The Trials Report – Six of the Best

These horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week (18/3/26) they head back to the racetrack

Twist And Tango (3f Bettor’s Delight – Twist & Twirl) Tr. Purdon/Phelan

Well-bred filly who showed enough for top northern stable to have four 2YO starts resulting in two minor placings then tipped out after her last race back in October 2025. Back at the workouts in early March and put plenty of dash into her latest public outing at Pukekohe (10/3/26) where she sat last of four before coming around wide on final bend and just failed to pick up the pace-making (and race rival) Soundshell. MR:2:05.2, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 29.0. Goes to Cambridge this Thursday for her resumption in Race 2 and has fared slightly better than her main rival. The full sister to Bettor Twist and half to King Of Swing can be expected to be highly competitive.

The Dancer (3f Downbytheseaside – Take My Hand) Tr. M Williamson

$30k 2024 yearling purchase by the trainer on debut this Thursday at Wyndham (Race 2) where she has scored a handy draw over the sprint trip of 1700m. Won a three-horse trial at Oamaru (4/3/26) in a 2:01MR then impressed at her last trial at Ashburton (10/3/26) coming from last of 5 at the 400m and just missed getting over the top of her rivals. MR:2:04.1, 800m in 58.4, 400m in 28.6. Matty W the ideal driver to lead from this draw and filly showing enough promise at the trials to rate in this line up. First foal from a mare that qualified but didn’t race. Plenty of breeding going back a couple of generations to suggest she is a horse to follow .

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

Didn’t disappoint last week when running on strongly for a close up fourth behind Elegant Delight in a 1:58.4MR after starting from the second line. Second up at Addington this Friday in Race 3 where he starts from wide out on the front line. Blazed to the front in his winning trial (3/3/26) and gave nothing else a chance and just might use similar tactics with his front line draw. Should be a big improver this week, fitness wise, since last week's resumption was his first run back since September 2025. Showed good promise in his 2YO campaign and definitely one to follow in the coming weeks

Secret Wish (3f Bettors Delight – Secret Lotion) Tr. H & A Cullen

Highly impressive when resuming at Oamaru in a Southland Oaks heat, storming home once clear to bury her rivals in a 1:56.4MR, last 800m in 55.0. Back at Addington this week (Race 1) where she has a nice draw to help her cause. Should have derived plenty of benefit from that first up run and while she meets some handy sorts, likely to be highly competitive again. All going well, she will have some ‘lofty’ targets later in the season so her connections will be hopeful that she can step up on this occasion.

Tytate (5m American Ideal – Caribbean Blue) Tr. M White

Good mare freshened since running out of the money behind Francent in the Group 1 back in December but good enough to go the Pukekohe workouts (10/3/26) and hold out Captain Sampson and Cold Chisel in a three-horse heat. MR:2:004, 800m in 58.4, 400m in 27.4. Resumes at ‘The Park’ this Friday in Race 4 and meets six rivals over 2200m where she has drawn the middle of the front line. Has a good horse’s record with 6 wins and 9 placings from just 19 starts. Has gate speed to lead and then Matty White will have options on how to dominate proceedings

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Mhai Jackie Do (2f Downbytheseaside – Mhairi) Tr. M White

No luck on debut when well-supported behind Eternal Perfection (6/3/26) but has scored a big swing in the draws for her second start this week back at Auckland this Friday in Race 7. Prior to her debut run, she was a good trial winner at Pukekohe (24/2/26) where she trailed then used the passing lane to pick up the pace-making Bamm Bamm. MR:2:00.6, 800m in 58.4, 400m in 28.0. Race rival Daisy Bay finished a close up fourth in the Pukekohe heat. The money is up on Friday and being a Group 1 feature there is plenty of talent on show. The White-trained runner should really represent decent each way value in a top field.

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