TRIAL WATCH STARS with Chris Scholtz May 7th – May 27th

DIPSY DOODLE (James Cummings): Talented Lonhro filly made quite an impression in her first trial since February. Sat outside the leader under a big hold from Ashley Morgan and never came off the bit to take the upper hand over the last 100m and win with lengths in reserve in fast time (47.82; 33.58). Appeals as the type who will blossom next season as a 4YO.

GRAM (James Cummings): Imposing colt by Exceed And Excel is one to follow in the late 2YO races. He was placed on debut at Newcastle in November and this trial confirmed that he is going to get better with racing. Settled midfield before putting in impressive work from the 200m to close on the pace leader THE GREY for a strong second in the fastest of all the 800m heat (47.40; 33.88).

Other Godolphin runners trialling with good intent included the unraced Exosphere filly CHRYSOBERYL with a lot to like her easy third in her 800m heat. Another 800m heat winner to impress was the well performed RAHNI FACTOR. Good speed to lead and was kept under a tight grip to easily hold the chasers in the run to the line (48.47; 34.31).

Baker won two of the three 2YO heats over 900m with first time runners REGIMENTAL COLOURS (55.35; 35.48) and STARDEEL (54.78; 35.47). REGIMENTAL COLOURS is a racy filly by All Too Hard with plenty of natural pace while STARDEEL showed surprising pace for a Dundeel colt having his first trial.

The Hawkes-trained stablemates IRONTON and GITALONG finished 1-2 in their 3YO heat over 900m run in good time for the session (54.49; 35.31). IRONTON came off the back of his stablemate with both working to the line under no pressure.

BACCHANALIA won another trial for his new trainer Richard Litt, posting the fastest in the three heats over 1030m (62.48; 35.01). He ran along in the lead and came under a ride with the runner-up GREBENI the one that impressed with his strong work over the last 100m. IRON MAN won the fastest 900m heat (54.47; 34.81) to run down the pacy KAZOU in a heat where the Melbourne visitor DAZZLING LUCY took the eye with strong work from off the pace to finish a closing third.

Blake Shinn gave him easy time in his open heat over 815m (48.11; 33.21) where he finished a closing third behind DASHING LEGEND and TUXEDO MAJESTIC. This was his second trial since he ran in the Doncaster Mile in early April and will have him in good shape for Brisbane.

For the record the fastest short course heats of the morning were won by TROIKA (815m – 47.75; 33.43), IL PASSERO (812m – 48.17; 33.65) and ECLAIR VITALITY (809m – 47.38; 33.45).

Some likely types from the 2YO heats include BLUE ILLUSION, BODE AKUNA, TARPAULIN, SO INTRICATE and CREPE MYRTLE. Maidens with good prospects include SNUBA, KILBADY, FIORENZA and ECLAIR VITALITY.

CAPITAL RAISE (Fabio Martino): This Capitalist 3YO was trained at Tamworth by Melanie O’Gorman and won three trials at Muswellbrook, Tamworth and Moree under her care. He’s now prepared at Hawkesbury and again showed he is a natural runner by running away with his maiden heat over 1000m by almost four lengths under a soft ride in acceptable time for the session (60.24; 35.42).

SCHWARZ (John O’Shea): Primed to perform well in Brisbane after doing all that was required to win the fastest of the five heats over 1030m (62.55; 35.00). Sat off the leader before extending smoothly to win under a quiet ride.

STEP ASIDE (Chris Waller): Set for a good campaign after strong work to win his 900m heat with plenty in reserve (56.83; 35.87). Travelled wide before closing on the lead and doing it easily under a good hold.

TSARINA SOPHIA (Gerald Ryan/Sterling Alexiou): She’s a sharp runner when right and races best fresh. She’s in good order to resume after breezing through her 900m heat (54.95; 34.45), showing her natural speed to lead at her leisure and score by more than three lengths.

WATERSKI (James Cummings): This Street Boss filly hasn’t run to expectations in her first four starts but it looks a formality for her to win a maiden if she takes this trial form to the races. Coasted in the lead in her fast 900m heat (54.70; 35.17), never coming off the bit to cruise home by more than three lengths.

The G1 winner IN SECRET is another star on track for Brisbane after a pleasing win in a strong 900m heat (62.99; 35.49). This was her second trial since her good break from racing and she was asked to work to the line from off the pace, getting the upper hand over the quietly ridden FACILE over the last 100m.

The unraced Per Incanto 3YO CAPTAIN EAGLE has been a trial star for some time and surely is close to a race start after a smart win in the fastest 900m heat (54.45; 34.93). The trial also featured nice work from the experienced winners GITALONG and HANAU.

There were some strong 2YO heats featuring some classy youngsters including the G1 Champagne Stakes winner BROADSIDING. He finished second in his 1045m heat (64.22; 35.86) won by the unraced I Am Invincible filly I FOUND YOU. It was quality work from both youngsters as they surged through the line from well off the pace.

Stablemates MANOS and EVERYBODY RISE, a pair of colts by Snitzel who showed promise early in the season, finished 1-2 in their 737m heat (43.98; 33.79) with plenty in reserve. The unraced MANOS has been in the blackbook since his first spring trial while EVERYBODY RISE was placed in his debut at Rosehill in the spring and has since had three trials.

The Snowden-trained VINNIRO, a gelding by I Am Invincible, showed he had improved since his two spring starts with a dominant win in the fastest of the three 2YO heats over 1045m (63.98; 35.71). Another Snowden heat winner to make an impression was the smart mare ALICIA ROMA. She has missed a place only three times in 13 starts and her easy win in her 737m heat (43.85; 33.61) indicates she is ready to rebound from a Victorian campaign late last year.

As always it’s hard to read a lot into poly trials as few horses come off the bit but this session served the purpose for the likes of THINK ABOUT IT, RED CARD and IN SECRET as they prepare for the Brisbane carnival. They were all given easy trials with RED CARD working well within herself for third in her open heat over 740m (43.50; (32.69).  THINK ABOUT IT finished second and IN SECRET sixth in another 740m in much slower time (44.56; 33.45).

Happy Punting