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Chris Scholtz reviews the Warwick Farm trials on February 20.
WARWICK FARM February 20
BLACKBOOK: UGO FOSCOLO; OUR VENTURA; PALAZZO PUBBLICO; ALMIGHTY GIRL; FROM WITHIN; DIXIE; KENTUCKY MISS; FANFARON; DEMOLITION; FOXTELLER.More classy Group horses stepped out in preparation for their autumn campaigns. The girls stole the show with the G1 winners FIRST SEAL and ENGLISH recording strong wins that would have pleased their stables while the Kiwi G1 winner UGO FOSCOCLO put the foot down in his trial in a display that augers well for his first-up chances.
The inside grass was rated soft after the weekend storms and there were few wanting to stay hard on the rail. The session started with three 1200m heat, followed by seven over 800m including five for 2YOs and finished with five heats over 797m.
UGO FOSCOLO: Cleared out to a big lead and kept running easily to score by seven lengths in the fastest of three 1200m heats. Seems the Waterhouse/Bott are intent in having the NZ 2000 Guineas winner ready to rol when he has his first Sydney start.FIRST SEAL: She did all that was required to win the second 1200m heat, taking a late split between the leaders and asserting her class without any undue pressure. She’s a terrific mare when right and it seems she is back on track after her litany of problems. Behind her was a nice third from OUR VENTURA finding the line with style.
ENGLISH: The classiest of the 800m heats with this top shelf mare producing a keen sprint over the last 200m to get the better of the running leader REDZEL in clearly the fastest heat of the day overall and also fastest last 600m. She is clearly on song to regain her best this autumn. The form out of this trial looks strong with a lot to like about the efforts of JAPONISME, PALAZZO PUBBLICO and HAPPY CLAPPER behind her.ALMIGHTY GIRL: Classy former Melbourne marte recorded sharp heat win for new trainer Joe Pride, cruising on the pace and looking to have a lot in the tank going to the line under a soft ride. BRIGADOON RISE and LUCKY FISH were strong behind her.
SASSO CORBARO: Doing best on line when second in the first of the 2YO heats.FROM WITHIN: Set to bounce back from her Magic Millions failure judging by this impressive heat win over a handy Godolphin filly in DEMERARA. The latter led but FROM WITHIN always had her covered sitting on her outside and a little squeeze was all she needed to claim the win. They were a class above their rivals.
DIXIE: Gary Portelli would be thrilled with the trial of this half-sister to Rebel Dane. She’s a big grey and looks big on talent after sprinting fast from last to swamp her rivals with Jason Collett swinging to her through the line.EDEN ROC: Expensive colt carries a boom and get the feeling we are yet to see the best of him. Given a very quiet time here, going through the motions to run home under no pressure for fourth.
TREKKING: Nice third from this Godolphin youngster.KENTUCKY MISS: Too classy for her rivals, letting down with her well known sharp turn of foot. Augers well for another successful campaign.
FANFARON/DEMOLITION: This pair of Godolphin 3YOs were very good behind Kentucky Miss. They were not asked for serious work, settling well back and enjoyed their exercise as they went to the line with plenty to offer.NOIRE: Well educated maiden filly from the Waller yard after four trials. Led and slipped them on the turn, showing speed that should stand her in good stead when produced. KENZIE’s third was a sound effort behind her.
SWEET ADELINE: Another of Waller’s maiden fillies who looked strong finding the line late for third in her heat.FOXTELLER: The pressure was on in the last of the 797m heats and resulted in the fastest time from the winner MAGIC MISSILE. The eye catcher was a very easy fifth from FOXTELLER who went around under a hold and was never asked to extend.