The Trials Report – Six of the Best

These horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week (9/4/26) they head back to the racetrack.

Kyvalley Ray (3g Bold Eagle – Kenny’s Dream) Tr. B Lilley

Top 2YO of last season winning five of 8 races and amassing $148k along the way. Trialed at Addington early March then started against the pacers at Pukekohe (24/3/26), led in that last workout and far from disgraced when holding on to second in a 4 horse heat. MR:2:06.5, 800m in 58.0, 400m in 27.1. Resumes this Friday night at Cambridge (Race 2) in a Sires Stakes semi final where he is the tightest assessed trotter in the field. Looks primed judging by his workout effort and regular NZ driver Blair Orange makes the trip north to continue his association. He is the ‘benchmark’ trotter in this division.

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Special Occasion (3g Captaintreacherous – Silvia) Tr. N Purdon

Started career off with a hiss and a roar and touted as a good thing but things just didn’t work out for him late in the season. Given a decent break since last racing in October 2025 and looked big and bold at the Pukekohe workouts (24/3/26) when trailing stablemate Incentivise and staying on under a hold to run a close up third. MR:2:04.7, 800m in 58.4, 400m in 26.6. Resumes at Cambridge this Friday (Race 7) and gets our attention by drawing the pole over 1700m with Mark Purdon in the bike. There are plenty of chances in the race but the draw might just be enough to bring him right into calculations.

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I’m The Boss (2f Bettor’s Delight – Hopes & Dreams) Tr. H & A Cullen

Goes south to Winton this Sunday for her much anticipated debut in Race 6 where she is the lone runner on the second line over 1609m against other 2YO fillies. Has been starring at the Rangiora trials through March including a win over stablemate Chiggsy (24/2/26) which looks good form now after the latter went on to win the Kindergarten Stakes at Wyndham (29/3/26). I’m The Boss won again at the trials (24/3/26) after leading MR:2:03.2, 800m in 59.3 and Blair Orange who has been driving her at these trials, goes south to take the drive. Dam won 7 and is a daughter of champion filly One Dream (18 wins from 23 starts)

Boy Racer (4g Sweet Lou – Bonavigo) Tr. R Todd

Won a trial at Rangiora (20/2/26) where he led then cleared out from Kings Command by over 5L. MR:2:03.8, 800m in 59.2, 400m in 28.2. Spicey Lou was even further back in that trial and he is now undefeated in two race-day starts. Four subsequent starts have had him close up behind some handy types without always getting the rub of the green. Gets a chance to notch his maiden win at Methven this Sunday in Race 2 and while drawn out wide in the mobile event, he looks a strong chance with Robbie Close likely to stick with him. The son of Sweet Lou has some staunch breeding to support a successful racing career.

Joyride (4m Always B Miki – Joyfuljoy) Tr. C & C Dalgety

Won a trial at Ashburton (17/3/26) coming from third in a four-horse heat to finish best with the very handy Arthur Shelby running second. MR:2:07.6, 800m in 56.8, 400m in 26.9. Then went to Addington (27/3/26) to resume and as favourite led only to be run down last 100m, 1.7L behind winner Spicey Lou. That was her first run back in NZ after an Australian campaign and now goes to Addington this Friday (Race 1) where she has a nice draw in a standing start 2600m. Stepped ok in Ashburton trial and gets a 10m headstart over her toughest rivals. Only going to be fitter for her first up run.

Cinderella Franco (4m Ultimate Machete – Crystal Slipper) Tr. S McRae

Had a quiet trial at Ashburton (26/2/26) where she ran third of 4 behind stablemate Franco Sublime. MR:2:04.5, 800m in 57.1, 400m in 27.5. Then tasted defeat on race-day for the first time (in 3 starts) behind Mystery Creek (27/3/26), catching the eye late after being held up final stages, came fast enough to snare third, just 3.4L from the winner. Goes to Addington this Friday (Race 5) for fourth start and while drawn the second row, that marble doesn’t look too bad on paper. She looks full of promise on what she has shown so far on the track.