The Trials ‘Report Card’

What was worth noting from the trials from all over the country for the week ending 22/8/2024

Wicked Wanda (4m Sweet Lou – Bettor Be A Lady) Tr. G Rogerson

Pukekohe (15/8/24) Straight to the front over two rivals and did enough to stay in front throughout MR:2:01.9, 800m in 60.5, 400m in 29.6. First public outing since falling at Cambridge 19th July (not her fault) and naturally she was not asked for a great deal in this heat. Her three wins from 17 starts ($51k) suggest she is a ‘good sort’ who can bounce back from that recent accident.

I Got Chills (2g Art Major – Agree With Me) Tr. Purdon/Phelan

Settled last of four (stable had 3 of the 4), improved sharply 400m to challenge, led 200m and kept going stylishly to stay ahead, last 800m in 59.2, 400m in 28.0. Placed in all four of his 4 race day starts including a Group 1 placing last start in early May, with natural improvement is going to be a key player in upcoming 2YO specials. Stablemates Its Electrifying (lead) and Blackjack (trail) close up, second and third respectfully, both shaped up in a pleasing manner.

Shez Bella (4m Pegasus Spur – Topnotch Dream) Tr. G Rogerson

Began quickly from 20m to trail three deep of 4, improved to take issue 500m out, led on straightening, raced clear final 150m for nice win. Last 800m in 59.4, 400m in 28.1. Overall time nothing to write home about but got into her work with real energy last 400m. The winner of five + $76k has been freshened since last racing and should be worth following in the coming weeks.

Captain Sampson (2g Captaintreacherous – Millie Sampson) Tr. B & G Hughes

Royally-bred 2YO got to trail in field of four, got in deciding strides last 50m along inner to just get his nose in front, last 800m in 59.7, 400m in 28.1. Placed in his only race day run end of May and sure to be better again in this new campaign, remembering dam won eight and has already left three good winners. Another with a commercial pedigree, The Night Agent (2c Captain Crunch – The Orange Agent) raced in third before challenging from the 400m, kept up strong run to be right there at the finish as was stablemate Confederate (led) who is already a race winner.

Raspalia (2f Johnny Rock – Fun Sponge) Tr. T Dewe

Winton (16/8/24) Only a ‘learners’ pace and in slushy conditions but the winner straight to the front and had little trouble coming clear in straight, 3L officially. 800m in 59.2, 400m in 29.8. Chicago Sky, the full sister to Chicago Bull (40 wins + $1.8M), ran on nicely from fourth to be a good second, doing her best work last 400m.

Dallas Dale (3g Fear The Dragon – Roxy Dale) Tr. K Green

Pressed the ‘go button’ to lead soon after start over two rivals, clicked up last 200m to keep those rivals at bay, last 800m in 60.1, 400m in 29.4. Only had the one race day start back in late March but could be a different horse this new campaign with natural improvement. Tilly Dunnage, also by Fear The Dragon, raced third in Indian file, never pulled out in straight and hard on back of second horse, recent qualifier who looked to have more to offer on this occasion.

Our Rose Hill (3f What The Hill – City Lane) Tr. C Faithful

Settled fourth of 4, looped around to lead bell, had rivals off the bit at the 400m, breakers helped her cause but still impressed coming away by 8L at the line. Last 800m in 61.3, 400m in 30.4. Thereabouts in all five of her race day runs and looks on the verge of her maiden win judging by this effort. Dam won seven and left the handy Saratoga (12 wins + $101k)

Ruby Roe (3f Captaintreacherous – Arden Caviar) Tr. K & F Price

For the second time in as many weeks the well bred filly impressed, settled fourth of 5 before improving in open inside 800m, there to challenge final turn, did enough to outpoint rivals with the days time honours, last 800m in 57.5, 400m in 28.2. Stablemates Betting Sensation (trail) and Fernleigh Blackbird (raced in 5th) both shaped positively to finish second and fourth respectively.

Jaccka Evan (3g Ultimate Machete – Elva Jaccka) Tr. B Gray

Another to ‘star’ in this forum previously, the Gray runner straight to the front over two rivals and came away last 400m for very easy win, by 7L officially. MR:2:00.6, 800m in 59.5, 400m in 29.9. Only the two career starts for one placing, his last start back in March, with natural improvement could be expected to be very competitive in a maiden in the deep south.

