driver well and truly respected for what he can do. Dare Devil on the back of the winner and didn’t pull out in the run home. Seacracka finished attractively from back in field for a closing third, last 400m would have been slick

Ballerini (2f American Ideal – Carribbean Blue) Tr. K Butt

Settled in third of 5 in single file, worked into 1x1 600m out, up three wide around final turn, determined finish to get over the top of Franco Motu who used passing lane to take the short way home. MR:2:06.9, 800m in 58.4, 400m in 27.3. Half sister to Magic Four (6 wins + $198k) along with other handy relatives to support a pending career on the racetrack. Overall time here nothing flash but really looked the part final 200m.

Moa Mojito (5m Bacardi Lindy – Moa Bones) Tr. B Waldron

Safely away from the unruly then did some work before assuming control 1700m, still there final turn, untouched to stay clear of her rivals. Last 800m in 59.1, 400m in 28.3. Has only won the one race from some 23 starts and form looks a shade bleak to say the least but never put a foot wrong on this occasion and for those who like the bigger odds, she might be a tote buster over the Xmas period.

A Girl Named Vinny (3f Vincent – Rosanna Jaccka) Tr. S McRae

Trailed out in a five-horse heat, used passing lane to dispute finish, just did enough to win. MR:2:05.0, 800m in 56.8, 400m in 27.0. 
Qualified back in July but looks a big filly and time has more than likely been her friend. To be fair, she was only going to run second before Luna Dolce (3f Sweet Lou – RR Sand Dollar) went rough last 20m when looking likely to get over the top of her rivals. The latter has had just the one race day start way back in January. Dam was a handy sort winning 7, noted stable change since that debut effort.

To see previous Trials reports click here