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Shailer pair building nicely into spring campaigns
Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • August 26th, 2026 4:14 pm
Group Three winner Justin Case will likely line-up in next month's Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings | Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Justin Case and Magice contributed to a memorable season for Kris Shailer in his return to the training ranks last term, and he is hoping they can continue their form into the new season.
Justin Case was a particular standout, winning two of his four starts, including the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m), and ran fourth in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m).
Shailer, who runs Waikato Stud’s pre-training arm, Courtza Park, said the son of Banquo has developed over his spell.
The gelding made his first public appearance of the season at the Te Awamutu trials on Tuesday, where he finished runner-up in his 850m heat, and Shailer was pleased with what he saw.
“It was a nice trial yesterday and I am pretty happy with him, he seems to be coming up quite nicely,” he said.
Justin Case will head to Hastings next month for the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m), and his performance will dictate the direction of his spring preparation.
“He will more than likely go the Colin Meads for his first-up run and then I have no plans after that,” Shailer said. “It is a little bit unknown what he is going to be up against or how he is going to measure up.”
The Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November looms as an obvious target, however, Shailer is still unsure whether he will stretch out to a mile.
“He was a bit keen at the trials yesterday and we were trying to ride him a bit quietly, but when they are going a bit quicker, he might relax a bit,” he said. “It will be a bit of trial and error with him.”
Magice, who won one and placed in one of his four starts last season, also trialled yesterday, and placed in his 1150m heat.
“He has done a good job in the few starts that he has had with me,” Shailer said. “I think he is a very impressive horse.
“He trialled nicely, he is very big in condition, so we gave him a decent hit-out.
“There is not much around for him at the moment. He is in 75 grade and there are not too many 75 1200m. He will possibly go to the second day at Hawke’s Bay, which is about a month away.”
Meanwhile, following several weeks of pre-training at Courtza Park, Shailer said four-year-old mare Convinced has transferred to fellow Matamata trainer Benji King’s barn.
The daughter of Super Seth had four starts for Shailer last season, winning on debut before representing Waikato Stud’s slot in the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day, where she finished last.
Shailer said she is coming up well and he is looking forward to seeing how she performs on the track over the coming months.
“She is now trained by Benji King. She has been with him for a couple of weeks and she is coming up really well,” Shailer said. “I had done six to eight weeks with her before I sent her to him and she looks good.”
