Who’s been starring at the trials from all over the country for the week ending October 4?
Auckland Trotting Club Workouts @ Pukekohe- Thursday 26 September
Race 6- Bettor Be A Legend (2g Sweet Lou-Bettor Be A Lady) Tr G A Rogerson
Returning to the workouts following a promising start to his career in the middle of this year (2nd and a 4th from two race-day appearances). Showed gate speed to lead for James Stormont and held the runner up (Franco Salah) comfortably enough to the line. Paced the 2050m event in 2:37.1 with the last half in 58.8 and the final quarter in 28.9. Returns to the races this Friday night at Alexandra Park in Race 2.
Auckland Trotting Club Trials @ Alexandra Park-Friday 27 September
Race 1- Crumsy (2g Captain Crunch-Mumsie) Tr B & G Hughes
Just the second time in public for this son of Captain Crunch after winning a workout on September 19, and took on just one other runner in Franco Santana, who has started three times on race-day. Trailed the trip before asked to issue a challenge turning for home by driver Zachary Butcher, he stretched out attractively to win by a head, with a quick last half of 56.2 and final quarter in 27.3. Lines up for first race start at Alexandra Park this Friday (4 October) in Race 2.
Winton Workouts- Friday 27 September
Race 2- Chicago Sky (2f Bettor’s Delight- Chicago Blues) Tr KV & FJ Price
Full sister to the brilliant Chicago Bull and looks to have inherited some of the family ability. This was her fifth run at the trials or workouts so has been given time to find her feet. Settled third over the 1609m event, until moving forward to sit parked at the 800m, and fought best to win narrowly but well. Paced the trip in a mile rate of 2.03.9, last half in a tick over 58 seconds and the final 400m in 28.5.
Race 4- Vintage Miki (3g Always B Miki- Howfarnow) Tr AK Black
Qualified a couple of weeks ago, and impressed today when winning an up to R64 heat. Sat second last of the five runners before unwinding stylishly to pick them up and win by just under a length. The runner up (Raknruin) is already a two race winner and the third placed horse (Ted), won his only start to date, so this was an encouraging effort by the maiden pacer and lines up on debut at Wyndham this Friday (4 October) in Race 2 at Wyndham.
Wyndham Workouts-Saturday 28 September- Williamson Watch!
Heat 4- Dreams Are Free (3g Captaintreacherous- Start Dreaming) & Flying Ellie (3f Art Major-Hi Ho Silver Lining).
The talented stablemates clashed over the mile and a half heat with Dreams Are Free leading the filly for the majority of the event, eventually winning in a time of 3.02.9. The Tony Stratford trainer Muchacho (1 start for 1 win to date) did well to split the Williamson stablemates, although Flying Ellie wasn’t pushed to run third. Dreams Are Free kicks off a new campaign at Wyndham this Friday (4 October) in Race 9 and Flying Ellie heads to Addington on Thursday 3 October to contest a heat of the Nevele R Fillies Series( Race 9). Muchacho starts in Race 7 at Wyndham on Friday.
Heat 6- Captains Mistress (2f Captaintreacherous- Imaginary Bet)
A very tame heat with Nathan Williamson lining up four of the six starters and he provided the trifecta in the event. First three all travelling well within themselves at the line (as they should with an overall mile rate of 2.09.4), however Captains Mistress is the one from the heat with the lofty ambitions moving forward and looks to have come back in fine fettle. The winner of two of her three starts to date (both in Group 2 events), she led and was just nutted on the line by Itoje (paced a little roughly), with Jonjondagoosehasgone running on well for third. The filly has now had a couple of workouts back from her spell, so should be back at the races in the very near future.
Waikato Bay Of Plenty Trials @ Cambridge Tuesday 1 October
Race 1- Rubble On The Double (2g Father Patrick- Daenerys Targaryen) & Crackerjack (2g Majestic Son- Loveonthelawn)- Tr D & J Ferguson
The two Ferguson trained trotters contested the qualifying 2200m stand, and both impressed. Stepping well, Rubble On The Double and Dylan Ferguson led throughout and produced a faultless display to hold off a strong finish from the stablemate, trotting 7 seconds under the required time. Both will only improve with time, but certainly showing the ability is there at this early stage of their careers.
Ashburton Trials- Tuesday 1 October
Race 5- The Highlander (5g Highview Tommy-Take A Glance)- Tr B R Negus
One for the gold coin punters. Recently changed stables from Amber Lethaby to Bruce Negus and this was his first run from the new barn. Led out from the inside draw for driver Jo Buckland-Stevens before taking the trail behind eventual winner Sofia Rose with just under a lap to run. Never left the back of the winner all the way up the Ashburton straight and finished full of running as they paced the journey in 3.05.5, the last 800m in 56.4 and the final quarter in 27.8. Stable firing at the moment, so could be worth a look when he lines up on race-day.
Race 6- Heaven Forbid (3g Rock N Roll Heaven- Slinky Bromac)- Tr R E Cameron
Was heavily backed at second race start last month at Motukarara (3/5 in the betting), and after drawing 16, ran home well and although only finishing ninth, was only a little over five lengths from the winner. Stepped safely in the trial for trainer driver Ross Cameron and followed eventual winner Bautista into the race nearing the 600m and finished nicely in second place with the last half in 57.2 and the final 400m in 27.2. Bautista (Laurence Hanrahan), was good winning the heat and Poison Ivy (Anj Mugford), after adding 20 metres to her handicap at the start, recovered well to run third. Obviously has the motor, just needs to have the kinks in her game ironed out!
North Canterbury Trials @ Rangiora- Wednesday 2 October.
Race 2- The Stars Come Out
The heat was headlined by the brilliant Purdon pair, Don’t Stop Dreaming and Chase A Dream (both off 40m) as well as exciting trotter Bet N Win (20m). Bet N Win began swiftly to lead, while Don’t Stop Dreaming was safely under way from the joint back mark, however Chase A Dream made a mess of the start and added a conservative 70m to his handicap. Bob Butt maintained a steady tempo throughout with Blair Orange moving forward inside the 1000m mark, bringing Nathan Purdon and Chase A Dream with him. The last 800m was covered in 55.2 and the final quarter in 27.7 as Bet N Win narrowly held off the challenge of Don’t Stop Dreaming. The Coalman after trailing throughout, went to the line untested in third place and Chase A Dream put in a big recovery for fourth after his earlier indiscretion.
Race 3-Jabberjay (2g Downbytheseaside-Mockingjay)- Tr M J House
Away well from the inside draw over the 2000m heat for two-year-olds, Olivia Thornley settled third with the son of Downbytheseaside. Asked to improve inside the final 600m and took control in the run home to win narrowly but well from the Dunn trained Better Be Quick. Paced his last half in 57.4 and the final quarter in 28.6. Looks to have a bright future.
Race 4- Odina (2f Muscle Hill-Paramount Faith) Tr Greg & Nina Hope
The royally-bred filly (full sister to champion trotter Muscle Mountain), began best to lead the two-year-old trotters heat. Eventually settled third until improving inside the 800m mark to take the lead for Ben Hope. In control thereafter and recorded his fourth trial or workout victory from as many starts and has inherited all of the family ability. Johnny Trotter and Tyrons Strapping Lad both impressed filling the minor placings.
To see previous Trials Reports click here
