3 minute read
Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney barrier trials at Hawkesbury (August 21) and Rosehill (August 22).
ROSEHILL August 22
11 Heats – Soft 5
Course Proper – 1 x 1000m (Group/Listed; 1 x 900m (Group/Listed)
Inside Grass – 3 x 1030m (2 Open; 1 Maiden); 6 x 900m (2 Open; 4 Maiden)
Champion sprinter NATURE STRIP is trialling like his old self, producing a classy piece of work to win a strong black type heat on the course proper.
HEAT 1 (1000m): The first black type heat on the course proper was won by the high class 3YO DON CORLEONE, leading from start to finish for a soft win over an unextended Queensland Derby winner KOVALICA (62.71; 34.80) in a heat made up of horses preparing for longer spring targets. The winner showed improved fitness from his resuming trial at Rosehill on August 11 while KOVALICA would have made it interesting of he had been asked for a serious effort over the last 200m. DIAMIL and Victoria Derby winner MANZOICE had nice conditioning trials.
1⃣ Don Corleone
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 21, 2023
2⃣ Kovalica
3⃣ Diamil
Group 1 placed @SnowdenRacing1 colt Don Corleone leads throughout to win a Rosehill trial on Tuesday. behind the placegetters were My Whisper, Manzoice and Beneau. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/yyL2KdbSqm
HEAT 2 (900m): NATURE STRIP laid to rest any conjecture that that age is catching up with him by working like his old self for an impressive win over some familiar rivals in this black type heat. Just as he did in his resuming trial at Rosehill on August 11, James McDonald allowed the big gelding to find his rhythm from a wide gate after a slow start before sliding forward to sit outside the leader OVERPASS. They weren't breaking records but NATURE STRIP pulled his way to the front under a big hold turning for home and after establishing an advantage McDonald was content to keep him under restraint and do all that was required to win the heat in average time (55.02; 33.51). A fresh OVERPASS held his ground well to finish second in his first return trial with Golden Slipper placegetter KING'S GAMBIT putting in nice work late to finish third ahead of his stablemate MAZU.
Champion sprinter Nature Strip prevails in a high class trial at Rosehill on Tuesday from Overpass with three-year-old King's Gambit a close third in 55.02. Mazu, King Of Sparta and Espiona followed. @tabcomau @cwallerracing pic.twitter.com/6JRPv4Ljqn
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 21, 2023
Another Everest contender MASKED PARTY was asked for some serious work in his 1030m heat on the inside grass, running home from last under a ride from Zac Lloyd to claim a narrow win over the smart speedster MAOTAI (64.34; 35.82). The runner-up is primed for a bold fresh run after two good trials while the effort of THE KING to finish fourth augers well for his prospects in a suitable restricted event.
The fastest 1030m heat was won by the Snowden's promising 3YO SNAPBACK (63.04; 35.67) with his stylish work over the last 200m a sure sign that he is set for a good prep. The same can be said for his stablemate VOMO ISLAND, who had plenty to offer making ground from the rear for third.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Nature Strip
X Airman; Cap Ferrat; Don Corleone; Heman; Kostroma; Kovalica; Maotai; Matusalem; Seton Hall; Snapback; The King; Vomo Island
HAWKESBURY August 21
14 Heats – Soft 5
Inside Grass – 1 x 1250m (Open); 7 x 1000m (2 Open; 1 3YO; 4 Maiden); 6 x 800m (2 Open; 4 Maiden)
Some nice trials from talented runners representing leading stables.
BALKANS (James Cummings): This Lonhro colt has trained on well with two solid trials since his Canterbury debut in June. Ready for a maiden win after working home under an easy ride from James Macdonald to win his 800m heat in good time (47.22; 33.26).
CARNIVAL LEGEND (Richard & Will Freedman): Nice improvement by this Toronado colt from his first trial at Canterbury on August 7, showing excellent natural pace to lead his 1000m heat and easily extend his margin when allowed to run from the 400m. Got right away to win the trial by almost six lengths in fast time (60.22; 34.29).
Carnival Legend impressed this morning in Heat 7 at @hawkesburyrc for @R1CHARDFREEDMAN and @willfreedman! pic.twitter.com/LD4tvFnUzc
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 21, 2023
RED CARD (James Cummings): Impressive third by this quality mare in the quickest 800m heat won by FORMS OF FEAR (46.50; 32.76) that featured a fast last 600m. Having her first trial since she won successive stakes races at Scone and Eagle Farm in May, she travelled three deep and went wider on the turn but was never off the bit with James McDonald sitting cold as she worked to the line with plenty to offer.
WOLLOMBI (Peter & Paul Snowden): Nothing but upside in this talented 4YO mare. She's won four from 13 and you can expect her to add to her record after a classy win in her 1000m heat (60.00; 33.91) that was all you would want to see after her eye catching first-up fourth at Rosehill on July 23.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Balkans; Carnival Legend; Red Card; Wollombi
X Atmosphere; Big Apple; Big Shooter; Forms Of Fear; Jawharat Dubai; Sovereign Fund; Tamerlane; Tazaral; Tokie's Rose; Unspoken; Zahdi
.@ANeashamRacing's nicely bred and unraced Jawharat Dubai wins her second trial in style! pic.twitter.com/CCshrDkYcX
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 21, 2023
