Te Akau Ellerslie Group & Listed Trials

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing Group & Listed trials at Ellerslie, Sunday 11 January 2026

Weather: fine, track: Good4, markers: out 7 metres 

Heat 1 Open Group & Listed 1100 metres (short head, head 1:05.0, last 600m in 33.6)

In Haste (3 f Snitzel – Prompt) – Craig Grylls; she began well to work forward outside the leader, in line on the pace at the 200m, and kept up solid gallop for close up fourth. 

Belle Cheval (3 f Savabeel – Keepa Chevel) – Opie Bosson; she got back last from outside gate, was nine lengths off at the 600m, and made up plenty of ground in the straight in an eye-catching performance to finish just behind the leaders. 

My Lips Are Sealed (5 m Ace High – Tellmeaboutit) – Joe Doyle; she settled back in the running, eight lengths away at the 600m, and was deliberately given an easy time in straight while steadily making ground over sprint distance. 

Heat 2 Open Group & Listed 1100 metres (nose, 3 ½ lengths 1:07.0, last 600m in 33.4)

Savoir Faire (6 g Savabeel – Etiquette) – Rory Hutchings; he settled last over sprint distance, six lengths off the leaders at the 600m, and ran home in good staying fashion down outside in his first appearance since returning from Australia. 

To Bravery Born (3 g Snitzel – Milunka) – Opie Bosson; he received a nice trip in fourth and was given very quiet trial for fitness purposes when remaining untouched in the straight. 

Main picture: To Bravery Born