3 minute read
Chris Scholtz reviews trials at Rosehill on September 16 and Hawkesbury on September 17.
HAWKESBURY September 17
Inside Grass; Good 4
14 Heats; 1 x 1250m (Open); 6 x 1000m (2 Open; 4 Maiden); 7 x 800m (2 Open; 5 Maiden)
Another strong trial from G1 star BROADSIDING will have him primed for the start of his spring campaign.
BROADSIDING followed up his impressive second in a Rosehill trial over 900m with another excellent piece of work, running home under a cold ride from James McDonald to finish second in his 1000m heat (58.35; 33.20) won by the fast running mare ALICIA ROMA. The winner has had a stable change to Mitchell Beer and has freshened up nicely since her last start in July.
Bjorn Baker had another strong session winning six heats. They included the in-form speedster BONITA QUEEN and unraced maidens IOWNA BENZ, HARDHEAD, HIGHWIRE FLYER and DEEPFIELD KING, a quartet ready to make the mark when they go to the races.
The progressive 4YO IRON MAN and an unraced 3YO from the Godolphin yard were standout winners in their heats.
IRON MAN (Edward O'Rourke): I am certain more wins are in store for this lightly raced 5YO gelding after he sprinted away with his open heat over 1000m. He tracked into it three wide from midfield approaching the turn and let down with a fast last 200m to score under a big hold by three lengths (59.02; 32.87).
HEAVENFIELD (James Cummings): Plenty to like about the way this unraced Kermadec filly went about her business to win her 800m heat in fast time (47.19; 33.09). She has made obvious improvement since two trials last season, cruising in the lead and running through the line with plenty in hand.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Heavenfield; Iron Man
X Aemelius; Alicia Roma; Bonita Queen; Brazil; Broadsiding; Deepfield King; Gandalf; Glory Daze; Hardhead; Highwire Flyer; Iowna Benz; Justice Warrior; Miss Big Shot; Montgolfier
ROSEHILL September 16
Inside Grass; Good 4
10 Heats – 3 x 1030m (2 Open; 1 Maiden); 7 x 900m (3 Open; 4 Maiden)
A classy heat win by crack sprinter OVERPASS headed a good session for the Bjorn Baker stable.
Baker likes to see his horses run in their trials and this session was no different with his team performing well in most heats.
While OVERPASS was the star he also won heats with IKNOWASTAR and the unraced maiden OLUFSEN. PASSEGIGIATA and UNLEESHING were other members of his team to trial well.
Peter Snowden and the Hawkes stable would also have been pleased with some impressive trials from members of their teams.
OVERPASS (Bjorn Baker): Classy return to action in his first trial since his return from his win in The Quokka in Perth in April. He established an easy lead when his usually fast running stablemate PASSEGGIATA was restrained from the start – no doubt under orders – and travelled under a big hold from Josh Parr to win his 900m heat untouched by almost three lengths (54.86; 34.29). He's a first-up specialist (7-3-3-0) and will be primed for a big one when he resumes.
BODYGUARD (Peter Snowden): This I Am Invincible colt was a classy dual winner last season and made an impressive return in his first trial since March, running to a clear lead under a hold from Tommy Berry before sprinting away over the last 200m with a quick closing sectional to win his 1030m heat by more than six lengths (62.81; 34.48). It wasn't the quickest heat over the distance but said plenty about his spring prospects.
The quickest 900m heat was won by the Baker-trained IKNOWASTAR (53.86; 33.72), doing his best work over the last 100m to run past the leader BALLROOM BELLA. The talented FURIOUS took the eye with his closing third.
The unraced INOUE continues to enhance his reputation with his third win in four trials since February, leading easily to post the quickest time in the three heats over 1030m (62.73; 35.28). The winner SWIFT FALCON and COCO JAMBOO (3rd) also impressed in their 1030m heat (62.77; 35.01).
NOTED TRIALS
XX Bodyguard; Overpass
X Coco Jamboo; Furious; Iknowstar; Inoue; Just Think Twice; Kilonova; Olufsen; Swift Falcon; Unleeshing