As we build up to racing’s biggest week of the year we will take a weekly look at the trials to see who’s doing what between now and New Zealand Cup and Show Week.
Today’s installment is from the trials at Rangiora on Wednesday, September 6.
Darby (3f Art Major – The Fascinator)
The as yet unqualified filly trained by Trent Yesberg and piloted on this occasion by Carter Dalgety quickly made the front and comfortably held her opposition at bay, running her last 800m in 57.1, 400m in 27.2. and winning by nearly 3L
A late bloomer, she has plenty of breeding to live up to with The Fascinator being a Bettors Delight daughter of Impish and this is the well credentialed family of King Of Swing and Twist And Twirl.
A Fillies and Mares maiden should hold no fears on those numbers.
Don’t Stop Dreaming (3c Bettors Delight – Start Dreaming)
The top three-year-old colt was given a typical Purdon trial settling back in a six horse field and stayed back until straightening for the run home. Driver Olivia Thornley sat very quietly, letting him run home under his own steam and finishing 2 1/2 lengths from winner and stablemate Franco Indie (impressed from midfield).
Considering that they ran the race in a 1:59MR, coming home in 55.9/27.3, Don’t Stop Dreaming must have been giving the leaders at least 6L at the 600m.
The winner of nine from 10 starts (second in other start) and $358k in stakes, he looks right on track to keep the picket fence form line going whenever/wherever the stable decides to ignite his new campaign.
Bounce N Beyond (2g Majestic Son – Dead Cat Bounce)
A $60k yearling purchase at the 2022 yearling sales from Breckon Farms for Robert Dunn, Bounce N Beyond was only one of two (the other was pacemaker Wilma’s Boy) of the eight horse trial to hold their gait throughout.
The Dunn runner led then trailed before coming out on the turn to finish best in what was a very professional manner.
His dam was a Group 1 winner amongst her seven wins in Australia and it is the immediate family of former Inter Dominion champion Buster Hanover.
The winning time was nearly 7 secs under the qualifying time and his presence should add considerable interest to upcoming 2YO contests.
Coney Island Lou (3g Sweet Lou – Alta Shangri La)
In the hands of Junior driver Andrew Drake, the Dalgety trained pacer took time honours for the day running the 2000m mob in 2:26.5, 1:57.8MR, 800m in 57.8, 400m in 27.9.
He led from the start and waved goodbye to his opposition at the 400m, turning the race into a procession.
He has been off since the scene since April but in his last official start he ran third in a Sires Stakes heat to Don’t Stop Dreaming and Triple G, less than 2L from the winner.
The winner of two from just 8 starts, he should prove competitive wherever he goes.
Head Em Up (2g Waterloo Sunset – Eva Longoria)
The Paul Nairn trained trotter who created such a big impression when winning on debut against the older horses at Addington back in July had a gallop after 100m (had initially stepped) and settled 10L off the bunch.
He was checked into another mistake 1000m out and lost all contact.
He is down to race at Methven on Sunday again against the older horses and the master trot trainer remains bullish about the horse’s raw ability.
He currently doesn’t have a raceday clearance to race in mobiles hence his absence from the most recent 2yo race at Ashburton.
His dam is a daughter of former Rowe Cup winner So Long Eden.
This heat was won by the 8 win Eurokash who after starting off 30m, looped field with a lap to go and turned race into a procession winning by 8L
Gold Bullion made ground strongly from a long way back for second.
