The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from the trials from all over the country for the week ending 22/3/2024

Christopher Dance (3c Sweet Lou – Just Dance) Tr. Hollis & Robertson

Smart 3yo straight to the front in his Pukekohe heat (16/3/24) and sprinted sharply last 300m to give nothing else a chance. MR:1:59.8, 800m in 56.0, 400m in 26.3. Rated an unlucky fourth at the beginning of March against quality 3yos and can give plenty of cheek in the upcoming Derby if accorded some decent luck in the running.

Open class pacer Republican Party some 15L away from field when mobile released, recovered midrace to tack on then improved in open from 500m, not pushed too hard to finish second although no chance with winner, massive sectionals all the same.

Lincoln La Moose (3c Art Major – Cullen’s Princess) Tr. R Green

Worked to lead after 600m in a field of four, kept up strong run to come clear of rivals final 300m, last 800m in 59.0, 400m in 28.8. Qualified back in January and has plenty of breeding to support a successful racing career. Second dam Tosti Girl (7 wins + $197k) and mother of million dollar earner The Fixer (12 wins including a NZ Cup)

Justyouwait (2f Captaintreacherous – Goodlookinggirl) Tr. C & C Dalgety

The well bred filly straight to the front over her two rivals and kept going strongly to keep those runners at bay, last 800m in 59.0, 400m in 28.0.
Only had the one raceday start at ‘the Park’ and ran on well for a minor placing, sure to improve with that experience and confidently expected to threaten the winner’s circle in the very near future. Lincoln Lou and Sugar Ray Lincoln both hit the line with purpose and will again be competitive when next going to the races. Lincoln Lou did beat the Dalgety runner at his last start.

Dragon Power (3g Fear The Dragon – Shipshewana Flight) Tr. M Brown

Winton (15/3/24), got to trail in five horse field, up at 400m to challenge pacemaker, led on straightening and proceeded to run away in the home stretch, officially by 8 1/2L, last 800m in 58.8, 400m in 28.5. Has let the punters down in two race day starts when expected to be very competitive, has been freshened up (last start mid Jan) and still might reward those loyal followers.

Knock Out (3g Raging Bull – CJ Galleon) Tr. M Brown

Settled back in a five horse heat, still giving the leaders a big start 600m out, hit the ‘afterburners’ from there and after coming three wide on the final bend, ran away from rivals in the home straight, 7L at the line, last 800m in 61.2, 400m in 30.2. The winner’s last 800m would have been considerably faster than his rivals when dealing the knockout blow. A half to Triple VC (12 wins) and Quaddie VC and on this qualifying effort, he would deserve to be strongly supported when the raceday debut rolls around.

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

For the second time in as many weeks the Pearson trained runner ultra impressive in his heat, initially trailed out but elected to come out and lead after 600m, turned race into a procession from the 500m, lonesome at the finish line some 17L clear of three rivals. Time honours on the day, last 800m in 57.6, 400m in 28.3. Should be all the rage in a southern maiden anytime soon

Little Spike (3g Terror To Love – Key Operator) Tr. A Donnelly

Cambridge (16/3/24) settled back in six horse heat before improving midrace to lead, always in cruise control had no trouble coming clear of rivals in impressive fashion. Last 800m in 57.5, 400m in 28.0. Only beaten once in four starts and that was against the best 3yos at Auckland where he didn’t have much of a chance to shine, tad underrated and worthy of a gold coin in the upcoming Derby at massive odds.

Meant To Be (2g Father Patrick – Luby Lou) Tr. Purdon / Phelan

15/3/24, on a slushy track at Auckland, the well bred trotter showed speed to lead from the outside gate over 1700m, always going well, not extended to stay in front. Last 800m inn 60.8, 400m in 29.8. Bred to be good, dam only had the five starts but won four of them and nearly $100k in stakes, only the second foal, making him a half to Luna Lou (2 starts for 2 placings)

Youretheonethatiwant (2f Captaintreacherous – Splendid Me) Tr. Purdon / Phelan

On the same night from the same stable, the filly bred in the purple settled fourth of five, improved with 1x1 cover last 600m, swooped on rivals turning in and ran clear in impressive fashion, last 800m in 59.6, 400m in 29.7. From NZ’s ‘hottest’ family in recent times established by Scuse Me and closely related to a host of quality horses and ran here as one might expect of that breeding.

