The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from the trials from all over the country for the week ending 15/3/2024

Franco Ezra (2c Bettor’s Delight – Edinburgh Franco) Tr. S & A Telfer

7/3/24, The Telfer trained runner but in the care of Nathan Williamson trailed in the Winton heat before coming out at the 400m and not extended to get the upper hand last 100m. MR:2:00.9, 800m in 58.5, 400m in 28.8.
Fifth on debut behind Always Dreaming and looked to have derived benefit from that outing. The seventh foal from the mare and the previous six have all made the races and this fellow looks like another of her progeny to be handy.

Wild Bull (3g Raging Bull – Bay Jet) Tr. L Pearson

Trailed mostly but lost his place as the pacemaker headed inside final 800m, able to secure 1x1 cover late before coming wide on final turn, kept coming to get over the top of his rivals final stages, last 800m in 57.0, 400m in 28.8.
Full brother to Wild West ok fifth on debut without getting a lot of luck, previous trial form good enough to stamp him better than a maiden

Bridget Louise (4m A Rocknroll Dance – Beckinsale) Tr. G & C Lee

Soon in front in her heat and always going well, strode clear by 3L at the line. Last 800m in 56.7, 400m in 28.4. Only the five starts and a maiden winner at start number two but not so good since. Dam won 10 and too soon to drop her based on this trial. Smart 3yo Dreams Are Free sat last throughout then allowed to run home under his own steam for fourth last 200m, last 400m would have been smart.

Sweet Pins (3c Sweet Lou – Pretty Pins) Tr. R Swain

Soon in front and gradually turned race into a procession although only a learners pace, winning margin officially 22L, last 800m in 54.0, 400m in 27.6. Very closely related to the former top 3 filly Carabella (17 wins from 19 starts) and if that 800m sectional is correct then one should be excited for when he steps out next. He is the third foal and the first two have both done a nice job in Australia.

Infamee (2c Captaintreacherous – Sweet On Me) Tr. S & A Telfer

8/3/24 at the Park and all four 2yos from the same stable, Infamee straight to front from outside draw, only had one challenger last 400m, too strong final stages. MR:1:59.7, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 28.2. First foal from a Sweet Lou daughter of Adore Me who only tasted defeat once in seven lifetime starts including wins at Group 1 level while accumulating nearly $250k in stakes. Ticks a lot of boxes as the 2yo season heats up.

Coastal Babe (3f Downbytheseaside – Jessie’s Girl) Tr. S Reid

9/3/24 at Pukekohe and the smart filly straight to the front from the pole, from the 1200m she moved away from her three rivals (Jeremiah and Kiss notably) and was out by some 15L much of the last lap. The Purdon pair who led the chase didn’t seem too interested in getting up to the filly and it was officially 10L at the line. MR:2:00.3, 800m in 59.4, 400m in 29.5. Scratched last week when not 100% and needing a solid hit out as the Northern Oaks loom although sectionals not off the charts. Quality filly who will be amongst the favourites to feature in the 3YO filly specials.

Ultimate Racy Girl (3f Ultimate Machete – Motu Racy Girl) Tr. Purdon/Phelan

Settled third of five in Indian file before improving to take issue 400m out, got outside the leader The Mighty Sully and not extended to get within a neck at the line. Last 800m in 59.5, 400m in 28.5. Another quality 3YO filly only once out of the top three in 10 raceday starts and sure to prove competitive against the likes of Coastal Babe. Of note, Mantra Blue in this heat and fifth of five throughout, still there on straightening and unable to make any impression over the final 200m, still a likely sharp improver.

Always B You (3f Always B Miki – Always For You) Tr. R & J Dunn

Yet another 3YO filly getting ready for the big spoils, led out in her heat before taking a trail, out at the 500m to get back in front, kept up a strong tempo to finish best, last 800m in 58.8, 400m in 28.3. Did find it tough against the best fillies as a 2YO but connections will be hoping that their filly has come back stronger this time in and worth a second glance on this effort.

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

The unbeaten trotter (3 wins from 3 starts) trailed pacemaker Lord Popinjay throughout and under a good hold got within a neck at the line (the only 2 in the heat) Last 800m in 60.6, 400m in 29.4. Hasn’t started since dealing to the 2YO trotters in a listed race at Addington back in October and looks to be coming to hand nicely in preparation for a new campaign. Looked very classy last year.

Audacity (5g Sir Lincoln – La Moocha) Tr. S Harding

The winner of two (from 7 starts) got a 10m start from Kiss The Girls (6 wins) and 20m from Fanco Marek (7 wins) in a four horse / grass track heat at the Mot (9/3/24), quickly made the front, took a trail last lap behind Kiss the Girls, sprinted sharply a the business end to come clear of his rivals impressively, last 800m in 57.0, 400m in 27.5. Connections have been patient and that patience could be about to be rewarded. Second dam of course Kym’s Girl who wasn’t half bad as an older horse!

