The NZ Cup week Trials ‘Report Card’

[Wandering Eyes]

What was worth noting from all over the country, including the pre Cup trials, for the week ending 7/11/2024

Kevin Kline (2g Always B Miki – Matai Mies) Tr. R Green

Pukekohe (31/10/240 In a three horse heat, the Green trained 2YO led from gate rise and did enough to hold Makorori (trail) out with a sharp last 800m.
MR:2:02.7, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 28.0. Unplaced in a couple of 2YO races, the last back in August but like many by his sire, should get better with time. Dam was a handy mare, winning 6 and has done a good job as a broodmare leaving 5 winners, 4 of which have achieved black type. ‘Kevin’ looks well capable of adding to his mum’s breeding record.

Aldebaran What (3g Tactical Landing – U Dream) Tr.Wallis/Hackett

Straight to the front over four rivals and proved far superior (mistakes by those rivals didn’t help their efforts) but officially 38 1/2L back to the second horse. MR:2:12.7, 800m in 61.2, 400m in 30.4. Not sighted since April when unplaced in the 3YO Harness Millions ‘listed’ race but bred to be above average and on this effort could be ready to show his true worth. Owned by a number of high profile harness participants.

Twisted Sister (2f Bettor’s Delight – Double Twist) Tr. M White

Led and stayed on strongly to keep two rivals at bay in this qualifying heat. MR:2:04.9, 800m in 59.8, 400m in 29.3. Another with plenty of breeding to support her potential racing career. Dam a half to Twist And Twirl who has left the likes of King Of Swing and Bettor Twist. This filly is the third foal of her dam and earlier foals in Double Time (7 wins) & Twista (3 wins) have impressed on the track to date

Here’s Johny (2g Johny Rock – Abbey Row) Tr. P Hunter

Winton (1/11/24) Soon in front over 2 rivals, not extended to stay in front. MR:2:04.0, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 29.4. Thereabouts in all 8 starts to date but with only a couple of placings to show for his efforts. Has improved with the racing and certainly good enough to snare a win in the deep south all things being equal

Always Ticking (3f Always B Miki – Happy Ticker) Tr. B Gray

Got to the front and always going well, stayed on strongly to keep Falcon’s Watch out by 1/2L. MR:2:03.0, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 29.0. Hasn’t started since early June but has always looked above average, winning 2 from 14 starts and another 10 top 4 placings. Likely to get her chance in the 3YO fillies specials if she comes back as expected in her best form

Dallas Dale (3g Fear The Dragon – Roxy Dale) Tr. K Green

Wyndham (2/11/24) Sped to the lead soon after the start, always going well, came clear of 4 rivals last 100m for impressive win. Last 800m in 61.8, 400m in 30.7. Had just the four race day starts for a couple of minor placings but the nature of this performance suggested that a maiden win would not surprise in the deep south in the coming weeks. Interest in the run of the former Tony Herlihy trained pacer Harold Hanover, now with Earl Swain. Trailed 3 deep before angling out at the 400m to challenge, looked likely final turn but off stride soon after and officially fifth of five. 

Rakamick (2g Always B Miki – Raksbet) Tr. C Barron

In front after 200m, worked clear to be on his own first lap, gaps closed from 1000m, kept up strong run to stay clearly in front MR:2:06.3, 800m in 60.5, 400m in 31.3. Already the veteran of seven 2YO starts, several against the best of his age group and not disgraced. Like many of the Mikis, should get better with time and will prove competitive in any southern maiden field at least. Ginerva (2f Bettor’s Delight) made up good ground from well back at the 600m for 2nd. Qualified back in May but yet to make her race debut.

Amaretto Franco (4m Terror To Love – Aziza) Tr. S McRae

Motukarara (2/11/24) Settled fourth of 6, improved to lead 1200m, kept up strong run to prove too good for her 5 rivals. MR:2:13.1, 800m in 61.0, 400m in 28.0 (grass track). Has fashioned a good record winning four from just 13 starts and particularly against her own sex, should prove very competitive. Astute trainer might even consider taking her down south to the Central Otago circuit over the Xmas/New Year period. Should not be underestimated wherever she lines up.