Doo You Want Me (2c Captain Crunch – Delightful Lana) Tr. S Doody

14/3/24 at Manawatu and all on his own in a qualifying heat that saw him over five seconds better than the time required, last 800m in 59.5, 400m in 29.3.
Dam won 10 and $150k and has already left a Group 1 winner in Our Shangri Lana and is closely related to Aussie star Rock N Roll Do so he has the breeding at least to make a handy racehorse.

Rata (6m Muscle Mass – Larix) Tr. G McClymont

On a slushy track at Wyndham (17/3/24) and against unqualified pacers, the one win trotter trailed three deep mostly, up to take issue from the 500m, kept coming to run the pacemaker/winner Southside Of Heaven close, last 800m in 59.9, 400m in 29.0. Has had a couple of runs back in 2024 after being away from racing since April of 2023 and the fitness looks to be improving nicely. This was a dreary old day in the south so under these conditions, the run was full of merit.

Jonjonthegoosehasgone (4g Sweet Lou – Kai Bree She) Tr. N Williamson

Settled fourth of six in a strung out field in slushy conditions, still well back 600m before coming around to take issue on the final bend, finished attractively in straight to easily pick up rivals and 3L clear at the line, last 800m in 58.8, 400m in 28.5. Dam was handy enough winning six and did qualify back in November 2023 so connections have been patient.

Franco Sailor (3c Bettor’s Delight – Selena Franco) Tr. N Williamson

Soon in front and had little trouble coming clear final 200m (in miserable conditions). Last 800m in 59.7, 400m in 29.6. Disappointed on debut at only start back in October 2023 when expected to do much better but with time that he has been given, could be a different proposition this time in. Stable certainly firing some real bullets of late so given him some respect when lining up next.

General Jen (2f Captaintrecherous – Gold Elite) Tr. H Cullen

Ashburton 19/2/24, in a 2yo fillies only mob, the Cullen runner got into trail from the outside gate (8), enjoyed a good run throughout, came three wide at 200m to finish best. MR:2:02.8 for 1700m, sectionals not available. Half sister to some good winners already including Charlie Brown and Always B Elite and dam a full sister to million dollar earner Gold Ace (22 wins). Stablemate Winelight made good ground wide out from well back to snare the stable a quinella

Ukraine (2c Captain Crunch – Back In The USSR) Tr. R Butt

The promising 2yo only had the one rival in his heat, straight to the front then sprinted sharply last 600m to run away from that runner, officially 20L at the line. Last 800m in 57.8, 400m in 27.4. Surprisingly not nominated for Addington midweek (race went ahead with just 2 runners) so trainer must be saving him for the Kindergarten stakes. Looks the benchmark amongst the early season Canterbury 2yos.

Champagne Nen (5m Bettors Delight – Champagne Reign) Tr L Hanrahan

Away safely and in front after 400m, kept going strongly to keep rivals at bay. Overall time not startling but sprinted last 400m in 27.7. Formerly with Bob Butt (last start Nov 2022) but has had 2 starts for new trainer this year and fitness looks to be coming on nicely. Hanrahan/May combination to be respected and a maiden win not a forlorn possibility by any means.

Clonakilty (4g Downbytheseaside – In Hollywood) Tr. B & T White

Led three rivals from the outset in this qualifying heat, always going well, came clear by 4L at the line, last 800m in 58.7, 400m in 28.0. Has some breeding behind him and this was an impressive run. Has taken time but looks a promising maiden for his large group of owners

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

Another from the White stable, trailed three deep, looking for room last 300m, poked through late between runners to get up narrowly, last 800m in 57.7, 400m in 27.6. Only started racing this year and has one win/one placing from just two starts. Impressive going type and looks ready to take another step forward

Xlendi (6g Somebeachsomewhere – Tessa Rocks) Tr. R Butt

Gave his two rivals a 10m start from the stand and was prepared to sit third until the home straight, had no trouble getting over the top of them last 150m to win well. Last 800m in 57.6, 400m in 27.6. The late bloomer has now won four from eight with another four placings to boot, must be respected wherever he goes in the coming weeks.