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Trial Watch Review: 1st February - 4th February 2022

by Chris Scholtz , 2 years ago

3 minute read

Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney and provincial barriers trials at Hawkesbury (February 1) and Warwick Farm (February 4).

WARWICK FARM February 4

Course Proper; Soft 7

6 Heats – 2 x 1000m (1 Group/Listed; 1 Open); 4 x 900m (1 Group/Listed; 1 2YO; 1 Open; 1 Maiden)

A small but select set of six trials included two for the black type horses with all heats run on the course proper.

The Group and Listed heat over 900m underlined the quality of John O'Shea's autumn team with his rising star QUANTICO getting the better of his high class stablemate LOST AND RUNNING at the finish with his exciting mare PROMISE OF SUCCESS having an easy time finishing fourth. The only knock on this trial was the slow time comparative to the other 900m heats, underlining again that the top horses are rarely put under any great pressure in their early prep trials.

GROUP/LISTED HEATS

HEAT 1 (1000m 61.43; 34.63): Lightly raced Zoustar filly ZOUZARELLA took control from the start and from there it was a pedestrian trial. She dictated the pace and extended easily over the last 200m to win the heat by 1.75 lengths, good enough to suggest she will perform well fresh. NIMALEE settled behind the winner and was never asked to make a challenge, finishing a strong second under a big hold. The import MAXIMAL was the one called on to work over the last 200m and was only fair finishing fourth while the stayers CEPHEUS. SHE'S IDEEL and SELINO worked as you would expect over this distance at this stage of their preparations

HEAT 2 (900m 54.15; 34.28): A quality heat saw QUANTICO make ground from the rear on the inside and given a push along by James McDonald over the last 200m to get the better of stablemate LOST AND RUNNING over the last 100m. No doubt the second horse could have won the trial if Hugh Bowman had called on him for a serious effort. The third placegetter JAMAEA also had plenty in reserve, her trial confirming she has come on nicely since her trip to the Magic Millions at the Gold Coast. There was no intent to put PROMISE OF SUCCESS or the Epsom Handicap winner PRIVATE EYE into the trial with both working well within themselves and doing their best through the line.

The fastest 900m heat of the morning by a long way was recorded by MATOWATAKPE (51.23; 33.23), who had to trial to satisfy a stewards embargo after he failed to perform in his most recent start at Rosehill on January 29. With blinkers on it was handle bars down from the start with Brandon Lerena riding him out of the gates, giving a crack with the whip and then letting him run to a lead of eight lengths after the first 400m. He kept up the gallop all the way to the line to win the heat by 13 lengths, obviously gaining a clearance from the stewards to continue racing.

The good mare EXPAT had her first hitout since her Belle Of The Turf win at Gosford in late December for a soft all the way win in the open heat over 1000m, also posting a quicker time (59.62; 34.26) than the black type trial over the distance. She's a runner and her strong work points to her adding to her already impressive record of seven wins from 12 starts.

Unraced Shalaa colt SHA OF GOMER was ridden for speed and as a result showed good improvement in his third trial to win the 2YO heat over 900m (53.41; 34.48). He had a comfortable margin over the high priced Snitzel colt MAGIC, who has now been placed in his three trials. The runner-up has been treated patiently by the Hawkes stable and could be a big improver under race conditions. The first trial by Headwater colt SORGENTE to finish third had merit.

NOTED TRIALS

X Expat; Jamaea; Lost And Running; Matowatakpe; Quantico; Sha Of Gomer; Sorgente; Nimalee; Zouzarella;

BALLISTIC LOVER
BALLISTIC LOVER Picture: Martin King / Sportpix

HAWKESBURY February 1

Inside Grass; Good 4

18 Heats – 2 x 1200m (Open); 5 x 1000m (2 Open; 3 Maiden); 11 x 800m (3 Open; 4 2YO; 4 Maiden)

Some good 2YO heat winners and a couple of smart trials from older horses.

There were four 2YO heats and I would rate each winner – DESI EMPEROR (47.11; 33.32); MAGIC CARPET (46.03; 33.21); FERRARI MAN (46.92; 33.54) and PONCA (46.84; 33.83) - as more than capable. Godolphin youngster MAGIC CARPET posted the fastest time and made the best impression as he did it with style with a surging finish from off the pace.

BALLISTIC LOVER (Joseph Pride): Really progressed as a quality short course sprinter in the spring and looks set for another good campaign after stamping her class on her 800m heat, tracking wide but having them well covered to the line. A nice effort from the three start Godolphin maiden CAMINO REAL to finish second points to a coming win.

GREEN LEGEND (Bjorn Baker): He's an above average maiden whose five trials have been in stark contrast to his two career performances to date. Posted the fastest time of the morning with a dominant 2.3 lengths win in his 800m heat (45.48; 33.03). Sat off the speed but easily went up a gear over the last 150m to put them away like a good horse.

TEMPESTAS (Paul & Martha Cave): This Choisir filly failed at her only race start but this was her second trial win and the speed she displayed to lead by eight lengths says she must be competitive in a suitable maiden. Coasted home by 6.5 lengths in fast time (45.63; 32.83).

XX Ballistic Lover; Green Legend; Magic Carpet; Tempestas

X Camino Real; Delexo; Desi Emperor; Elusive Bride; Ferrari Man; Ita; Moonshine Lady; Philipsburg; Translation 


Racing and Sports

tags

Gallops Trials winners Warwick Farm Hawkesbury John O'Shea Lost And Running

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