The Trials Report : Six Of The Best

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

Rahm (2c Captaintreacherous – Spanish Armada) Tr. A Herlihy

Smart trial winner at Alexandra Park (21/2/25) when accounting for two rivals after trailing in the running. MR:1:59.5, 800m in 56.4, 400m in 28.1. Bred in the purple but was a relatively cheap buy ($50k) at the 2024 Christchurch yearling sales for his astute trainer. Makes his debut at Auckland Race 6 with only five rivals and only has to run up to his trial form to be a major player. Considering his dam won 14 of only 19 starts (+ $787k) and his sire was recently crowned stallion of the year, he could prove to be a bargain buy

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Big Miki (2f Always B Miki – Big Lucy) Tr. S & A Telfer

Debuts this Friday at Auckland Race 8 and brings solid trial form to the races. Nice second to Mister Savoy (12/2/25) running her last 800m in 58s, beaten 1L by a horse that will be well supported in an earlier race on the night. Had earlier won a workout (5/2/25) over Medina Magic. Dam won 8 races, all in Australia, and has already left three handy winners including Louis Litt and Mike Ross. This is an American bred maternal line that produced Holmes Hanover amongst others. The Mikis generally get better with time and she appeals as one to follow as the season progresses. Only five in the race with three from the one stable.

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Selsey Anne (3f Lather Up – Ariadne Lacrea) Tr. M Jones

Freshened since last racing in December 2024 and caught the eye at Ashburton trials (12/2/25) although only fifth of 7. Ran on very strongly from the rear behind impressive Auckland winner Without You, last 800m off the front in 56.5. Has only had the two race day starts and impressed at Kaikoura when winning on debut. Faded after having a tough trip second up at Invercargill but has a stable reputation and by a sire who is kicking some goals. Getting her chance at Oamaru midweek (Race 7) against some handy fillies but a positive performance would come as no surprise.

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Munroe’s Mate (4g Downbytheseaside – GB Blaze) Tr. T Barron

Led at the Ashburton trials (26/2/25) only to find one better over the concluding stages in the form of Bettors Anvil but responsible for impressive sectionals and not pressured final 150m. MR:2:01.6, 800m in 55.5, 400m in 25.9. Freshened since manners began to let him down last campaign and now on unruly from behind the mobile but manners were excellent in trial. The winner of two from 17 starts goes to Oamaru in Race 9 and wouldn’t need to improve much to be a distinct threat.

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Kotare Kelso (4g Always B Miki – Kotare Yassi) Tr. R Houghton

Had a quiet trial at Ashburton (26/2/25) when third behind Georgie Zukov, trailed fifth of 6 on that occasion before running on strongly last 250m for the placing. MR:2:03.7, 800m in 56.7, 400m in 26.9. Freshened since being a beaten favourite on a couple of occasions back in December and a blackbooker before that more than once. Doesn’t mind the grass and wide draw not so bad as he tends to get back and driven with a last run at his rivals. In at Westport on Friday in Race 5 and finds a winnable race to reward those loyal to the cause.

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Maui (7g Peak – Shezadorabil) Tr. D McCormick

The winner of 14 races and $189k heads to Westport (Race 10) and as the most tightly assessed horse in the field, gives his rivals all a start from the back mark of 20m. Showed his readiness for this assignment by going to Methven last weekend and winning a four horse trial by 4L (Race rival Nellie Doyle was second). MR:2:16.6, 800m in 63.0, 400m in 31.0. Hasn’t run a bad race for some time against much stronger opposition and gets his chance to get very close to the $200k in career earnings.

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