The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from all over the country for the week ending 1/8/2024

Fernleigh Cash (6g Bettor’s Delight – New Revenue) Tr. S & A Telfer

Pukekohe (23/7/24) Boomed to the front on gate release over two rivals, always going well, sprinted strongly to stay in front, untouched in doing so.
MR:2:01.0, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 27.4. Has a good horses record with eight wins (in 29 starts) amassing $102k in the bank. Last start placing at Manawatu meeting back in March. Good enough to build upon that record over the latter part of winter judging by these times

Invisible (4g Always B Miki - Veste) Tr. Purdon/Phelan

Settled third of 3 in Indian file before improving 500m out to challenge pacemaker, right there on straightening, too strong over the final stages without being pushed. Last 800m in 57.8, 400m in 27.3. Margin only a length but one got the impression it could have been much bigger. Another to be last seen down at Manawatu late March where he was a last start winner. Has won the three (from 24) and top stable not likely to be investing in his future unless they saw ‘more to come’

Eye See You (4h Love You – Regal Petite) Tr. P Screen

In this qualifying heat, secured nice trail behind Cyclone Sala (2yo f), asked to challenge 400m out, got the better of the latter over the final 100m, by 1/2L. Last 800m in 60.4, 400m in 29.1 Both Qualified. The winner traces directly back to Pride Of Petite and that’s breeding to be respected. Cyclone Sala far from disgraced and her manners were impeccable.

Chase Me (2c Downbytheseaside – Delicata) Tr. A Donnelly

Led out before trailing in this qualifier, challenged at the 400m & got the better of the pacemaker Kevin Kline over the final stages, last 800m in 58.7, 400m in 29.1. Half brother to Chase Auckland (14 wins + $809k) gets one’s attention. The astute Cambridge trainer has an ownership share as well. All six in this heat qualified. The well-bred Chanel Noire (2f Captain Crunch – Chanel) trailed third and looked a big threat until pacing roughly at the 400m and lost several lengths, rallied again in the straight to snare third.

Cheer Me On (4g He’s Watching – Maravu Excuse) Tr. A Donnelly

Sat last of five in Indian file, still well back 500m, caught the eye running on wide out to snare third. Winner’s sectionals : 800m in 58.6, 400m in 28.4
Has had a stable change since last start win at Addington in early June and now in the North Island. Not saying he can put the picket fence formline together but with a few things in his favour, he could surprise a few in the right company. Winner of the heat, Desert Dawn, led soon after the start and proved too good. Has placed four times x in 16 starts but has a 1:57.7 MR beside his name, looked sharp here.

All Muscled Up (3g Muscle Mass – Sheeza Commando) Tr. S Dickson

Manawatu (25/7/24) Solo qualifying effort some 7 secs under the required time deserves a mention, last 800m in 62.8, 400m in 31.2. Dam a non winner but a half to four winners including Sheez Speedy (7 wins) and Johnnie The Lad (5 wins). Belongs to an imported family from America. One to paste away.

Bar Louie (2g Sweet Lou – Motu Haughty Helen) Tr. S & A Telfer

Alex. Park (26/7/24) The unbeaten 2YO (2 wins from 2 starts) surged out from the gate to lead two rivals only to go offstride shortly after, losing several lengths, recovered to race third of three in Indian file, around to challenge 400m and under his own steam, got the better of the pacemaker Scooter B in the final 50m. Last 800m in 57.0, 400m in 27.9. Won’t be able to make that mistake on raceday but obviously highly talented & deserving of much respect when he next goes to the races

Play The Ace (4m Auckland Reactor – Leola’s Delight) Tr. M Brown

Winton (26/7/24) In this qualifier, the Brown trained runner secured a nice trail then used the passing lane to get up over a game pacemaker Rakadeaks close to the line. MR:2:03.8, 800m in 58.3, 400m in 27.3. Has been mentioned in this forum previously and goes ok. The trainer also owns her so perhaps he was in a position to give her the time that she has obviously needed. Rakadeaks has only been fair in her five raceday starts, the last of which was back in January. Sprinted sharply up the straight.

Our Superfund (6g Superfast Stuart – Majestic Dream) Tr. S Balloch

Trailed third of 4, improved to challenge 400m, not pushed to get his nose in front of Bill Bootit right on the line. Most impressive part of this trial was the 27.2 last 400m on a 2:09 MR. The winner hasn’t flattered since winning at his third start but was very professional on this occasion. Bill Bootit has won the two (from 24) and been a model of consistency over a long period of this season. Worth following when he resumes in the deep south.

Superfast Ronnie (4g Superfast Stuart – Hazel Maud) Tr. M Brown

Stepped nicely to trail, elected to pop out and lead 800m out, strode clear from the 500m, way too good, out by 6L at the line, 800m in 59.9, 400m in 28.9. Another to be written up in this forum previously. Ticks a few boxes and as long as his manners stay good, he should be very competitive in a maiden trot at least

Mightyflyin Superstar (4g Art Major – Fleet’s Pocket) Tr. Anderson/Love

In front after 400m (three rivals), the order remained the same until the 400m, sprinted sharply to keep those rivals at bay, last 800m in 57.2, 400m in 26.8. Started career off with Regan Todd where he won two from 7 and looked well above average. Has had only the one raceday run since September 2023 for new trainers who have an excellent strike rate. Beach training may have been the help he needed to overcome some ‘hurdles’ and on these sectionals he ‘could be back’! Those in behind (in order) Pounamu, Get Kracken and Putere Boy all sprinted attractively over the final 200m to be not far away on these quick sectionals.

