TRIAL STARS and BLACKBOOKERS – June 3 to 30
TRIAL WATCH STARS
RANDWICK June 28: LAVISH EMPIRE, having his first trial since his trip to Rockhampton in April to finish second The Archer, is set to blossom next season after running away with his 1050m heart by more than three lengths in good time for the session (63.97; 34.61). The feature was his strong work as he lengthened over the last 150m. Unraced I Am Invincible filly TWIRLING featured after winning a Randwick trial on June 14 and added to her trial record with another smart piece of work to win her1050m heat (63.85; 35.24). She led under a strong grip and never came off the bit when challenged to hold them at bay with something in reserve for her third win in five trials. We didn’t miss unraced Snitzel gelding YORKSHIRE in his earlier trials when having quiet exercise but this time his talent was clearly on show as he surged to a big win in his 1050m heat (64.33; 35.01). Tracked three and four wide and a lot to like about the way he responded over the last 150m to put a clear margin on the chasers. The first trial by Pierro filly CANDLEWICK commanded attention as she travelled kindly under a hold from the start and easily reeled in the leader for a soft win in the fastest of the five heats over 738m (43.68; 33.51). Sure to take plenty of benefit from the experience. The John Thompson-trained WITH YOUR BLESSING showed the benefit of his recent racing to easily win the 1200m heat by a big margin while XIDAKI’s race fitness was evident as he was given a good test to win the fastest heat over 1050m with fast closing sectionals (63.43; 34.55). A fast open heat over 738m was won by FAMOUS PEDRILLE (43.85; 33.44). He is always a good trial performer and worked strongly to hold off an impressive effort from ZARAGOZA, a former Godolphin runner having his first outing for his new trainers Rob and Luke Price. Others to impress included the heat winners KADALL and KINGDOM UNDERSIEGE and the placegetter CAPITAL ASSET.
NEWCASTLE June 28: Good trials from a couple of well known sprinters. White charger MUCH MUCH BETTER is going to make a lovely show horse or mount for the clerk of the course at the end of his racing days but folr now he is going well enough to pick up a winter sprint after winning the fastest heat over 1000m (60.39). He found the line with enthusiasm after sitting off the leader and his time was more than two seconds quicker than the other 1000m heats. The classy BRUDENELL followed up a recent trial win at Scone with a soft third in his 800m heat, having an easy time of it before running strongly through the line. Hard to beat fresh in the right sprint. The previously noted import SIVKA BUBKA produced another impressive trial with a strong closing second in the fastest 800m heat won by the speedy mare STRAPPARSI (48.01). ACES IN BLOOM, HAKUSHU, MERMAID COVE and LITERATURE TYCOON are worth following from the 2 and 3YO heats.
ROSEHILL June 21: Expect a couple of late season winners to emerge from this session. The 900m heat winners BRAVE ONE (56.48; 35.54) and EXTREMELY HARDYS (55.86; 35.84) have good prospects while DELRICO, THEBLADE, MLINZI and TI AMO TANTO did more than enough to warrant interest when they appear. In the fastest 2YO trial over 900m (55.06; 34.34) the runner-up DELRICO impressed with his work to the line behind subsequent debut winner Mawjood. Provincial trainer Jake Hull has a runner in his unraced 3YO gelding PROSPEROUS DRAGON. After posting trial wins at Wyong and Gosford in April and May he came to town for another dominant exhibition, giving a big kick off the turn to win his 1030m heat by a dominant margin (63.38; 36.02). Hard to beat in a provincial maiden.
WARWICK FARM June 17: Unraced youngster AXIUS is by the boom sire Justify and appeals as a coming winner after an impressive win in his 789m heat (47.59; 34.67). Having his first trial since February, he sat outside the leader and effortlessly went up another gear turning for home to put the trial to bed. Liked his action as he ran to the line under a quiet ride with his ears pricked. A strong piece of work from progressive 4YO CONTEMPORARY to finish third in his fast 789m heat (46.77; 33.86) in his first trial since he won at the Hawkesbury Cup meeting. He’s already the winner of four races and the manner of his work to finish off under a strong hold has him primed to add to that record.
