3 minute read
Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney barrier trials at Warwick Farm on March 31 and Randwick on April 3.
RANDWICK April 3
Polytrack; Synthetic
15 Heats – 1 x 1200m (Open); 8 x 1080m (5 Open; 2 2 YO; 1 Maiden); 7 x 780m (2 Open; 4 2YO)
A full set switched to the all-weather polytrack due to the wet conditions featured the top shelf Group stars ZAAKI and JACQUINOT while the Waterhouse/Bott stable dominated the six 2YO heats, winning all six plus four placings.
Annabel Neasham is obviously preparing ZAAKI for the Brisbane carnival after the 8YO missed the autumn with his fourth in an open heat over 1080m won by the impressive GUNDY BRIDGE a solid start. He covered the most ground sitting three and four deep with James McDonald allowing him to work easily to the line under little pressure.
Gundy Bridge leads all the way to win a trial at Randwick on Monday, the @GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott gelding beat Zethus and Media Starguest. Zaaki sat wide and ran a close fourth. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/T0P068S8C9
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) April 2, 2023
JACQUINOT was given time to find his legs in his 1080m heat before working home stylishly for a strong second under another soft ride from McDonald. The trial will bring him on nicely for the All-Aged Stakes after a month freshen since his last race in Melbourne.
The Les Bridge trained Sports Legend maintains his unbeaten barrier trial record with a two length win over @MickPriceRacing Jacquinot, running on into second, and Tycoon Evie in third. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/peSZo6s5in
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) April 2, 2023
The depth of 2YO talent in the Waterhouse/Bott seems endless with their six juvenile heat winners all unraced. STARLIGHT GIRL (see below) was the star with her runaway win in a fast 780m heat but mark down the other five – SLY BOOTS, VANQUISHED, ZIA, FRENEMY and HEATWAVE as good prospects for early success.
COTEHELE (John O'Shea): Lovely win by this smart 4YO gelding in his first trial since December. Had company for the lead in his 1080m heat but kept rolling under a kind ride and was unextended to post the fastest time in the 1080m heats with quick closing sectionals (62.71; 32.85).
GUNDY BRIDGE (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott): This lightly raced 5YO has won three of his five starts and is shaping as an excellent prospect for the Brisbane carnival after another impressive trial. Controlled his strong open heat over 1080m (64.00; 33.31) from the start and was always travelling well within himself to hold a clear advantage to the line.
STARLIGHT GIRL (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott): This racy Zoustar filly has now won two of her three trials and is sure to be well fancied when she debuts. Travelled easily in the lead before sprinting clear when given a squeeze to coast home by more than four lengths in the fastest of the six heats over 780m (45.31; 33.09).
NOTED TRIALS
XX Cotehele; Gundy Bridge; Starlight Girl.
X Air To Air; Frenemy; Heatwave; Jacquinot; Kin; Moravia; Rhythm Of Love; Snapback; Tycoon Evie; Vanquished; Zia.
WARWICK FARM March 31
Inside Grass; Soft 6
15 Heats – 3 x 1200m (3 Open); 4 x 811m (3 Open; 1 2YO); 4 x 808m (4 2YO); 4 x 804m (1 Open; 3 Maiden)
Polytrack – 1 x 1175m (Open); 1 x 740m (Open)
Soft conditions didn't hinder the speed of a couple of nice heat winners.
MALKOVICH (Bjorn Baker): If you know Malkovich you know this boy is a fast runner. Displayed his usual speed to comfortably lead his first trial since November and was trucking over the last 400m of his 811m heat (47.90; 33.90) with plenty in reserve. All his seven wins have been over 1000m and 1100m.
WALLENDA (Ciaron Maher/David Eustace): Strong work by this unraced Trapeze Artist colt to lead and win his 808m heat (34.67). He's improved in each of his four trials since November and this effort stamped him as ready to make a bold debut.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Malkovich; Wallenda
X Broken Arrows; Excelladus; Exsensible; King Colorado; Prima Bella; Queen Of The Mile; Who's In Winny; Zoukerette
