The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from the trials from all over the country for the week ending 8/3/2024

Sugar Ray Lincoln (2c American Ideal – Lively Nights) Tr. R Green

1/3/24, The full brother to Copy That in a 2yo qualifier at the ‘Park’, worked to the lead over 1700m mob and when his rivals threatened to go past in the home straight, he picked up the bit to win comfortably enough in the end MR:1:59.1, 800m in 57.5, 400m in 28.4. Obviously has a lot to live up to but this was a promising start.

Its Electrifying (2c Captaintreacherous – Hot Off The Press) Tr. Purdon/Phelan

Not as fast as the previous 2yo heat (above) but very professional performance from a colt with plenty of breeding to support a racing career. Settled fourth of four and asked to improve wide around rivals at the 400m, kept up strong run to do best. 800m in 59.2, 400m in 28.2. Dam won three in short career and his 2nd dam Classical. Stable has been redhot in developing young horses in the last couple of seasons

Ruby Roe (3f Captaintreacherous – Arden Caviar) Tr. N Williamson

Four starters in this Winton heat (29/2) and all from the Nathan Williamson stable. Ruby Roe slowest away and fourth of four most of way until the 400m, attacked high profile stablemate Dreams Are Free (pacemaker) on the final corner and not pushed hard to stay with that runner all the way up the straight, nose apart at the line, last 800m in 56.0, 400m in 26.9. The winner of three from just her four starts, she looks as good as any southern filly currently racing. Flying Ellie, also 3, ran on stylishly for close up third.

Putere Boy (3c Ultimate Machete – One Ali) Tr. B McIntyre

Only a learners pace (29/2/24) and only the two rivals but impressive sectionals in coming from third of three on the final turn to get up over those runners. Last 800m in 58.4, 400m in 27.5. The fourth foal of the mare with the previous three all winners including the unbeaten Raupunga Lad (3 wins from 3 starts), enough on show here to suggest qualifying just a formality in the coming weeks.

Flashpoint (2c Captain Crunch – Joanne’s A Delight) Tr. B Gray

Only up against 1 rival and had little trouble getting to front and staying there. Last 800m in 58.8, 400m in 27.6. Qualified beginning of February just behind stablemate Drummershavtime who franked that form with a debut second behind the smart Always Dreaming last week. Gives the stable a strong hand in the southern 2yo races coming up later in the month. Dam won $205k and is a half to Jack’s Legend ($458k and 1:47.4 in America).

Bettor Lover (4g Bettor’s Delight – Spirit Of Eros) Tr. B Hill

2/3/24 on the grass at Methven and away from ‘city life’, in the promising hands of young Seth Hill and comfortably too good for his four rivals. Last 800m in 60.7, 400m in 30.5. Half brother to nine winners who has won once from 11 starts but generally in solid Canterbury fields. Last started back in November 23 and could be expected to be better again this time in.

Spectator (4m He’s Watching – Smooth Maker) Tr. J Morrison

Showed the benefit of a couple of raceday starts down south, by proving too good for four rivals on the grass, last 800m in 62.8, 400m in 31.5. Heads to Westport this week with a nice draw and signs that the improvement will just continue. Noting also she is a half to handy types in Mach’s Gladiator (12 wins) and Wild Excuse (7 wins) so rates also in that regard.

Tact McLeod (5g Sweet Lou – Tact Hayley Jane) Tr. T Proctor

3/3/24 at Wyndham, the Wairio Cup winner only had the one rival and after sitting second, took over at the bell and kept going strongly to hold a 3L advantage at the finish line. Overall time rather pedestrian but last 800m in 58.1, 400m in 28.4. Impressive last start Addington winner Cormac Leo was a third runner but was only there to get his standing start ticket and once away safely, dropped out of the heat. He also is off to Northern Southland this weekend.

