Now that we are in spring the good horses are coming out to play and that’s why we are regularly updating what’s happening at the trials right around the country. Here’s the latest installment.
Winton Workouts Thursday 14th September
(Weather Fine Track Fast)
Raklou (2f Sweet Lou – Raksbet)
The smart 2yo, a winner of three from just four starts, was back from her spell running fourth in behind Captain Tom (R35 to R66 pace) who led over the final lap and stayed on too well for his rivals in a 2:03.4MR, 800m in 59.0, 400m in 28.6.
Raklou was not pulled out in the run home by trainer Peter Hunter after racing back in the six-horse field and looked to have more to give.
Based on what she showed in her first campaign, she will be ultra competitive in the 2yo filly specials coming up over the next few months.
In the same heat, U May Cullect experienced a gear malfunction a lap out when racing comfortably in the rear and was pulled out of the contest
Mallory Maquire (2f Art Major – Miranda Maguire)
Trained by Alister Black, the unqualified filly raced in a learners heat but it was the way she finished that suggested she might have a future when she gets to the races. ‘Mallory’ trailed early but lost her place as a couple of runners went rough in the running, well back starting the last 500m, she came very wide on final turn then collared the leader in the final 50m under her own steam for young driver Riley Black. 800m in 59.6, 400m in 30.3
She is a 3rd foal half sister to a nice maiden in Lewey Maguire (trained by Telfers) and Sonny Maguire now the winner of three in Queensland.
Pukekohe Workouts Friday 14th September
(Weather Showery Track Slushy)
Adored Dreamer (2f Always B Miki – Adore To Our Dreams)
The Telfer trained filly in the hands of Maurice McKendry raced 3rd in indian file before hooking out at the 700m to take issue with the leaders, kept up a strong run to hold out Duchess Megxit who tracked the winner throughout. MR:2:03.3, 800m in 57.8, 400m in 27.6
A $150k yearling purchase by Stonewall Stud and a half sister to top pacer Akuta, the filly has a lot to live up to but with a placing in her first 2 starts, she looks to be tracking in the right direction.
Stablemate Akatea (a race winner over Adored Dreamer) settled last and was only allowed to run home late, wide out without threatening.
Duchess Megxit qualified way back in April for the Purdon/Phelan partnership and is one to watch when she debuts in the coming weeks
The Surfer (2g Downbytheseaside – Styx On)
Another of the Telfer 2yo fillies Seafield Rose in the hands of Alicia Harrison sped out to lead and kept going too well for her rivals, nearly 3L to the good at the line. 800m in 58.2, 400m in 28.4
The only runner to make any headway over the final 600m was the Donnelly trained The Surfer (3rd) who made up good ground from well back for driver David Butcher. He also qualified back in April where he ran a 2:02MR at Cambridge and has some quality breeding behind him as well.
Wyndham Workouts Saturday 16th September
(Weather Fine Track Fast)
Falcon’s Watch (4g He’s Watching – Touch Of Rose)
The Ross Wilson-trained one race winner trailed three deep mostly before mounting a challenge around the final bend and was able to finish strongly and clear of his rivals at the business end, cutting the 2400 mobile out in a 2:02.8MR, last 800m in 57.2, 400m in 28.8.
Formerly trained by Nicky Chilcott where he was a winner at Alex. Park, he has been given a good spell and this run suggested he could turn the poor formline around at short notice.
Rustenburg (3c Captaintreacherous – Northview Desire)
The Craig Ferguson trained runner (and part owned by Ricky Herbert, former All Whites player/coach) was the star trialist on the day dealing to his rivals and winning by an official 20L in a 2:02MR, last 800m in 57.7, 400m in 28.0. after working to the front early then turning up the heat from the 600m.
The impressive colt has had only the one raceday start (for then trainer Kyle Marshall) and that was a sixth in a 2yo race at Auckland won by Merlin and featuring a number of horses that have gone on to better things.
The track spy(s) would not have missed this effort and he is likely to be at cramped odds when he reappears on the tracks down south.
Cambridge Workouts Saturday 16th September
Weather Fine Track Fast
Shez Bella (3f Pegasus Spur – Topnotch Dream)
Trained by the Rogerson/Ferguson partnership and already placed at Group 1 level, the two win raceday winner started here against three pacers in a non winners mobile and after leading, came clear over the final stages to win by 3L in a 2:03.8 MR, 800m in 58.6, 400m in 28.3.
She went close to winning her recent seasonal debut at Auckland, her first start back since running 6th back in May in the Northern Oaks and is bred to get better, being a half to She Reigns (14 wins) and Gaz Man (6 wins)
Motukarara Workouts Saturday 16th September
Weather Overcast Track Firm (Grass track)
Maxwell Edison (3g Majestic Son – Lucy Again)
The Coaster Howe trotter was good enough to win as a 2yo at Ashburton beating Krackaling and then was given his chance at Group 1 level at Addington before the form fell away.
The most impressive part of this effort was the 27 sec last 400m on the grass after starting off 10m behind against three rivals in the R35 & faster trot. The trainer has some time for ‘Maxwell’ and his patience could be rewarded sooner than later.
Quinn (2g Downbytheseaside – Vengance)
Word is that trainer Bruce Negus thinks a lot of Quinn and it was the trainer who hopped in the cart to steer his charge to an impressive win over 3 rivals, last 800m in 61.0, 400m in 27.0
He qualified way back in April at Ashburton but has been given plenty of time to fill into his frame by the astute horseman.
He is definitely one to paste away as we wait for that raceday debut.
