The Trials Report : Six of the best

These six horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week 1/5/24 they head back to the racetrack.

Alecto (2f Bettors Delight – Time & Tide) Tr. M & N Purdon

After having a typical Purdon prep at North Canterbury trials during February and March where she finished no closer than fifth in three attempts, the Bettor’s Delight half sister to the well performed Mr Kaplan has hit the track in impressive fashion during April including a stylish win in the time- honoured Leonard Memorial before heading to Auckland where she just failed to nail unbeaten Aussie Ripples (3 starts for 3 wins) last week. Back at The Park again this week and has a big chance to reverse those placings after drawing sweetly at two over 1700m (Race 8) with her main rival having to be contend with a second line draw.

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Jeremiah (4g Lazarus – Flyover) Tr. Purdon / Phelan

Smart horse from last season, raced against the best of his age group with distinction, who has been very active at recent Pukekohe workouts in preparation for a new season resumption. The latest of those workouts (16/4/25) saw him get over the top of Seaclusion in a three horse heat MR:2:03.3, 800m in 57.6. Goes to Auckland this Friday (Race 11) and strikes a quality six horse field but has fashioned a good horse’s record (5 wins/5 placings from 15 starts and $143k) and his fresh up record is very good. From a top stable with a top driver aboard, and sure to be competitive.

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Treacherous Baby (4m Captaintreacherous – O’Baby) Tr. M & N Purdon

The winner of trials at Rangiora in early April, the last on 10/4/25 where she beat subsequent winner Sideshow Bruce in a 1:59.8MR over 2000m, last 800m in 55.9. Resumed in a fresh state against the latter but wasn’t able to get into the finish after settling well back in the running and with the leaders smoking home in 55.1 off the front. Second up this Friday at Addington (Race 9) against her own sex with an inside second line draw to overcome. As the winner of $201k+, her best effort would take her very close, even from the draw.

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Rakero Maximus (2g Downbytheseaside - Flying) Tr. T Bamford

Made a big impression at the Rangiora trials (17/4/25) where he led then cleared out by some 13L to win a 2YO heat. MR:2:00.7, 800m in 58.9, 400m in 29.8. Only qualified a week earlier when second behind Queen Lizzy (last 800m in 57.0) but did have plenty of practice at the workouts during March before those outings. Set to debut at Addington this Friday (Race 6) in a six-horse field and a bold run is expected. Trainer Steven Reid has a half share in the gelding. His latest 2YO star Jumal is also by Downbytheseaside.

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Heidsieck (3g Art Major – Fizzi Lizzi) Tr. K Green

Formerly with Mark Jones and qualified in Canterbury but now with his part owner/trainer in the deep south. Won a tame workout at Winton (4/4/25) before debuting at Wairio in a strong maiden field and wasn’t disgraced from a bad draw in finishing seventh. Then went even better second up for a solid third behind Fernco Nel in a 1:59.9MR, last 800m in 58.6. Goes to Riverton this Sunday (Race 1) for start no.3 and has drawn nicely in a field that looks within his ability range. Dam won eight and is a half to some very handy horses.

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Tua Lipa (4g Sweet Lou – Tara Delight) Tr. S Matheson

Went a very tidy workout at Wyndham (26/4/25) when he came from third of 5 to outfinish stablemate the pace-making Rylan Charlie (2 wins) & Da Vinci (10 wins). MR:2:00.6, 800m in 56.7, 400m in 27.8. Has had only the five starts for a win and one placing but sent for a long spell after injuring himself when last presented as favourite back in September 2024. Resumes at Riverton this Sunday in Race 7 and Ellie Barron who drove him in the workout sticks with him. The opposition pretty much devoid of race form and while the draw could be tricky, the workout suggested he is primed to go a bold race.

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