As is the case most of the year, it was a busy week at the trials and jumpouts across Australia as the Spring Carnival is upon us, with some progressive types stepping out in readiness for their campaigns.
I’ve looked at the available trials and jumpouts for the week and have come up with a few to follow heading forward over the next few weeks.
RECENT RESULTS: Was hot on Dalasan and the way he looked in a jumpout and he delivered big at double figures in winning the Spring Stakes, defeating a couple of Group l winners and is now a serious contender for the Caulfield Guineas. Mentioned after the trial of Fisticuffs that it was a case of any price wherever he resumed and punters agreed at Ipswich on Wednesday, backing him into around $1.20 after opening $2.10 and it was a galloping lesson. Versetto was good off a decent break, Tofane is a coming winner with the right placement, Schilldora wants 1200m, Alsvior probably looking for a drop in grade/depth and November Man will win one this prep with the right placement.
UPCOMING RUNNERS:
Saturday August 24
Belmont : Oristano R3 – Near double figures looks acceptable. Was hoping to be chips in for a maiden, but each way at those odds is a bet
Moonee Valley: Hawker Hurricane R7 – Liked his jumpout. Maybe wants a big track, but he has class
Morphettville: Roccabascerana R1 – I think he starts favourite. He looks to have come back enormous. Keen
Newcastle: Calipari R6 – Runs up to the recent trial and it’s a $1.10 chance
Randwick: Tenley R5 – May want 1400m+, but has class and dry track is a big tick
Randwick: Libertini R5 – $1.10 chance if she runs up to the trials. Hopefully can get $2+
Randwick: Cascadian R6 – Gate makes it tricky, but he could easily blow them away
Randwick: Verry Elleegant R7 – Looks to be good speed and market says she’s forward enough to win
NEW SOUTH WALES
Monday August 19 (Beaumont – Newcastle): I think most were surprised by the change up speed Sixties Groove showed to win Heat 3. Tucked in behind the speed, he looked like he would be held up throughout, but the split came and gee he showed a good turn of foot for a stayer to win. He looks great, as does Jonker, who won Heat 4 and did it under a really good hold from Nash. Was keen, but for the most part looked to travel very well. In the same trial was Vegadaze, who was terrible in the Missile and after this trial, the jury is well and truly out. Heat 5 saw a nice bunch of gallopers step out and Mocambo caught my eye. He did some nice things in a short space of time in the Autumn and his trial here was very good, closing off under a relatively good hold. Elgin won Heat 6 and while he let punters down last prep, he looks to have returned really well if this trial is any guide, picking them up under no pressure. He’s at least got a maiden win in him. Heat 14 saw Calipari win for Mick Minervini, and I reckon he’ll want to start his NSW career with a bang and this bloke should do it on the weekend over 900m in a maiden. He sizzled over the 800m in this trial, running sub 46. Jump, run and win, hopefully.
To view the Beaumont – Newcastle trials click here
Tuesday August 20 (Rosehill): Heat 1 was run in sizzling time, thanks to the eventual winner Redzel, but my eyes were on Nature Strip and how well he went. Chris Waller has tried to teach this horse to harness his energy and has made the horse take cover in both trials, with positive results. He looks a beast. There were some questioning the trial of Castelvecchio, beaten 17.6L and running last. But bear in mind, they ran 58 for the 1000m, he’s a 2000m+ horse, so of course he was going to be struggling to keep up. His last 50m and through the line was excellent so a definite pass mark. John Sargent has Foxborough as one of his leading fillies for the Oaks but if she’s to head that way, she needs to put everything together. Still did a bit wrong in this trial win, but overall, it was good work, and again, Asiago caught the eye. She’s a maiden winner in waiting. I’m one of the founding members of the Funstar fan club and it was pleasing to see her trial as well as she did here, sitting near the speed and going about her business under a really good hold. Flight Stakes is her GF, but I’m more keen to see her in the Autumn/Winter next year. Talk about impressive trials, Iresign won Heat 14 and yes it was a maiden trial, but he was almost the standout of the morning. Led all the way by over seven lengths under J Mac and ran a tick over 53, with the golden rule being if you’re nearing sub 53 for the Rosehill 900m in a trial, you’re in for a good prep.
To view the Rosehill trials click here
VICTORIA
Monday August 19 (Cranbourne): If you’re a fan of Steel Prince, you would have been pleased with his finale in Heat 3. Seemed to struggle a bit on the bog track but the last 50-75m, he really went to the line strongly in a good piece of work. Zizzis was excellent in winning Heat 5. Billy Egan couldn’t have held the mare any slower in leading throughout. Where she goes to I’m not sure, maybe the Cockram next week? She’d be competitive in a race like that. Most eyes were on Heat 7 in seeing Santa Ana Lane return, and despite it being a bog track, he looked to move well and closed off well late, but the standout in that trial was clearly Fidelia. This mare really came of age last prep and she looks to have come back super if this trial is any guide. Final horse that caught my eye this morning was in Heat 23 with Shamwow. This Busuttin/Young trained mare usually trials well but this is clearly the best she’s trialled. Under a really good hold on speed and not extended at any stage. If they can find a midweek/provincial race first up, I’d be keen to back her.
To view the Cranbourne trials click here
Wednesday August 21 (Pakenham Synthetic): Was impressed by the all the way performance of Aneesa in Heat 3. This filly has good form next to her name from two runs in the Autumn and she looks to have come on with that prep under the belt. Led and wasn’t asked for an effort in winning. If she can find a maiden on this track soon enough, I think she’ll be winning.
To view the Pakenham Synthetic jumpouts click here
Thursday August 22 (Ballarat Synthetic): A fascinating runner for the morning was Lady Magnus. Formerly with Chris Calthorpe, she’s now with Kylie Vella and this girl was just outstanding in the way she looked in Heat 3. Couldn’t have been held back any more and was just absolutely trucking all the way. Could have won by a space if allowed. If they find a race at this track for her shortly, I’ll be betting up.
To view the Ballarat Synthetic jumpouts click here
QUEENSLAND
Tuesday August 20 (Deagon): Xanthus looks ready to win very soon. He won Heat 7, his second trial this prep. Didn’t handle the home turn all that well but balanced up again, given a shaken up and responded nicely to win the trial under minimal pressure late. Was accepted for a Saturday race last weekend but stable scratched and instead trialled here.
To view the Deagon trials click here
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Thursday August 22 (Morphettville Parks): Everyday Lady looks to have come back really and Heat 3 confirmed it. She was under a hold from Jamie Kah throughout the trial and could have easily won it had she been extended. Nice piece of work and she could measure up in low level Stakes races for Mares during the Spring. A coming maiden winner is definitely Sisstar, the younger sister of Sunlight. She led throughout to win Heat 9 and moved very well under Vorster, not really asked for an effort and won nicely. She’s showed good ability. Just needs to translate it to a win on race day.
To view the Morphettville Parks trials click here
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Monday August 19 (Lark Hill): Some nice horses stepped out this morning. Cup Night, a Stakes winner, won Heat 3 and looked to do it very nicely under no real pressure. On current form, he’s a level or two below the best WA has to offer but he could improve this prep and potentially be a smokey for locals re Railway. Drinkwhatyoulike was an impressive winner of Heat 7. This Denman filly led all the way under Ban Patterson, winning by a space and running fast time. She’s a maiden but with the right placement, that won’t last, likewise with Jenja, who was runner up in Heat 8. She made up significant ground from off the pace under light riding from McNaught and looked very good.
To view the Lark Hill trials click here
