The Trials Report - Six of the Best

These six horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week 29/5/24 they head back to the racetrack.

Abitibi (3f Sweet Lou – Utmost Delight) Tr. G Rogerson

On debut at Cambridge this Thursday (Race 5) but gets our attention on breeding alone. Dam was a top mare winning 10 (of 29) and $258k. She in turn was from the mighty Victor Supreme. This filly a full sister to Keto who won on debut then quickly sold to Australia where he has won another four from just 14 starts. The Rogerson filly won a trial at Pukekohe (13/5/25) where she led but was actually headed at the 200m before coming back to win, under her own steam albeit narrowly. MR:2:03.2, 800m in 60.3, 400m in 29.5. Meets five rivals and should be a likely improver on anything she does here.

Katama (2f Always B Miki – Kashana) Tr. M & N Purdon

Impressed at the Pukekohe workouts (20/5/25) recently, led on that occasion then sprinted sharply to easily outpoint two rivals although overall time nothing special. MR:2:05.1, 800m in 57.6, 400m in 29.1. Debuts at Auckland this Friday (Race 3) and cops a handy draw and those colours always deserve respect. Meets some handy maidens all the same but another who should improve with the experience. Her breeding is also a positive influence.

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Major Cyclone (4g Father Patrick – Cyclone Emily) Tr. H & A Cullen

Won a trial at Rangiora (8/5/25) after settling back in six-horse field, last around final turn, finished attractively down outer to pick up rivals (Nellie Doyle 3rd) although pacemaker did break when looking a winner. MR:2:06.5, 800m in 61.2, 400m in 29.8. Did a nice job last campaign when placing top 3 in five of 7 starts. Resumes at Addington this Friday in Race 2 and drawn the pole in a stand. Stable kicking goals and expecting a better horse this campaign.

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Major Happy (5m Art Major – Shrieks Of Laughter) Tr. P Vermeulen

Resumed with a monster effort for fourth at Rangiora (18/5/25) from a bad draw on a slushy track. Prior to that ran a creditable fifth behind The Lazarus Effect and Cheer The Captain (both subsequent winners) in a Rangiora trial (8/5/25) coming from last at the bell. MR:2:02.1, 800m in 56.6, 400m in 26.0. Goes to Addington this Friday in Race 8 and get a major swing in the draw. Should do no work from the draw and while she doesn’t win out of turn, she looks a value top 3 bet as she has placed 17 times as well as winning three races.

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Snooowgood (3f Marcoola – Sophistication) Tr. B & T White

After some impressive trial form was sent out a $2 favourite on debut at Timaru last Sunday but was badly checked by a galloping rival in front of her after 150m and she lost all chance at that point. Plenty took notice of her trial sectionals at Ashburton (13/5/25), 800m in 58.1, 400m in 26.8. Goes back to her home track this Sunday at Ashburton (Race 2) and gets a chance from a handy draw to make amends. Good looking type by a sire starting to gain attention.

Always By Night (2f Always B Miki – Hard Days Night) Tr. R & J Dunn

This filly has impressed with two trial wins during the month of May, the last at Rangiora (21/5/25) where she trailed then got over the top of pacemaker Prophet with stablemate Shimmering back in 3rd. MR:1:58.9, 800m in 56.6, 400m in 28.9. Goes to Ashburton this Sunday for her debut in Race 5 against other 2YO fillies and while several of her rivals have race day experience, a bold run is expected. Dam won three and this filly is her third foal. Her first two foals are already black type winners.

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