Heart N Aces (2c Captaintreacherous – Saharazona) Tr. B Butcher

Cambridge (27/7/24) Did some work to get to the front, still there turning in, didn’t flinch final 200m when Cracker Rock threatened to run past (already a race winner). MR:2:05.1, 800m in 59.2, 400m in 28.5. Dam won 10 + $100k and this is her third foal, first foal & full brother Barbarossa has won six to date and also closing in on $100k. A big colt with time looking like his friend after qualifying back in early February. Young trainer looking for his first training success and this boy could be it.

Tua Lipa (3g Sweet Lou – Tara Delight) Tr. S Matheson

Wyndham (27/7/24) Settled third of 5 in Indian file, left in trail when trailer offstride at the 600m, shaken up to use passing lane and easily accounted for pacemaker Dreamalittledream. Last 800m in 58.4, 400m in 29.3. Only fair on debut when fifth (of 7) back in early June but with his breeding, he should get better with time. Half brother to Tango Tara (17 wins + $360k to date) and closely related to a host of top horses including Tiger Tara.

Bojack Horseman (4h Creatine – Toomuch To Do) Tr. T Healy

Addington (29/7/24) In this qualifying heat, the half brother to Bolt For Brilliance (21 wins + $732k to date) only had the one rival (Hoof It Hagrid), stepped nicely to trail then elected to come out midrace & take over, rallied strongly when ‘Hagrid’ threatened to run past final 200m, 8 secs under the required time. Last 800m in 61.0, 400m in 31.2. Dam herself won 11 + $153k and has also left Miss Yo (5 wins) & Hey Yo (8 wins)

Habibti Pat (2f Father Patrick – Habibti Ivy) Tr. G & N Hope

In this 2YO trot, the Hope runner (1 of 3 from the stable) trailed two and three deep, swept up around the final turn to outfinish stablemate Kashanova in the final 100m. MR:2:07.4, 800m in 62.9, 400m in 31.3. Both horses with plenty of breeding behind them and looked very professional in this outing. Kashanova had improved from three deep at the bell to take control, not disgraced. Only four in the heat and the third horse some 14 L away

Captain Moonlight (2c Always B Miki – Miss Moonlite Shadow) Tr. H Cullen

Settled fifth of 8 in Indian file, asked to improve in open 600m out, there to challenge turn, not pushed to overcome pacemaker Sabala who fought on strongly after doing some work early MR:2:03.1, 800m in 59.2, 400m in 28.3. Another with plenty of breeding to support a potential successful race career. A $38k purchase at the Auckland yearling sale (2022) and now owned by some thoroughbred ‘aristocracy’ which is a talking point in itself.

Aroha (6m Love You – Kurien) Tr. B Butt

Stepped nicely to trail in field of 8, used passing lane to easily account for the pacemaking Perfect Call. Last 800m in 62.8, 400m in 30.5. Qualified all the way back in early 2021 and has since had a colt by Father Patrick for her owners. Dam a half to Rowe Cup winners and age group performers and one can see the reasoning behind perservering with a mare with so much breeding. Meleaka Jewel ran on strongly from well back for 3rd

Anything Goes (6g American Ideal – On The Town) Tr. N Purdon

Gate speed to lead two rivals, always going well, had no trouble staying in front of those runners (Mr Kaplan/trail & Fernetti/3 deep) MR:1:59.9, 800m in 57.4, 400m in 28.4. Already the winner of 8 from 22 + $118k and looks right on track to be competitive in the lead up races to the NZ Cup.

Shake It Up Sister (3f Art Major – Lucky Pocket) Tr. R & J Dunn

Trailed in a eight horse field, up to attack pacemaker Frankie final turn, too good over the concluding stages. MR:2:01.2, 800m in 60.3, 400m in 30.3. Had two starts as a 2YO, the last back in September 2023, dam a full sister to the mighty Christian Cullen and closely related to a number of very good horses
Interestingly, driver Johnny Dunn remarked after the heat that she should have won by more but lacked the ability to ‘find the line’ and was a work in progress.

Macandrew Aviator (7g Panspacificflight – Arts Mistress) Tr. S Boyd

Off 20m settled fifth of 7 in Indian file before improving to lead 1600m out, still there final turn, nosed out by Jimmyray (10m) who raced midfield before improving in open from the 600m. Last 800m in 57.9, 400m in 27.4. Not sighted since tailing field in NZ Cup back in November (won by Swayzee), form in lead up to that cup had been very good. The winner of 9 + $140k and if he comes back to his spring form of 2023, he will be very competitive indeed. Beach Ball (30m) back past midfield secured late 1x1 cover to work closer 500m, not pushed to claim third. Of the others, Live On Legend blew the start and settled last, got onto Beach Ball’s back last 500m & not pulled out in the straight to finish fifth.

To see previous trials reports click here