The Trials Report – Six of the Best

The following horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and now (25/6/26) they head back to the racetrack.

Thursday - Winton 

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

North Otago-trained filly who went all the way to Addington to qualify (6/5/26) where she came from the outside gate and back in a five-horse heat to finish to well for her rivals over the final 200m. Trialed again (17/6/26) on her home track in a two-horse heat and led throughout with a last 800m in 57.8 with ‘more in the tank’. Has chosen to go to Winton this Thursday (Race 4) for her debut over the mile and starts from six behind the gate. Trainer has two in the race and expecting him to drive this filly. Plenty of breeding behind her as dam is a half-sister to NZ Derby winner Locharburn (14 wins) and  Cullerburn (10 NZ wins and 1:50.8). Stable certainly racking up the wins in recent times.

Partytime (3g Tall Dark Stranger – Surprise Party) N Williamson

Well-bred 3YO who was made a warm order on debut at Invercargill (11/6/26) and did not let his army of supporters down with an impressive win. Removeable deafeners not activated on that occasion due to having his rivals well covered in a 1:59.7MR. Prior trial/workout form had been very solid but the trainer later admitted post debut win that he had not really asked him for a supreme effort leading up to raceday. Goes to Winton this Thursday (Race 9) for career start No 2 and with a very handy draw (3) on the front line, he looks a very strong chance to ‘double up’ even though this is a step up in opposition.

Friday - Addington 

Mickey Holler (3g Always B Miki – Close Escape) Tr. B Hill

Went a very nice trial at Rangiora (17/6/26) where he showed gate speed to lead and was always going well after that, had no trouble getting away from four rivals in a 2:02.8MR, 800m in 58.3, 400m in 28.0. Looked very comfortable at the line. Hasn’t raced since early May when a trip to Auckland (2 starts) didn’t quite go to plan. Earlier trial form in April had been encouraging hence warranting the decision to go north as a companion for smart stablemate Cath. Goes to Addington this Friday night (Race 9) for career start No 4 and a chance to show his true worth. One to follow as he certainly looks better than a maiden.

Razor Horizon (3g American Ideal – Mach Joden) Tr. C & C Dalgety

Ex-Aussie with a record of two wins and three placings from 9 starts. Has looked impressive at the Rangiora trials with two wins through June. The first of those wins (3/6/26) in a two-horse heat, he ran past Double Time (9 wins) with a last 800m in 55.9. On 17/6/26, he showed gate speed to lead and had no trouble staying in front of five rivals. MR:2:04.2, 800m in 58.6, 400m in 28.0. Makes his NZ race-night debut at Addington this Friday (Race 10) and has a wide-ish draw in a handy field. Senior horseman Anthony Butt down to drive and would not be surprised to see him start a very warm order. Where there is smoke, there is fire!

Friday - Auckland 

War Party (3c Bettor’s Delight – Democrat Party) Tr. Purdon / Phelan

Expensive yearling purchase and from the same maternal family as Partytime (above). Went to Cambridge last week for his debut where he drew the outside of the gate, ‘looked after’ by driver Harrison Orange on that occasion by settling last, but caught the eye running home strongly wide out for a minor placing. Prior to that effort, he had won a workout at Pukekohe (9/6/26) where he ran his last 800m in 55.4 and subsequently made favourite for the debut run. Back at Auckland this Friday night (Race 3) for career start no.2 and while drawn out a bit again, not expecting his young driver to be so ‘cautious’ this time around. Those who got on the first time should stay loyal to the cause

Jeremiah (5g Lazarus – Flyover) Tr. Purdon / Phelan

Lightly-raced but well performed son of Lazarus who has won 7 of just 20 starts including a last start win at Auckland where the last 800m was cut out in 54.5. He broke in that standing start, losing ground early. That was back in October 2025. Back at the Pukekohe workouts in June for a win and a placing. The last effort (16/6/26) was in a three-horse heat where he sat last behind pacemaker and race rival American Me, gave that runner a 4L head start at the 400m and got within a neck at the line, last 400m in 27.4 off the front so much faster for the second horse. Resumes at Auckland this Friday in Race 9 with only 6 rivals and it’s a mobile. Brooke Wilkins, who drove him in the latest workout, retains the drive. 20+ rating points above all but two of his rivals (American Me and Little Spike). Class should take him very close.