The Trials Report – Six of the Best

The following horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and now (1/10/26) they head back to the racetrack.

Thursday - Cambridge 

Captains Secret (4g Captain Crunch – Secret Desire) Tr. S & A Telfer

Hasn’t raced since June but went a nice workout at Pukekohe (22/9/26), trailed Better Reaction (7 wins) throughout and never pulled out in the run home, finishing hard on the back of that runner. MR:2:04.8, 800m in 57.9, 400m in 28.7. Goes to Cambridge on Thursday (Race 1) where he has had two of his three wins. Has drawn the middle of the front line with Kristina Denifostova taking the drive in a race restricted to Junior Drivers. She sat in the sulky in the above mentioned workout. Should prove very competitive in this line up and represents attractive E/W value

Thursday - Wyndham

Secret Agent Man (5g Sweet Lou – Carabella) Tr. N Williamson

Last race start was way back at the cup meeting at Addington last November but astute trainer has had him back at multiple southern workouts during August and September, the last at Winton (25/9/26) where he placed second behind Side Hustle, beaten a neck after leading but not knocked about final stages. MR:2:02.9, 800m in 56.4, 400m in 27.8. Goes to Wyndham on Thursday (Race 7) and draws handily in a small seven-horse field. Just the veteran of 10 starts but has finished top 4 in nine of them including four wins. Plenty of good breeding behind him and in the right stable when assessing southern form.

Friday - Auckland 

American’s Legacy (2g American Ideal – We Have A Mach Two) Tr. Purdon/Phelan

On debut at Auckland on Friday night in Race 5 and in a race where the Fillies get preferential draws, he has drawn the best of the Colts and Geldings with a very in-form Harrison Orange set to drive. He guided him to an impressive workout win at Pukekohe (22/9/26) where he finished best from a 1x1 sit to score in a 2:04MR, 800m in 59.0, 400m in 27.9. Stablemate and race rival We Will Rise Again finished behind him in the above mentioned workout. First foal of dam who won three with plenty of good ‘relations’ close up in the pedigree. Another stable that must always be respected. Tote likely to reflect confidence in the camp.

To place a bet in this race click here 

Friday - Addington

Tuapeka Lucie (2f Stay Hungry – Ellaquence) Tr. B Butt

At the workouts early August and culminating in a very handy trial win at Rangiora (24/9/26) where she came from a handy spot to outpoint pacemaker On Ya Bike. MR:2:01.8, 800m in 56.4, 400m in 27.5. Now ready to debut at Addington on Friday night (Race 2) and gets a handy front line draw to use. First live foal of her dam and belongs to a pedigree that has been very kind to the Cummings family (breeders) over several generations. What helps her here is that those toughest to beat haven’t fared too well in the barrier draw. Trial win certainly gets one’s attention.

To place a bet in this race click here

Franco Lennon (3g Captain Crunch – Loretta Franco) Tr. S & A Telfer

Promising pacer who has been off the scene since May where he finished a very creditable second in the Champion Stakes behind Freeze Frame on a 1:56.7MR. Two  workout/trials during September, the last a winning turn at Rangiora (24/9/26) where he led for a good way and did enough to hold out smart filly All Of Me in a 2:00.9MR. 800m in 56.6, 400m in 27.9. Goes to Addington on Friday (Race 6) to begin a fresh campaign and strikes a good field with a handy draw an assistance on this occasion. Two from the stable lining up and main stable driver Tim Williams has chosen ‘Lennon’. Only question mark could be around ‘match fitness’ but certainly one to follow in his current ratings band.

To place a bet in this race click here

Sunday - Methven

Don’s Delight (3g Captain Crunch – Just Rose) Tr. J Morrison

Interesting debutant at Methven this Sunday in Race 6. Won a trial at Ashburton (22/9/26) after leading and got home by a nose. Overall time nothing special but zipped home in 57.0, last 400m in 26.4. Won two trials/workouts before that but they were way back in March and for some reason didn’t push on at that time. Named after his late breeder Don Stenhouse and from a mare that won six races and at stud she has left five winners including good sorts in Heza Sport (16 wins and $587k) and Here’s Herbie (11 wins and $197k). And the family doesn’t mind the grass surface! Tote likely to tell a story but a strong performance in this line up would not be surprising.