3 minute read

Chris Scholtz reviews trials at Rosehill (November 2); Gosford (November 7), Warwick Farm (November 9) and Canterbury (November 13).

CANTERBURY November 13

Good 4; Course Proper (Rail out 12 metres)-

13 Heats – 4 x 1100m (1 Open; 3 Maiden); 9 x 900m (3 2YO; 3 Open; 3 Maiden)

Crack sprinter BALL OF MUSCLE trialled as expected with his class and speed too much for his rivals, only to suffer a bleeding attack that rules him out of racing for at least three months and cancels him out of a Perth trip for the Winterbottom Stakes. His was the fastest of the four 1100m heats (1.05.96; 34.57) and behind him the efforts of some notable types took the eye, especially ISLAND MISSILE and LA COURBETTE who both worked to the line strongly after being out the back early. The stayer MY NORDIC HERO also put in some nice work and looks to be coming up nicely for a summer campaign.

The 2YO trial form from this session is strong with the previous Warwick Farm heat winner ELEVEN ELEVEN putting in another smart winning effort in his heat (54.91; 34.80) and the exciting prospects CARDIFF and TASSORT also adding to their reputations when they clashed in the fastest of the three juvenile heats (53.66; 34.20).

CARDIFF had the superior speed to lead and kept running to score by 3.3 lengths while the Godolphin blueblood TASSORT, having won his first trial at Rosehill on November 2, was under restraint this time with no urgency from Tye Angland to chase down the leader over the last 400m. Take it that this reliable form.

In other heats the eye catchers included too quality types in PROBLEM SOLVER and MILITARY ZONE in their 900m open heat (53.98; 34.20) while the Les Bridge stablemates SEASONS and SLOW BURN were standouts in their 900m heat (54.79;34.50).

The lightly raced LJUNGBERG was one of the better maiden trials finishing second in his 900m maiden heat (53.75; 34.60) to a nice newcomer in HOSTWIN SATURN. Watch for the unraced Exceed And Excel colt NINDAMOS when he is produced by Godolphin after he took the eye with a strong fourth in his first trial.

NOTED TRIALS: Island Missile; My Nordic Hero; La Courbette; Re Edit; On The Top; Word For Word; Les Amoureux; Snippetspeed; Expierroment; Eleven Eleven; Creator; Cardiff; Tassort; Problem Solver; Military Zone; Kuro; Sir Bacchus; Seasons; Slow Burn; Hostwin Saturn; Ljungberg; Domremy; Super Pins; Mulberry Walk; Nindamos.

WARWICK FARM November 9

Soft 6; Inside Grass

14 Heats – 2 x 1200m (1 Open; 1 Maiden); 6 x 800m (2 2YO; 4 Open); 6 x 797m (6 Maiden)

Slick performances by the two 2YO winners and a couple of maiden heat winners look promising.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

MISS AMELIA (Waterhouse/Bott): Being a More Than Ready out of Amelia’s Dream she carries plenty of pedigree expectations and the ability is certainly there judging by her impressive 800m trial win. Sat back fourth behind the lead line and surged through a split one off the fence at the 200m to easily put them away with plenty in hand (47.76/34.10). Always like a raw youngster who can accelerate from off the pace.

SPACEBOY (Gary Portelli): Looks a typical fast running youngster after he opened up a big lead in first 300m, increasing his advantage the further they went to score by a soft six lengths, noting that his chasers were put under pressure and made little headway. He ran the time (47.37; 34.10) but bear in mind this was only 800m and to win races he has to sustain this speed over longer under more pressure. He’s a $200,000 Magic Millions yearling by Deep Field so we know where he’s heading.

TAYGETA (Bjorn Baker): First trial since his impressive debut win at Warwick Farm in July and the stable should be confident of more success after this decisive 800m heat win (47.79; 33.90). Travelled well within himself on the outside as he shaded another runner for the lead and impressed by the way he quickly found a length when Jason Collett gave him rein inside the last 200m to forge clear to safely hold some better performed rivals.

SKAGERRAK (James Cummings): Godolphin gave this Dawn Approach filly only two starts last summer for one placing and she looks to have developed nicely with her long break. Beaten for early speed in her 797m heat before making ground strongly four and five wide from the 400m to the 200m to join the leaders and was always travelling better than her rivals in the run to the line to record a strong win (47.52; 34.10).

