TRIAL WATCH with Chris Scholtz

RANDWICK November 20

IOWNA MERC (Bjorn Baker): Beaten first-up but he’s ready to atone after an impressive win in his 1050m heat (62.46; 34. 70). He settled well off the pace and was still six lengths off the leader at the 200m but showed his class to reel him in quickly over the last 50 metres in quick time.

KITTY CHAT (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott): This Menari filly has been a trial star from day one and was at short odds in her only start last season when she finished second at Warwick Farm, splitting top class fillies Joliestar and Arctic Glamour. She’s back in a big way as she surged to the line under a strong hold to win her first-up trial over 740m (43.67; 33.38). Just don’t expect a generous price when she resumes in a maiden.

SPACE TRACKER (Annabel Neasham): Talented import looks ready for a good second Australian campaign after two strong trials. Trialled well at Rosehill on November 6 and went on with here to dominate his 1200m heat from the front and win with authority (72.54; 35.11). His stablemate ARISTONOUS also impressed making ground from last under a soft ride to finish second.

WARWICK FARM November 16

OCEANS ONE (David Pfeiffer): Showed excellent pace in his first trial since August to win his 796m heat at Warwick Farmin the fastest of all the short course heats (45.86; 32.61), doling it easily without coming off the bit. He’s won three of his 15 starts and being a Class 3 horse there are plenty of country and provincial options for him.

STARMAE (Bjorn Baker): This Zoustar filly with two placings from her first three starts produced one of the best efforts of the session to finish third in her 792m maiden heat (46.57; 33.41). Eased back from a wide gate to settle midfield and was widest from the 500m under a big hold from Rachel King. Loved the way she worked to the line under no pressure, closing easily on the leaders to finish third with a lot to offer. A maiden win beckons.

WYONG November 15

CHILLI FILLY (Kris Lees): Vancouver filly made a winning debut in a country maiden in September and looks capable of going on with it after a strong return in her 1000m heat (59.89; 34.20). She finished third but was ridden quietly off the pace and had plenty in reserve working through the line.

WHYDUBAIME (Greg McFarlane): Unraced colt by Pride Of Dubai recorded his second successive trial win with a convincing effort to lead and run away with his 845m heat in the fastest time of the session over the distance (49.26; 33.30). Times aren’t everything but he was the only heat winner to go under 50 seconds and did it easily winning his heat by more than three lengths.

HAWKESBURY November 13

MALKOVICH (Bjornb Baker): He was unbeaten in 15 barrier trials before he finished second in a 900m heat at Rosehill on October 27. Normal service was restored in the fastest 1000m heat (57.97; 32.75) as he showed his usual speed to run them along from the start and record a sharp three lengths win.

HE’S ALL STYLE (Peter & Paul Snwoden): This 3YO maiden by Supido ran up to his name with an impressive win in  his 1000m heat (60.03; 34.68), tracking second after being four wide early before extending easily off the turn for a soft win. It backed up a Randwick trial win on November 3 with his trial form indicating he will improve on what he showed in two starts last season.

LADY EXTREME (Blake Ryan): Unraced 4YO mare by Extreme Choice sat three and four wide in her 800m heat before showing sharp acceleration to run clear and doe it easily to the line for a soft win in fast time (47.85; 33.03). She’s one to watch for in a provincial maiden.

QUEEN OF EGYPT (Stephen O’Halloran): Best effort in three trial from this unraced American Pharoah filly as she faced the breeze outside the leader before taking the upper hand and running to the line for an easy win in her 1000m heat (60.39; 34.19).

WARWICK FARM November 8

STORM BOY (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott): Backed up from an easy win in his first trial at Rosehill on October 27 to record another sharp win in his 815m heat (47.42; 33.40) by almost six lengths. The Justify colt was ridden up to lead and kept running, typical of the way Waterhouse and Bott want their youngsters to trial.

TOQUE (Gai Waterhouse/ Adrian Bott): Street Boss filly impressed in her first trial, mustering from a slow start to speed away to a big lead and cruise home by seven lengths in fast time (47.10; 33.30). Has the natural speed to win races.

ROSEHILL November 6

CASSIEL (Peter & Paul Snowden): Unraced 3YO by Harry Angel is a natural runner and will be well fancied on debut after winning two of his three trials since July. Showed a good change of gears to extend at the right time and cruise to a soft win in his 1030m heat (63.19; 35.97).

GITALONG (Hawkes Racing): Zoustar 3YO gelding has had four well spaced runs for one placing but looks ready to improve after a sharp win in his first trial since March. Untroubled to lead and had plenty to offer running smoothly to the line in his 900m heat to win bgy three lengths in good time for the conditions (54.70; 34.56).

NEWCASTLE October 24

TANGLEWOOD (Todd Howlett): Smart 4YO has won two of his first five starts and there’s more to come after he posted a soft win in his first trial since July. Travelled well within himself in his 800m heat and was ridden with no urgency to make up four lengths from the 400m and get the upper hand over the last 50 metres. It was the fastest of the 800m heats (47.27; 32.76).

ROSEHILL October 13

LONG MEMORY (Richard & Will Freedman): This 4YO mare by Lonhro was having her first trial since her only race start 12 months ago and performed strongly to win her 900m heat (56.01; 35.39). Jumped to the lead but was given no peace yet kept up a strong gallop under a kind ride to win with some authority. Should repay her connections for their perseverance.

HIGH OCTANE: The Snowden stable had made a great start to the season with their 2YOs and has another good prospect in this Deep Field colt who impressed winning the juvenile heat over 900m in the fastest time of the five trials over the distance (54.99; 34.85). He was slow into stride and tracked three wide for the trip before getting the better of the leader late without being fully extended, nice improvement on his first trial when placed in a Rosehill heat on October 3.