Heat 1 – 2YO – Catchweight – 900m (53.43)
1st – 2y g GOLDEN CHALLENGER trained by Richardson & Norvall
2nd – 2y g DRAGON’S GIFT trained by T Pike
3rd – 2y f LE FLEUR trained by O’Sullivan & Scott
Summary: “Hard to miss the impressive GOLDEN CHALLENGER stepping out for his 1st trial after fetching $400k at the Ready To Run Sales, in a trial where the first two home just went an even gallop they controlled the heat off the front and the Satono Aladdin gelding was too strong over the latter stages. A half-brother to the good galloper SHINY NEW DEEL based in Australia.”
Horses To Follow: 2y g GOLDEN CHALLENGER
Heat 4 – 2YO – Catchweight – 900m (53.95)
1st – 2y g QUANTUM DRAGON trained by T Pike
2nd – 2y g KING BAE trained by Richardson & Norvall
3rd – 2y g SAMURAI SWORD trained by P Gerard
Summary: “Tony Pike looks to have a promising 2YO with back-to-back trial wins from QUANTUM DRAGON. After impressing at Waipa winning a slow trial, he was kidding to his opposition in this trial when headed in the straight and under hands & heels he responded quickly to push through and win the heat. Yet to produce anything significant on the clock so worth noting.”
Horse To Follow: 2y g QUANTUM DRAGON
Heat 5 – 2YO – Catchweight – 900m (52.62)
1st – 2y g HOME TIME trained by N Kneebone
2nd – 2y g WHISTLEJACKET trained by P Gerard
3rd – 2y f MAEVE trained by O’Sullivan & Scott
Summary: “Officially the fastest 900m heat recorded for the morning (questioning the validity of that time which doesn’t match our own) Home Affairs gelding HOME TIME was given a strong piece of work holding the rail throughout and was tagged by the Proisir gelding WHISTLEJACKET who looked to do it easier in the run and they spaced third. Respect both 2YO’s going forward with a leaning to the Pam Gerard-trained gelding.”
Horse To Follow: 2y g WHISTLEJACKET & 2y g HOME TIME
Heat 16 – MDN – Catchweight – 1100m (1.05.95)
1st – 4y m LINE DANCER trained by K Hoskin
2nd – 3y f FOLKLORE trained by K Fawcett
3rd – 3y g ITALIAN CONNECTION trained by A Oliviera
Summary: “Sneaky good trial from the 5th placed INAHEARTBEAT (Red Jacket) an Ardrossan gelding with Ben & Ryan Foote. Squeezed out to the rear early, he was very green in behind runners and potentially could’ve won the trial with more room in the straight, kept in a pocket until past the line where he was clear best pulling up. Destined for a staying trip on that evidence and worth following his progress towards a debut.”
Horse To Follow: 3y g INAHEARTBEAT
Heat 19 – OPEN – Catchweight – 1300m (1.19.20)
1st – 6y g JOSHUA BROWN trained by L Gussey
2nd – 3y g OPEN COUNTRY trained by T Pike
3rd – 5y g ZANZIBAR trained by A Forsman
Summary: “Expect improvement from JOSHUA BROWN at his next outing, resumed without a trial at Te Rapa and a noted betting drifter, beaten a long way but best L200 of the race and returned to the trials at Taupo and went forward where he held a strong gallop to win the heat. A talented galloper capable of winning more races this campaign.”
Horse To Follow: 6y g JOSHUA BROWN
