RACE TALK – Trial Watch Specials

HAWKESBURY March 11

There was plenty of depth in the open trials plus a leading Golden Slipper contender strutted her stuff in a juvenile heat.

COMMEMORATIVE (James Cummings): Another super trial from this promising filly after she took the eye at the Hawkesbury trials on February 27. Loved the way she found the line to finish second in her 1000m heat (58.69; 34.02) with Zac Lloyd letting her run to the line under a big hold from midfield. Has the talent to match her big frame.

LADY OF CAMELOT (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott): Back from her Blue Diamond Stakes second, she stamped her class on her 800m heat (46.72; 33.34) with an electric turn of foot to win running away by almost three lengths. Blake Shinn allowed her to settle behind two leaders before calling on her extend at the 200m with the response immediate. Her fast sprint to the line was a perfect prep for the Golden Slipper.

RED CARD (James Cummings):  This mare is getting better with maturity with a dominant win in her 1000m heat 58.26; 32.53) showing she has gone ahead since her excellent first-up win at Rosehill. Led with ease and never out of second gear running a quick closing sectional. WOLLOMBI took the eye steaming home from last for third.

RANDWICK March 7

The open heats featured several horses that will be key players in feature races over the carnival.

I AM ME (Ciaron Maher): Primed for a big first-up performance after a classy win in the fastest 1045m heat (61.99; 33.64). Pulled her way to the front after 400m and was three lengths clear on the turn under a big hold from Blake Shinn. Under no pressure to maintain her advantage to the finish and loved the way she kept working strongly for 150m past the post. Classy trio HAWAII FIVE OH, LIBERTAD and SALTCOATS were ridden quietly back in the field.

OZZMOSIS (Bjorn Baker): Easy work for the brilliant 3YO in his 1045m heat (62.38; 33.55), leading under a big hold before PLATINUM JUBILEE was put under a ride over the last 200m to run him down on the line. He could have won the heat by a margin if asked with this hitout topping him off for his pending return after his earlier impressive trials.

KING’S GAMBIT (Peter & Paul Snowden): Bounced back from his Oakleigh Plate loss when resuming to win his 1045m heat in slower time (63.11; 33.59). He was last early but was keen to run with Tommy Berry allowing him to slip forward three wide from the 800m. Breezed home over the last 200m to win the trial while lightly raced filly WATCH MY GIRL impressed finishing third under a choke hold.

WYONG MARCH 4

A promising maiden confirms her early trial form.

JAMAKIN MONEY (Damien Lane): Local filly added to her reputation as a trial star with another fast heat win over 845m (50.18; 34.03) in her first appearance since a similar performance in September. She raced once 12 months ago and has had obvious problems but she will certainly win a maiden when she returns to racing.

ROSEHILL March 1

A feature was the classy return of the G1 winner SUNSHINE IN PARIS after a setback cut short her spring campaign.

SUNSHINE IN PARIS (Annabel Neasham): A lovely first-up trial by this top class mare in her first appearance since she won the G2 Sheraco Stakes in the early spring. No intent to put her under pressure as she went about her business finishing a soft fifth in a strong 900m heat (54.72; 34.33). No doubt she will improve lengths with the benefit of this trial.

BUNDELLA (Hawkes Racing): Unraced 3YO by Deep Field has now won two trials in the style of a classy young prospect. Showed he had trained on well from his first trial win at Rosehill on February 15 to easily run down a tearaway leader under a soft ride in the fastest 900m heat (54.21; 34.98), setting him up for a bold debut.

HAWKESBURY February 27

A couple to watch for in midweek company.

HEZDARNHOTTOO (Bjorn Baker): Impressive second trial by this unraced Too Darn Hot youngster to win his 800m heat (47.25; 32.94). Other heat winners went faster but he was very sharp sprinting hard to the line over the last 200m.   

LAVISH EMPIRE (Peter & Paul Snowden): Freshened since his successful visit to the Gold Coast in January, he put in impressive work closing strongly from the rear for a close second in his 1000m heat (60.13; 34.12). Never put under pressure and looks in good order to continue his rise through the grades

WARWICK February 26

Impressive win by a nice staying prospect

WINSTON HILLS (Matthew Smith): Stood out in the 1200m trials with his surging finish from well off the pace to win his heat (73.26; 35.41). Has a win and three placings from his first four starts and looks to have a good future.

RANDWICK February 22

Young sprint star OZZMOSIS took the spotlight with a sharp first-up trial win.

OZZMOSIS (Bjorn Baker): Set to add to his reputation after nice work to win his Group trial over 850m on the Kensington track with ease. Dylan Gibbons allowed the Zoustar to do as much as he needed to hold an advantage over his rivals over the last 200m (49.91; 33.56). It was a strong heat with G1 winner SHINZO putting in nice work under no pressure, work that will top them off for his race returns.

MANUSCRIPT (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott): Impressive work by this unraced Written By youngster in his first trial since October. Tracked six horses wide under a hold and had plenty in reserve going to the line easily to win the fastest2YO heat over 737m (43.19; 33.25).

Other 2YOs to make an impression in their trials included the Snowden-trained heat winners MEDIA WORLD (1050m – 63.72; 34.94) and INOUE (737m – 43.53; 33.66).

ROSEHILL February 15

Trial watchers are hot on the tail of a promising maiden.

CASSIEL (Peter & Paul Snowden): Unraced Harry Angel colt has been in the blackbook since an early trial win last year and the wait for his debut will be worthwhile. Worked well within himself to win his 900m heat in fast time (53.96; 34.13) by almost two lengths, making it three wins and second from his four trial appearances since last July.