The Trials Report – Six of the Best

These horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week (11/3/26) they head back to the racetrack

Arma Hunter (4g American Ideal – Arma Courage) Tr. R & J Dunn

Trialed strongly through early February then justified his favourite’s tag when resuming at Addington (19/2/26) coming from a wide barrier to dominate from in front. MR:1:58.7, 800m in 57.8, 400m in 29.4. That’s two wins from just the three starts and obviously a bit above average. Back at Addington this Friday night (Race 1) and will need to come from the outside of the gate once again. One would expect that his fitness has improved since his last outing and therefore he is likely to be hard to roll but won't get things his own way with the likes of Brilliant Chase drawn sweetly off the front.

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Fanfare (2c King Of Swing – Ovaride) Tr. B Butt

And there was plenty of ‘fanfare’ leading into his debut run (5/2/26) after multiple trial wins leading into that race but alas a costly break shortly after the start had him chasing for the remainder of the contest. Did extremely well to get within 2.4L of the winner in Roger That when finishing second on a 57.5 last 800m. Back at the trials (3/3/26) where he ran home strongly to place behind the impressive Seaside Brucie. MR:2:03.2, 800m in 58.0, 400m in 27.5. Ran past race rival On Ya Bike in this trial. Goes to Addington this Friday (Race 3) for his second start with only four rivals and although drawn the widest, expected to make amends this time around.

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Seaside Brucie (3g Downbytheseaside – Galleon’s Pleasure) Tr. M Jones

Three promising runs as a 2YO, the last behind Incentivise (14/9/25) but has looked a stronger version this time in with trial wins in February and March. Showed good gate speed to lead and  dominate his trial that featured Fanfare (above). Resumes at Addington this Friday night (Race 9) but unlikely to use that gate speed now that he has drawn the second line. Looks a very promising horse that should not be a non winner for very long. He is the third foal of the mare that has already produced Treacherous Gall (10 NZ wins and $201k to date).

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All Of Me (3f Downbytheseaside – Dream About Me) Tr. C & C Dalgety

Big run when resuming last week and just nutted after doing plenty of work in the last lap in a good time (2:40.6) behind Alecto, last 800m in 57.5. Looked sharp at Rangiora trials prior to going north and if she has come on from that race, she should be the one to beat at Alexandra Park in Race 5. Has scored a nice front line draw and last season’s top 2YO filly likely to be a warm order. For longer odds, one might consider Time For Change (1 win/1 placing from 4 starts) who has won two workouts in recent weeks, the last at Pukekohe (3/3/26) where the Lazarus filly came out of the trail to score. MR:2:02.6, 800m in 57.3, 400m in 27.6. Drawn the pole, she might get to trail the favourite.

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Hillbilly Blues (5g What The Hill – Experiment) Tr. Wallis/Hackett

Arguably the most improved horse in the country who will be shooting for five straight this week at Auckland in Race 6 and a live chance from a handy front line draw over the 1700m. Went to the Auckland workouts (6/3/26) and just nutted by race rival Ya Rite Darl after leading. Margin was a head and definitely not knocked around by race driver Tony Herlihy. Home in 55.9, last 400m in 27.3 on a 2:00MR. Interestingly Hillbilly Blues and Ya Rite Darl have very similar records. Both have won nine races each from 23 and 25 races respectively with the latter earning more money thanks to age group racing. Both are by What The Hill with the mare being a year younger. The Dunn runner is talented no doubt but will need much luck from the inside of the second line.

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Sonofamistery (3c Sweet Lou – Luna Danza) Tr. S & A Telfer

Won a trial at Addington coming off the back of top mare Arafura (4/2/26) to win decisively then backed that up with an easy win as favourite over Ukraine before getting within 3L of superstars Jumal and The Lazarus Effect (27/2/26) on a 1:55.7MR. Part of a strong Canterbury contingent ready to plunder Auckland riches and gets his chance this Friday (Race 9) to add to his winning record which stands at four wins from just 12 starts. The half brother to millionaire pacer Mister Smartee has a draw to use and could see him using his gate speed to dominate his rivals this week.

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