3 minute read
Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney barrier trials at Warwick Farm on March 12 and Rosehill on March 18.
ROSEHILL March 18
Inside Grass; Soft 7
15 Heats – 5 x 1030m (3 Open; 1 3YO; 1 Maiden); 10 x 900m (
Genuine soft conditions didn't suit all horses but there was some standouts that auger well for their prospects over the carnival.
ANOTHER WIL (Ciaron Maher): This impressive Melbourne winner is ready to make an impact on the Sydney carnival after breezing through his first local trial over 1030m. Did it easily with plenty in reserve through the line and while the time wasn't quick (62.00; 35.06) his action oozed class.
IKNOWASTAR (Bjorn Baker): He's won eight of his 16 starts and should be adding to that record in his coming campaign after running away with the fastest 1030m heat by almost seven lengths (60.89; 34.43). This was his second trial and augers well for his return even though he hasn't won first-up in four attempts.
KAZOU (Chris Waller): Super win by this talented Zoustar mare in her first trial since November. Cleared out from the start under no pressure to open a big lead and coast home by almost nine lengths in the fastest heat over 900m (53.73; 34.25), being the only winner to go under 54 seconds. Seems a formality for her to add to her record of four wins from only eight starts.
LINEBACKER (John O'Shea): Super Seth youngster Impressed in his debut win and this strong trial win over 900m (55.00; 35.17) was confirmation that he is set to go on with it when he next races. Controlled the heat and could have easily gone quicker coasting home by more than three lengths.
“Look at him go”
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) March 17, 2024
Two-year-old colt Linebacker, trained by @JohnOSheaRacing wins a trial with ease at Rosehill Gardens on Monday, beating Althoff and Switz. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/Np7DDwvSWA
Group One star OVERPASS won a strong 900m heat in good time (54.34; 34.17) in a trial that will bring him nicely in fitness. With first use of the track in the first heat he made his own pace to beat ZOU TIGER and SHINZO with G1 winners JOLIESTAR and ATISHU further back. SHINZO was ridden on the pace for the first time in his recent trials. Only fair through the line and suggest he could have gone better on a firmer deck.
1⃣ Overpass
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) March 17, 2024
2⃣ Zou Tiger
3⃣ Shinzo
Overpass leads all the way to win a trial at Rosehill Gardens on Monday, beating Zou Tiger and Group 1 winner Shinzo. @BBakerRacing @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/awjxzbWwKA
Maiden and 2YO heat winners who did enough to warrant attention when they race include INQUISTIVE LEGEND (1030m – 62.28; 35.50); IMPERIAL FORCE (900m – 54.48) and AUTUMN GLOW (900m – 54.88; 35.16).
NOTED TRIALS
XX Another Wil; Iknowastar; Kazou; Linebacker
X Autumn Glow; Canara; Imperial Force; Inquisitive Legend; Joey D'Or; Lady Nikster; Mannequin; Overpass; Revolt; Rubikins; Willie Oppa
WARWICK FARM March 12
Inside Grass; Good 4
15 Heats – 4 x 1208m (2 Open; 2 2YO/Open); 3 x 803m (3 Open); 4 x 801m (4 2YO); 4 x 798m (1 Open; 3 Maiden)
Some nice trials by a couple of carnival contenders.
BUCKAROO (Chris Waller): Strong second in the fastest 1208m heat (73.33; 34.77), working to the line under a good hold. It was the type of trial you would expect from an import of his class, showing he had trained on nicely from his first-up effort when he had no luck in the G1 Verry Elleegant at Randwick. Expect him to be a player in any Group race he contests over the carnival.
USEAPIN (Chris Waller): Promising Yes Yes Yes filly was noted when second in her first trial at Rosehill on March 1 and another impressive effort confirmed she is a youngster with potential. Strong work from midfield over the last 400m in her fast 801m heat (47.26; 33.95), surging to the line under a tight hold from James McDonald to finish second. Ready to make an impact on debut.
The classy prospect SCHWARZ – a winner at Flemington during Cup Week at just his third start - had his third trial in the last six weeks, finishing an unextended third in the fastest 798m heat (46.21; 33.38) after tracking five and six wide from the 500m. His work indicates he is ready to go to the races.
His strong heat was won by the fast runner THE NOVELIST with his stablemate KAIZAD, winner of the Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington, working well within himself for a soft second. Written By colt THE NOVELIST, off the scene since he won his first two starts in 2022, returned with a similar sharp trial win at Warwick Farm last month and is set to resume in a suitable short course sprint.
Other smart heat winners included STAR ACT in the fastest 803m heat (47.61; 33.51); FROEBEL STAR (801m – 47.16; 33.91) and the maiden speedster DUKE OF BRONTE, who flew over 798m in 45.86 (33.14).
NOTED TRIALS
XX Buckaroo; Useapin
X Duke Of Bronte; Froebel Star; Kaizad; Mergeila; Nostalgia; Phobus; Schwarz; Star Act; Waterford
