3 minute read
Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney and provincial barrier trials at Newcastle (May 5) and Warwick Farm (May 7).
WARWICK FARM May 7
Polytrack; Synthetic
5 Heats – 2 x 1175m (1 Open; 1 C1/Maiden; 3 x 740m (1 Open; 1 2YO; 1 3YO)
A seemingly nondescript set on the polytrack was anything but thanks to the appearance of star sprinter EDUARDO.
As you would expect he was too fast for his rivals in the open 740m heat (43.74; 33.51), working well within himself for a soft 3.5 lengths win that sets him up for his Brisbane campaign. The eye catcher behind him was the Group 2 winner WILD PLANET working through the pack over the last 400m for an unextended fourth.
Easy work for @PrideRacing's star sprinter Eduardo and @brentonavdulla as he races clear to win a Warwick Farm trial on Friday. Stablemate Invinciano ran second and Dawn Flight third. @tabcomau @7horseracing pic.twitter.com/7PGIP2i4pf
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) May 6, 2021
The open heat over 1175m was won by Chris Waller's smart mare ZING in good style (72.74; 35.59) but the big trial came from classy stablemate ORDER AGAIN finishing strongly into fourth under a big hold from Brenton Avdulla. He won fresh up over 1600m after 19 weeks off in January and looks set for a similar first-up effort after two trials since he last raced 10 weeks ago – maybe the Scone Cup on a wet track?
NEWSREADER is a progressive filly from the John O'Shea stable and looks in good form to resume after a strong win in the 3YO heat over 740m (44.36; 33.95).
NOTED TRIALS
XX Eduardo; Order Again; Newsreader
X Petulant; Kir Royale; Wild Planet
NEWCASTLE May 5
Course Proper; Soft 5
16 Heats – 1 x 1200m (Open); 6 x 950m (4 Open; 3 Maiden); 9 x 800m (3 Open; 4 2YO; 2 Maiden)
All Star Mile winner MUGATOO added a touch of class to this set as Kris Lees prepares him for a tilt at the Doomben Cup.
Hugh Bowman made the trip from Sydney to ride him in the only 1200m heat and it was an obvious conditioning trial against much lesser performed rivals. He settled at the back before pulling his way to the line to finish a well held fourth. They heat was won in good style by SUPER (73.97; 35.00) and while they worked home in slow time he has prospects in his right class.
Mugatoo, with @HugeBowman riding, strides into fourth place behind Mark @minerviniracing's Super in a trial at @newcastleraces_ on Wednesday. @tabcomau @Leesracing pic.twitter.com/pXMqR7CqZ3
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) May 4, 2021
As usual at Newcastle trials Kris Lees had a big team entered and they included a number of his better performed recent winners. Provincial Championship winner CRISTAL BREEZE produced one of the best trials with a strong third in his 950m open heat won by stablemate SNOWZONE although the time was pedestrian (57.14; 34.61). Other open heats over 950m were won in good style in quicker times by the speedy OAKFIELD TARGET (54.11; 33.60) and FENECH (54.98; 34.18).
THE LEOPARD"S TALE, an unraced 3YO maiden, posted the fastest 800m heat win (48.38; 34.39) in the last trial of the day, showing good gate speed to lead easily and score by a soft 4.8 lengths. ZANIAH, KINLOCH, IMPULSE CONTROL, GOOFY MICK and MINDREADER impressed in other open and maiden 800m trials.
I am keen to follow the 2YO heat winners TIDAL IMPACT and SONNET STAR, both trained at Wyong by Damian Lane. They were big country winners earlier in the season and their impressive trials only confirm their potential.
TIDAL IMPACT, a 9.5 lengths winner over 1100m at Coonamble on debut, coasted home by 4.5 lengths in his heat (49.84; 34.69) while Wellington Boot winner SONNET STAR went quicker (49.36; 34.29) winning her heat by an easy three lengths.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Cristal Breeze; Tidal Impact; Sonnet Star
X Blazing Sunrise; Compassionate; Fenech; Galaxy Belle; Goofy Mick; Impulse Control; I Want One; Kinloch; Knight; Mindreader; No Laughing Matter; Paxos Miss; Super; The Leopard's Tale; Mugatoo; Oakfield Target; Zaniah