Delightingold (2f Bettor’s Delight – Return To Gold) Tr. S McRae

Went as well as her breeding might suggest, heading off seven rivals with a strong last 400m, settled sixth of 8 then third line outer last 800m, sustained finish to get over the top of her rivals. Not yet qualified but rates as a half to the good mare Spellbound (14 wins) and several other handy winners. Dam was also handy winning four. Last 800m in 64.0, 400m in 28.5 (grass track). Looks a strong prospect to make a racehorse when that opportunity comes around.

Winnyzback (4g Franco Ledger – Ferry Glide) Tr. A Faulks

Straight into trail, eased to sit parked 600m, got in deciding strides over pacemaker Franco Tim final 50m. While overall time nothing flash, the closing 800m/400m suggested that he could be a horse to follow in the coming weeks. Last 800m in 60.0, 400m in 28.0 (grass track). Lightly raced to date winning three of 15 starts but has shown his best form around this time of the year previously and deserves respect when next lining up. Has been freshened since last start placing behind Borrisokane.

Ultimate Rush (3f Ultimate Machete – Always Rushing) Tr. V Sell

Oamaru (2/11/24) Did best in this qualifier over two rivals, showing ‘good lick’ when it mattered MR:2:05.5, 800m in 57.6. By an underrated sire who deserves more of a go based upon what he has done to date, this filly has some very good relations albeit some generations back. This was a family developed successfully by the Sellars family and included cup class pacers in Sassenach (12 wins), Ryal (9 wins) & Stampede (11 wins). Look out for her.

Tabasco (4g Bettor’s Delight – Saucy Cullen) Tr. B Williamson

Time honours on the day proving too good for just two rivals. MR:2:02.0, 800m in 56.4. Has won the three races but recently mixing his form when asked to compete at Addington on Friday nights. The ‘South of the Waitaki’ race at Addington on Show day looks an ideal platform to re-ignite the form line where he will get to face familiar opposition from his own stomping ground.

Dash Dosh (2f Trixton – Dosh) Tr. T Bagrie

Addington/NZ Cup trials (6/11/24). Straight to the front, always going well, cleared out from the 400m over 3 rivals, officially by 12 1/4L MR:2:05.9, 800m in 58.2, 400m in 28.8. Has had just the three race day starts for a couple of minor placings, the last in late August behind the unbeaten Habibti Pat. Dam a half to the smart Bordeaux (11 wins) and the second dam won 6. Held in some regard by her connections and that maiden win doesn’t look all that far away especially on this trial effort.

Meant To Be (2g Father Patrick – Luby Lou) Tr. Purdon / Phelan

Settled fifth of 6, secured 1×1 drag into the race last 800m, challenged final turn, too strong final stages MR;2:04.8, 800m in 59.9, 400m in 29.8. Has won three of 6 and proven to be right up there with the best of his age group, nothing likely to change going forward. Some good runs in behind. Habibti Pat led winner up at the 800m, not knocked around to hold 2nd. Run of race from Ya Rite Darl after breaking in score up and losing a ton of ground, made contact with the bunch 600m out and had the cheek to run on close up in 4th less than 2L from winner. Higher Power , stablemate of the winner, began well to trail only to break 1100m out and lost all chance.

Stella Rouge (2f Bettor’s Delight – Lady Gilpin) Tr. S & A Telfer

Soon in front, sprinted sharply from the 400m & way too good for her four rivals. MR:2:02.9, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 27.8. Looks a filly with plenty of bottom, has already won the two from 5 starts and likely to be key player in the 2YO filly specials. Northern visitor Hot And Dangerous raced in fourth position then made ground in good style last 200m to snare second, deserves respect when next at the races.

Got The Chocolates (2g Art Major – Kate Black) Tr. R & J Dunn

Trailed Captain Sampson in four-horse field, out at the top of the lane to finish best with plenty left in the tank. Last 800m in 59.6, 400m in 28.9. 
Cards kept close to the chest here with a rather slow time for this class of horse. On Cup day, has drawn the inside of second line behind ‘Captain’ (4 wins from 5 starts) and therefore likely to get a similar run in the big 2yo race. Marketplace sat on the back of the winner then sprinted up to get within a 1/2L of the Dunn runner. Unfortunately for him he has drawn the outside gate on Tuesday but does have the class to overcome it with some luck in the running.

