3 minute read
It’s all about where James Cummings decides to place Golden Slipper runner-up Cylinder this spring because if his trials are any guide he could be a horse we’re talking about in some very big races in the next few months.
The Godolphin colt made it two trial wins in the lead up to the start of his three-year-old year with a real headline performance to score in his 900m course proper heat at Warwick Farm on Friday.
He's currently equal second favourite at $8 in the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose (1400m) next month and you'd imagine that's his first big target.
In the trial he settled nicely just behind the speed and cruised to the leaders about 100m out, while the margin was on the narrow side it was an arrogant win and the time was handy against the other course proper heat over the same trip.
That heat was won by stablemate Parisal, who won three of her four starts in the autumn and was second in the Group 3 PJ Bell in the other.
She outpointed Australian Derby winner Major Beel by just under a length with a decent gap to the rest, each staying types, for her second trial win.
You'd have to say Major Beel has returned in excellent fashion to be able to match it with a speedier type over a short course so it wouldn't shock if he's a real player early in his spring campaign.
Think It Over looks ready to make his long awaited comeback in next week's Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) after an excellent performance in his second official trial.
While the winner Mo'Unga did the job well in his own right you couldn't help but look at the horse jogging outside him as they came to the line.
It'll be a big ask to win first-up since his Queen Elizabeth Stakes victory last year but Kerry Parker would settle for an encouraging return and everything points to that happening.
Buenos Noches was right alongside in third in that trial and he's a horse many have pegged as going to the next level this season, so it's over to the entire to do that after another sound showing at his second trial.
Ruthin didn't fire at her Australian debut about six weeks ago or so but perhaps Joe Pride has her worked out given her all the way win in an 816m heat was superior to any other trial she's put in to date.
Again she showed speed to lead and always travelled easily, and controlled, as she held a couple of lengths on some handy chasers in Doull, at his first appearance for Annabel Neasham, and a race fit Chorlton Lane coming from the back.
Cinderella Days made the leap to stakes company last preparation and her closing third in an 816m heat was some nice work. It wasn't one of the faster trials but she looked comfortable running on given her racing pattern is to be on speed.
A race fit, and unbeaten, Taormina was a bit too speedy in her tickover trial but it was hard to miss the promising Kimochi work to the line in third place behind the solid tempo.
She was third in the Group 2 Percy Sykes at The Star Championships.
Percy Sykes runner-up Tiz Invincible had a bit of class on her opposition in winning the final heat over 810m after sitting five deep throughout. The time wasn't bad either.
The filly is nominated for The Rosebud this weekend, but gee she'd have a maiden at her mercy if connections went for a confidence booster first-up.
