The Trials Report - Six of the Best

These 6 horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week 15/5/24 they head back to the racetrack.

Valerei (3g Vincent – Stars Delight) Tr. D Butcher

Primed by recent Waikato/Auckland trials, the latest at Cambridge (10/5/25) where he finished second behind John’s Girl after trailing. MR:2:05.7, 800m in 60.8, 400m in 29.4. Goes to the same track this Thursday in Race 3 and significantly gets the ace draw from behind the mobile. Trainer has two in the race and son (Zachary) picks up the drive. Dam won seven and this fellow is her first colt. This field doesn’t look overly strong to be fair so he looks a good competitive chance.

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Trump Card (4g RnR Heaven – Capture My Heart) Tr. H & A Cullen

After trialling strongly through April, the Cullen-trained runner returned to the track with a couple of meritorious placings, the last at Addington (9/5/25) where he raced three deep mostly and just failed to pick up the pace-making Munroe’s Mate in the straight. MR:1:59.2, 800m in 58.6, 400m in 28.4.
Goes back to Addington this Friday in Race 1 where he again meets that rival but with a decided advantage in the barrier draw. Those who stay loyal to the cause should be rewarded.

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Father Time (4g Father Patrick – Firenze) Tr. K Townley

Good horse with a good horse’s record, having won four from 21 with $141k in the bank. Warmed up for his next assignment with a sound trial win at Rangiora (8/5/25) after leading and staying on strongly to be quite superior to his five rivals. MR:2:06.7, 800m in 58.3, 400m in 27.9. Looks well-placed at Addington this Friday in Race 9 where he starts off the front and gets a head start from many of his highly-touted rivals. His race record is likely to be further enhanced in the weeks to come.

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Tight Lines (3c Always B Miki – Lady Fingers) Tr. B & G Hughes

Trialled nicely in April with a placing (10/4/25) where the winner Mick Konstantin ran MR: 2:05.6, 800m in 57.0, 400m in 27.7, Tight Lines beaten 1/2L second. Has run two very honest races for minor placings from tricky second line draws since debuting and goes to race night no.3 this Friday at Auckland in Race 3. Only has five rivals to contend with, another positive. By a sire really kicking goals this season and rates as a half brother to top mare The Orange Agent (23 wins from 33 starts + $746k.)

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Aim High (5g Sportswriter - Lakeisha) Tr. A Stratford

Qualified back in April in a two-horse heat, leading and staying on strongly in a 2:02.3MR, last 800m in 57.6, 400m in 28.8. Before that, had won a five-horse workout, again after leading and proving too strong. The breeders (and still the owners) have been very patient but the wait is over as he heads to Invercargill this Sunday to make his race debut in Race 1. His dam was a race winner and she comes with a strong breeding pedigree that has had its share of success. The trainer has been in the cart for the workout wins but he steps aside for top southern reinsman Brent Barclay on this occasion.

Captain Christian (3g Captaintreacherous – A Christian Act) Tr. S & A Telfer

Super impressive at the Rangiora trials (8/5/25) where from the outside of the gate, he sped to the lead then cleared out, untouched, in the straight to win with a leg in the air. MR:2:00.9, 800m in 57.3, 400m in 27.8. Placed three times as a 2YO (from 6 starts) but hasn’t been to the races since last November. Resumes at Rangiora this Sunday in Race 1 against only 7 rivals and has copped a sweet draw. Looks awfully hard to roll based upon the trials effort. Well related and looks an improved horse this time in.