NZ Trial Watcher has combed through the week’s trial meetings to pinpoint the standout performers worth keeping onside as they head back towards the races. Below is the full wrap from Taupo and Foxton, with each heat summary kept exactly as provided, plus YouTube embeds for the vision.
TAUPO TRIALS 3/03 (Soft 5)
Heat 1 – 2YO – Catchweight – 900m (53.66)
1st – 2y g CHARMING ROUGE trained by T Pike
2nd – 2y f PROISTMAS trained by James & Wellwood
3rd – 2y f VITALIZE trained by A Forsman
Summary: “Another strong performance from the Capitvant gelding CHARMING ROUGE scooting around the tight-turning circuit at Taupo and winning his heat eased down, in quick time. He’s sure to be popular when he steps out on debut if not exported before then.”
Horse To Follow: 2y g CHARMING ROUGE
Heat 12 – OPEN – Catchweight – 1100m (1.06.72)
1st – 3y f ACCENTUATE trained by A Forsman
2nd – 4y m ISLAND LIFE trained by Richie & Ramsay
3rd – 5y g ELIUD trained by T Pike
Summary: “Highlighted last week, ELIUD returns from a failed Aussie campaign and an extended break, his action was superb in his 1st trial back and hit the line hard under riding in this his 2nd trial, worth following back to the races. ISLAND LIFE was given a quiet trial in 2nd. ACCENTUATE was impressive winning on debut and has had issues since, nice trial here and can pick up another win early in the prep.”
Horse To Follow: 3y f ACCENTUATE & ELIUD
FOXTON TRIALS 3/03 (Soft 5)
Heat 4 – 2YO – Catchweight – 1000m (1.0.77)
1st – 2y c RONALDO trained by R Patterson
2nd – 2y f DANCE TO EXCEED trained by L Latta
Summary: “RONALDO debuted with a win at NP narrowly defeating another smart 2YO and together they gapped the field, freshened, returned to the trials and looked in super order building through his work in this two-horse field, will pay to follow wherever he heads next.”
Horses To Follow: 2y c RONALDO
Heat 5 – OPEN – Catchweight – 1000m (1.00.30)
1st – 5y m BEDTIME STORY trained by Lowry & Zydenbos
2nd – 4y g MA TE WA trained by R Patterson
3rd – 3y f TOO SWEET trained by R Bergerson
Summary: “BEDTIME STORY has been below her best in recent runs and hasn’t won for 15 months, that may soon change after the addition of blinkers lit a spark under the mare in this trial and she left a good field in her wake recording a fast time.”
Horse To Follow: 5y m BEDTIME STORY
Heat 8 – MDN – Catchweight – 1000m (1.00.12)
1st – 3y f SPARK trained by Lowry & Zydenbos
2nd – 3y g WAVE ON BYE trained by K & S Gray
3rd – 4y m FOOL ME ONCE trained by Thurlow & O’Malley
Summary: “Speedster SPARK has shown good ability in her three career starts, yet to clear maidens, with ear covers on the filly was impressive racing away for big win and matched up on the clock. A maiden win is near at 1000m in the right race.”
Horse To Follow: 3y f SPARK
