The Ashes test series will be all consuming for England coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes over the next month, but the looming debut of a racehorse in New Zealand may give them some reprieve.

Stokes, a three-year-old gelding owned and bred by McCullum, and named after his captain, has been pleasing his trainer Kurtis Pertab in his recent trials, and the Matamata horseman is looking at stepping out the promising youngster at the races prior to The Ashes series end.

“He trialled nicely at Te Rapa the other day,” Pertab said.

“He will probably be running in the next three weeks to a month and will probably kick-off over 1400m somewhere.

“He has got good upside on him and is one to keep an eye on.”

Pertab is keeping close tabs on The Ashes, and he is hoping England can rebound from their first game defeat for their coach, who he said is a pleasure to train for.

“He just loves it. Even winning a trial gives him a big thrill,” Pertab said. “Those are the sort of people you want to train horses for.”