3 minute read
Chris Scholtz pinpoints coming winners from the Warwick Farm barrier trials on February 14.
WARWICK FARM February 14
Course Proper – Heavy 8; Inside Grass – Soft 7
Course Proper – 1 x 1000m (Group/Listed); 1 x 900m (Group/Listed)
Inside Grass – 3 x 1200m (2 Open; 1 Maiden); 4 x 805m (4 2YO); 5 x 801m (1 Open; 1 3YO; 3 Maiden)
A real showcase in the two black type heats on the course proper with a host of autumn contenders having easy trials.
Some interesting 2YO and maiden trials. Good results for the Annabel Neasham and Maher/Eustace stables.
GROUP/LISTED
HEAT 1 (1000m; Course Proper): Heavy conditions (not severe) saw the majority in this star studded trial given easy work, the most notable being ZAAKI and PROFUNDO. Specialist sprinter WILD RULER led and won the heat in strong style (59.53; 34.54) to back up his recent trial win at Rosehill and confirm that he is ready to run to his best fresh. FORBIDDEN LOVE was an excellent second, working off the back of the leaders to close nicely, just the type of trial you would want to see to back up her first-up placing in the Expressway Stakes. Would love to see her placed against her own sex! TOP RANKED was given a sterling hitout to sit outside the winner before being put under some pressure to hold third over the line. Nice work from the big grey as he prepares for longer targets. ZAAKI was a beauty, sitting wide midfield and never asked for a serious effort as he worked smoothly to the line under a cold ride from James McDonald. Oozes class and so does PROFONDO, who went back from the start as expected and was equally good in the run to the line in a lovely return trial from a colt who could be a superstar by the end of the autumn. HARMONY ROSE put in an improved trial but MO'ÚNGA never competed and was beaten more than seven lengths in a performance that raised more questions than answers about his immediate prospects.
Group 1 winning @SnowdenRacing1 sprinter Wild Ruler takes out a star studded 1000m Warwick Farm trial on Monday in 59.53 from Forbidden Love and Top Ranked. Also watch for Zaaki and Profondo while Mo'unga had a quiet time. @tabcomau @7michellebishop pic.twitter.com/0F4OadCIJ0
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) February 13, 2022
HEAT 2 (900m; Course Proper): Epsom winner PRIVATE EYE was a standout in this heat won by the free running VANGELIC (53.22; 33.93). Having his second trial after good work in his first on February 4, Regan Bayliss let the speed go early and was six lengths off the leaders before peeling widest turning for home. Closed off with powerful work over the last 200m to be beaten 2.6 lengths into third, showing that he is in top order for his return to racing. VANGELIC was a late scratching two days prior at Randwick and satisfied a vet ruling with excellent work to lead from start to finish. Had IN THE CONGO for company and went to the line best over the last 200m but the runner-up will be improved by this first-up trial. GLISTENING took the eye with some nice work late to finish fourth.
Vangelic leads most of the way to win a 900m trial at Warwick Farm on Monday in 53.22 from @GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott stablemate In The Congo and Epsom winner Private Eye runs in third. @tabcomau @7horseracing pic.twitter.com/qRUA4jezoD
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) February 13, 2022
In the four 2YO heats over 805m Annabel Neasham would have been delighted with the classy heat wins by her talented pair MAN IN THE MIRROR and LADY LAGUNA. The high priced debut winner MAN IN THE MIRROR posted the quickest time (47.40; 33.94) doing all that was required to beat some smart opposition that included highly regarded pair FIREBURN (nice third) and SHALATIN (easy trial). LADY LAGUNA stamped her class on her heat (47.86; 34.31) over the last 200m, working easily past the leaders.
The flashy faced Man In The Mirror takes out a 2yo trial at Warwick Farm on Monday from Another Cognac and the fast finishing Fireburn in third. Golden Gift runner-up Shalatin finished fourth. @tabcomau @ANeashamRacing pic.twitter.com/HGSFCpG8SS
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) February 13, 2022
A nice piece of work from @ANeashamRacing filly Lady Laguna to win a 2yo trial at Warwick Farm on Monday over Belriah and Heiress Hera in 47.86 for the 805m. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/4Mw51EpGEB
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) February 13, 2022
The other juvenile heats were won by the unraced pair WARBY (48.31; 34.54) and AMBERINA (48.20; 34.43). They both looked the part and should take obvious natural improvement from their first trial experience.
SHRILL WHISTLE, I AM ME and JAMESONHEART are a trio of maidens from the Maher/Eustace stable with definite prospects. SHRILL WHISTLE and JAMESONHEART, winner of the fastest 801m heat (47.22; 33.84), are both unraced and must take improvement from their first trials.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Forbidden Love; Private Eye
X Amberina; Character; Fireburn; Hold On Honey; I Am Me; Jamesonheart; Lady Harlem; Lady Laguna; Man In The Mirror; Profondo; Shalatin; Shohei; Shrill Whistle; Tip Top Timing; Vangelic; Warby; Wild Ruler; Zaaki