Rylan Charlie (6g Changeover – Mary Margaret) Tr. S Matheson

Gore (17/8/24) Showed gate speed to lead from outside of gate (field of 6), still there final turn, kept going determinedly to hold off Cruising Fontana (trail). MR:2:04.6, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 28.9. Lightly raced and placed in half of them, the winner went well enough to threaten a southern maiden field. Muchacho (not yet qualified) raced third and was looking likely around final turn only to go off stride and lose all chance, one paste away.

Dreamalittledream (4m A Rocknroll Dance – Dreamy Lover) Tr. A Stratford

Got to trail in field of five, used passing lane to finish best, last 800m in 58.5. Form has only been fair in recent starts and connections looking for improvements. Rise Up N Dance tracked winner and improved inside 600m in open, there to challenge final turn, not pushed to finish second close up, hasn’t started since December 2023 and sure to derive benefit from this run, good enough to place at Addington over Cup week last year. Much to like about the way Putere Boy ran on from the rear for close up fourth, last start winner who looks a handy horse in the making.

Bismark Du Plessis (3g Always B Miki – Beaudiene Firefly) Tr. A Stratford

Showed speed to lead from out wide, stuck to his guns when challenged, held on. MR:2:04.4, 800m in 58.0, 400m in 28.7. Showed promise in first campaign which ended back in April, will be improved with this run under his belt and should get better with time. Judaque sat in fourth of 5 before improving in open last 500m, good finish to push winner so close, has been a model of consistency since she began her race career which includes a 1:55.6 mile win, one to follow.

Cranachan (4g Sweet Lou – Letatalk) Tr. B McIntyre

Trailed in field of four, eased to parked 500m, challenged final turn and too strong for his rivals MR:2:05.7, 800m in 58.5, 400m in 28.7. Star trialist in recent weeks who is looking to make up for lost time since only race day run was back in 2022 as a 2YO, obviously has the ability to test a maiden field. Trendy Van Gogh ran on strongly last 400m from fourth to snare second, only just beaten on debut (2 starts to date) and will not need to improve much to get that maiden win.

Carlin (2g Art Major – Oranje) Tr. B Negus

Ashburton (20/8/24) Only three in this non-winners heat and down to just two when one tangled badly at the start, Carlin trailed early but in front bell when leader ran out, skipped away turn and far superior MR:2:03.7, 800m in 58.4, 400m in 28.3. Not very big but qualified (2nd) behind recent winner Moonlight Blood back in June, dam a full sister to The Orange Agent (23 wins) which got our attention.

American Me (7g American Ideal – Bella Me) Tr. B & T White

Straight to the front over just two rivals, although Borrisokane got with 1/2L, the winner was not asked for any real effort Last 800m in 58.3, 400m in 27.4. A big mover last campaign amongst the open class pacers, the White trained runner has now won 14 races and $310k with his last start a solid sixth behind Better Eclipse in the Auckland Cup. On the way back and headed towards the big race at Addington over cup week over the 3200m that he seems to relish.

Echappe (3f Always B Miki - Hamsa) Tr J McDonald

Slow to go but recovered to race third of four in this qualifier, brought wide 300m to issue a challenge, making good ground last 200m although only running second until Franco Motu (trail and looked home) tangled 100m out then Echappe galloped 50m out free of interference when well clear, needless to say neither qualified although 6 secs under the required time, last 800m in 57.1, 400m in 27.4. Both will have to go back and get their race tickets but that should be easy enough.

Eurostyle (5m Orlando Vici – Sunny Kash) Tr. D & A Jones

Stepped beautifully from 30m back mark in field of five to race third in Indian file, only pulled out 250m and proved too strong over the final 100m coming clear late. Last 800m in 58.4, 400m in 27.1. Has established a very handy record in a short time (6 wins + $70k from only 17 starts) and now getting ready for a new campaign. By the same sire as Just Believe and shouldn’t be underestimated when she resumes. Miss Gracie (2 wins) led and fought strongly when challenged to snare second.