Revolution (3g Courage Under Fire – Paddy Me) Tr. C & J DeFilippi

Straight to the front & always going well, too strong over final stages, impressive. MR:2:00.7, 800m in 57.1, 400m in 28.5. Has disappointed in four race day starts but freshened since last racing and has looked above average on more than one occasion, punters should stick with him. Miki B ran solidly for second while Ukraine raced in midfield and never elected to challenge at any time, finished under his own steam

Hes From Heaven (3c Sweet Lou – Dreams From Heaven) Tr. J Tubbs (Aust)

Soon in front, still there final turn, headed, came back to nose out The Big Lebowski (trail) and Princess Meritaten (3 deep) who both shaped attractively.
MR:1:57.5, 800m in 55.5, 400m in 28.1. The Aussie visitor already the winner of eight from just 15 starts and not to be underestimated when he lines up on race day. Top filly Duchess Megxit sat in fourth then made ground over final 200m on a fast last 800m. No doubting her class but she will need all of that to overcome her horror draw on Tuesday.

Dynasty (3f Rocknroll Hanover – Special Rose) Tr. R Butt

Midfield mostly, looking for room 250m, never saw daylight in the straight (heat won by a pacemaking Neverseentherain) MR:2:00.5, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 29.0. Found Stella Rouge too good last time but that was no disgrace and gets her chance to go one better on Cup Day in Race 2. The Reid trained pair Next Level (trail) and Bazooka both shaped well. The latter made an early mistake and settled in the rear, ran on with purpose as did Borrisokane who ran on from the rear when the race all but over

Classic Elegance (3f Art Major – Sloane Square) Tr. R Butt

Got to trail Shake A Leg, out to attack final turn, did enough to outpoint that runner last 50m but both shaped attractively MR:2:008, 800m in 57.4, 400m in 28.7. Classic Elegance has a good draw in the Nevele R Fillies final to use, Shake A Leg perhaps better than a runners chance in Race 2 despite a second line draw. Quinn who hasn’t started for almost a year sat fourth then not pulled out in the run home. Smart on debut, only the three runs to date and has a stable reputation.

The Lazarus Effect (3g Lazarus – Brook Street) Tr. R Butt

Away smartly and soon in front, always going well, won with ‘a leg in the air’ as they say, last 800m in 57.3, 400m in 28.0. One start for one win and looks very capable of doubling up on cup day for his large group of owners. Commander Joe sat in the 1×1 and never was asked for an effort in the run home.

Tyron Eros (3g Majestic Son – Tyron’s Aphrodite) Tr. R & J Dunn

Gradually worked his way to the front and from the bell, turned heat into a procession, winning officially by 12 1/2L at the line. MR:2:01.3, 800m in 59.1, 400m in 30.3. His big assignment is on the Friday and judging by this effort is going to take all kinds of beating. Already has $117k in the bank with 5 wins from 11 starts

Just Believe (8g Orlando Vici – Heaven’s Above) Tr. J Tubbs (Aust)

The champ content to sit third of 6 in single file, challenged top of the straight, found one better in I Dream Of Jeannie (trail) but under a big hold at the line and obviously could have gone a lot faster. Last 800m in 58.4, 400m in 30.1. This trial would have him cherry ripe for the Dominion where he has drawn well, most certainly the one to beat. 37 wins to date and closing in on $2M in stakes !

Chase A Dream (3c Captaintreacherous – Secret Lotion) Tr. M & N Purdon

Slowest of the five but quickly recovered and in front after 400m, too good for Cup contender Franco Marek who put plenty of dash into his finish from three deep. MR:2:03.1, 800m in 56.1, 400m in 28.3. Ten wins from just 15 starts says it all and he is one very smart racehorse. Beach Ball began safely and raced in fourth, finished on without being pushed, form line looks bleak but placed in the cup last year and his run in the Ashburton Flying Stakes after missing away was full of merit. Another cup contender Dalton Shard fifth of 5 throughout and never got close enough to threaten. His good manners have been negated by a poor draw on Tuesday.

To see previous Trials Reports click here 

View the full article