Dual Group One winner Sincero just edged out five-time winner at the elite level More Joyous in a pleasing barrier trial hitout for both at Rosehill on Tuesday.
Reigning premiership winner Nash Rawiller was aboard the outstanding More Joyous in the 1100m trial on the course proper while Hugh Bowman was on Sincero.
The trial was the first public appearance for More Joyous this year and Rawiller said he doesn’t believe the mare had ever looked better.
Rawiller was content to allow More Joyous to sit just behind the speed in the trial before letting her stride out in the final 100 metres.
“They didn’t go that hard early so I just had her where she was comfortable in behind the leader,” Rawiller said.
“They quickened up and I just sat off them until basically the last 100 metres when I gave her a squeeze. She picked up Sincero pretty well I thought.
“She feels really good.”
Rawiller said it was fair to say More Joyous wasn’t at her absolute best during the spring but believes the Gai Waterhouse-trained five-year-old has benefited from a lengthy spell ahead of the autumn.
Owner John Singleton has said the Doncaster Mile and Queen Elizabeth Stakes were likely targets for More Joyous this campaign.
More Joyous started favourite in last year’s Doncaster but finished down the track on a heavy surface.
Sincero is being aimed at an autumn return in the Group Two Canterbury Stakes (1300m) and trainer Stephen Farley liked what he saw on Tuesday.
“I thought he trialled well and Hugh was happy,” Farley said.
“Hugh said he got a little bit tired late in the trial but I expected that.”
The Canterbury Stakes and Group One George Ryder Stakes are Sincero’s two Sydney aims before heading to Brisbane for the winter carnival.
Sincero won last year’s Group One Stradbroke Handicap in Brisbane as a three-year-old.
He added to that with victory in the Group One George Main Stakes in September but was unplaced in three Melbourne spring carnival appearances.
AAP TURF
