As is the case most of the year, it was a busy week at the trials and jumpouts across Australia as the Summer racing is here, 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
Exhilarates: Lovely tune up for the Gold Coast
Rejinsky: Outclassed, can win back in grade
Battleground: Magic Millions Maiden is his race to lose barring bad luck
Signore Fox: On face value, disappointing
Aquitaine: Continued on her winning ways
Fast Fever: Want to give him another chance
Autumn Splendour: Good horse, but still plenty to learn
Larimer Street: Enormous in defeat
Reckless Choice: Knocking on the door to win
Seemingly Discreet: Coming maiden winner at provincial level
Exact Replica: Wide no cover, clear forgive
Parakeet: Bit to learn, but had her chance. Solid debut
Think Bleue: Pulled her head off. Don’t sack yet
Gracie Belle: Gee a sharp win fresh. Can win again
Paleontologist: Out of tickets late but clung on for a game debut win
Jett Austin: Provincial grade for him
UPCOMING RUNNERS:
Friday January 3:
Canterbury: Dimitri R3 – Was down to run in the bush but meeting called off so has to run in town. Wait til he gets back to the bush
Canterbury: Quantico R4 – Looks wound up to win first up. Just a slightly tricky gate to overcome
Canterbury: April Rain R4 – Has the barrier draw advantage over Quantico. Race in two
Cranbourne: Tigger R6 – Hopefully can go on from the first up win
Saturday January 4
Caulfield: Wise Hero R3 – One last chance in a winnable race
Gold Coast: Lopez R3 – If she does everything right, she goes close
Gold Coast: Mishani Fraudster R4 – Good roughie in a tricky race
Gold Coast: Whypeeo R6 – Has the ideal drag over gate. Just needs to find form
Sunday January 5
Strathalbyn: Lunar Light R3 – Ready to go I feel off a strong jumpout earlier this week
Monday January 6
Wangaratta: Poor Sam R1 – Loved his Terang trial back on November 20. Keen to see him resume
Tuesday January 7
Kembla: Bound To Win R5 – Bumps into Fashchanel but the win at Beaumont Newcastle was outstanding
NEW SOUTH WALES
Monday December 30 (Rosehill): Beyliks debuted with a third in the Breeders Plate and he looks to have come back well if his Heat 8 win is any guide. Was in restricted room most of the way but the last 50m when clear, he lengthened beautifully and it was a strong piece of work. Freighter is an unraced Whittington gelding for Team Hawkes that won Heat 15 and I thought he was pretty good in winning. Sat near the speed throughout and was given a little reminder by Innes Jnr. Responded and held his rivals to win in good time.
Monday December 30 (Coffs Harbour): Penfold hasn’t done much in two runs back from a break but will be keen to see where she goes third up after this trial win. Wide throughout but under a really good hold and with that, she cruised to the line out wide to win the trial with seemingly plenty in hand. If she runs up to the way she looked here, she’ll be winning with the right placement.
Thursday January 2 (Warwick Farm): It’s just about a case of any price in a maiden for Parche first up. Gary Portelli has her flying and her Heat 5 trial win suggests she’s on track. Sat off the speed before J Mac eased her wider on the turn for clear air and she went through her gears like a really nice horse and won impressively. Maiden win is hers for the taking first up. Plaquette won Heat 14 and she looked to move very well. Forgive run first up at Wyong but this tick over trial was a good piece of work, closing off to win the trial under no pressure from King the time was very sharp relative to the morning, and considering Goldfinch and Time To Reign ran similar time, that’s good going.
VICTORIA
Monday December 30 (Cranbourne): Have always had time for Just Hifalutin and her Heat 7 win tells me she’s come back in good order. Was near the speed throughout before being asked for an effort in the straight and really liked the way she responded in winning, doing it with something in hand as well. Proven city performer, she can win in town this prep.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Monday December 30 (Morphettville): Heat 1 saw the babies step out and I was impressed by the all the way win of Zeblan, an unraced Zebedee filly for Will Clarken. Led throughout under Todd Pannell and looked to have a bit more in reserve in a solid jumpout. Right placement, can win on debut. Stablemate Lunar Light certainly won’t be lacking fitness for the resumption on Sunday at Strathalbyn. Given a good hitout in Heat 4 alongside a Group l performer, Free Of Debt, and certainly did enough to suggest a win on Sunday is well within reach.
Thursday January 2 (Murray Bridge): I’m sure most eyes were on Lake District Girl in Heat 3, but I loved the trial from stablemate Set To Sparkle. The other mare sped along in front and was sharp in winning, but Set To Sparkle was under a really good hold out wide and went to the line with plenty in hand. Really nice work for the morning. Just Zerene has her barrier troubles but clearly is above average. Been trialling enormously and Heat 7 was another example of that as she spanked her rivals comfortably. If she can get into the barriers first up without too much drama, she should be Winx odds and winning comfortably like Winx first up in a maiden. Mind you, stable is having an awful run with short priced elects at the moment.
