3 minute read
Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney and provincial barrier trials at Warwick Farm and Wyong on May 17.
WARWICK FARM May 17
Polytrack;Synthetic
5 Heats – 1 x 1175m (Open); 4 x 740m (1 Open; 2 2YO; 1 3YO)
Small but interesting polytrack session where the two-year-olds took centre stage.
Black Opal Stakes winner KALASHNIKOV underlined his well-being for a likely Brisbane campaign with a strong win against older rivals in the open 1175m heat (72.62; 35.25). It was his second trial since his Golden Slipper failure and there was a lot to like about the way he tracked the leaders before running past them with a good turn of foot over the last 300m.
It's rare to see a 2YO trial twice in the space of the week but the Hawkes stable had no hesitation backing up the unraced Deep Field youngster SACRED FIELD after his debut win at Rosehill on May 11.
He led easily at Rosehill but this time showed he wasn't one dimensional by settling back on the rail before tracking up behind a tearaway leader under a kind ride. He went to the line with plenty in hand to win the fastest of the four 740m heats (43.29; 33.24) and is obviously ready to make an impact when he goes to the races.
The other 2YO heat over 740 for the 2YOs was one by Chris Waller's Astern filly ARRANMORE. It was a smart debut trial as she worked well within herself getting the better of the fast leader over the last 200m in good time (43.87; 33.53).
The open heat over 740m was won in efficient style by LANCASTER BOMBER (43.87; 33.60) with INVINCIANO a strong second after covering more ground. Both are accomplished last start restricted winners who can be well placed in their right grade.
Honest @littracing sprinter Lancaster Bomber takes out a trial at Warwick Farm on Monday from @PrideRacing mare Invinciano with Sedition in third. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/VbE7MS9FHM
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) May 16, 2021
NOTED TRIALS
XX Sacred Field
X Arranmore; I Am Yours; Invinciano; Kalashnikov; Lancaster Bomber; Written Statement
WYONG May 17
Course Proper; Soft 5
16 Heats – 2 x 1200m (2 Open); 6 x 1000m (3 Open; 1 2YO; 2 Maiden); 7 x 845m (2 Open; 3 2YO; 2 Maiden)
Runners from the Godolphin and Waterhouse/Bott stables added spice to these provincial trials.
The class pair KEMENTARI and AQUITAINE were the only two runners from the Godolphin team and they showed their class with impressive trials.
The G1 winner KEMENTARI looks in great health and James Cummings has him ready for a good to winter program judging by the way he worked easily to the line for a strong third in his 1000m heat (60.61; 36.89) that he could have won if asked for a serious effort.
Ex-Kiwi galloper Matterhorn wins a trial at @WyongRaceClub on Monday from @Leesracing stablemate No Laughing Matter with @godolphin stalwart Kementari a close third. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/yhP5GdpWY8
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) May 16, 2021
His talented stablemate AQUITAINE, off the scene since a stakes win in Brisbane last June, went better winning the fastest of the seven 845m heats (50.33; 35.46) with a lot of authority. She looked in great order letting down from behind the pace in a positive sign that she is back on track after her autumn program was aborted following a trial in January.
Talented @godolphin mare Aquitaine hits the line nicely to win a trial at @WyongRaceClub on Monday from Sky Banner with Camp Rifle in third. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/ApDz32B2Hn
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) May 17, 2021
Youngsters from the Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott team won the three 2YO heats over 845m with the G1 placed CONVERGE clearly the standout. He shared the lead in the middle of a line of three and responded keenly when put under a ride by Tim Clark to clear out for a dominant 8.3 lengths win in a tick slower time (50.36; 35.13) than Aquitaine's heat win.
"Clark shakes the reins, with 100m to go he explodes away."
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) May 17, 2021
Group 1 placed 2yo Converge puts 8-1/4 lengths on his unraced rivals to win a @WyongRaceClub trial on Monday downing Self Assertive and Oronoco. @tabcomau @GaiWaterhouse1 @clarkyhk pic.twitter.com/rKusD2ZqC8
The stable won the other two juvenile heats over 845m with GROOVER (51.06; 35.97) and DON'T HESITATE (51.70; 36.27).
NOTED TRIALS
XX Aquitaine
X Converge; Daphne Jean; Don't Hesitate; Fenech; In Good Time; Isalute; Island Lass; Kementari; Knight; Miss In Charge; Stiller; Stonesthrow
