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Chris Scholtz reviews the Warwick Farm trials on February 6.
WARWICK FARM February 6
Another set of trials featuring a number of leading autumn contenders.The 21 heats were run over a variety of distances with the first 15 held on the inside grass and last six heats on the pro ride track. Heat 1 – 1205m; Heats 2-8 811m; Heats 9-15 808m; Heats 16-17 1175m; Heats 18-21 740m.
While there were two heats for Group and Listed horses (Heats 2/3) and several open trials it was the brilliant 2YO filly SHE WILL REIGN who commanded all the attention in Heat 9.With Melbourne jockey Ben Melham making a special trip to ride the unbeaten filly for Gary Portelli, she showed what has become her trademark speed to lead by five lengths at the 400m before cruising to a nine lengths win over 808m in the brilliant time of 45 seconds flat. She sprinted her last 600m in 32.23 seconds, leaving her rivals spread out over 20 lengths at the finish.
Her performance can be quantified by the clock as only one of the other six 2YO heat winners FRENCH TUNE broke 47 seconds overall or bettered 34 seconds for their last 600m.She Will Reign is now @tabcomau outright favourite for the #GoldenSlipper following her trial at #WarwickFarm yesterday.
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 6, 2017
Is she your pick? pic.twitter.com/5ouPUec0Bh
HEAT 2: Easily the strongest heat of the morning and any one of six horses could have won the trial. Quality mare ENGLISH took the honours when she sprinted to the line best in the last 100m to beat TERRAVISTA, ASTERN, KAEPERNICK and UGO FOSCOLO in a blanket finish with less than a length between them. FIRST SEAL was also good only a length back in sixth.
This was a strong sign that ENGLISH is back on song after disappointing in the spring as she travelled easily three wide and was full of running through the line. ASTERN was having his second trial and again wasn’t asked to extend.The trial of the highly rated former NZ 2000 Guineas winner UGO FOSCOLO was excellent. He led and had plenty to offer before he was throttled down over the last 100m. Expect he will be strongly fancied first-up by the Waterhouse/Bott stable.
HEAT 3: The second black type trial was a fast sprint from the 400m with the winner REDZEL running his last 600m in 33.4, a half second quicker than Heat 2. He was given a good test over the last 100m while runner-up EURO ANGEL was doing it a lot easier and closed off under a good hold. Behind them the Godolphin pair ALUCINARI and CHIPANDA caught the eye warming up late, particularly the latter who worked through the line strongly from the back for a closing fifth.FOLLOW: SHE WILL REIGN; ENGLISH; TERRAVISTA; UGO FOSCALO; EURO ANGEL; CHIPANDA
BLACKBOOKERS:-ACHI BABA: Not asked for a lot but found the line. Significant that he trialled without blinkers.
OZARK: Good natural speed to lead and win with plenty in hand. Has been gelded.SHOW ‘EM: Ran to the line late for a strong second behind Ozark.
PENNINGTON: Sharp heat win, leading and doing it well within himself.FRAGONARD: Blackbooked in previous trial and this was equally as good holding her ground under no pressure for second to Pennington.
TACTICAL ADVANTAGE: Maintenance trial for last start Randwick winner. Only asked for an effort late and picked up in fine style for closing third.PERANTO: First Sydney trial for NZ winner and looks a great pick up for the Turner/Poletti stable. Led easily and extended to score 3.5 lengths.
DEMERARA: Time didn’t match She Will Reign but Godolphin youngster had her rivals off the bit as she travelled easily to win her first hitout since a Kembla win in November.MAJARA: Showed sharp improvement on first trial to track five wide under a hold and extend strongly in the run to the line for a smart win.
INTUITION: Unraced Street Cry colt having third trial. Liked the way he picked up late from the back to finish an easy fifth.FLORID: Godolphin stablemate of Intuition finished second in same heat without being asked for a serious effort against the smart winner French Tune. Has race experience.
SOUFFRANT: Caught the eye in previous Warwick Farm set on January 24 and looks ready to go after a more serious trial here, doing best work late for a strong win.ZEPPELIN: Found the line nicely behind Souffrant. One of the Waterhouse/Bott team to keep an eye on.
TOGA PICTA: One of the best 2YO trials of the session, coming from the back and making ground strongly to the line under own steam for impressive second. Godolphin would be happy with this second trial from this Lonhro coltPOLAR STAR: Given a god test to run the fastest time of the winners on the pro ride.
NOIRE: Found line in the right manner behind Polar Star.