3 minute read

Stakes-class juveniles Crafty Cop and Defcon both showed promise for their upcoming spring campaigns by producing strong performances in the fastest heat of the Rosehill barrier trial session on Tuesday.

Drawn in the same 900 meter trial for two-year-old colts and geldings, Crafty Cop led throughout in a show of sustained speed while Defcon made good ground late under no pressure.

A debut winner at Warwick Farm before placing in the Group 3 Bailleu Handicap at his only two career runs, Crafty Cop dashed out of the gates to lead the heat clearly, opening a big margin on the bend.

Held together in the straight, Crafty Cop kept going strongly for a dominant win in 54.2 seconds on a soft 7 track.

Black Opal Stakes winner Defcon sat second in the trial and had slipped many lengths behind Crafty Cop on the bend but wound up strongly in the straight despite never being asked for an effort.

Defcon close to within two-and-a-quarter lengths on the line, beating home the third horse by almost seven lengths.

Group 1–winning three-year-old Vanbrugh was given a easy time in his open 900m heat for three-year-olds.

Eased back to the tail of field early, Vanbrugh was allowed to work home under his own steam to run fifth, beaten just over two lengths.

The trial was won by former New Zealand filly Interstellar, now trained by Team Hawkes, who clocked 55.4 seconds.

Talented two-year-old fillies French Fern and Omei Sword also had quite hitouts in their 900m heat.

Winner of the Reilsing Stakes at the Sydney autumn carnival, French Fern jumped well to sit behind the leaders in the run but was kept under a tight hold in the straight, cruising to the line to finish seventh.

Omei Sword, placed in the Magic Night Stakes during the autumn, sat back near the tail of the field until the turn when she was pulled out wide and was allowed to finish off in the latter stages, closing on the leaders late to run fifth.

Earlier trainer Chris Waller produced his classy stayers Preferment and Who Shot Thebarman over 900m.

Preferment was allowed to amble around to finish on the heels of the placegetters while Who Shot Thebarman sat behind the leaders and hit the line well under a good hold in the straight, getting the upper hand late to win the heat by a half length in 56 seconds.

See Who Shot The Barman and Preferment trial below:

Who Shot Thebarman & Preferment stepped out in a barrier trial @rosehillgardens this morning.. #SkyBThttps://t.co/QmWApEaTd3

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 19, 2016

Other good trial winners on the morning were Lucky Fish for Gai Waterhouse, Waller’s Cocoexcel and Artemis Rose for Team Hawkes.

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