Who’s been impressing at the trials and workouts all over the country over the past week?
Winton Harness Workouts- Friday 18 October
Race 1- Wild East (2g Always B Miki- Bay Jet) Tr- LB Pearson
Had a couple of starts earlier in the year in pretty hot two-year-old fields and was having second preparatory run back today. Worked his way to the front for driver Brent Barclay before taking the trail behind Shezabettorgirl (Brett Gray), and wore the leader down in the shadow’s of the post (neither driven out). They paced the 1609m in 2.02.6, the last half in 58.2 and the final quarter in 28.3. Looks to have strengthened up, and likely to race at Invercargill this Sunday, 27 October.
Race 2- Bring On The Muscle (3g Majestic Son-Mass Invasion) Tr- CJ Barron
The talented trotter lined up against the pacers (Up to MR50) over the mobile 2400m. Settled well back in the seven horse heat, before gradually improving from the 800m. The winner came home in a swift 57.4 for the last half and the last 400m in 29.0 (overall mile rate was 2.01.4). Last sighted earlier this month at Addington when running third behind the impressive Father Time, and will have some big age group assignments ahead, starting with the Hambletonian at Ashburton on Labour Day.
Wyndham Harness Workouts- Saturday 19 October
Race 3- Ultimate Mach (3g Ultimate Mach- Missy Mach) Tr- AL Hoffman
Took on seven others in this 2400m mobile, and came out well to end up three back on the rails for the duration of the event. Finished off well to run fourth as the winner (Franco Sailor) came his last half in 56.8 and the final quarter in 27.5. Has only had the one race start back in August, and was beaten in today’s heat by race winners, so should be competitive in his own grade when he resumes.
Mid Canterbury TOA Trials- Tuesday 22 October
Race 4- Franco Chaplin (3g Ultimate Machete- Cracker Anvil) Tr- BA Waldron
Has been costly for punters on race day to date, but again showed his potential with a nice win today. Settling into the trail behind Ari On Safari (GD O’Reilly), driver John Morrison always had the situation in hand and sprinted boldly up the straight to score. Paced the 2400m mobile heat in a useful 3.02.8(2.02.5 mile rate), with a sharp last half of 56.1 and the final quarter in 27.2. Steps out in the first race at Ashburton on Labour Day in a very competitive maiden race, but with manners can threaten. Ari On Safari was good in second with Ohoka Connor putting up a massive performance to run third after being a conservative 50m off them on release.
Race 5- Yaldhurst Folly (4g Auckland Reactor- Volatile Lavra) Tr- RA Kennedy and Sans Repos (4g Art Major-Sans Le Sou) Tr-Miss DS Alfeld
Yaldhurst Folly has featured in the report card previously, and after stepping well from the 2400m standing start, uncharacteristically went off stride when challenging Sans Repos for the lead after a couple of hundred metres. Lost about 20 metres before settling and then working forward to arrest the lead with just over a lap to run. Unchallenged to win comfortably by two lengths from Sans Repos, Tokyo Rose and Perun (none of which were asked to come off the markers in the run home). Sedate overall time of 3.14 with a last half of 58.6 and final quarter in 28.3. The runner up has had just the one race start for a solid fifth back in March, and shouldn’t be hard to place in the coming weeks.
Race 8- Cuban Chrome (2g Always B Miki- Helenka Franco)- TR- JC Hay
Only a workout but the son of Always B Miki impressed in his first public appearance. Slowly but safely away from the 2400m stand, the John Hay trained, owned and driven pacer settled fifth of the 7 runners and was at stages of the event a dozen or so lengths off the leader Ultimate Rush (GC Telfer). Was the first to improve at the 900m mark and took control turning for home, and stretched out in good fashion to win comfortably. Paced the journey in a tick over 3.11 but the last half was good in 57.3 and the final quarter in 27.1. Looks to be a promising type.
Auckland Trotting Club Trials-Thursday 24 October
Race 4- Abman (2g Always B Miki- Arma Nightingale) Tr- BD Butcher
Undefeated in two workouts prior to today’s qualifying heat, the Benjamin Butcher-trained pacer led out from the pole for driver, David Butcher. Had things his own way until Always Ask (AG Herlihy), issued a challenge turning for home and briefly put his head in front, before Butcher gave the son of Always B Miki a little more reign, and he kicked back to win narrowly but well. They paced the 2050m in 2.39.4, the last half in 58.7 and the final quarter in 27.9. The first two horses both look like they will make the grade.
North Canterbury TOA Trials @ Rangiora- Thursday 24 October
Race 2- Significant Katch (2g Art Major-Katchalight) Tr- RJ Butt
Just the three runners in the 2-year-old qualifier and that basically went down to two when the Matt Purvis trained Vin’s Deal galloped from behind the mobile. The Jack Harrington runner, Captain Kan Kan led throughout, with Significant Katch hooking out of the trail turning in and coming away to win well. They paced the 2000m in 2.34.8 with a nice last half of 57.8 and the final 400m in 28.3. Had shown promise in two previous workout runs prior to gaining his ticket today, and one to follow with some confidence.
Race 8- Rakero Rocket (4g Rock N Roll Heaven- Motu Pocket O’Jewels) Tr- TJ Bamford
Very talented type who got the start all wrong last start in the Oamaru Cup, so was back at the trials in the hands of Blair Orange. Began cautiously from towards the inside, and settled fifth of the 7 runners, before moving forward inside the 600m. Asserted his superiority at the top of the straight and held easily, winning in the time of 3.22.1 for the 2600m. Final half in 58.2 and the last quarter in 29.3. Trainer Tom Bamford obviously has his sights on a decent race for the horse from a stand in the near future, so keep safe.
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