NZ Trial Watch: Key horses to follow from Taupo & Foxton trials

NZ Trial Watcher has cast the eye over last week’s key New Zealand trial heats, highlighting the standout performances and the horses worth following from Taupo and Foxton.

TAUPO TRIALS 17/03 (Soft 5)

Heat 2 – 2YO – Catchweight – 900m (55.93)1st: 2y c GOING PUBLIC (Ritchie & Murray) 2nd: 2y f VITALIZE (A Forsman) 3rd: 2y c CONCURRENCE (Walker & Bergerson)

Summary: Dirty Work colt GOING PUBLIC followed up his slick trial win at Avondale with another forward showing, with the track set-up to suit him. He’s going the right way towards a winning debut. The fourth-placed HOULIHAN also impressed coming from the rear, a filly by Proisir with a good action and one to follow from the Wexford stable.

Horses To Follow: GOING PUBLIC, HOULIHAN

Heat 8 – 3YO – Catchweight – 900m (54.02)
1st: 3y f ANGEL’S BREW (P Gerard)
2nd: 3y g SODERBALM (G Old)
3rd: 3y f BRUTAL REALITY (C Isdale)

Summary: Runaway winner ANGEL’S BREW has speed to burn. Small and weak in her first prep, she knocked up on debut in a stakes race over 1200m. If the stable can find a maiden over 1000m, she can win quickly.

Horse To Follow: ANGEL’S BREW

Heat 9 – MDN – Catchweight – 900m (54.12)
1st: 3y f TIANTAI (K & B Kelso)
2nd: 3y g FLOWERS EMBER (S Crawford)
3rd: 5y g BOLD PRINT (C Cole)

Summary: Winner TIANTAI looks set to improve in her second prep off the back of this trial. A daughter of Tivaci, she’s a big filly with a big action and won the heat in fast time. Worth respecting when she resumes.

Horse To Follow: TIANTAI

Heat 11 – OPEN – Catchweight – 1100m (1.08.07)
1st: 5y g FORCE OF NATURE (A Forsman)
2nd: 5y g BEAST OF BURDEN (C Ormsby)
3rd: 4y m CAPTURED BY LOVE (Walker & Bergerson)

Summary: FORCE OF NATURE dominated from the front as expected. CAPTURED BY LOVE worked home well from last, but the eye-catcher was LATRELLE, who hit the line strongly and looks ready to bounce back for the in-form Cody Cole stable.

Horse To Follow: LATRELLE

FOXTON TRIALS 17/03 (Good 4)

Heat 5 – OPEN – Catchweight – 1000m (1.02.93)1st: 3y f PLATINUM DIAMOND (L Latta) 2nd: 3y g DANCING SHADOW (K & S Gray) 3rd: 5y g BUNDY (K Myers)

Summary: PLATINUM DIAMOND nears a return for her second preparation after a dominant wet-track campaign last winter. She was pushed along but held them comfortably to the line.

Horse To Follow: PLATINUM DIAMOND

Heat 12 – MDN 2YO&UP – Catchweight – 1200m (1.18.93)
1st: 2y f VAHVAY (P & T Didham)
2nd: 6y m BASSLOCK (M Oulaghan)
3rd: 3y c PUNCHING (K Myers)

Summary: VAHVAY continues to show promise. After chasing home Lara Antipova in stakes grade, this was a soft trial to have her ready for her next target.

Horse To Follow: VAHVAY