16 December 2025
These horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week (18/12/25) they head back to the racetrack.
Katama (2f Always B Miki – Kashana) Tr. M & N Purdon
Hasn’t started since race debut back in May which went ‘to custard’ when warmly supported but has been back at the northern trials, the latest at Pukekohe (9/12/25) where she led and held too many guns for five rivals. MR:2:02.2, 800m in 58.0. Resumes this Thursday at Cambridge in Race 3 where she has drawn the second line over the sprint trip of 1700m so luck required. Mark Purdon drove her in the trial win so naturally his presence would assist her chances if he stayed in the cart. Race rival Sweet Marybeth (on debut),third in that trial after trailing, drawn to be competitive.
Cyclone Rebel (2g Bettors Delight – Cyclone Kate) Tr. T Hopkins
Things didn’t pan out at all last week when a very warm order and a ‘good thing beaten’ in fifth, 2L from the winner in a 1:58MR, hard held in behind with nowhere to go. Trial winner before that and obviously well above average winning two of his 5 2YO starts to date. Back at Auckland this Friday night (Race 9) with only four rivals over the 1609 mob where he has the outside marble. Surely things can’t go as badly as they did last week. Loyal punters still won’t get rich but any return better than no return … right !
Cee Whatabet (3g Betting Line – Royal Cee) Tr. J Hay
Won a stand start trial at Ashburton (18/11/25) after trailing then finishing best along the passing lane, clearly outpointing Still B Miki (debut winner). Overall time not quick MR:2:12.4 but sprinted sharply closing sectionals in 27.2. Backed that up with strongly placing at Methven (2nd) before blowing the start at Geraldine and wilted after racing three-wide in the open for the last 1300m. Back at Methven this Thursday (Race 3) and cops a nice draw over 1700m (stand). Good chance to atone if he brings his manners. Astute trainer likely to have him very ready!
Olympian (2g Tall Dark Stranger – American Tart) Tr. J Cox
On debut at Methven this Thursday (Race 6) and cops a poor draw (outside of second line) against 12 other non-winning 2YOs. Strong at the Rangiora trials (9/12/25) where he got to trail then pounced at the top of the straight and kept going strongly to keep four rivals at bay. MR:2:01.3, 800m in 59.8, 400m in 30.5. Has been brought along quietly by the trainer and will naturally improve with the experience. From a very good mare who won nine and he is only her second foal. Her first Escape Artist, was a 2YO winner. Should be a horse to follow.
Greased Lightnin (3g Vincent – Motu Racy Girl) Tr. Purdon/Phelan
Has been up for a while and also done plenty of travelling, racing against the best 3YOs in the land. Had a workout at Auckland (5/12/25) where he ran third of 4 behind Merlin but only 1L away. MR:2:00.8, 800m in 56.0, 400m in 26.1. Followed that up with a bold second last start and now as an 82 rating finds himself at Ashburton in a $60k 1700m contest (Race 11) against horses 40+ rating points below him. The only horse on the second line so driver Zachary Butcher has options but it should be a case of line up and win. Not the only runner on the day who looks very well placed to collect the lion’s share.
Ebonezy (2f Tall Dark Stranger – Holmezy) Tr. D Baynes
Rated in this column last week and ran a slashing race for second, beaten less than 1L in a 1:52.7MR at only her second start, last 800m in 55.9. Beaten on that occasion by a ‘boy’ (Side Hustle) and comes back to Invercargill this week for their premier meeting to race her own sex (Race 7) with a handy front line draw. Has some Canterbury visitors to deal with but as long as that last run hasn’t flattened her, she should prove very competitive again. It wouldn’t be very often, as a maiden, that one would run that time and get beaten. Dam was tough, winning seven and six of her first 7 foals have been winners.