
North England served a reminder that he should not be left out of Golden Slipper discussions with a slick trial win over a couple of leading contenders for the $5 million Group 1 at Rosehill on Monday morning.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt proved far too speedy for Bel Merci and Pallaton in the 900-metre workout.
North England jumped to the front and was challenged by Bel Merci 300m out but kicked clear when the Gimcrack Stakes winner wanted to lay in and powered home a 3-1/2-length winner.
Quality 2YO NORTH ENGLAND (2 c Farnan – Our Belisa) dominates his trial this morning for @GaiWaterhouse1, @Chinahorseclub, @NewgateFarm, @gobloodstockaus & @TrilogyRacing1 💨
The colt by @kiaorastud's FARNAN was a $280,000 @StudValiant @inglis_sales Classic graduate ✅
— ANZ Bloodstock (@anz_news) February 2, 2025
The time of 52.96 seconds was almost one second faster than the next-quickest of the 14 trials over 900m, which was Skyhook’s win in 53.83secs.
It was the second trial of the campaign for North England, who won an 800m trial at Hawkesbury on January 20.
A first-crop member for 2020 Golden Slipper winner Farnan, North England, who cost $280,000 at last year’s Inglis Classic Sale, has not been to the races since winning the $1 million Golden Gift (1100m) on November 9, which followed a third placing in the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate (1000m).
Now $17 in Golden Slipper betting, North England is expected to resume in the $300,000 Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on February 22, which is the race Chris Waller has pencilled in as the most likely next start for $4 Golden Slipper 2025 favourite Wodeton.
Michael Freedman has also indicated that is the probable next start for Pallaton, an $11 Golden Slipper chance who was not knocked around in his first trial since his impressive debut win at Rosehill on December 21 and narrowly failed to reel in Bel Merci for second.
Last year’s Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot trialled over 900m earlier in the morning with the daughter of Written Tycoon finishing second behind Dance To The Boom in 55.17secs.
Lady Of Camelot sat second in the run and was given a solid hitout by Tim Clark but went down narrowly to the last-start Gosford Guineas winner, who is unbeaten after three starts.
Third, 3-1/4 lengths away, was Champions Sprint winner Sunshine In Paris, while comeback galloper Militarize had a low-key hitout in his first trial since being gelded and put back into work, finishing a five-length sixth.
Militarize’s stablemate Joliestar impressed in her second trial of the preparation, flashing home from last under light riding to finish third, beaten just half-a-length, behind Royal Patronage and stablemate Lindermann in the 900m trial, which was covered in 54.88secs.
Amelia’s Jewel was also in the trial and she was not knocked around in sixth but was beaten just 1-1/2 lengths.