The Trials Report - Six of the Best

These six horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week 17/4/24 they head back to the racetrack.

Bring On The Muscle (4g Majestic Son – Mass Invasion) Tr. C Barron

Form looks rather bleak for a horse that has won six races trotting (from just 22 starts) and $110k in stakes but did go to the Wyndham workouts (13/4/25) and started in a mobile heat against the maiden pacers, trailed out from behind the mobile before electing to take control from the 1200m, kept going strongly to stay in front of his pacing rivals. MR:2:04.5, 800m in 57.4, 400m in 28.2. Goes to Winton on Thursday in Race 5 where he shares the back mark of 20m over 2400m. This represents a fair drop back in the class he has been racing lately and his workout effort should see him prove highly competitive.

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Major Torque (5g Art Major – Real Torque) Tr. M Jones

Another who has won the six races and takes the opportunity to get away from Addington Raceway at Winton this Thursday in Race 11.This will be his third run back in new campaign and had trialled strongly prior to resuming when placed behind handy sorts in Hadron Collider and Harrison John. Both trials at Rangiora in March had merit with strong last 800s in smart times. Just beaten when in a fresh state (28/3/25) in a 1:59.3 MR over 2600m, last 800m in 56.9 after securing lead/trail. Didn’t get all favours when fifth behind the promising Arthur Shelby (11/4/25) and although drawn the second line here, should find this field easier. Stable running hot.

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Sweet Maggie Mae (3f Sweet Lou – Molly Fever) Tr. S & A Telfer

Went to the Pukekohe workouts (10/4/25) and was highly impressive after trailing, finished strongly to easily deal to 7 rivals. MR:2:01.1, 800m in 56.1, 400m in 27.9. Has her first start in the north this Thursday at Auckland (Race 3) and while drawn a tad wide, did show gate speed in her workout. Has only won the one race from 7 starts but did line up against some strong opposition as a 2YO, last start eighth behind Captain’s Mistress (15/11/24). Should be a better horse this time in and a bold showing would not surprise this week. Half sister to Molly Belwin (6 wins to date) and 2nd dam the very smart Molly Darling (24 wins and $575k).

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Tytate (4m American Ideal – Carribean Blue) Tr. M White

Won a three-horse trial at Cambridge (18/3/25) after leading and proving too strong for a couple of qualifiers. MR:2:03.3, 800m in 59.1, 400m in 28.6. 
Resumed at Cambridge (28/3/25) with a solid effort behind Sweet Mia then went better again last week when, after doing a bit of work, fought gamely behind the impressive Princess Of Savoy who sprinted home in 55.7 (800m). Third up at Auckland this Thursday in Race 10 and cops a sweet draw. Only had the 5 starts and placed in three of them. Strong chance to break through for her maiden win. Half sister to Magic Four (6 NZ wins and $193k) and who has gone on to pace sub 1:50 in America.

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Jumal (2c Downbytheseaside – Beaudiene Blinkz) Tr. S Reid

Back at the Rangiora trials (10/4/25) where he sat midfield before coming wide around final turn and sprinted sharply last 200m to clearly outfinish his rivals. MR:1:58.9, 800m in 57.5, 400m in 28.3. Prior to that, he justified the favourite’s tag on debut (21/3/25) at Addington where he defeated subsequent winner Alecto. In fact, he has had 5 public outings this year and won them all. Goes back to Addington Easter Saturday in a small 5 horse field (Race 2) and although drawn the widest, it shouldn’t make too much difference in such a small field. Could be a little bit special.

Blazing Knuckles (3f Bettors Delight – Bare Knuckle) Tr. M Jones

Finished second to Jumal in the above trial and beat the others just as easily. Before that she had won a trial at Rangiora (1/4/25) after taking over with 900m to run, didn’t flinch when others threatened to run past at the 150m and did enough to stay in front. MR:2:05.3, 800m in 57.5, 400m in 27.7. Those two trials her first public outings since October 2024 and has had only the 2 race day runs as a 2YO (for two 4ths), the last being way back in June of 2024. Resumes this Saturday at Addington in Race 5 where she has drawn out wide over 1980m. Bred to be above average from a good mare (8 wins and 1:51.1) who has already left the smart full brother Bettor Knuckle Up (6 wins and $297k to date). Has been given the time she obviously needed and an early win in her 3YO season would not surprise.