The Trials Report – Six of the Best

The following horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and now (4/6/26) they head back to the racetrack.

ADDINGTON - FRIDAY 

Franco Lomu (3g Bettor’s Delight – The Legend) Tr. R Todd

Resumes at Addington this Friday for his group of high profile owners and is the only horse on the second line in Race 1 where he is one of the tightest assessed horses in the field. The three other ‘40 rated’ horses have all drawn out wide on the front line. Got a deserved win to finish his last campaign back in December and has been prominent at Rangiora trials in recent weeks to prepare for this resumption. The last of these (26/5/26) at Rangiora where he led and he proved too strong for his rivals. MR:2:04.5, 800m in 57.8, 400m in 27.6. The veteran of only six starts and four times in the money. Will be a natural improver whatever happens here and he should be followed while in this grade of horse.

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Crunchy Granola (3g Captain Crunch – Adieu Flirt) Tr. J Hay

Made favourite on debut at Timaru after some very encouraging trial form leading up to that debut and while only fifth did not get all favours from a poor draw. Best trial stat was a very good second behind recent winner Deal Breaker (28/4/26), home in 57.7 at Ashburton. Second up this Friday night at Addington (Race 3) where the draw has been much kinder to the Hay-trained runner and in a race devoid of race form, he looks a strong E/W chance. Let's remember his dam won 9 races and he is her first foal. Astute trainer doesn’t bring many to the races these days but his horsemanship must always be respected.

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Scrunch (4g Captain Crunch – Shimmy Shoes) Tr. R & J Dunn

Won a trial at Addington (13/5/26) in a three-horse heat. MR:2:07.6, 800m in 59.8. Resumed 22/5/26 on the same track and a very solid third behind the promising Seeking Clarity in a 1:55.8MR. Back at Addington this Friday (Race 9) and second up so one would think he should be fitter again for this assignment. Has already won 3 races and another 4 placings from just 9 starts and has hardly run a poor race. Of interest, he is having his first standing start but what helps is starting from the outside of the front line of five so he should have plenty of room to help negotiate a safe getaway. Those toughest to beat are giving him a 10 and 20m head start.

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CAMBRIDGE - FRIDAY 

Major Copy (2g Art Major – Delightful Dash) Tr. Green & Delaney

Didn’t get much of a go on debut at Auckland (29/5/26) when heavily supported but goes to Cambridge this Friday (Race 3) second up with a major swing in the draws. Dual trial wins at Pukekohe through May, the latest on 18/5/26 where he showed gate speed to lead from a wide marble and did enough to hold out 3 rivals in 2:04.7MR, 800m in 59.7, 400m in 28.5. Draw gives driver Maurice McKendry plenty of options and expected this time to be highly competitive. Held in some regard by stable. Dam won 11 races and closely related to top liners like Foreal (18 wins and $665k)

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CAMBRIDGE - FRIDAY 

Sweet Maggie May (4m Sweet Lou – Molly Fever) Tr. S & A Telfer

Form doesn’t reflect her true worth but looks well placed at Cambridge this Friday (Race 7), albeit drawn the second line. Stablemate Ride The Waves (1 start, 1 win) has drawn the pole and in a ‘perfect scenario’ would drag ‘Maggie’ (4 wins from 23 starts) through from her second line draw to sit in the trail. Tony H to drive and rates a strong chance to get the lion’s share. Prior to resuming, prepared with a couple of workouts at Pukekohe, winning the most recent trial (21/4/26), beating stablemate Twista, sprinting home in 57.4, last 400m in 27.4 in a two-horse heat going the ‘Cambridge way’ around. She is the tightest assessed mare in this field and after racing the likes of Arafura last campaign, this represents a drop back in class. One of 3 from the stable in this contest.

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ADDINGTON - SUNDAY 

Dragon Ball (3g Fear The Dragon – A New Sensation) Tr. J Cox

Disappointed in two runs down south when well supported after encouraging trial/workout form. Has since changed hands and in first public outing for new trainer at Rangiora trials (26/5/26) he showed plenty of zip to deal to 4 rivals in a 2:05.7MR, 800m in 58.1, 400m in 27.7. Does have a bit of breeding behind him. A couple of half brothers have won $100k+ and another half brother Tremendous Sensation has won in 1:50.8 across the Tasman. Starts at Addington on Sunday (Race 4) and starts from pole in a 2600m standing start event. The change of scenery might have ‘turned on the light bulb’.