The first metropolitan race meeting of the new season is set to be overshadowed by a star-studded barrier trial session at Randwick on Friday.
While Saturday’s eight-race Rosehill program will host predominantly winter-class horses, some of the country’s best gallopers will stretch their legs at Randwick 24 hours earlier.
Golden Slipper winner and early Golden Rose favourite Vancouver is set to make his first public appearance of the new season in a 1050m heat against five Godolphin youngsters including Exosphere and Haptic.
Doncaster Mile winner Kermadec is slated to have his second trial after going around at Rosehill last week, while outstanding John Thompson-trained filly First Seal will clash with Thousand Guineas winner Amicus in a heat for three-year-old fillies.
Randwick trainer John Sargent will also play a part in the session with classy staying fillies Gust Of Wind and Thunder Lady both down to trial along with 2013 VRC Oaks winner Kirramosa.
Sargent said ATC Australian Oaks winner Gust Of Wind and Thunder Lady, who was recently bought by Criterion’s owner Sir Owen Glenn, had returned to work bigger and stronger.
Thunder Lady will be aimed towards the Metropolitan ahead of a Melbourne campaign while Gust Of Wind will be targeted at the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
Sargent has been especially taken by the development of Gust Of Wind.
“She’s come back probably as good as I’ve had a horse mature from three to four,” Sargent said.
“A lot of them don’t measure up at four but the way she has come back, I’m very impressed.”
Along with Vancouver, Waterhouse will trial a number of her better stayers headed by Doomben Cup winner Pornichet and last year’s Sydney Cup winner The Offer.
Bart and James Cummings have veteran Precedence back for another Melbourne Cup bid.
He will go around in the third trial which also includes Godolphin colt Sweynesse and Group One winner Temple Of Boom.
