Mitchell's pair looks promising

Bulls owner-breeder and trainer Stewart Mitchell has kept a low profile in recent seasons, but he was to the fore at the Otaki trials on Tuesday.

His graduate Mount Aspiring set the ball rolling by winning one of the open 1000-metre heats, beating highly regarded Loose Change, Ritzy and Mary Ellen by three lengths.

The Kilimanjaro gelding was a winner at Tauherenikau, but generally disappointed in subsequent starts.

Like most of the stock of Kilimanjaro, Mount Aspiring is now stronger as a 4-year-old, and Mitchell could place him to advantage in weeks to come.

However, his 3-year-old filly by Ustinov from King's Island mare Oriental Song, hinted on a bright future when winning a maiden heat over 1200 metres.

She was given a good run from Lisa Allpress and did not have to do her best to score from Exalt and Magic Of The Dance.

Oriental Song died without producing again after the Ustinov filly.

Exalt is another of the Peter McKenzie breed, by His Royal Highness, who had to be put down before being able to start another season at McKenzie's stud in Ohau.

Another maiden trialist who showed herself to be worthy of attention was Kevin Gray-trained Cool Alibi, by No Excuse Needed from Pompeii Court mare Elle's Court.

Cool Alibi gave rider Kane Smith an armchair ride, winning by five lengths from Paul Belsham's Keeper gelding and Ekstra Dane in reasonable time of 1.3.77.

San Ysabeel did not get the chance to fulfil her potential as a racehorse, having to be retired after just two starts.

But breeder John Powell has a likely sort in San Ysabeel's colt by Storm Creek, who was one of Kevin Gray's three winners on the day.

San Ysabeel was by Zabeel from In Margaritaville, a family with which Powell has had great success.

Opaki's Grant Nicholson showed he was no novice to racing when he was able to produce Perky Parrot to beat Fully Fledged at Hastings last season, and he has a worthy replacement for her in a colt by Occidental Tourist from Famous Star mare Acoustical, who won an 800-metre heat for 3-year-olds on Tuesday.

The other 800-metre heat was won by a Pins colt from Rothwelle, who is prepared by Carla Hearn at Awapuni.

Rothwelle is by Entrepreneur from Alice Downs, but was re-located to Australia before producing anything else here.

- © Fairfax NZ News