A half brother to star filly Guelph looks set to carry on the family tradition after winning his first barrier trial on Monday.
Ghibellines, a colt by Shamardal out of Camarilla, was among a host of well bred youngsters at the official two-year-old trials at Randwick.
He won his 847m heat in 49.77 secs, finding the line strongly under Darley jockey Kerrin McEvoy.
Guelph, who is by Exceed And Excel, won the Group One Sires’ Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes during the autumn and is the favourite for next month’s Thousand Guineas following her win in Saturday’s Tea Rose Stakes.
She is also favourite to be named last season’s champion juvenile when the Horse of the Year winners are announced next month.
Two fillies from the Gerald Ryan stable shone with Lucky Raquie, ridden by Glyn Schofield, winning her 850m heat in 49.88s and Tetsuko, with Brenton Avdulla aboard, winning winning over 847m in 49.81s.
Tetsuko’s final 600m of 33.31s was the quickest of any of the trial winners.
Ryan plans to run both fillies in the Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick on October 5.
Gai Waterhouse-trained runners won three of the first four trials and included $1 million colt Wandjina and $675,000 filly Twirl (Lonhro).
