3 minute read
Chris Scholtz pinpoints horses to follow from Sydney and provincial barrier trials at Rosehill and Gosford on February 10.
ROSEHILL February 10
Inside Grass; Good 4
14 Heats – 4 x 1030m (2 Open; 1 2YO; 1 Maiden); 10 x 900m (2 Open; 4 2YO; 2 3YO; 2 Maiden)
There were no black type heats at this session but there was ample talent on show, especially in the heats for the younger unexposed runners.
Brent Avdulla, off the scene since he was injured last August, was also back in action with a busy session testing his fitness for his return to race riding.
BAHAMA (Hawkes Racing): Placed once in three race starts, this 3YO filly by Redoute's Choice stopped the clock in the fastest of the 10 heats over 900m (53.92; 34.54) in her first appearance since September. She gave Avdulla an easy ride as she led under a big hold and maintained a clear margin to the line to score by 2.6 lengths under no stress.
BROSNAN (Gerald Ryan/Sterling Alexiou): Eye catching efforts of this big grey son of Snitzel were noted in earlier trials and he is ready to go to the races after recording his first win in his fourth trial. He's got a lovely action and responded like a professional when Avdulla gave him one reminder with the whip, extending fluently to score a soft win in the fastest of the four 2YO heats over 900m (54.81; 34.87). Suspect he will come into his own in longer 2YO races. The midfield finish, making up lengths from a distant last, by debutant MIDORI BURLY could not be missed.
DASHING LEGEND (Hawkes Racing): Another smart juvenile filly by Snitzel. She has made good progress in each of her three trials with this slick heat win showing she has benefitted from her earlier experiences. Was always in control and never extended to win her 900m heat in good time (54.87; 35.07).
ENDORSEMENT (Chris Waller): Have had my eye on this unraced Hinchbrook 3YO gelding since he won his first trial for the Hawkes stable in September. This was his third trial since his switch to Waller and confirmed his talent as he tracked wide in his 900m heat from the start before extending easily to coast home by 2.5 lengths (54.94; 34.35).
GREECE (Ciaron Maher/David Eustace): Top stable have another classy 2YO prospect in this $1.2 million sister by I Am Invincible to Princess Gaby. Jumped into the lead and worked well within herself in her first trial with James McDonald giving her an easy time to the line. Slow time (55.61; 35.46) but she is certain to take improvement and there was depth in her heat as she beat Bohemian Daisy, a filly placed in a G3 at Flemington in the spring.
ZARASTRO (Chris Waller): This exciting I Am Invincible colt was visually the most impressive winner of the morning, cruising to a five lengths lead on the bend under big hold from James McDonald before he was throttled down to amble home by 1.5 lengths from a well performed stablemate CAPE BRETON. The time was slow (55.34; 34.63) but that is no reflection on his ability. He won two of his first three starts and is certain to build on that record.
The 900m heat for 3YO fillies was won narrowly by SHORT SHORTS (55.00; 34.88) from the unbeaten SMIRNOVA with the pair matching strides from the 400m and both going through the line with plenty to offer. Behind them the some good fillies including the Thousand Guineas winner YEARNING, ARRANMORE and ACHIRA all worked strongly without being put under pressure – a classy heat!
NOTED TRIALS
XX Bahama; Brosnan; Dashing Legend; Endorsement; Greece; Zarastro
X Atishu; Black Bolt; Calgary Queen; Cape Breton; Golden Doubt; Midori Burly; Psychiatrist; Shameless Miss; Smirnova; Standing Order; Toomuchtobear; Welsh Legend; Zeyrek.
GOSFORD February 10
Course Proper; Soft 6
16 Heats – 1 x 1200m (Open); 6 x 1000m (3 Open; 3 Maiden ( 9 x 800m (3 Open; 2 2YO; 1 2 & 3YO; 3 Maiden)
Godolphin added depth to this session by sending a nice team to the provincial course for a day out.
The promising ZAPATEO was their star performer. Despite running slow time (49.31; 35.04) he moved impressively to win his combined 800m heat for 2 and 3YOs. Stablemates to take the eye included GRAVINA, ATHELRIC and STALKING.
A nice trial from @kimwaugh6's mare Daphne Jean at @gosford_races on Thursday to down 2021 Provincial Championships winner Cristal Breeze with Kinloch running into third. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/BtixSFbVjL
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) February 9, 2022
Majestic Shot, $11 with @tabcomau in the Polytrack Provincial-Midway Championships, does it easily to win a trial at @gosford_races on Thursday over Rifles and Gem Song in 48.80. Behind them were Gravina and unbeaten mare Norwegian Bliss. @GrandSyndicates @MartinCollinsA1 pic.twitter.com/Si09pm0KiX
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) February 10, 2022
The fastest 800m heat win (48.08; 34.00) was recorded by REJINSKY. He's enigmatic but his return trial after a long break shows he retains his speed. The smart MAJESTIC SHOT also performed well with a sharp 800m heat win in good time (48.80; 34.63).
ZOFFANY'S LAD went quickest in the 1000m heats (59.69; 35.07).
NOTED TRIALS
X Athelric; Chipper; Conrad; Crowdy Bay; Dalaalaat; Different Road; Global Encounter; Gravina; Kinloch; Loch Eagle; Majestic Shot; Oxford Vision; Pleading; Rejinsky; Shannon's Joy; Stalking; Zoffany's Lad; Why Big Bry; Zapateo.
