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Chris Scholtz reviews the Sydney barrier trials at Canterbury on April 23.
CANTERBURY April 23
Good 4; Course Proper
16 heats – 3 x 1100m (2 Open; 1 2YO); 6 x 900m (3 Open; 3 2YO0; 7 x 897m (3 2YO; 2 3YO; 2 Maiden)
The focus in these trials was on a number of likely Scone and Brisbane carnival contenders from the top stables.
Among those who showed they are in good form for what lies ahead were the Waller-trained Group winners Mister Sea Wolf and Life Less Ordinary and their promising stablemates Re Edit and Welsh Legend while the Hawkes stable had to be pleased with strong trial efforts from Firsthand and the talented 3YO pair Heart Conquered and Kapajack.
HEART CONQUERED was a standout in his 3YO heat over 897m, travelling strongly under a big hold throughout the trial and going to the line with plenty in reserve in 55.11 (last 600m 34.81) while KAPAJACK tracked three wide behind him under an easy ride and found the line without being asked for a serious effort.
However it was the 3YO fillies heat that put the faster time on the board with River Bird clocking a smart 54.74 (35.05) in a strong trial that featured eye-catching efforts from Sweet Ava, Gongs, Taken Everything and Snow Valley. Put it down as trial form of some depth.
Waller’s classy youngster Accession may have run slow overall time to win his 897m heat in 55.57 but he looked sharp when asked to sprint hard over the last 250m and appeals as the right type to do well at the Brisbane carnival.
The fast runner Spaceboy, getting a reputation as a trial star, turned on the speed again to run the fastest of the 2YO heats (54.98; 34.85) but behind him it was the effort of the newcomer Axe, having his first trial, that took the eye with his closing effort for third.
Other 2YOs to produce trials of note included Palurien, Cloud Spirit, Asiago, Maddi Rocks and Sir Rocket.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Re Edit; Heart Conquered; Sweet Ava
X Mister Sea Wolf; Welsh Legend; Life Less Ordinary; Firsthand; Organza; Palmateer; Palurien; Cloud Spirit; Asiago; Maddi Rocks; Lesage; Spaceboy; Axe; Sir Rocket; Accession; Kapajack; River Bird; Taken Everything; Snow Valley; Pure Faith; Kiss And Tell, Covert Operation.