WYONG June 19: Promising first local trial from imported stakeswinning mare SIVKA BUBKA. She boasts three wins and four placings from her 10 starts in Europe including a Listed win at Deauville and a G3 placing in Germany and should measure up well in local mares company after working nicely to the line under a soft ride for a strong second in her open heat over 845m (52.18; 35.21). I rated impressive unraced colt TURF FEVER when he won his first trial at Newcastle in February and he looks ready for a bold debut after this strong heat win over 845m. Sat outside the leader and extended easily to run away with the trial under no pressure in good time (51.53; 35.57). His trainer Damien Lane is building a strong stable at Wyong and appears to have plenty of depth among his rising three-year-olds. He won another 2YO heat over 845m with YOUNG BRAVO (52.36; 35.41), an unraced colt by All Too Hard who made good improvement from his first trial last month. The unraced FERINZO was another sharp 2YO heat winner in good time (51.36; 35.00) for the Jake Huill stable. The fastest 845m heat was won by MOONLIGHT GRACE (50.71; 34.67) where the work of MEMORIA to finish second under a quiet ride stood out. The pacy SALISANO won the fastest open heat over 1000m (60.26; 34.92) while unraced 2YO FIREWORK, a Written Tycoon youngster, impressed winning his second trial by five lengths in good time for the session (61.01; 35.58).
RANDWICK June 14: Some nice rising 3YO prospects emerging from the Waterhouse/Bott and Snowden stables. FORTINGALL (Waterhouse/Bott) is an unraced colt by I Am Invincible who has now won two of his three trials with this effort his best to date. Sat off the pace in his 740m heat before working into it from the 400m and putting in strong work over the last 200m for a stylish win in good time for the session (43.52; 33.21). Sure to be competitive on debut. TWIRLING (Snowden is another unraced youngster by I Am Invincible, This filly was having her fourth trial and it was easily her most impressive as she controlled her 740m heat and sprinted keenly to the line in the fastest heat over the distance (43.46; 33.24). Looks ready to run. The fastest 1050m heat (63.59; 34.60) was a competitive affair and featured a nice effort by the import ALASHAR. One to follow as he works towards longer distances. There were a host a promising efforts in the 740m heats from horses having quiet trials. Strong work through the line from the likes of PLUNDERING, SAKIMA, GOLD DUST, INVADER ZIM and ZOURIPPER make them horses to keep a close watch on when they go the races.
ROSEHILL June 11: Cleverly named Too Darn Hot filly SWELTER sports the famous Winx colours and looks to have turned the corner after four previous unplaced trials. Travelled fourth off the pace but liked the way she responded when given a squeeze in her 900m heat to sprint past the leaders and run to the line with ease for soft win. The time was slow (57.37; 36.16) but the signs are positive. The 2YO heats created the most interest with other heat winners KINGDOM UNDERSEIGE (55.42; 35.34) and WRITTEN SCANDAL (56.94; 35.74) all doing enough to deserve attention.
HAWKESBURY June 3: Unraced Spirit Of Boom gelding THE BOOM BOX produced the trial of the session to run away with his maiden heat over 1000m by almost 10 lengths in easily the fastest time of the morning (59.45; 33.63). He won his first trial last October and is just the type of runner big spending Asian agents are looking for. He’ll win his maiden if he stays here but the stable is known for selling their good trial performers to Hong Kong.
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Nomorenightshift; Metallic Ruler; Kazou; Ride The River; Drift Net; Mawjood; Glassout; Wollombi; Cindersea; Iron Man; Summer Loving; C’Est Magique; Merchant Lady; Villa Tino; I Found You; Cool Man; Eliyass; Broadsiding; Yukan Rose; Equipage; Commemorative; Kerguelen; How Dare You; Bat Out Of Hell; Setombe; Unleeshing
BLACKBOOKERS June 1-June 29
Horses to follow from recent Saturday meetings in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
(Follow selected horses for next 3 starts)
JUNE 29: AMIGO; ARAMCO; BUBBBLE ROCK; DON DIEGO DE VEGA; ENNA’S DREAM; TASHI; TOURISTIC
JUNE 22: BLAZE A TRAIL; DAYTONA; HENLEIN; LADY OF LUXURY; MADAME ODETTE; REZONE; SHARP DAZZLER; WERTHEIMER
JUNE 15: I’MINTOWIN; OSIPENKO; PEREILLE; SILVANITO; WINDSTORM
JUNE 8: AGE OF SAIL; CHIEF CONDUCTOR; HOPEFUL; JAMBALAYA
JUNE 1: BATRANA: COEUR VOLANTE; EXTREMELY LUCKY; HERECOMESTHESTAR; KAPAKIRI; POISON CHALICE
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Wyclif; Matisse; Tiffany Valentine; Craig; Celebrity Prince; Arqana; Freedom Rally; Mnementh; Piggyback; Yellow Brick; Cigar Flick; I Wish I Win; Mayfair Spirit; Payline; Nicolini Vita; Generosity; Bittersweet; Tannhauser; Unusual Legacy; Shock Em Ova; Hezashocka; Let’sbefrankbaby