The Trials Report – Six of the Best

These horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week (14/5/26) they head back to the racetrack.

SS Guppy (4g Captain Crunch – Presidential Affair) S & A Telfer

Trialled through April at Pukekohe for a couple of minor placings then resumed at Cambridge last week and after sitting parked for the last lap, was far from disgraced when holding onto second behind War Cry. MR:2:01.2, 800m in 57.2, 400m in 27.8. Goes back to Cambridge this Thursday (Race 3) and has a very handy front line draw to use in a field with little disclosed form. Has placed in 50% of his six starts on course and has ‘Mr Thursday’ Andre Poutama in the bike as a bonus. This looks like a royal opportunity to break through for that maiden win.

Mama’s Wish (3g Bettors Wish – Pistol Packing Mama) Tr. Purdon/Phelan

Resuming 3YO from top stable going to Auckland this Friday (Race 7) to begin a new campaign. Won a four-horse trial last week at Pukekohe where he led and did enough to hold out race rival The Savoy narrowly. MR:2:01.6, 800m in 58.0, 400m in 27.5. The veteran of six starts as a 2YO (for 1 win) and last start unplaced in Group 1 Sires Stakes final behind Freeze Frame during Cup week of 2025. 

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Trump Card (5g Rock N Roll Heaven – Capture My Heart) Tr. H & A Cullen

After some nice trial form through March and April, he has come back a stronger version this time in and was super impressive last start at Addington (1/5/26) coming from well off the pace to sweep past his rivals when favourite. MR:2:02.2, 800m in 57.8, 400m in 28.2. Third up back at the same track this Friday (Race 1) and his wide front line draw suggests that he might have to adopt similar tactics again on this occasion. Many of his rivals were behind him last time out and such was the manner of that win, that he is confidently expected to ‘double up’.

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Ruby Roe (5m Captaintreacherous – Arden Caviar) Tr. N Williamson

Class mare from the deep south and the winner of 8 races and $202k in the bank. Won a three-horse workout at Winton (8/5/26) coming from the rear to easily collar her rivals in the final 200m. MR:2:02.4, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 28.6. Comes up to Addington this Friday night in Race 5 and looks a ‘rating special’ despite drawing the outside of the front line due to the preferential draw system. She is 19 rating points higher than the second highest rated horse. Trainer/driver Nathan Williamson will have options but she looks very well placed to get the ‘lion’s share’ of this stake.

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Sideshow Brucie (5g Sweet Lou – Penscroft) Tr. B Butt

The fourth last start behind Marketplace was very noteworthy especially when the winner runs home in 54.8 for his last 800m. The Butt-trained runner would have been 5L off the pace beginning that 800m and got within 1.4L of the winner so his personal sectionals would have been impressive. Trial form in April was strong and he resumed on a high note when winning at Addington (24/4/26), running his last half in 55.6 without being extended. Has won the 6 from just 16 starts and is back at Addington this Friday night in Race 9 against a talented line up. Nevertheless, he looks a star on the rise and is expected to give his rivals something to really chase.

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Heartfelt (3f Captain Crunch – Heartburn) Tr. M Williamson

Only qualified (6/5/26) but came all the way to Addington to do it, making the trip from Oamaru. In that heat stayed back in a five-horse heat before surging forward inside the final 800m, too strong over the final stages MR:2:03.0, 800m in 59.8, 400m in 29.4. Goes to Invercargill on Sunday (Race 3) and has got a very handy draw in an average field to be fair. Dam by Art Major lightly raced but is a half sister to NZ Derby winner Locharburn (14 wins) and 1:50 pacer Cullenburn (10 NZ wins) so has plenty to recommend on breeding alone. Looked very professional in her trial and the driver/trainer likely to use the draw to his advantage.