While most of the attention at the Rosehill barrier trials centred on Winx and Chautauqua, Everest favourite Trapeze Artist has pleased his trainer Gerald Ryan with his first appearance ahead of his spring campaign.
Winx trialled exceptionally well over 1000m and Chatauqua eventually came out of the gates 200m after the field in his 900m heat in which Trapeze Artist finished fifth, less than a length from the winner Auchentoman.
“He will have one more trial on the 20th and the plan is to resume in the Theo Marks Stakes,” Ryan said.
“He was not knocked about as it was just his first trial but I’m very pleased with him.”
Among Ryan’s other horses to trial on Tuesday were Legend Of Condor and Harper’s Choice who have more immediate assignments at Rosehill on Saturday.
Legend Of Condor is entered for the Listed Rosebud (1100m) and Harper’s Choice for the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m).
“I’ll monitor Legend Of Condor over the next 24 hours before I make a final decision whether he runs on Saturday,” Ryan said.
“At this stage Harper’s Choice will definitely run with a view to the Premier’s Cup two weeks later.
“If Legend Of Condor doesn’t run on Saturday we will wait until the San Domenico Stakes on the 25th.”
While the Rosebud is one of the lead-up races to next month’s Group One Golden Rose, the race Ryan won with Trapeze Artist last year, the trainer will not stretch Legend Of Condor to 1400m.
“I don’t think he can run 1400 metres so the plan will be to keep him to shorter races,” Ryan said.
“I think he is a sprinter.”
Legend Of Condor finished third in his 900m trial on Tuesday, a length from the winner Performer while Harper’s Choice was three lengths from Nettoyer in his 1000m heat.
Trapeze Artist is at $4.50 to win the $13 million Everest on October 13 ahead of Kementari who has not secured a slot and last year’s winner Redzel who are both at $6.
