Queen Of Diamonds the new princess of the track?

Taking in trials can be a sound way of getting your next winner or value runner.

In Harnesslink Trial Time we look through those that have impressed at recent trials and should be on your radar when they appear in race day fields.

The Rangiora trials on Wednesday the 20th of October saw some decent types out and about, here we look into just some of those that impressed.

Queen Of Diamonds (Bettor’s Delight – Diamonds And Dust) This 2yr-old filly really caught the eye making good ground late in behind the smart Ranger Rick in the third heat of the day. Out of the M Purdon and H Cullen stable the filly is nicely bred as this is the family of both Let’s Elope (Garrard’s Sires’ Stakes Final Two-Year-Old winner) and Five Star Anvil.  There looked to be plenty left in the pistons over the closing stages here with this effort carrying on from a impressive display in sloppy conditions the week prior.  Queen Of Diamonds looks a fine prospect and likely contender for juvenile features.

Rakero Rebel (Rock N Roll Heaven – Timeless Perfection) This royally bred 2yr-old filly made short work of her race rivals in the 4^th of the day pacing the 2000m mobile trip in 2.33.8 and finding the line well to win by a margin of 6 lengths. There’s a fair bit of speed present here. Timeless Perfection has proven to be a success as a broodmare with First Class Lady, the speedy Fire Bug, and the free-wheeling Plutonium Lady (10 wins) all out of the mare. Rakero Rebel looks set to continue that strong pattern of race track performance in times to come.

Almighty Fear (Father Patrick – Never Fear) This Gavin Smith trained runner made good work of things to win on debut at Banks Peninsula recently and could well go on with things yet. He was held together nicely in behind the Purdon / Cullen trained American Pride in the 6^th heat of the day which was raced over the short course mobile distance of 2000m. A quick look at the breeding may suggest that the grass tracks should be where we’ll find this horse being competitive going forward too with the dam Never Fear bringing up all of her victories when racing on the green surface. This is a horse  to watch over the summer racing period when you’ve got your sunscreen on and are in the middle of chewing a hot dog.

Bensons Mate (A Rocknroll Dance – Telemecanique) Used a fair bit of gate-speed early on in the last  trial of the day only to be run down by the impressive Samhara late. Now trained by Cam Jones the mobiles over the shorter distance have agreed with this 3yr-old so far with 2 wins coming from just the 4 race day appearances, the last of these being a victory over the progressive Sugar Me in June of this year.  A front line draw and the right sort of field and he’ll be hard to beat early in this new campaign.

Ben McMillan