There was class galore at the set of barrier trials run and won at Rosehill Gardens on Tuesday. Here is our horses to watch from the session:
Rosehill – Tuesday, February 3: Weather fine, Track a Good 4.
Heat One- Red Excitement (1st):
The last start Chester Manifold Stakes (1400m) looks to have come on superbly from that win judging by how well he went here in the trial, giving Brenton Avdulla the smoothest ride, leading all the way to win by over 13 lengths under triple wraps, beating home the likes of He’s Your Man and Sweynesse. He’ll be heading to Caulfeld for a Stakes race within the next couple of weeks, and with normal luck, he’ll be winning.
Heat Four- Now’s The Time (4th):
Owned in the same interests as He’s Your Man and Reliable Man. This bloke probably won’t reach those Group l heights, but he looks to be in for a good prep judging on the way he went here, settling back in the small field before peeling out and making up good ground late under no pressure from Kerrin McEvoy. Still very lowly rated, so expect him to kick off at the provincials and steadily work his way to the midweeks. His best form will come at around a mile and beyond, but he looks to be in for a good prep.
Heat Five- Mahara (3rd):
Last start Stakes winner on Cup Day who has come back in great order based on her trial here when third to tearaway winner and noted trial speedster Kencella, beaten 14 lengths, but this mare made up significant ground over the final 150m under no real pressure from Blake Shinn and was very powerful through the line. Definitely another Stakes race in her, and I am sure she’ll be competitive in Group l races for her own sex.
Heat Seven- Calming Influence (3rd):
Has performed very well in three runs in Melbourne but Chris Waller has sent the mare back to Sydney, and the trip has done her the world of good on face value. She sat behind the speedy Net Worth and Agadir before peeling wide under the guidance of Hugh Bowman and she closed off really well under no pressure. Bit like Mahara, she’ll be competitive at Stakes level at around 1200m-1400m.
Heat Nine- Pioneering (5th):
Didn’t mind the trial of this unraced Star thoroughbreds filly for Chris Waller. She was making her first public appearance and ran fifth, but I thought she was pretty good. She looked to everything right and when asked to respond by Tye Angland, she did, and was very good through the line, beaten about three lengths. Looks to be a handy engine under the bonnet, so I’ll watch her closely.
Heat Eleven- Majella Magic (2nd):
Peter Moody has had a lean trot in recent times, but I think times will change once Majella Magic makes her raceday debut. She was one of the better youngsters that trialled in Sydney prior to the Gimcrack but was spelled. She’s back now and she looked very good in this trial, sitting outside leader and eventual winner Secret Trail and ended up getting beat less than a half length, but she was under a big hold from Josh Parr and she could have easily won it. Above average filly who will be competitive in the Autumn.
Heat Thirteen- Mogador (1st):
This son of Lonhro has been one of the better performed triallers for Godolphin. He blitzed them in a trial back in October at Warwick Farm and was spelled short after. He trialled here and won, sitting behind the leader before taking a gap near the inside in the straight and drew clear to win under a good hold from James McDonald. It was the equal fastest time for two year olds, and the equal second fastest of the morning. He is high up in the market for the Golden Slipper, and I am not surprised.
Heat Fourteen- Furnaces (1st) and Vanbrugh (2nd):
Furnaces is third favourite for the Slipper after a brilliant debut win last year, and he has come back in brilliant order based on how good he went here in trialling, leading throughout to win by nearly two lengths under no pressure from James McDonald. Looks to be one of the best for Godolphin and will be a definite contender come Slipper Day.
Vanbrugh trialled back in November and was just fair when fifth, but has been given time and it appears to have done the trick with the son of Encosta De Lago running a good second to Furnaces, going about his business under a nice hold from Blake Shinn. Not sure if he is Slipper material, but he is above average and should be followed.
