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Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports with noted runners for December 28 and 29.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

Noted Runners December 28/29

GOSFORD December 28

Prophet’s Thumb (R2); Intrepidus (R4); Terminology (R5)

TERMINOLOGY (Warwick Farm December 11): This well regarded Star Witness filly has been placed in three of her six starts in strong company and should not be long breaking through after an impressive win in easily the fastest time of the maiden heats (46.37;33.20). Sat three deep outside the lead but was always travelling kindly and easily picked up the leader in the last 100m under no urging from Tim Clark. Strong maiden form

RANDWICK December 28

Igniting (R1); Giselle Anne (R1); Iconic Star (R1); Yitai Synergy (R1); Alizee (R6); Handsome Thief (R6); Rodrico (R4); Southern Lad (R8); Pipeline (R8); Zonk (R9); Pumpkin Pie (R9); Seaglass (R9).

IGNITING (Canterbury December 20): The Victorian team have another smart youngster in this robust colt by Starspangledbanner. Led on the inside of a line of three and responded well when called on to break three lengths clear at the 200m. From there he coasted and went through the line in great style with Glyn Schofield holding him down. Time wasn’t great (55.78; 35.66) but there is a presence about him.

ALIZEE (Randwick December 17): Her class was obvious as she really put in strongly to win her 1050m heat, having taken obvious improvement from her first-up trial at Rosehill on December 4. She settled five lengths off the lead in fourth but had no trouble making up the ground quickly and taking control in the last 150m with heaps in hand but still running much faster (1.03.43; 34.60) than the other five heats over the distance. She’s ready for the Christmas Classic at Randwick on December 29.

ALIZEE (Rosehill December 4): Class mare returned for her first trial after her three month ban for a bleed at the start of her spring prep. Sat three wide off speed but doing it easily and worked home under no pressure for a soft second. The time was slow (55.16; 35.30) but a nice prep for what is expected to be a short summer campaign.

PUMPKIN PIE (Hawkesbury December 7): Good mare now with Richard Freedman was having her second trial under his care and did all that was required to win, sitting outside the leader and getting the better of her rivals when the sprint went on in the last 100m. The time (60.96) was slow compared to the standard of the day but she looks well prepared to perform fresh.

DOOMBEN December 29

Tactical Advantage (R4); Badajoz (R4); Rome (R5)

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE (Gosford December 18): This class runner stood out, putting in a stylish effort to win his 800m heat in his first outing for six weeks, coasting four lengths back behind three rivals before rounding them under up under no urging. He cruised away for a soft win with plenty in hand and is ready to add to his excellent wherever Kris Lees takes him.

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Fierce Impact; Sasso Corbaro; Dubious; Helga; Unify; Taken Everything; Bad Boy For Love; Hightail; Ljungberg; Ninamos; Lancaster Bomber; Unite And Conquer; The Runner; Wonderbabe; Mornay; Skagerrak; Sizzled; Alternative Facts; Kapajack; Athiri; On The Top; Samadoubt; Enjoy Elsie; Regent; Re Edit; Snippetspeed

BLACKBOOK REPORT

ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS - December 28/29

GOSFORD Friday: Nahuel (R3); Military Zone (R5)

RANDWICK Saturday: Asterius (R5); Zip A Dee Doo Dah (R5); My Favorite (R6); Berdibek (R7); Gresham (R7); After All That (R8); Savvan (R9); Charlayne (R9) Zizzis (R9).

DOOMBEN Saturday: Bluebrook (R8); Jorda (R9); Warranty (R9)

BLACKBOOKERS - Selected December 22

(Recommend horses be followed at next three starts)

TEODORA: Still learning but has talent.

INVINZABEEL: Tough run first-up.

SURE KNEE: Disadvantaged by inside draw. Progressive type.

INTUITION: Plenty of merit in his effort.

EMSHALKY: Will go well in easier races.

UMBERTO: Victim of traffic in big field.

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: So Si Bon; Easy Eddie; Miss Norway; Our Crown Mistress; My Nordic Hero; Kentucky Breeze; Firsthand; Chapter And Verse; Bleu Roche; Shillelagh; Newsfan; Royal Celebration; Verry Elleegant; Ranier; Street Tough; Savacool; Ringerdingding; Sesar