Godolphin and their principle trainer John O’Shea had a large arsenal of horses at the Cranbourne trials on Thursday.
A total of 14 horses carried the Godolphin all blue colours with David Charles, the Melbourne foreman for O’Shea, saddling up 12 runners.
Last year’s Blue Diamond winner Earthquake was one of the headline acts for Godolphin winning the second heat in a time of 45.82 secs.
A couple of the highly rated two-year-olds – Batam and Antelucan – are trying to emulate Earthquake’s feat in this year’s Blue Diamond and went through their trials in easy fashion, despite being comfortably held.
All three horses were ridden by Chad Schofield who has attached himself to the Godolphin stable in Melbourne.
Earthquake was having her first competitive hitout since finishing eighth in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington last November.
A decision on her program is still to be finalised although there are plenty of options available for the three-year-old including the Lightning Stakes, the Oakleigh Plate and the Newmarket Handicap.
“We’re happy with the progress she’s made going into the autumn and we’re really happy with the way she trialled here today,” Charles said.
“John will talk to the team in Sydney and then make a decision on where she has her first run.”
Batam, a colt, was a Moonee Valley winner before spelling while Antelucan, a filly and a winner at Flemington during the Cup carnival, are on a path to the Blue Diamond via separate Blue Diamond Preludes (1100m) at Caulfield on February 14.
“We’re very happy with how the horses trialled this morning,” Charles said.
“They’re running very fast times and leaders have dominated most of the trials so far.
“We’re here to have a day out and the way they have pulled up in their fitness levels, we’re very happy.”
Earthquake won her 800m trial in 45.82 secs, Batam was fourth in a hot heat in 45.44 secs while Antelucan finished third in a time of 45.12 secs.
