3 minute read
Chris Scholtz reviews barrier trials at Warwick Farm and Newcastle on March 26 and 27.
WARWICK FARM MARCH 26
A strong set that is certain to be the source of some good winners in coming weeks.
EMBASSY (Peter & Paul Snowden): Stood out in the 2YO heats with a classy win in the fastest 794m heat (46.51; 33.95), going through his gears effortlessly with plenty in reserve at the finish. Took on high class fields in his first two starts and only a matter of time for him to record his first win – could be a star at the Brisbane carnival.
ESPIONAGE (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott): We'll never know what he might have been capable of in the Golden Slipper! Showed he will be a player in the Group races at Randwick after he took on older horses in an open heat over 1200m and showed his class to work home from midfield and win comfortably in the fastest of the three heats over the distance (71.63; 35.60).
"A nice tickover, impressive trial."
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) March 25, 2024
Espionage given a solid hitout by @tommyberry21 to win a 1200m trial at Warwick Farm on Tuesday, the @gaiwaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott colt beat Call Di with Esti Feny in third. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/nDrQHreDlT
SOUTHPORT TYCOON (Ciaron Maher): Australian Guineas winner had an easy time in his first Sydney trial, working home under a big hold for a soft second in his 1200m heat (72.86; 34.91). The Guineas form is outstanding and this trial underlined that he'll be a real threat in the Doncaster.
1⃣ Miss Hades
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) March 25, 2024
2⃣ Southport Tycoon
3⃣ O'Ziggy
The @GaryPortelli filly leads all the way to win a Warwick Farm trial on Tuesday, just holding the Australian Guineas winner, with @jamieleekah07 up, in the 1200m gallop. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/y9ffByIPHf
The fastest 797m heat was won by the racy VEGAS RAIDER (46.35; 33.73) with top class mare ESPIONA working well within herself for second but again showing a tendency to turn her head and lay in, a trait that will cost her wins.
Vegas Raider, trained by @DavidPfieffer, wins a trial at Warwick Farm on Tuesday, downing Espiona, who finished on late into second, by a length with Oryx in third. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/bc5Zm3AUVL
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) March 25, 2024
The Godolphin team won three 2YO trials with some nice types – Exosphere filly NIGHT SKY looked sharp sprinting quickly off a fast pace in her 794m heat (46.68; 33.64) while NOVARA (797m - 47.30; 34.04) and OBSCURE (794m - 47.57; 34.10) did all that was required to win their heats.
The maiden speedster DUKE OF BRONTE again showed great pace to win the fastest 791m heat (45.86; 33.58), a repeat of the way he won his previous trial at Warwick Farm on March 12.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Embassy; Espionage; Southport Tycoon
X Duke Of Bronte; Espiona; Graceful Artist; Hell's Vixen; Kaelabella; Night Sky; Obscure; Pierolite; Piggyback; Pippali; Pippie Beach; Point And Shoot; Shibli; Yet He Moves; Vegas Raider; Vilana; Zambezi River
NEWCASTLE March 27
Some top Sydney stables sent some of their better youngsters up the highway for tick over trials ahead of the Randwick carnival.
PISCES (James Cummings): Liked the way he worked home for third in a strong 2YO heat over 800m (47.86; 33.42) won by the unraced local youngster PRIVATE HARRY. It was the fastest heat over the distance with this Frosted gelding having plenty in reserve finishing an easy third in his first outing since he was placed at Randwick behind the classy pair Straight Charge and Erno's Cube. The impressive Randwick debut winner HALLETT also took the eye finishing second under a quiet ride after tracking wide.
ZOE'S PROMISE (Kris Lees): Classy G2 winner is working up to a likely a likely Brisbane carnival campaign. Did it easily in her first trial since January to lead the fastest 1000m heat by a big margin and coast home untouched (60.05; 33.61). Impressive work that augers well for her to run well fresh.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Hallet; Pisces; Zoe's Promise
X Audette; Florida Sky; Hallett; Jewellery; Kipsbay; Moonraker; Private Harry; Sing A Love Song; Too Darn Lizzie
