The Trials Report – Six of the Best

The following horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and now (21/8/26) they head back to the racetrack.

Friday - Addington 

Faith Not Fear (2c Captaintreacherous – Imaginary Bet) Tr. H & A Cullen

Placed in trials back in February then turned out. Has been on fire at the trials since coming back in late July/August with two recent wins, the latest at Addington (11/8/26) where he came from a handy spot in the running to get over the top of his seven rivals. MR:2:01.3, 800m in 56.9, 400m in 28.1. Goes to Addington this Friday night for a much-anticipated debut (Race 5) and expectations likely to be reflected in ‘tote’ price. After all, he is a full brother to standout mare Captains Mistress and a half to millionaire pacer Merlin. Small field of seven with four horses on debut but this colt has looked very professional in his trial runs this time in. Just don’t expect to get rich.

To place a bet in this race click here 

Mr Love (7g Love You – The Earth Moved) Tr. G & B Hope

Last start winner of the Group 1 Rowe Cup back in May but has been back to the trials at Rangiora where he started against the pacers (22/7/26) and after getting across to trail was never asked to come out in the home straight, finishing hard on the back of the winner Livingthekiwidream. MR:2:00.6, 800m in 56.9, 400m in 28.3. Starts a new campaign this Friday at Addington (Race 7) and is clearly the class horse of this seven-horse field and while he will not be 100% screwed down, it is rather a luxury to start on even terms in this field. With certain retirements of key trotters in recent months, this horse could arguably be rated at NZ’s best trotter currently.

To place a bet in this race click here 

Friday - Cambridge 

Dino (2g Bettor’s Delight – Tandias Bromac) Tr. Purdon / Phelan

Didn’t disappoint on debut back in June when winning in a 1:58MR after multiple winning workouts prior to that effort. Back at the Pukekohe trials (11/8/26) and ran on strongly for a close up fourth after giving the leaders a fair start beginning the final 400m. MR:2:01.2, 800m in 57.8, 400m in 27.6. Resumes on Friday night at Cambridge (Race 4) where he drawn the outside of a select six-horse field over a flying mile. Stable has had a rap on this 2YO for a while and while he will improve with the run, his class should take him very close. One imagines his connections have one eye on some bigger prizes later in the season if he ‘comes up’ as expected.

To place a bet on this race click here 

Seaside Legacy (2f Downbytheseaside – Delightful Legacy) Tr. B & G Hughes

Smart filly (1 start, 1 win) who looked ready at a recent trial at Pukekohe (4/8/26) getting off the trail to finish best over three rivals. MR:2:04.7, 800m in 57.5, 400m in 28.0. Resumes at Cambridge this Friday in a quality Sires Stakes heat (Race 7) where she has drawn two on the second line over 1700m Mob. Follows out Pebbles and the draw might not be as bad as it could be. Racing luck will still be required but the filly has a touch of class. Rated 1:57 on debut on a slushy track (this track) and there is breeding ‘in her corner’ to suggest she has real ability. Dam, by Art Major, is a half to a host of quality horses including Tosti Girl (7 wins from 19 starts) who left NZ Cup winner Thefixer. This family has been very good to the trainers.

To place a bet in this race click here 

Sunday - Rangiora 

Seeking Love (3g Love You – Shell Seeker) Tr. R & J Dunn

Made a right mess of the start at Addington on debut(7/8/26) when a warm favourite. That support was based on an outstanding qualifying effort at Rangiora (29/7/26) where he led and basically cleared out from his opposition winning by some 28L, going 17 secs under the qualifying time. Returns to Rangiora this Sunday (Race 2), for second start, again from a stand, over 2000m. You wouldn’t want to mortgage your house to place a bet but if he is able to step away and trot he should be winning so brilliant was his qualifying trial. His fate will likely be decided inside the first 100m of the race. Not sure about ‘love’ but he will be seeking redemption.

Sunday - Winton 

Rakmacknra (3g Captaintreacherous - Raksdeal) Tr. N Williamson

Goes to Winton on Sunday (Race 5) for career start number two in a Southern Surge final worth $25k and beautifully drawn at two over the flying mile. One of only two winners in the field, the other being Off The Canvas (stablemate) but he has copped five on the second line. Max Hill will drive Rakmacknra with Williamson sticking with Off The Canvas. Beat many of these (2/8/26) at Wyndham in impressive fashion (by 7 3/4L) in a 1:57.4MR after some strong lead up efforts at southern workouts. Drawn to dominate proceedings and expected to remain undefeated although the financial return to punters will not be extravagant. Note that dam won five times and $121k and placed in 1:52.7.