The Trials Report : Six Of The Best

These six horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week 10/4/24 they head back to the racetrack.

Utah Jazz (3f Bettor’s Delight – Rockabilly Blues) Tr. N Williamson

Excellent trials/workout form before debuting in early March and didn’t let her supporters down who made her favourite on that occasion. Back at the Winton workouts (4/4/25) where she ran third of 6 behind Tilly Dunnage but obviously only allowed to stretch out last 200m and definitely not pushed, coming from back in the field when heat all over. MR:2:04.2, 800m in 59.6, 400m in 30.4. Heads to Wairio this Thursday (Race 7) for career start number two and fully expected to keep the picket fence form line going.

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Passchendaele (4g Betterthancheddar – Passion Flower) Tr. N Williamson

Won a trial at Rangiora (25/3/25) where he beat subsequent impressive Addington winner Impressive Shard but in a relatively slow time MR:2:09.9, 800m in 58.0. Two career starts in February hindered by poor manners but still managed a placing on debut. Trial/workout form prior to that debut was very strong. Since then has been sold and gone through a couple of stables before now finding himself in a top southern barn. Reappears at Wairio this Thursday in Race 6 and has an awkward second line draw to contend with over 2400m but where there is smoke, there is fire !

*** A number of his rivals have been shining at recent southern trials/workouts and this should be a good form race to follow in the coming weeks.

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Captains Mistress (3f Captaintreacherous – Imaginary Bet) Tr. N Williamson

Last season’s top rated 2YO filly (4 wins and four 2nds from 8 starts and $209k) who went to the Winton workouts (4/4/25) and after taking over with 1200m to run, good enough to stay in front (under a big hold) of 6 rivals. MR:2:06.1, 800m in 59.2. Reappears at Addington on Friday night (Race 4) in a fresh state where she has the worst draw of 7 and obviously not as race hardened as some but her class will take her a long way, should be in for a big 3YO season.

Master Class (6g Love You – Prestine) Tr. K Butt

Four-win trotter on a new campaign trail and the son of Love You should be ready to have his best season yet. Won a eight-horse workout at Methven (29/3/25) in a slow time MR:2.31, last 800m in 68.7 but only did what he had to do in getting over the top of his rivals after giving them 20m headstart. Fresh up record very tidy and will be in that condition when he contests Race 9 at Addington this Friday night. Still lightly raced but has always looked above average. Comes from a highly successful trotting family established by Abundant.

Bruntwood Brigade (3g Art Major – Trigirl Brigade) Tr. R & J Dunn

Dual workout winner in recent weeks, the latest at Pukekohe (3/4/25) where he showed gate speed to lead and defied rivals to get past over the closing stages. MR: 2:06.2, 800m in 59.2, 400m in 27.7. Will have no chance to show the same gate speed at Auckland this Friday night where he begins a fresh in Race 2 and drawn the second line. John Dunn back in the north for this drive and the draw may be not that bad. Only had the 6 starts (1 win), the last of these back in October behind Captain Sampson but likely to be an improved horse this time in. Half to top pacer Classie Brigade amongst others.

Chanel Noir (3f Captain Crunch – Chanel) Tr. Purdon / Phelan

Cost herself the win on debut when ducking in last 150m at Cambridge. Favourite on that occasion after impressively winning a workout at Pukekohe (12/3/25) where she led and proved too strong. MR:2:03.9, 800m in 58.0, 400m in 27.5. Should be improved from her race debut and top trainers likely to have sorted out any steering issues. Well enough drawn at Auckland Race 3 this Friday, and expected to reward those who have stuck with her.