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Mile contender on trial for sterner challenge
Paul Vettise, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • September 17th, 2026 4:45 pm
Cheval de Foudre will contest the Gr.3 Hunterville Vet Club Metric Mile (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday | Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images)
Ultra-consistent performer Cheval de Foudre will be given opportunities to put himself in line for a crack at a major spring feature.
The Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) remains in the mix for the son of Time Test who will firstly have the chance to press his claims when he steps out in the Gr.3 Hunterville Vet Club Metric Mile (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday.
Cheval de Foudre has placed in each of his last six appearances and despite not having raced since July, trainer Mark Oulaghan is confident the seven-year-old is forward enough to give a strong account of himself.
Oulaghan was pleased with the gelding’s performance on Tuesday when he finished second in an open 1200m heat at the Foxton trials where stablemate Pinkerton was also in action ahead of Friday’s J Swap Great New Zealand Hurdles (4200m).
“Cheval de Foudre has been a wee bit unlucky at times, and he always puts his best foot forward,” he said.
“He hasn’t run for a while, but he trialled pretty good and he’s not far off the mark.
“There is one or two better horses there on Saturday than he has been racing against so whether he can hold them out remains to be seen, but I think he’s ready.”
While Oulaghan acknowledged the Livamol is a tall order, two factors may potentially fall in Cheval de Foudre’s favour.
“He’s nominated and will improve a bit after Trentham and then he’ll run in a 2000m race, either the open at Hastings or the Egmont Cup, and analyse it from there,” Oulaghan said.
“Sometimes, the Livamol doesn’t end up as strong as you think and if he’s in good form at the time and it looks like a softish track, then we would look at it.”
Cheval de Foudre will be ridden by Chris Dell, who knows the horse well and has been given stewards’ permission to ride a kilo over the carded weight of 53kg.
Meanwhile, Pinkerton isn’t expected to be troubled by the 4200m trip of the Great New Zealand Hurdles.
“He’s quite a relaxed sort of character and that will help him, I think he will stay the distance alright,” Oulaghan said.
Pinkerton broke his maiden over the small fences at Woodville in mid-August and returned there earlier this month to finish runner-up.
“I’m happy with him, he’s done things pretty right and went a good race last time,” Oulaghan said.
“He needed it a fraction and trialled quite well on Tuesday, so I think he’s ready to go.
“This will be it for him for the year, I was having a look at the Jericho qualifier down south but no, I’d say this will be his last run.”
Pinkerton will be ridden on Friday by Joshua Parker, who has been aboard in his two lead-up outings.
