The autumn carnival build-up has continued at Warwick Farm with several high-profile horses stepping out in barrier trials, including Doncaster Mile winner Stefi Magnetica.
The mare took out a classy 900m heat, finishing strongly in the heavy 8 conditions to edge out Verona Rose with Angel Capital (fourth), Attica (sixth) and Caulfield Cup runner-up River Of Stars (eighth) all in her wake.
Willaidow triumphed in the second of the Group trials, his time more than a second-and-a-half quicker than Stefi Magnetica’s as he downed Oh Diamond Lil by a half-head, that pair streeting the rest by 8-1/4 lengths.
Top sprinting mare Joliestar did best of the chasers to finish third with her Chris Waller-trained stablemate Autumn Boy fourth.
The latter was making his first public appearance since winning the Caulfield Guineas and is on a path towards the Randwick equivalent before connections decide whether to stretch him to the 2000m of the Rosehill Guineas or tackle the older horses at weight-for-age in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
“Autumn Boy has come back really well. James (McDonald) rode him on Monday morning and was really impressed with how he has come back,” Waller said prior to the colt’s trial.
“The Hobartville (Stakes), Randwick Guineas and then we see whether we go George Ryder or if we need to go down the three-year-old path.”
Waller said Joliestar was likely to campaign exclusively in Sydney with the Group 1 sprint double of the Canterbury Stakes and T J Smith Stakes on her agenda, ahead of a potential trip overseas.
“She will have a run before the Canterbury Stakes, which will be her first Group One of the prep, and then most likely the T J,” he said.
“We are very keen to see her in form because if she is, the connections are pretty keen to take her to Ascot.”
Angel Capital, who was unlucky not to win a Group 1 in the spring, is set to kick off his campaign in the Expressway Stakes (1200m) on February 14, with Waller earmarking the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington as his primary goal.
One horse not in action on Thursday was Ceolwulf, who was scratched after sustaining a graze to his knee, requiring treatment.
Trainer Joe Pride said the issue was minor and expected the multiple Group 1 winner to be ready to trial next week ahead of his scheduled return in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) in just over three weeks.