Got You Covered (6g Art Major – Cartier) Tr. B & T White

Sat sixth of 7 after starting safely from 10m, still there turning in, must have been giving pacemaker/winner Classic Linc some 8L at the 400m, sprinted strongly along inner to get within 1/2L of that runner last 800m in 58.3, 400m in 27.1. Another from the stable with open class credentials (12 wins + $220k) and wouldn’t be out of place in the NZ Cup, last start second back in May so will naturally improve with this run under his belt.

Rock Or Bust (3g Rocknroll Hanover – Don’t U Wantme Baby) Tr. S & A Telfer

Rangiora (21/8/24) Settled fourth of 4, looped around 1500m to lead, kept up strong run to hold out Rock N Roll Don last 800m in 56.7, 400m in 28.0. Won his qualifier way back in October 2023 and obviously things haven’t gone as planned in the meantime. A $70k purchase at the yearling sales now looking to make up for lost time. Rock N Roll Don not yet qualified but a half to some outstanding pacers in Katy Perry, Cash N Flow (1:49.1) and Pitch Perfect (1:49.8), attacked winner last 400m and far from disgraced on such a fast last half.

Tact Teva (2c Lather Up – Tact Hayley Jane) Tr S & A Telfer

Settled third of 3 in this qualifier, whipped sharply around 600m to lead, had no trouble staying clear of his two rivals. MR:2:04.2, 800m in 56.6, 400m in 27.8. Half brother to Tact McLeod (5 wins to date) and from a great maternal family that has left a number of good horses over a long period, the ‘rumour mill’ has this boy highly rated by the stable and he didn’t disappoint on this occasion. Likely to be seen in the upcoming Sires' Stakes heats.

Allets (2f Captain Crunch – Sue Dreamer) Tr. R & J Dunn

Trailed out but elected to lead beginning final 800m, sprinted sharply to keep rivals at bay, last 800m in 56.8, 400m in 29.9. The veteran of just two starts both back in March where she placed at Group level, back for another campaign and sure to be a better version this time in, another likely to be seen in upcoming Sires' Stakes heats for the country’s leading stable. Spicey Crunch only fourth but came home belatedly wide out from back in field, caught the eye. Three race day runs for three minor placings earlier in the year full of merit and another to be better this time in, Telfer stable reps second, third and fourth respectively.

High Step (3f Father Patrick – High Gait) Tr. N & M Purdon

Settled fourth of 5 in Indian file, off at the 400m to take closer order, smart work down outer to get over the top of her rivals last 50m, last 800m in 58.5, 400m in 29.7. Quality filly who has already won four (all in Australia) from just 10 race day races and only going to improve from here, last start back in early May and should be a key contender amongst her own age group as the season unfolds. Walkinonsunshine slowest away from unruly and still in rear final turn, caught the eye running on strongly to snare third, not sighted since Group 1 Trotting Derby back in December 2023 but another to have won four from just 13 starts, one to follow.

Regal Sierra (5m Creatine – Sierra Roydon) Tr. K Barron

Away smartly to lead two rivals, didn’t flinch at business end when those runners challenged, sprinted sharply with ‘petrol still left in the tank’ for good win. MR:2:04.2, 800m in 58.0, 400m in 29.2. Showed much promise as a 2YO but hasn’t had a lot of luck until coming back as a 5YO, as the winner of two (from 15 starts), this run suggested she should be able to build upon that record in the coming weeks for her high profile owners

Sherlock (4g Vincent – After Party) Tr. N & M Purdon

Left parked early in field of eight so pressed on to take the lead 1600m off stablemate Treacherous Baby, kicked strongly on straightening, nothing to separate the pair at the line MR:2:02.2, 800m in 58.1, 400m in 27.5. Sherlock hasn’t raced since October 2023 in Australia where he won three of 5 starts, now the winner of half of his 16 starts and $150k and on the way up, only going to improve but still up against the crèam of our open class pacers, his presence will definitely add interest to those pacing ranks. Both Ukraine (midfield, up for third) and Bettors Anvil (6th mostly, officially 6th) put plenty of dash into their finishes to make strong ground over the final stakes, horses to definitely follow.

To see previous Trials Reports click here