Cochise (4h Father Patrick – Rae Galleon) Tr. C Ferguson

Wyndham workouts 10/3/24, the well bred trotter stepped nicely, whereas his three rivals did not and consequently found himself clear in the lead most of the trip, kept going strongly to win officially by 14L, last 800m in 60.7, 400m in 29.4. Qualified back in May of last year but yet to start on raceday, dam won four in short career and is a full sister to Belle Galleon (11 wins) who left Stent amongst others. If he can remember his lineage, should be good for at least a maiden win.

Always B Paulie (3g Always B Miki – Bubba Ho Hep) Tr. C Ferguson

Stablemate of the trotter above, worked around early to land trail in seven horse heat, out to attack final turn and comfortably came clear at the business end. Last 800m in 56.8, 400m in 27.8 Overall time not overly flash but still unqualified. Dam won four and has already left a couple of nice winners. Stable demanding huge respect down south these days and looks an up and comer on this effort.

Louie’s Girl (3f Lord Forbes – One Bad Dream) Tr. C Ferguson

A star amongst the 2YO fillies last season getting ready to resume, settled fourth of five in FFA heat, still there 400m before tracking up eventual winner Hacksaw Ridge around the final turn, finished attractively to get within a length of that runner without really being asked for an effort, last 800m in 56.4, 400m in 27.8. Last start third in Group 1 behind Duchess Megxit in early December and before that a big winner at Addington over Treacherous Baby. Starts back in a Southland Oaks heat this week and sure to give a sight.

Saxon Reigns (3g Love You – Saxon Rose) Tr. R & J Dunn

Rangiora 13/3/24, stepped nicely from the pole and faultless throughout, leading all the way and comfortably ahead of his five rivals. Last 800m in 60.5, 400m in 29.3. Dam won eight and is a half to the very good Great Things Happen (16 wins) so plenty to like about his chances of being a competitive trotter.

Lakeisa (4m Captaintreacherous – Oh Tara) Tr. R Todd

Comfortably under the qualifying time after settling third of four then improving to lead a lap out, sprinted sharply to come clear of rivals over the final stages. Last 800m in 57.5, 400m in 28.4. One normally associates her sire with talented young horses but although now four, her connections have obviously thought she was worth persevering with. Manner of this win suggested that she would be competitive in a maiden at least.

Got The Chocolates (2c Art Major – Kate Black) Tr. R & J Dunn

Caught the eye on a previous occasion and got to trail here before popping out on the final bend then running away from rivals last 150m, nearly 7L at the line. Last 800m in 57.6, 400m in 27.9. Closely related to Kate’s First and Christian Cullen and looks well above average. The unbeaten Ukraine settled last of seven and was still there 500m out, asked to improve around field and made up a lot of ground for 3rd, last 400m would have been very smart.

Edward Hill (3g What The Hill – Edesia) Tr. S & A Telfer

Telfer runner went back to last of five from the outside of gate, improved in open from 600m, led 300m out, ran clear in impressive fashion. Last 800m in 60.3, 400m in 29.8. Impressive debut winner mid February before making a mistake at its only other start. Manners will be the key but looks a progressive type destined to win more races

Cocktails And Caviar (3g Bettor’s Delight – Alta Leonie) Tr. S & A Telfer

Another from the Telfer stable, trailed three deep before coming out to take issue 500m out, strong finish to come clear over final stages. Last 800m in 57.2, 400m in 27.8. Qualified back in October 2023 so he has been given time to come to terms with the racing game and this effort suggested he has done just that.

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

Now back with owner Kevin Chapman and Carter Dalgety doing the steering on this occasion, settled last of four before ambling around at the bell to lead, always pacing well thereafter and not extended to come clear of three ‘lesser assessed’ rivals. Last 800m in 56.5, 400m in 28.3. His class will take him close to whatever he attempts in the coming weeks. Spiritual Bliss (one win) gave plenty of cheek in third and could be one to follow back in his grade

Tyron Eros ( 3g Majestic Son – Tyron’s Aphrodite) Tr. R & J Dunn

Last season’s smart 2yo made a mess of the standing start and settled third of three some distance behind pacemaker The Bloss, recovered that ground before tracking stablemate Nazareth (5 wins) up at the 500m to move into contention, found the latter too good on this occasion but not knocked around to finish second, last 800m in 59.0. A big win at Group 1 level last start (Dec. 23) and with expected physical improvement, should be a major player within his age group this season.

Sugar Babe (2f Sweet Lou – Bettor Babe) Tr. C & C Dalgety

Only a learners heat for unqualified runners but the Dalgety runner soon in front from wide draw (8), stuck to her guns when others threatened to run past, last 800m in 59.8. Dam won two in a short racing career and is a full sister to former top 3yo filly Spanish Armada (14 wins + $787k). She has the unmistakable big white blaze of her sire and a large group of high profile owners should again be in the limelight if she is able to run as good as her breeding suggests.