The Trials Report – Six Of The Best

The following horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and now (22/10/26) they head back to the racetrack.

Thursday - Cambridge 

Cooly Rocks (3g Downbytheseaside – Premier Crus) Tr. D & J Ferguson

Full brother to the very handy mare Words (6 wins to date) who was trialing nicely some 12 months ago as a 2YO so picking that he had health issues shortly after. Has had the one workout back when fourth behind Life Less Ordinary (8/10/26) on a 2:02.3MR, 800m in 59.0. Goes to Cambridge this Thursday (Race 1) for his debut and has a very nice draw (2) to use. Several of his rivals have been in this grade for a while so he shouldn’t be intimidated. His breeding and the draw give him a solid chance to begin his race career with a top 3 performance. Trainers doing a great job of having their horses ready on race day and after all this is his home track. Tote price another indicator of his chances.

Friday - Auckland 

Horizon (3g Always B Miki – Precious Rose) Tr. T Hopkins

Hasn’t started for over a year but on that occasion did run third to Signman (2 wins to date) on a 1:58MR. Had three workouts during winter but trainer opted not to go back to the races. Most recently, at Pukekohe (14/10/26) he settled fourth in a 5-horse heat, improved in the open from the 400m and too good for his rivals final 150m, albeit narrowly with Andre Poutama driving. MR:2:03.4, 800m in 58.9, 400m in 27.7. The veteran of just 4 starts as a 2YO and not far away in all four. Like many by his sire, time will be his friend and he goes to Auckland on Friday night (Race 3) to begin a new campaign where he has drawn but a shade (5) over the flying mile. Has some breeding to support the race career (dam won 23 races in 3 countries) and shapes as one to follow over the coming weeks. Poutama sticks with him.

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Mhai Jackie Do (2f Downbytheseaside – Mhairi) Tr. M White

Only the two race day starts so far but the last effort beaten a neck in a Group 1 feature on a 1:58.MR back in late March behind Daisy Bay. Quiet workout (29/9/26) then sharpened up at Pukekohe (8/10/26) coming from third in a 5-horse heat to get to a head from pace-making winner Go Jimmy Cassidy MR:2:05.1, 800m in 58.6, 400m in 27.5. Back at Auckland Friday night for start number 3 and draws handy enough (4) in Race 5 over the flying mile. Well-related being a full sister Mhai Surfer Girl (6 wins and $135k to date) and four winners. Looks a progressive type and a good start to this new campaign might be enough to convince her connections to travel down to the ‘mainland’ in November.

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Sunday - Invercargill 

Havtimeheaven (2c Captain Crunch – Seventh Heaven) Tr. B Gray

Debuted back in May but found wanting on a 1:57.5MR and some 15L from the winner. Back at the workouts during September/October and quite impressed with his last effort when only fourth of 4 at Winton (9/10/26), coming from last of the four then very wide around final bend, put plenty of dash into his finish to be less than 2L from the winner Elvira MR:1:58.0, 800m in 56.1, 400m in 27.8. Heavily-supported that day of his debut after multiple workout wins back in the autumn. Goes to Tuapeka on Sunday (to be run at Invercargill) in Race 4 where he has drawn the middle of an eight-horse field. Trainer has three of the runners and Nathan Williamson down to steer this fellow. Has been given time to develop and his sire certainly kicking the goals. Tote likely to be a good indicator of confidence levels in the camp.

Sunday - Timaru 

Admor Ella (3f Captain Midnight – Countess Of Arden) Tr. S Adlam

Promising filly who won on debut at Addington then placed behind Cherish Me on a 1:53.8MR at Ashburton. Just the three career starts so far, the last back in June but has been back to the trials (12/10/26) where she started in a mobile heat against non- winners, settled last of 6 and still there with 250m to run, angled wide and picked her rivals up with ease MR:2:00.6, 800m in 57.2, 400m in 28.2. Looking to resume at Waimate (run at Timaru) on Sunday in Race 9 where she has drawn the pole from a stand over 2050 in a capacity field. The draw is a worry but no doubting her ability judging by her two efforts behind a top rated filly on very good sectionals. If she steps away with them, she becomes a major player. Certainly a filly to follow.

Monday - Ashburton 

Chicago Sky (4m Bettor’s Delight – Chicago Blues) Tr. J & K Price

Quality mare who doesn’t know how to run a poor race with 15 top 3 finishes from just 21 starts. Resumed in a fresh campaign at Addington (11/9/26) and just failed to pick up Arafura on a 1:57.9MR with the last 800m in 56.5. Taken back to the Winton workouts (16/10/26), she settled fifth of 7 in single file, stayed well back until coming widest of all around home turn, still under a hold, she came down the outer to sweep past her 6 rivals in very impressive fashion MR:2:02.0, 800m in 56.5, 400m in 28.3. Resumes her battle with the likes of Arafura at Ashburton Labour Day (Monday) in Race 4 but has a very nice draw (2) to use over the 1700m mob trip. She has proven on several occasions that she is up to this quality of mare and another characteristic effort will see her go very close again.

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