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Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney and provincial barrier trials at Wyong (July 29), Hawkesbury (August 5) and Randwick (August 5).
RANDWICK August 5
Kensington/A Grass; Soft 7
Kensington – 1 x 1250m (Group/Listed; ( 2 x 850m (Group/Listed)
A Grass - 1 x 1200m (Open); 7 x 1050m (3 Open; 4 Maiden); 6 x 740m (2 Open; 4 Maiden)
Three quality trials on the Kensington track for the Group horses plus some nice prospects in the maiden heats.
HEAT 1 (1250m): Another impressive piece of work from DETONATOR JACK to win the heat with plenty in reserve, just as he did in his recent trial at Newcastle. Slow time (78.10; 35.22) but had plenty in reserve through the line. He was opposed by five of the better stayers from the Waterhouse/Bott who were out for conditioning trials.
HEAT 2 (850m): Golden Slipper winner LADY OF CAMELOT made her return but looked short in condition as she came under a ride to keep pace with the slick INSURRECTION over the short course (50.87; 33.34). He was always in control and looked sharp holding an advantage over the filly from start to finish. LADY LAGUNA and BLANC DE BLANC held their ground well behind the first pair.
HEAT 3 (850m): STORM BOY made his return with a solid win in slow time (51.58; 34.36). He was put under pressure to get the upper hand on the line from the quietly ridden MORAVIA, who led strongly and was always travelling better than the winner. ATHABASCAN did his best work through the line.
GENEROUS HARRY (Ron Quinton): Placed in two of his three race starts, this 4YO gelding by Harry Angel is primed for first up win after backing up his July 19 trial win at this course with another impressive piece of work to win his 740m heat in the fastest time of the session (43.25; 32.70). Moved fluently under no pressure to run away with the heat by almost four lengths.
KINGDOM UNDERSIEGE (Peter Snowden): Has not produced his trial form in three race starts but again showed the ability is there as he dominated his 1050m heat with an easy front running win in fast time (62.79; 33.90). He's won three trials and will be hard to beat in a suitable maiden if he can take this form to the races.
SPIRIT OF WEALTH (Michael Freedman): Have been waiting for this Capitalist filly to reappear since she was placed in her first trial in December. She's an obvious talent as she travelled smoothly under a strong hold in the lead from the start of her 740m heat (44.00; 33.,03) and could have won the heat by a bigger margin if put under pressure. Nice work from the smart runner-up POLYMNIA adds merit to form.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Generous Harry; Kingdom Undersiege; Spirit Of Wealth
X Anode; Countyourblessings; Detonator Jack; Fast Track; Fire Star; Last Command; Insurrection; Moravia; Opal Fields; Polymnia; Royal Patronage; The New Sinatra; Unusual Legacy; Wave Breaker; Zing To Me
HAWKESBURY August 5
Inside Grass; Good 4
16 Heats – 1 x 1250m (Open); 6 x 1000m (2 Open; 3 Maiden; 1 C1/Maiden); 9 x 800m (2 Open; 7 Maiden)
The first provincial session of the new season featured some impressive trials from maidens and unraced 3YOs.
EMILIA JANE (Joe Pride): Loved the recent quiet trial by this former Kiwi mare at Warwick Farm and she was more positive in this 1000m heat (61.65; 34.72), running to the line strongly from off the pace with plenty to offer for second behind another previously noted performer SPACEBALLS. Placed in her debut in NZ in January, she has now had four trial for the Pride stable since April and is ready to make her mark.
GETAFIX (John O'Shea/Tom Charlton): Cruised through his 1000m heat (60.43; 34.39), covering ground all the way but never extended to finish second under a big hold. It was a clear indicator that he has gone ahead in the right manner since his recent first-up fourth at Rosehill.
ROMAN SCRIPT (Blake Ryan): A super first trial by this Written Tycoon gelding, showing great natural speed to lead his 800m heat and skip away to win by more than seven lengths in easily the fastest time of the session (46.93; 32.53).
THE ACT (Brad Widdup): Big trial from this unraced Zoustar colt, sitting three wide outside the leaders in his fast 800m heat (47.05); 33.05) under a tight grip from the start and idling alongside them over the last 200m. Could have won the trial easily if asked for a serious effort.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Emilia Jane; Getafix; Roman Script; The Act
X Asurito; Celerity; Flying Sultan; Mogul Monarch; Motorbike; Nymphadora; Renosu; Runranirun; Spaceballs; Starmae; Thunderlips; Waltham
WYONG July 29
Course Proper; Soft 6
17 Heats – 1 x 1200m (Open); 8 x 1000m (3 Open; 3 2YO; 2 Maiden); 8 x 845m (3 Open; 3 2YO; 2 Maiden)
Talented sprinter OUR KOBISON grabbed the spotlight with a classy trial that augers well for his prospects in the new season.
ANGARA (Paul Perry): An interesting 4YO by Frankel, he impressed with his strong work to win his 845m heat in good time (51.73; 34.39). The feature was the way he was taken three wide from the 500m without coming off the bit to collar the leaders and run through the line with plenty in reserve.
OUR KOBISON (Angela Davies): The Gosford-trained sprinter improved off his first-up trial at Scone to dominate his 845m heat in easily the fastest time of the session (50.53; 33.77). He had a companion for company in the lead until the 300m where he went up a gear to put his stamp on the trial and eventually cruise home by six lengths, stretching them out with a similar margin to the third horse. Sure to build on his impressive record of five wins and three placings from only nine starts.
PRINCE INVINCIBLE (Sara Ryan): Enjoyed being on his home track to run away with his 1000m heat by 4.5 lengths (60.20; 34.91) under no pressure. He took the eye having an easy trial at Hawkesbury on July 8 and this effort confirms he is ready to win first-up over a short course.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Angara; Our Kobison; Prince Invincible
X Bombinate; Chilli Filly; La Pelago; Mogul Monarch; Oxford Vision; Reigning King