3 minute read
Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney and provincial barrier trials at Newcastle (January 29) and Warwick Farm (February 3).
WARWICK FARM February 3
Heavy 8/9; Course Proper/Inside Grass/Polytrack
Course Proper (Heavy 8) – 1 x 900m (Group/Listed); Inside Grass (Heavy 9) – 4 x 1200m (2 Open; 2 Maiden); 7 x 801m (3 Open; 4 2YO) 5 x 798m (2 3YO Open; 3 Maiden); Polytrack 1 x 740m (Maiden)
The heavy conditions couldn't dim the brilliance of gun sprinter NATURE STRIP as he dominated a strong Group and Listed heat over 900m on the course proper, confirming that he is in great shape for his expected return in the Lightning Stakes in Melbourne. Classy mares FIESTA and REELEM IN RUBY trialled strongly to fill the placings while NOIRE caught the eye having an easy time further back.
In the open heats over 801m it was no surprise to see the veteran trial specialist BALL OF MUSCLE rack up another win in the fastest time (47.50/33.96). He's a foolproof short course sprinter and is certain to perform as his best while fresh. Other good efforts in the open heats over 801m came from GOLDFINCH, SHADOW BRIDGE and TRAVANCORE.
There should be some worthwhile form out of the 2YO and maiden heats. The blueblood DENIKI – a half sister to Menari – made he reappearance after one early season trial and looked sharp recording a confident win in the fastest of the juvenile heats over 801m (47.79; 34.44). The I Am Invincible filly HARMONIUM also made an impression winning her trial debut in 48.07 (34.49).
There looked to be good depth in the open and maiden heats over 798m. The experienced winners AKARI, STEEL DIAMOND, HUMAN NATURE and MO's CROWN impressed in their open heats while NOBLE ALBERT (47.66; 34.31), ISABELLA OF ARAGON (47.77; 34.47) and Godolphin's DUENNA (47.81; 34.77) were the pick of the maiden heat winners. Godolphin has some other nice maiden prospects in SECRETIVELY and EMANATE. SPANISH PEARL dominated the polytrack maiden trial over 740m with a soft win from the front.
The 1200m trials were pedestrian (as usual) with the exception of ORIENTAL RUNNER's win in the fastest of the four heats (1.13.90/36.51). He was under sustained pressure from another runner for the first 1000m but still had them well spread out at the finish, underlining his race fitness. He is going well enough to get a deserved win in his right grade. SEGRILL made an impression winning his maiden heat.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Nature Strip
X Fiesta; Reelem In Ruby; Oriental Runner; Segrill; Goldfinch; Vinci Lady; Ball Of Muscle; Shadow Bridge; Travancore; Wren's Day; Harmonium; Deniki; Acrophobic; Destination; On The Lead; Akari; Steel Diamond; Mo's Crown; Human Nature; Noble Albert; Secretively; Icebath; Isbaella Of Aragon; Emanate; Menagerie; Duenna; Spanish Pearl
NEWCASTLE January 29
Good 4; Course Proper
14 Heats – 1 x 1200m (Open); 5 x 900m (3 Open; 2 Maiden) 8 x 800m (3 2YO; 1 Open; 4 Maiden)
NOTED TRIALS
XX Fall On A Star
X Hallelujah Boy; Top Prospect; Regimental Band; Power Command; Reaching; Whatsin; Seconds Please; Passionate Lass; Meadow Land; Redoute's Image; Two Gems; Frozen In Time; Star Crossed; Delectation Girl; Sending Love; Syncline; Princess Ariana; California Spell.