Who’s been excelling at the trials around the country?
Auckland Trotting Club Workouts @ Pukekohe Thursday 10 October
Race 5- Dawson (3g Sweet Lou-Speights Girl) Tr- B Purdon & SD Phelan
Always shown a heap of potential and resumed in this heat going straight to the front for driver Crystal Hackett. Only a quiet trial up against two other runners but looked strong throughout, running home in a tick over 58 seconds for the last half, and 27.8 for the final quarter. Went on to win his Alexandra Park debut last night.
Race 6- Loveable Rogue (5g Sir Lincoln- Running with Fire) Tr-D Erickson
Qualified back in June for owner/trainer Daniel Erickson, the son of Sir Lincoln and useful mare Running With Fire, was having his third workout back from a spell. Trailed the eventual winner, Debrief (Steve & Amanda Telfer) throughout, and not asked for the ultimate effort by driver Maurice McKendry in the run home, finishing third. Has always hinted the ability is there, and finished sixth on debut at Alexandra Park last night.
Race 8- Nothing But You (2f Captaintreacherous-Bubbled Up) Tr- SJ Reid
This heat was run left handed and with Steven Reid soon to relocate to his new Canterbury base, obviously getting the filly used to that way around.
Showed gate speed to lead, and was never troubled to hold the other three contestants off. Paced the 2050m in a 2.06 mile rate with the final 800m in 58.2 and the last quarter in 28.4. Sure to be prominent when she makes her debut in the coming weeks.
Winton Trials- Friday 11 October
Race 3- Hogie (5g He’s Watching- Serene Abbey) Tr- M J Williams
Lightly raced 5-year-old (just 3 starts to date, for two seconds). Started his career with Tony Stratford, then had one start for Jeremy Douglas, and now trained by lessee, Michael Williams. Led out for driver Brent Barclay over the 2400m, and won as he liked by 5 lengths, pacing the journey in 3.04.5, the last half in 57.3 and the final quarter in 27.9. Hasn’t raced since June, but is ready for a bold resumption this Sunday (20 October) at Invercargill in Race 3.
Chertsey Trotting Club Trials @ Ashburton Monday 14 October
Race 3- Sweet Tartan (3f Sweet Lou-Expressive Victor) Tr- T R Barron
The lightly raced filly (3 starts) took on some race winners in this Rating 50 trial. Beginning well from the inside draw, she trailed early before ending up three back, when eventual winner Hooroo took over with a lap to run for Jonny Cox. Managed to clear the tiring trail horse just before turning for home, and followed the winner up the straight, finishing untested in third position. Last raced in March, so looks forward for her resumption. The 2400m was run in 3.04.8 (last 800m in 58.3 and final quarter in 27.6). Hooroo was good in winning and the second placed Bettor Fear Me (unraced), hinted she is a filly to follow out of the trial.
Race 4- Bettor Fortune (2g Bettor’s Delight-Fortune Lover) Tr- DJ Keast
We have highlighted this 2-year-old previously, and he impressed again from the standing 2400m event. First time from behind the tapes, but stepped like a toff and led comfortably, quickening over the last 800m in 57.3 and the 400m in 27.3 to win easily in the hands of John Morrison. Definitely a horse to follow when he next lines up on race day.
North Canterbury Trials @ Rangiora- Thursday 17 October
Race 1- Countless Questions (3g Imperial Count-Flash Move) Tr- RL Houghton
Nice upstanding son of Imperial Count who qualified back in May, but yet to make his debut on race day for Ross Houghton. Began safely of the four runners and remained last until improving just before the home turn for driver Bronson Munro. Stretched out in fine fashion to win well, running the last 800m in 59.6 and the final quarter in 29.4. Looks a young trotter with talent.
Race 2- Captain Can Can (2F Captain Crunch- Can Can Bromac) Tr- JD Harrington
Two year old filly with Jack Harrington who had only been to one workout prior to todays qualifying heat. Up against a couple of handy horses in Joyride and Blazing Knuckles who have already placed on race day, she sat last of the five runners and was allowed to run home under her own steam to qualify well. They ran their last half off the front in 57.8 and the final quarter in 29.4, so she put in some good work late.
Race 3- Hey Bartender (6g Sweet Lou-Lady Antebellum) Tr- CT & Mrs CM Dalgety
Having first start from the Dalgety barn after transferring from James Stormont. Began well in the 2000m heat and settled three back on the inside for driver Andrew Drake, before grabbing the one-one behind Tact Teena inside the 700m mark. Only asked for an effort with 150 to run and unwound in good style to finish a close up fourth, behind all the way winner Don’t Tell Jenny. They paced the trip in 2.32.8, with the last half in 57.3 and the final quarter in 28.4. He has always shown ability but went off the boil towards the end of his last campaign, but one to watch when he lines up from his new stable.
Race 8- High Step (3f Father Patrick-High Gait) Tr-RJ Butt
High class filly who last raced in the Group 2 NZ Sires Stakes Fillies Classique won by Empire City in September. Recent change of stable from Mark and Nathan Purdon, the daughter of Father Patrick began well to trail the eventual winner Edward Longshanks throughout. In a tight finish she was nosed into second with Four Wise Women a neck away in third. Has been the winner of four from 12 career starts to date, so will be an interesting addition to Bob Butt’s stable. Father Time which was selected by Hope Racing for their slot in The Ascent on Show Day following his brilliant last start win, galloped on his own accord with about 400m to run, which would be of some concern for connections.
