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Chris Scholtz reviews the Sydney and provincial trials at Newcastle (September 19), Rosehill (September 21) and Warwick Farm September (24).

WARWICK FARM September 24

Inside Grass/Good 4 – 12 Heats

2 Heats 1200m (1 Open/1 Maiden); 5 Heats 801m (2 2YO/3 Open); 5 Heats 798m (5 Maiden)

With no Group horses entered the interest was in the two trials for the 2YOs and the second appearance of the previous Warwick Farm trial winner DIDDLES in the fillies heat. She is a racy miss with a top pedigree (Snitzel x Mimi Lebrock) from a top 2YO stable (Clarry Conners) and her natural pace has her in great shape for the early juvenile races. She was unchallenged to record a soft win and could have gone faster than her 47.97 (last 600m 34.00). Her time was bettered in the colts heat by ABSOLUTE CONTROL (47.42/33.70), a Medaglia D’Oro youngster in the Joe Pride stable making his debut trial. He had to work sitting three deep outside the lead pair and responded professionally when called on, giving the impression he will take a lot of benefit from the experience.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

RONSTAR (Gary Portelli): Talented 3YO is set to add to the good impression he made in his three starts last season that saw him win twice in god company. He was always in control of his open trial despite some early pressure and had plenty in hand on the line running the fastest time of the 801m heats (46.54/32.80). Very professional effort although the smart CRADLE MOUNTAIN was an eye-catching second after he had to change course and go to the inside to finish strongly in last 100m.

SO MAGIC (Jason Coyle): This 5YO mare has not seen since she made a good impression in two starts at the provincials last December. Ridden quietly in her 801m heat to sit three and four deep off the pace and widest on turn before making ground under a strong hold for a closing third. Has talent. The heat was dominated from the front by EXCELLING in 47.43 (33.50).

ROHERYN (James Cummings): Godolphin have been patient with this impressive Lonhro colt since he won his first trial last season and the wait will be worth it after he put a big stamp on his maiden heat over 798m. James McDonald was content to keep him under restraint three wide outside the lead before giving him a click to quickly extend like a good horse on straightening. He cruised to a soft 3.3 lengths win in 47.31 (33.30) and will be strongly favoured to make a winning debut.

CATEGORIC (Chris Waller): He’s had five trials in the last 10 months and the time now looks right to send this Zoustar 3YO to the races after he worked well within himself for a strong third in a quick heat over 798m, closing off strongly behind the sharp winner RECONSIDER in good time (46.89/33.40).

RARE EPISODE (Brad Widdup); We noted the Hawkesbury trial win by this NZ-bred colt on September 10 and he again made an impression finishing second in his 798m heat won by his stablemate INDICATORS ON. Fair to say he could have won the trial if asked for a serious effort as he had a lot more in hand going to the line after tracking wide and making the home turn awkwardly. Has had a good grounding with four trials.

NOTED TRIALS: Triple Hero; On The Take; Mangione; Cradle Mountain; Time Out Of Mind; Excelling; Tough Larry; Reconsider; Belle Of Clonmel.

ROSEHILL September 21

Inside Grass/Good 4 – 13 Heats

4 Heats 1030m (2 Open/2 Maiden); 9 Heats 908m (3 Open; 6 Maiden)

The first open heat over 1030m won by SINGLE GAZE attracted all the attention as it was full of Group performers and included the Epsom Handicap contenders UNFORGOTTEN, LANCIATO and SHILLELAGH. Good to see Single Gaze show something like here old self as she railed up to win comfortably from a promising type in CATESBY but it was a bunched finish with nothing put under pressure in average time (1.02.74/last 600m 34.9). UNFORGOTTEN was seventh over the line but she was the pick as she was under double wraps and went to the line boxed in between runners while LANCIATO (4th) cruised up along the rails from the rear with no serious intent to chase the winner. SHILLELAGH (9th) was out the back enjoying her conditioning exercise and had plenty to offer as well.
Team Hawkes would have enjoyed the morning as they wheeled out six smart heat winners - CRAFTY COP, MAHALANGUR, TELL ME, VEDDER, DIPLOMATICO and VENDOME.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

CATESBY (James Cummings): Eye catching second by this promising Shamardal 4YO in the strongest open company trial over 1030 after travelling three wide and going to the line as well as any of his more accomplished rivals. He’s won three of his 10 starts and looks capable of progressing through Benchmark races to something better.
CRAFTY COP (Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes): Talented sprinter looks ready to go first-up after a strong win in his open 908m heat. Let several rivals go out quick, sitting back fourth before rounding them up with ease a cruising to the line for a stylish win in handy time for the set (54.09/34.60). There were some eye catching efforts behind him from the Godolphin pair ALMANZORA (5th) and SIAM (6th) while PALLADIAN (7th) did some good work over the last 200m.

MAHALANGUR (Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes): Controlled his 908m open heat from the front and while the time wasn’t flash (55.4/34.80), he did it well within himself and was strong through the line. It was nice improvement on his third in a recent Hawkesbury trial from a strong type best suited up to 2000m.

TELL ME (Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes): This lightly-raced Choisir filly was clearly the star of the maiden heats over 908m, leading with ease and working well within herself to set the time standard (53.83/34.30) as she cruised home by a conservative two lengths. Placed once in three starts last season and shouldn’t be long breaking out of maiden class.

DIPLOMATICO (Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes): They have been patient with this $1.7 million colt, giving him just one start last season when he was narrowly beaten at Rosehill. This impressive trial win over 908m (54.98/34.50) ensures he will be well found when he resumes, taking up the lead after 200m and then showing classy acceleration when given a nudge by Brenton Avdulla at the 300m to run away to an easy six lengths win. Looks capable of progressing quickly to black type.

NOTED TRIALS: Unforgotten; Lanciato; Shillelagh; Godunov; Mister Sea Wolf; Whitney’s Star; Almanzora; Siam; Palladian; Firsthand; Araaja; Modernity; Aurman Zou; Vedder; Ariege; Vendome; Shadow Bridge.

NEWCASTLE September 19

Beaumont Track (Good 4)

Group One winners and new Kris Lees stablemates IN HER TIME and EL DORADO DREAMING captured the spotlight with their impressive trials in the first heat over 1000m. In Her Time was on the pace from the jump and went through the motions under no urgency to finish second, being run down on the line by El Dorado Dreaming who really impressed with a fast sprint to the line in the last 100m after giving her stablemate several lengths start. There were only two trials over 1000m and as you would expect this was easily the quickest of the pair (58.3/last 600m 33.01).

The other trials were over 800m and were made up of one open class heat, two for 2YOs and five maiden heats. The good sprinter TACTICAL ADVANTAGE was given an easy time in his 800m heat won easily by the very fast ALL STAND.

NOTED TRIALS: El Dorado Dreaming, In Her Time; Argie Bargie; All Stand; Tactical Advantage; Last Ace; Absolute Trust; Merge; Crowd Surfer.