The Trials Report – Six of the Best

The following horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and now (28/5/26) they head back to the racetrack.

Addington - Friday 

Crunched (3g Captain Crunch – Cullen’s Bet) Tr. H & A Cullen

Won a trial (21/4/26) at Rangiora beating subsequent winner Atula in a 2:03.2MR, last 800m in 60.5. Then he went to the Anne Thompson race series on the same track in a new campaign and ran two very good placings behind the very promising Cherish Me in track record time. Goes to Addington (Race 5) for start number 5 and looks a very good chance to gain his maiden win for a large group of owners. Only thing is ... small field and top driver will not generate too much of a return for those investing.

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Carrera Hombre (4g Captain Crunch – Real Courage) Tr. B Butt

Relatively new to the Butt stable but has been firing at the Rangiora trials during May. Too good on 20/5/26 when too good for seven rivals after leading throughout from the stand. 2:04.8MR, 800m in 57.4, 400m in 28.4. Previously trained in the north where he won two of 10 and placed in another five. Begins a new campaign at Addington this Friday in Race 6 where he starts from 10m (only 2 runners on the front). The stand shouldn’t worry him judging by his trial win and this field looks well within his ability range. Market price should reflect the confidence in his camp.

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Beachbreak (4g Downbytheseaside – Classic Vicolo) Tr. S & A Telfer

Won a trial at Ashburton (14/4/26) where he beat the highly-touted Sideshow Bruce, running his last 800m in 55secs. No luck when resuming (26/4/26) and an unlucky fourth after receiving no room over the final stages. Took no real part at his last start after botching the standing start. Gets a chance to redeem himself at Addington on Friday in Race 8 and although he has drawn out wide, this looks like a good race for him as the tightest-assessed horse in the field. Has won the three races from 29 starts but with another nine top 3 placings. With the likes of Mostert drawn handily, his odds could be quite attractive to those who stay loyal.

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Auckland - Friday 

Rahm (3g Captaintreacherous – Spanish Armada) Tr. A Herlihy

A couple of nice trial placings in April/May had him ready for his resumption (15/5/26) where he finished a solid third behind Sammy Lincoln in a 1:59.7MR, last 800m in 57.4. The veteran of only four starts, he goes back to Auckland in a second up condition this Friday (Race 2) and with natural improvement in his fitness, he looks a leading contender from a mid-front line draw. Nearly half the field are on debut and his credentials look good enough to take him very close. The last start third was his first run back at the races since April 2025! Stable firing and what about that breeding!

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Ashburton - Sunday

Val Thorens (5g Volstead – Courcheval) Tr. G & B Hope

Hard to recommend a trotter that has a row of ‘duck eggs’ in its form line but its winning trial at Rangiora (20/5/26) shouldn’t go unnoticed. On that occasion, he stepped nicely away to lead and then proceeded to turn the heat into a procession. The further he went, the further he got in front, eventually winning by 9 1/2L in a 2:04MR, 800m in 59.1. Goes to Ashburton on Sunday (Race 7) where he has a draw to use and might (on a good day) step and & run them along. Of further interest is that he has won only the one race from 33 starts (with 9 placings) but is closing in on the $100k in earnings after winning a big 2YO race in Australia for then owner Yabby Dam Farm. Now under new ownership. Watching with plenty of interest.

Beware The Storm (2f Bettor’s Delight – Veyron) Tr. N Purdon

Got under punters guard when winning a Group 2 at Addington (15/5/26) and didn’t get all favours on that occasion as well 1:58.6MR, 800m in 58.7, 400m in 28.9. Debut run in the north better than it looked when only eighth and before that was a nice second at the Pukekohe trials behind Pebbles in a 2:03.5MR, gaining her qualifying ticket in the process. Now heads to Ashburton for the Group 3 ‘Helen Pope Memorial’ (Race 5) on Sunday where she is the only winner in the field and the horse likely to be her toughest opposition, Nellie Keenan, wasn’t able to get past her at Addington. The only thing we can be certain of this time is that she won’t be paying $54 to win.