YOU'RE NEXT (Tim Martin): Unraced Dream Ballad gelding was perhaps the pick of the maiden heat winners over 797m in fast time (47.16; 33.80). He was a good trial winner in July and has come on from that, judging by this impressive effort to lead easily at his leisure. Slipped clear under a big hold off the turn to score by 3.5 lengths and it could have been much more.

NOTED TRIALS: Celtic Love; Miss Amelia; Spaceboy; Taygeta; Demerara; Invinzabeel; Black Magnum; Skyray; Samadoubt; Bye See; Lisdoonvarna; Vinci Lady; Skagerrak; Aim For Perfection; Go For Gold; Verve; Megalodon; You’re Next; Say Goodbye; Luck’s Fortune.

GOSFORD November 7

Good 4; Course Proper

21 Heats – 2 x 1200m (2 Open); 5 x 1000m (1 Open; 4 Maiden); 14 x 800m (3 2YO; 4 Open; 7 Maiden)

Highlights came from last start Warwick Farm winner CATESBY having first trial for new trainer Greg McFarlane, a second trial win by the talented LAND OF FREEDOM as he works towards to his comeback, and another strong trial from the good stayer OUR CENTURY. The Waterhouse/Bott team won all three 2YO heats with running youngsters but the maiden heats were only fair with few obvious standouts.

NOTED TRIALS: Our Century; Brigid Of Kildare; Catesby; Test The World; Hidden Hills; Sizzled; Intrepidus; Defeat; Light Exceed; Accountant; Single Blonde; Brazenpine; Czarson; Impudens; Choice Larga; Postmaster General; Trust Me; Land Of Freedom; Ballistica; Princess Lottie; Miss Powerbelle; Princess Siri; Hard Reality; Direct Vision.

ROSEHILL November 2

Good 4; Inside Grass

14 Heats – 3 x 1030m (2 Open; 1 Maiden); 11 x 900m (2 Open; 3 2YO; 6 Maiden)

FIVE TO FOLLOW

READY TO PROPHET (Waterhouse/Bott): Sharp 3YO filly by Smart Missile set to add to her record of one win from three starts last season. Cruised in the lead at her own tempo, sprinted off turn and had plenty in the tank running out a clear 2.3 lengths winner in the fastest of the three 1030m heats (1.02.34/34.60). Hard to beat fresh.

BOUDICEA BELLE (Waterhouse/Bott): Placed once from two starts last season and looks to have come on well with a Kembla Grange trial win preceding this smart effort to win the maiden heat over 1030m (1.02.45; 36.30). Patiently ridden to sit second two lengths off the leader before quickly taking command at the 250m when full of running. Soft win flattered chasers as she was eased down late.

TASSORT (James Cummings): No doubt Godolphin will have aspirations for this stylish half-brother to Astern and Alizee by Brazen Beau. Bold galloping action was evident as he travelled well within himself in the lead and was eager to go quicker over the last 300m when well clear of his rivals, running the quickest of the three 2YO heats (54.20/35.00).

SWELT (Brad Widdup): Only start last season produced a placing behind Lean Mean Machine at Warwick farm and he has since had four trials since June with this effort underlining his obvious ability to win races. Travelled easily three wide for last 400m outside another good type in KAPAJACK and each had plenty in hand when only a neck separated them at the finish of their 900m heat (54.88/35.30). Happy to be with both when produced in maidens.

AMICUS AGRIPPA (Team Hawkes): Second trial and first since July for a stylish type by Star Witness. Picked up quickly after a slow start to take up running after 200m and from there travelled strongly to record a soft win in his 900m heat (55.13/35.20) without undue pressure. Has talent.

NOTED TRIALS: Ready To Prophet; Boudicea Belle; Legerity; Deprive; Tassort; Vox Pop; Poseidon’s Pride; Miraculous; Giovanna; Sixes; Dream Genie; Rosina Kojonup; Ariege; Positive Peace; Hemsted; Kapajack; Swelt; Amicus Agrippa; Baanone.

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Bon Amis; The Promise; Nordicus; Battle Anthem; Ozark; Newsfan; Cradle Mountain; Red Excitement; Lucky Mission; Kedah; Above And Beyond; Taniko, Wolfe; Espaaniyah; Intrepidacious; Evict; Wild Kingdom; Adana; Restrained; Time To Reign; Havenot; Brazilica; Shadow Bridge; Stampede; Anaheed; Segalas; Colombina; Roheryn; Rare Impulse, Catesby, Mahalangur; Tactical Advantage