As is the case most of the year, it was a busy week at the trials and jumpouts across Australia as the Autumn Carnival approaches, 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: Busy past seven days, so here’s a list of runners that were highlighted
Penfold: Led at a good clip, tried hard. But no more
Microphone: 1400m+ on a bigger track. Want to give him another look
Baaqyah: Race was over after two strides. Forgive and forget
Gracie Belle: Looked the winner 200m out. Just couldn’t finish it off
Tight Ropes: Will be better for the run
Exact Replica: Too bad to be true
Set To Sparkle: Two ordinary runs now. Might be time to flick her
Just Zerene: Led, clung on…maybe that’s it for her
Autumn Splendour: Coming winner for sure. Excellent run
Bella Nipotina: Really good resumption. Follow her
Hanseatic: Outstanding win. Deserved Blue Diamond favourite
Atherton: Might be a barrier trial star. Very weak finale
Patrina: Fast run maiden, closed off hard late. Coming maiden winner
Think It Over: Provincial Championships candidate for sure
Quiet Riot: Very strong debut winner
Bold Arial: Track pattern was against.
Parche: Confirmed what was seen at the trials. Brilliant win
Henschel: On first look, was very disappointing.
Hunamosa: Outstanding ride from Campbell Rawiller won the race
UPCOMING RUNNERS:
Friday January 31
Canterbury: Plaquette R2 – Think she goes close to winning providing the tempo isn’t a crawl
Canterbury: Super Oasis R8 – Made her the best of the day/night. Just hoping for a good clip so she can relax
Moonee Valley: Maktabaa R1 – Hard to beat for sure. Just wait and see what the market does last 10-15 minutes
Saturday February 1
Ascot: Cup Night R5 – I’d be locking in the $4.20/thereabouts. Should be shorter
Caulfield: Spend R7 – Really good test for him. For mine, he’s far too short at $4.20
Morphettville: Lunar Light R1 – Should be winning again
Randwick: September Run R1 – Think she can beat Away Game and is slight overs
Randwick: Laburnum R9 – Looks the one at silly odds, nearly $20
Sunday February 2
Bunbury: Burning Magic R6 – Tricky race, but liked the trial last week
Sale: Just Hifalutin R7 – Mick Dee on, she gets her chance to win
Tuesday February 4
Gosford: Super Cyclone R7 – Runs up to the trial, think he wins
NEW SOUTH WALES
Tuesday January 28 (Rosehill): The standout of the morning for mine came in the opening heat in the shape of Avilius. Gee he looked outstanding. Was trucking off the speed before Nash sneezed on him and the way he picked up the last 50-100m was excellent. Give him a wet track and he’ll win whatever the stable wants to target. He’s in for a big Autumn. Fortress Command has always looked a 2000m+ horse since his 2YO days. Missed the Spring but is back for the Autumn and contested Heat 3. Was somewhat ousprinted early on in the straight but he picked up and he was very good late. He’s a forgotten horse I think from a Derby perspective. Super Cyclone bucked at Canterbury last time and was ordered to trial. Contested Heat 4 and in terms of catching the eye, outside Avilius, she was the pick. She was absolutely trucking behind the speed and made up ground late under no pressure at all. Runs up to this and she’ll win at Gosford on Tuesday. Team Hawkes produced God Of Thunder to win Heat 8 and the golden rule with these Rosehill trials is if you’re running sub 53 for the 900m, you’re flying, and that is what this horse did. Sat behind the speed before getting the split and really liked the way he attacked the line when asked. Another Team Hawkes runner that is flying is Sylvia’s Mother, who ran fourth in Heat 9, but could have easily won the trial had she been extended. Was extended for a few strides and the turn of foot was there before J Mac throttled her down. Jor El struggled on debut at Canterbury but looks to be back on track based on his Heat 14 win. Led throughout under Robbie Dolan, ran good time and wasn’t really extended in doing so. Not sure he’s a top level 2YO, but perhaps could be one to tackle a race like the Black Opal?
To view the Rosehill trials click here
Wednesday January 29 (Newcastle): The regally bred Reaching (Deep Impact x Alinghi) stepped out for the first time for her second prep and gee she looked sharp in winning Heat 5. Sat wide on speed under Ash Morgan but what I liked is that when the filly was asked to go, the response was instant and her late splits were excellent. They’ll pick off a maiden first up and she can put together a few with the right placement.
To view the Newcastle trials click here
Thursday January 30 (Scone): When the Country Championships markets first came out, I was really surprised that $11 went up for Luna Mia given how unlucky she was in the Kosciuszko. I’m even more amazed that $11 is still available after the way she trialled here in Heat 2. Sat off the speed before Ash Morgan gave her a squeeze and the response was very good, closing off with real purpose before being throttled down late. I’d be taking the $11 for her to win the big dance.
To view the Scone trials click here
VICTORIA
Tuesday January 28 (Cranbourne): Smart two year old Larimier Street contested Heat 2 and he looks spot for potentially the Blue Diamond Prelude next Saturday. Sat near the speed under Olly and loved the way he went to the line, taking off ground from those in front under no pressure at all. I think he’ll run well against Hanseatic. Beating him is another matter.
To view the Cranbourne jumpouts click here
Tuesday January 28 (Caulfield): Great to see Loving Gaby back and she was sharp in Heat 1, alongside two year old and stablemate Muntaseera, with the former wide throughout on speed while the juvenile was nearer the inside and went about her business very nicely. She’s right on track for the Prelude next Saturday.
To view the Caulfield jumpouts click here
Wednesday January 29 (Balnarring): Aeecee Diamond does look a talented type for Anthony Freedman and he really caught the eye in Heat 2. Was behind the speed throughout and held up for the most part before getting clear, getting a squeeze and closing off with purpose behind the well performed stablemate Lyre. He’s ticking over nicely ready to win again with the right placement.
To view the Balnarring jumpouts click here
Thursday January 30 (Geelong): Jericho Cup winner Ablaze returned in Heat 1 and for a horse best suited at 3000m+, he showed some good zip in this trial. Though given a squeeze, he did show zip in the legs and was very good I thought. Tuning up for the jumps season, or are they thinking maybe a race like the Adelaide Cup/Sydney Cup? Heat 6 saw Magnavale win and despite having race fitness, was impressive in leading throughout, showing really good change up speed when asked by Billy Egan.
To view the Geelong trials click here
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Tuesday January 28 (Lark Hill): Beret has placed in all four career outings without winning but I think that will all change this prep if her Heat 7 win is any guide. Sat near the speed throughout before being clicked up by McNaught and showing a good turn of foot to win in solid time relative to the morning. Blaxel Rose had her first public appearance in Heat 9 for Adam Durrant and she was an eye catcher I thought. Was back in the run before saving ground nearer the inside and Pike gave her a squeeze. The response was very good and she got up near the leaders before being throttled down late. Keen to see where she debuts.
To view the Lark Hill trials click here