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Trial Watch Review: 20th January 2022

by Chris Scholtz , 2 years ago

3 minute read

Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney barrier trials at Warwick Farm on January 20.

HOME AFFAIRS
HOME AFFAIRS Picture: Martin King / Sportpix

WARWICK FARM January 20

Inside Grass; Soft 7

14 Heats – 1 x 800m (Group/Listed); 3 x 1200m (12 Open; 2 Maiden); 3 x 795m ((3 Open); 3 x 792m (3 2YO); 4 x 789m (1 3YO; 3 Maiden)

When a Melbourne Cup winner and a host of other elite Group stars step out in the same heat it certainly lifts the standard of a trial session above the ordinary.

Champion mare VERRY ELLEEGANT and Group winners HOME AFFAIRS, THINK IT OVER, HUNGRY HEART, ICEBATH, MAXIMAL and QUANTICO were among the big names contesting an 800m heat on the inside grass to kick start their autumn programs.

GROUP HEAT (800m): After NATURE STRIP's trial win at Rosehill early in the week it was the turn of 3YO star HOME AFFAIRS to show why he is regarded in many quarters as heir apparent to his stablemate's crown as our best sprinter. The Coolmore Stud Stakes winner jumped to a clear lead under Jay Ford and had no trouble dictating the speed of the trial to cruise home untouched for a hard held win without testing the clock (49.02; 34.96). Luckless mare ICEBATH was an excellent second, working home from midfield under no pressure to get the better of the import MAXIMAL in the last 50 metres. MAXIMAL impressed in his first local start in the Golden Eagle in the spring and being a middle distance performer it was encouraging to see him put in a strong fresh trial. Exciting sprinter QUANTICO took the eye with his late work through the line to finish a close sixth, a return that augers well for his autumn prospects when I expect to see him make his mark in good Group sprints. The trial marked an early start to VERRY ELLEEGANT's autumn prep and as you would expect it was nothing more than easy exercise for the mare with James McDonald giving her a quiet ride on the fence to finish 4.5 lengths from the winner. Just ahead of her over the line was THINK IT OVER with the wfa star also sitting out the back and clear of the traffic.

There was ample quality on show in other heats with excellent trials from two other notable autumn contenders.

EBHAAR (Peter & Paul Snowden): I'm sure this I Am Invincible filly, winner over the colts in the Merson Cooper Stakes at Caulfield in her spring debut, is going to bring the Magic Millions winner Coolangatta down to earth if and when they meet in the autumn. She was the star of three high class 2YO trials, cruising in the lead and never off the bit to easily maintain her advantage to the line in the fastest of the three heats over 792mm (47.18; 33.77). MUMBAI JEWEL, another very talented I Am Invincible filly, was an impressive second while the top spring colt SEJARDAN didn't have the speed to match the fillies over the short course, finishing an easy fourth in his first trial since his Breeders Plate/Golden Gift double. He's a typical Sebring and is certain to improve in condition with this trial behind him.  

PROMISE OF SUCCESS (John O'Shea): Beat only one rival to the line in her open heat over 795m but it was the manner of her trial that could not be missed as it was obvious she was sent out to work over 1000m. Hugh Bowman allowed this potential Group winner to settle last, seven lengths from the lead, before easing widest turning for home. He sat quietly until the last 50m when he gave her the slightest squeeze that brought an immediate response. She closed quickly to be beaten less than three lengths and then worked strongly for another 200m past the post, a hitout that will no doubt have pleased her astute trainer.

The other 2YO heats over 792m won by STARRY JACK (47.75; 34.45) and EL PADRINO (48.09; 35.05) were also classy affairs.

The unraced STARRY JACK recorded his first win in four trials but he stamped himself as a youngster ready to compete on debut after working well within himself to win a heat that featured the highly regarded colts BOLDINHO and SHALATIN. BOLDINHO came to Sydney off the EBHAAR form in Melbourne and was unlucky not to beat his Maher/Eustace stablemate EL PADRINO in the Inglis Nursery at Randwick. He again impressed in his trial with the way he worked to the line late for a strong third while SHALATIN, a boom youngster in the spring, looked open to improvement on his solid fourth after sitting three wide outside the leaders.

EL PADRINO's time was the slowest of the three heats but there was quality in the way he travelled easily outside the leader, took control and had his rivals well covered over the last 200m.

The fastest of the three 1200m heats was won by the unraced maiden PARRYING (73.20; 37.23), who opened up a big lead and coasted home by more than four lengths for his second win in four trials.

Another 1200m heat winner to follow is THROUGH IRISH EYES (74.92; 36.06), last season's VRC St Leger winner who was having his second trial since May. It was interesting to see James McDonald test him out in the trial and I am confident there is some excellent staying potential in this lightly raced 4YO by Tavistock. He's is well worth an early spec at his generous odds in early Sydney Cup markets.

SHADOW BRIDGE was pushed along over the last 200m to record the fastest 795m open heat win (46.79; 33.44) while Exceed And Excel filly ROCKLILY underlined her talent with a sharp win in her open trial over 789m (47.50; 34.10) after tracking three wide from the start.

In the maiden heats over 789m the impressive wins in fast times by SAID HANRAHAN (46.72, 34.19) and GREEN LEGEND (47.12; 34.06) stamped them as coming winners. SAID HANARAHAN is an unraced Astern filly who has now won two of her three trials while Star Turn gelding GREEN LEGEND's five trials have shown he has much more ability than the form he produced in two race starts last year.

NOTED TRIALS

XX Ebhaar; Home Affair; Promise Of Success

X Able Willie; Boldinho; Definitely Maybe; El Padrino; Green Legend; Icebath; Maximal; Mumbai Jewel; Parrying; Quantico; Rocklily; Said Hanrahan; Shadow Bridge; Soami; Starry Jack; Through Irish Eyes


Racing and Sports

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Gallops Trials Warwick Farm Verry Elleegant Home Affairs winners

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