As racing hots up right around the country we look at who is impressing at the trials.
Auckland Trotting Club Workouts @ Pukekohe Raceway- Thursday 3 October
Race 6- Double Parked (3g Downbytheseaside- Mockingjay) Tr- AG Herlihy
Resuming after one race start when finishing second at Alexandra Park in May behind the talented Always A Porsche (now the winner of 4 of his 8 starts to date). Settled second last of the five runners for trainer/driver Tony Herlihy before working around to lead with half of the heat remaining. Kept going strongly to win a blanket finish without any urgings, pacing the last 800m in 59.7 and the final quarter in 28.5. Looks forward for his return to the racetrack in the coming weeks.
Race 9- Hawkeye Pierce (3g American Ideal- Go One Bettor) Tr- LG Hollis & SM Robertson
The smart 3-year-old has had a few weeks off since finishing a game second in the Northern Metro Final last month behind Always B Elite. Only had the Steven Reid-trained Next Level as company in this heat over 2050m but impressed when sprinting home sharply in 56.7 for his final half and the last 400m in 27.3, which was excellent work on a slushy track. Lightly tried with just 10 race days starts and has finished in the top three in 80% of his starts, so plenty of upside to this fella. Returns to racing at Alexandra Park this Friday 11 October in Race 2.
Motukarara Trotting Association Workouts- Saturday 5 October
Race 2- Teds Legacy (6g Changeover- Judys A Flyin) Tr- JF Curtin
The ever consistent son of Changeover hasn’t been sighted at the race track since the end of June, but hinted that he is ready to rock n roll when resuming in the coming weeks. Began safely from his back-mark of 20m and remained at the rear of the five horse heat until Jim Curtin asked for an effort inside the final 800m. Made up many lengths on eventual winner Let’s Go Ringo, and will improve a ton with this run under his belt. Tends to race well in a fresh state, so would pay to keep him safe when he does return to the races.
Wyndham Harness Workouts- Saturday 5 October
Race 3- Spells Of Love (5g Love You-Spell) Tr- Rebecca Heads
Won two races when trained by Robert and Jenna Dunn, but purchased by Rebecca Heads last year, and had one start for her in December 23. Trotted safely for driver Mark Hurrell throughout, and only asked to improve just before turning for home, and finished stylishly in the run home to win well from the Nathan Williamson-trained duo of Flying Without Wings and Hidden Talent. Finished a close second on September 28 at the workouts as well, so might be worth a look when he makes his return to the races today (Thursday) at Invercargill in Race 6.
Race 5- Always B Paulie (3g Always B Miki- Bubba Ho Tep) Tr- CR Ferguson
Qualified back in May and then spelled, the son of Always B Miki was having his third workout back in slushy conditions at Wyndham. Settled second last of the seven runners, Mark Hurrell asked him to improve sharply with 700m to run and kept up a strong run to the line to finish third behind the all the way winner, Ultimate Weapon (Nathan Williamson). They paced the 2400m in 3.04.9 with the last half in 57.5 and the final quarter in 28, which was a reasonable effort given the conditions.
North Canterbury TOA @ Rangiora Tuesday 8 October
Race 2- I Like My Sweets (2g Sweet Lou- Everlasting Grace) Tr- GD Smith
Taken off the gate by trainer/driver Gavin Smith, settling second last of the five runners in the 2000m heat. Asked to improve sharply with just over 600m to run, the son of Sweet Lou quickly asserted superiority in the run to the line, winning by nearly 5 lengths. The last 800m was run in 57.5 with the final quarter in 28.2, and he ran nearly 5 seconds under the qualifying time. Looks a natural 2-year-old.
Race 3- Stormbreaker (2g What The Hill-Madam Sass) Tr-Robert & Jenna Dunn
Took on three others and raced in the Gavin Smith colours for those wanting to watch the replay of the heat! Began safely and took control after 200m and the result was never in doubt thereafter, coasting to the line to win by over four lengths in the hands of Korbyn Newman. Has impressed in both public trials (qualifying last week at his first attempt), and should acquit himself well when he makes it to the races.
Race 4- Selsey Anne (2f Lather Up-Ariadne Lavra) Tr- MP Jones
Samantha Ottley took the drive behind the daughter of Lather Up and settled last of the four runners in the 2000m qualifying heat. Getting a drag into the race at the 600m, she showed a nice turn of foot to come away for a decisive victory and over 5 seconds under the required time. Last 800m was run in 56.8 and the final quarter in 28.0. Looks a promising filly.
Race 5- Lochdarragh (3g Locharburn-Rock Me Gently) Tr- KK Chapman
Highlighted in an earlier edition of the trials report before making his race debut at Timaru at the end of last month. Unfortunately missed away badly from the stand on that occasion, so was behind the mobile yesterday against five rivals. Not hurried early by driver Robbie Close, he improved inside the 600m and put the heat beyond doubt turning for home, winning easily in a 2.00.9 mile rate (last 800m in 57.9, 400m in 27.6). Stick with the ship when he returns to the track.
Race 8- Amaretto Franco (4m Terror To Love-Aziza) Tr- SM McRae
The smart mare who had won three of her last 4 race starts before a spell, resumed in this 2000m mobile heat. Restrained to second last of the six runners by driver Colin DeFilippi, she improved on the back of the Bob Butt-trained Dynasty nearing the 600m mark and was only hooked out late to get up and win narrowly but well in a mile rate of 1.58.9 (last 800m in 56.7 and 400m in 27.7). Looks very forward for her resumption.
Race 9- Tactical Bid (3g Tactical Landing-Habibti Sadie) Tr- RW Todd
The talented three-year-old began well from the inside draw for driver Robbie Close before surrendering the lead to the Ross Houghton-trained trotter, Countless Questions. Went back to the front with just over a lap to run and turned the heat into a procession thereafter, running his last half in 58.0 and the final 400m in 28.9. The overall mile rate for the 2000m mobile was 2.00.1. Hasn’t been to the races since destroying maiden opposition at Addington in August, but ready to hit the ground running judging by this powerhouse performance, and perhaps has some lofty targets ahead.
To see previous Trials reports click here
