The first set of barrier trials for the babies each year is always a morning of interest.
And they were on under glorious sunshine at Randwick today with COOLANGATTA (written Tycoon – Piping Hot) looking the pick of them and already firming up to be a short-priced fav in the upcoming Gimcrack Stakes for fillies.
She is trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and looked like an already-made rocket after winning her trial. Cantered home, wasn’t even let go final stages, in 2nd fastest time of the morning.
The fastest was by the filly WILD BOTANICA (Spieth – Colosimo) who didn’t win by much but did run a good bit faster than any of the others. She was ridden right out and had trialled in Qld prior to this.
You’d have to think Coolangatta was more impressive.
“Ciaron has noticed similarities with Enthaar who came to Sydney and won well,” said a stable rep for Maher and David Eustace in regards to their filly Coolangatta.
“She is naturally very fast and will head on to the Gimcrack Stakes now.”
The runner-up in her trial, WILD CALM (American Pharaoh – Koonoomoo) was beaten over 3 lengths but there was a fair bit to appreciate about the way she extended late too and will be much better suited over the 1000m of the Gimcrack. Today’s trial was just 855m. She is trained by Annabel Neasham and cost $350,000 as a yearling.
Coolangatta cost $280,000.
Another filly trial winner who looked strong was DRISANA (Merchant Navy – Broadband) who came from well back and although pushed out, went home ears pricked to win her trial impressively and looks better placed in a 1000m race. She cost $120,000 at the sales.
Of the boys, GENGHIS KHAN (I Am Invincible – Jolie bay) who cost $400,000 as a yearling, won his trial in slowish time but won with authority under Hugh Bowman, meaning he probably carried more weight than his rivals. He can hit the line hard.
“I was hoping he’d do something like that,” said his trainer Matt Dunn. “He’ll be there in a couple of weeks and will be very competitive.”
There – is the Breeders’ Plate at Randwick over 1000m.
But, he will have to work home hard as KIBOU (Maurice – Fortiche) for Gai and Adrian won his trial in slick time and led all the way, showing great determination late. He looks ready made and on his home track in the Breeders’ will take a lot of catching.
Kibou cost $170,000 as a yearling.
VICTORY MOMENTS (Spieth – Tris) bears mentioning. He won his trial soundly after doing everything wrong and ran handy time too.
He sat wide all the way but rallied late to win drawing away giving his sire his 2nd winner of the morning from just two runners!.
Many other nice efforts for these immature babies, but these were the highlights.
