These 6 horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week they head back to the racetrack.
Duchess Of Kent (3f Art Major – Galleon’s Honour) Tr. L Pearson
Rewarded her followers at Invercargill (2/6/25) with an easy front running maiden win at only her 4th start in a 1:58MR, last 800m in 57.0
Had previously won a trial (16/5/25) at Winton so the win was not unexpected. Since her raceday victory, she has been back at the Winton workouts
where she showed her customary gate speed to lead & did enough to hold out 2 rivals without being really pushed. Goes to Forbury Park (racing at Wyndham) this Thursday (Race 11) where she takes on some handy fillies/mares but does have a good draw to utilise her gate speed and should prove competitive again.
Princess Sadie (4m Muscle Mass – Shell Seeker) Tr. M Williamson
Smart 3yo from last season getting her 4yo campaign started at Forbury Park this Thursday in Race 5, where she faces 5 rivals off a 20m handicap.
Has won 3 from 17 and $141k in stakes after featuring in many of the 3yo specials of last season.
Went to the Oamaru trials (10/6/25) where she led (after getting a 20m headstart) Love N The Port (Rowe Cup winner) & Empire City, did enough to hold those ‘esteemed’ rivals at bay MR:2:11.7, 800m in 58.5. Had been placed at an earlier trial at Ashburton (27/5/25) where she cam from last in a 7 horse field to just miss picking up the winner in a 57.7 800m. Her class alone should take her very close.
Wicked Wanda (5m Sweet Lou – Bettor Be A Lady) Tr. G Rogerson
5 win mare with a good record (32 starts + $84k in the bank) who has been back to the Pukekohe workouts in recent weeks for impressive wins (2).
The latest (10/6/25) where she led then cleared out from 4 rivals over the final stages to win by 5L.
MR:2:03.1, 800m in 57.2, 400m in 27.2
Goes to Auckland this Friday (Race 2) where she should be able to use her gate speed to advantage over the short 1700m trip, challenging her main rivals who have drawn to her outside. Deserves to get another ‘W’.
Always B Mattie (4g Always B Miki – Diamonds & Dust) Tr. T Hopkins
Won a 3 horse workout at the ‘Park’ (2/5/25) in a good time MR:2:00.9, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 28.5 after leading. 2 race day runs back been hampered by poor draws although did run on strongly last time behind Kevin Kline when placed 3rd.
3rd up this Friday at Auckland in Race 4 where he has a major upgrade in the draw this time and with his natural fitness getting better, he should be close to his best. He is the highest rated horse in this field although there are others in career best form all the same.
Bettor Be Quick (3f Bettor’s Delight – Righteous Franco) Tr. R & J Dunn
Placed 4x at 2 from 8 starts behind the likes of Arafura & Sacetas, the well bred filly reappeared at the Rangiora trials (4/6/25) and after sitting parked over the last 700m, proved too good for Missing In Action (placed last week behind the impressive Show Stopper) MR:2:01.4, 800m in 56.8, 400m in 27.7.
Begins her 3yo season with a race day start this Friday at Addington (Race 2) against the maiden fillies/mares. Draw no help but still expected to be very competitive and a likely stepping stone for ‘richer’ assignments later in the year. Full sister to the very smart group performer Pats Delight (12 wins + $296k)
Brett’s Mate (6g The Pres – Eyrewell Pegasus) Tr. K Cameron
Won a trial at Rangiora (21/5/25) where he got over the top of Macho Man from a handy sit in a field of 6 MR:2:08.9, 800m in 60.7, 400m in 30.8
Went to Addington for his resumption where he wasn’t disgraced in 3rd behind the smart Wilma’s Boy then a good thing beaten last Sunday when badly hampered by a breaking runner with 500m to run, big late recovery for 4th 1L from the winner. Back at Addington this Sunday, 3rd up in Race 4 and can deliver with some change in his fortune.