The Trials Report – Six of the Best

The following horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and now (23/7/26) they head back to the racetrack.

Auckland - Friday 

War Chief (3g Captaintreacherous – Delight In Me) Tr. Purdon / Phelan

Strong trial form through June including a couple of wins at Pukekohe before resuming at Auckland (10/7/26). Favourite on that occasion but just not able to pick up promising stablemate War Party in a 1:57.9 MR, last 800m in 57.8. Second up at Auckland this Friday night (Race 3) and has a middle of the front line draw to use. Sure to be improved fitness wise and good enough to take this race out. Does meet a handy field all the same but right from starting as a 2YO, he has looked well above average. Certainly one to follow.

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B Envious (3g Always B Miki – Envious) Tr. D & N Balle

Won a Pukekohe workout (16/6/26) after settling last in a 5-horse heat, improved in the open last 500m, strong challenge and did best in a tight photo. MR:2:02.7, 800m in 60.0. Subsequent impressive Cambridge winner Arrigo down the track in the same heat. Two runs back, both at Auckland, have resulted in two very solid placings and now third up goes to Auckland this Friday (Race 5) where he has scored the ‘pole’ position. The veteran of only three starts but already looks better than a maiden. David Butcher ‘in the bike’ and drawn to really push the likely fav Go Jimmy Cassidy who has been devoid of racing luck in his three starts to date.

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Addington - Friday 

Last Honours (4g Bettor’s Delight – Valiant Heart) Tr. T Bagrie

Super trial at Rangiora (15/7/26) after leading and not extended to keep six rivals at bay over the final stages. MR:2:01.5, 800m in 57.0, 400m in 27.3. 
After a ‘freshener’ with his trainer in Australia, the well-bred gelding goes to Addington this Friday night (Race 5) and has drawn ideally at 2. Top driver John Dunn, also back from Australia, takes the drive and he looks a very good chance to break through for that maiden win. Placed in three of four lifetime starts to date. Dam won 23 races in three countries and nearly $634k for the late Peter Bagrie and his family. One to watch in the same race ...Bord De La Mer on debut. Has been very impressive at local North Canterbury trials.

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The Blue Major (2g Art Major – Christians Blue Lady) Tr. G & B Hope

Has had the three public outings and won them all, the last at Rangiora (15/7/26) where he finished too well for three rivals after trialing throughout. MR:1:59.7, 800m in 57.1. Goes to Addington this Friday night for his debut at the races (Race 3) and faces only four rivals (3 from the Telfer barn). Did beat Fundraiser in one of those public outings and the latter might start favourite on the night. Dam won three and her first three foals all winners including Blue Rock Dancer (9 wins). He is just her fourth and last foal. Stable doesn’t often have too many 2YO pacers going around so this bloke might be the ‘real deal’.

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Addington - Sunday 

Dance Hall Girl (3f Lazarus – Speights Girl) Tr. R Houghton

Won a two-horse trial at Ashburton way back in January in a 2:02.4MR, 800m in 56.7. Word was out when she debuted last week, starting a warm order and finished on strongly to snare second in a 1:58.2MR, last 800m in 57.3 behind the promising Easton Doll. Would have derived great benefit from that racing experience and now goes back to Addington on Sunday (Race 2) for her second race day start. Drawn the middle of the front line and looks a solid chance to go one better. Dam won 6 and this filly has the globetrotting mare Under Cover Lover (21 wins) as her third dam. Stable firing.

Moonlite CC (4m Captain Crunch – Blood Moon) Tr. A Stuart

Nice trial at Rangiora (24/6/26) when fourth behind Transonic, held up around final turn and caught the eye putting plenty of dash into her finish MR:1:59.4, 800m in 59.4. Two runs since in a fresh campaign have shown good improvement with her latest effort a strong run for fourth last Sunday behind Our Harmony beaten less than 1/2L with a closing 800m in 57.1 off the front so her sectionals from three deep would have been very good. Back at Addington this Sunday (Race 8) and has a great draw to use with Ricky May to drive. Only had the eight starts but looks primed for that second win. This family has been very good to her trainer over a number of seasons.