Nutcracker (5m Bettor’s Delight – Rockin Cullen) Tr. C Ferguson

Time honours of the day to the six win mare, trailed throughout, came outside pacemaker on the final bend and ran on by without too much effort. Last 800m in 56.7, 400m in 28.3. Didn’t feature behind Tact McLeod last time to the races but gets her chance to bounce back at Northern Southland this weekend where she starts off 10m

Amalfi (4g Sweet Lou - Jass) Tr. R Stuart

Getting ready for his West Coast assisgnments this week, the Stuart trained runner did enough to hold out her one rival at her local Nelson trials (3/3/24) in attractive style. Last 800m in 58.8, 400m in 29.3. Hasn’t shown a lot in her first four starts but dam did win four and the first of those not until she was six! So expecting he will get better with time. Notice he has drawn the ace in a mobile at Westport this Friday

Party Central (2g Captaintreacherous – Partyon) M & N Purdon

The Purdon 2yos out in force as big 2yo races loom, and although just a qualifying heat, the royally bred runner wasted no time in getting to the front, sprinted sharply up the straight to just hold out stablemate Rubira (Always B Miki – Delightful Kas) who trailed and was equally impressive. MR:1:58.1, 800m in 57.1, 400m in 27.4

Sweethomealabama (3g Sweet Lou – Zena Mac) Tr. M Jones

5/3/24, Only had the one rival but still able to sprint home smartly to score comfortably. Overall time nothing startling but 800m in 57.9, 400m in 27.5.
Hasn’t started since impressive debut win at Addington back in July of last year. From a good family and looks to have plenty of upside. Worth following.

Action Major (3g Art Major – Triple Sec) Tr. G & J Dunn

Led from the outset of his qualifying heat, ran away last 200m to score by nearly 10L which got ones attention, last 800m in 58.5, 400m in 28.4. He is a half to a couple of 1:51 pacers and belongs to the immediate family that produced 2x NZ Cup winner Il Vicolo so ticks a few boxes. Likely to be competitive in maidens at least.

Harrison John (3g Always B Miki – Rozeiski) Tr. R & J Dunn

5/2/24 at Rangiora, the Dunn runner trailed two and three deep after beginning safely from the stand, patiently handled then off final turn to challenge wide out, too strong & came clear last 100m, by 4L. Last 800m in 57.5, 400m in 28.2. Had five starts as a 2yo and was thereabouts without setting the world on fire last campaign, last start back in October 23 and looks to have strengthened up nicely in the interim. Quick improvement in the formline expected.

Winelight (2f Downbytheseaside – Sugar Loaf) Tr. H Cullen

A very professional performance from the filly who led from the start and kept going strongly to keep her rivals at bay. MR:2:02.9, 800m in 58.6, 400m in 28.8. In contrast, Got The Chocolates (written up last week) broke in the score up but then recovered to settle three deep of five, got to use the passing lane in the home straight and was about to bomb the winner when he went off stride again and lost any winning chance, recovered to keep third just over 7L away. Naturally did not get his qualifying ticket on this occasion but enough seen recently to paste him away in the black book

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

The NZ Cup placed runner back at the start of a new campaign, settled last of six and stayed there until taking closer order inside the final 400m, was seen doing his best work over the final stages without being asked for a big effort. The heat won by four win mare Moonlite Dream who led throughout and looked good in doing so. MR:2:00.2, 800m in 57.6, 400m in 27.9. Arguably now in the top bracket of NZ pacers, Beach Ball will improve immensely with this outing and cannot be discounted wherever he goes in the coming weeks

Bounce And Beyond (3g Majestic Son – Dead Cat Bounce) Tr. R & J Dunn

For the second week in a row the Dunn runner looked in a good space, leading then trailing then leading again 600m out, very solid up the home straight to keep stablemate Pasternak (followed winner) at bay, last 800m in 59.8, 400m in 29.5. Showed real promise last season as a 2yo but spoilt his three chances with some untimely gallops. This time in looking very solid and at this rate would be one to follow for sure.

Muscle Mountain (7g Muscle Hill – Paramount Faith) Tr. G & N Hope

Back on the campaign trail and soon to be heading north for richer spoils, the winner of 30 races (from 48 starts) gave two rivals 40m start and quickly around to trail pacemaker Mighty Logan, from the 2000m, not extended to get past that runner last 150m. MR:2:05.6, 800m in 57.1, 400m in 28.1. Obviously going to improve heaps after that blowout but thought the run of Mighty Logan (only 3 wins) super and back against his own class and based on his two latest trials, will be ultra competitive in his coming starts.