3 minute read
Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney barrier trials at Randwick on August 15 and Warwick Farm on August 18.
WARWICK FARM August 18
12 Heats – Soft 6
Inside Grass – 3 x1207m (2 Open; 1 Maiden); 3 x 807m (3 Open); 3 x 803m (3 Maiden); 3 x 801m (3 Maiden)
Evergreen sprint star Eduardo and the talented Kibou provided the highlight of the session when they clashed in an open heat over 807m.
He may be a 10-year-old but EDUARDO has lost none of his dash. He jumped into the led with ease and was always travelling smoothly to maintain a clear margin to the line in the fastest time for the distance (48.28; 34.64).
"Eduardo showing us he's still got it."
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 18, 2023
Evergreen @PrideRacing sprinter Eduardo and @nashhot too slick in a Warwick Farm trial on Friday for Kibou with Spencer's Spirit a close third. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/Ni3Iga7yUO
While EDUARDO did all that was required it was the lightly raced G3 winner KIBOU taking the eye with his work over the last 50m to finish second. He was under a good hold travelling easily a length or two off EDUARDO and had plenty to offer making ground easily under a kind ride from Regan Bayliss.
The three heats over 1207m were standard fare. Quality performers SPIRIT RIDGE and CROSS TALK dominated their heat (74.35; 35.79) while the maiden heat winner KONING (75.16; 37.80) appeals as a staying prospect to follow with interest.
Spirit Ridge stalks Cross Talk all the way and sticks his head in front on the line to win a trial at Warwick Farm on Friday with Peace Officer third. Behind them were Fireburn and Hope In Your Heart. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/xwfmvaz4HO
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 17, 2023
There were some promising efforts in the maiden heats over the sprint distances.
SINGLE BENEFACTOR (Maher/Eustace): An impressive second by this unraced Not A Single Doubt filly in only her second trial and her first since March. No early speed before making her run widest on the turn and cruising home under no pressure for a soft second behind LASER BEAM (48.71; 35.27). The winner and third placed LEFT FIELD also trialled impressively in a strong heat.
UNSTOPABULL (Chris Waller): Unraced Russian Revolution gelding finished third in his 801m heat won by AIR COMBAT (48.41; 34.99) in his first trial since January. Took the eye working to the line easily from off the pace in a trial that is sure to improve his fitness.
NONDISCLOSURE (Maher/Eustace): Best performance in four trials by this unraced Dundeel 3YO, tracking wide in the lead but always travelling within himself to score easily in his 801m heat. The time wasn't flash (50.05; 36.28) but he's in the right hands to make improvement.
Other heat winners worth noting included RAINBIEL, FOR VALOUR and COURT WHISPERS.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Eduardo; Kibou; Single Benefactor
X Air Combat; Converge; Court Whispers; For Valour; Koning; Laser Beam; Left Field; Nondisclosure; Rainbiel; Unstopabull
RANDWICK August 15
15 Heats – Soft 7
Kensington - 1 x 1250m (Group/Listed); 2 x 850m (Group/Listed)
Randwick A Grass - 7 x 1050m (3 Open; 4 Maiden); 5 x 743m (2 Open; 3 Maiden)
AILESBURY ROAD (Michael Freedman): Impressive win by this unraced Merchant Navy gelding, posting the fastest time in the five heats over 743m (44.43; 34.29). Having only his second trial and first since April, he showed excellent natural pace with a lot to like about the way he got away from his rivals over the last 300m to win his heat by almost five lengths.
FRILLED (Matthew Smith): Unbeaten Star Witness mare won her first two starts over 1000m at Nowra and Kembla Grange in April and May and is set to go on with it in similar short course provincial events after turning on the jets to win her 743m heat by almost six lengths (44.89; 34.45).
1⃣ Kallos
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 14, 2023
2⃣ Saltcoats
3⃣ In Secret@ZacLloydx guides @godolphin 5yo Kallos to an easy trial win at Kensington on Tuesday over ex-Kiwi Saltcoats with Group 1 winner In Secret back in third. Arts, Barber an Democracy Manifest followed. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/S3wEy53VeX
KALLOS (James Cummings): Took control of his black type heat over 850m from the start and was never under pressure to record a soft win (51.50; 34.04). Nice efforts behind him from SALTCOATS and his top class stablemate IN SECRET.
"She's going to make this trial a one-act affair."
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 14, 2023
All the way for @godolphin's Group 1 placed mare Zapateo (@mcacajamez) in a trial on the Kensington track on Tuesday, beating stablemate Corniche with Libertad in third in 50.90. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/uZcxCLHTTB
ZAPATEO (James Cummings): Godolphin has this classy G1-placed mare set for a winning return after topping her off with a sharp win in her 850m heat on the Kensington. Did it easily in front to post the quickest time of the two heats (50.90; 33.77) over the trip and could easily have gone faster. Stablemate CORNICHE closed nicely for a strong second.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Ailesbury Road; Frilled; Kallos; Zapateo
X Captain Amelia; Corniche; Countyourblessings; Gold Dust; In Secret; Just Fine; Miss Bayles; My Oberon; Panic; Rock Empire; Saltaire; Saltcoats; Saturn Star; Unique Ambition
My Oberon wound up strongly to finish ahead of White Marlin in this morning's trial.@ANeashamRacing @SchofieldChad pic.twitter.com/tN8H2m3DKR
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 14, 2023
