3 minute read
Chris Scholtz reviews provincial barriers trials at Hawkesbury and Wyong on January 24.
HAWKESBURY January 24
Course Proper; Soft 5
16 Heats – 1 x 1200m (Open); 6 x 1000m (2 Open; 4 Maiden); 9 x 800m (2 Open; 4 2YO; 3 Maiden)
Good to see some promising types confirm their potential with impressive heat wins.
BARBER (James Cummings): This highly rated unbeaten youngster had been given a soft trial when third at Randwick on January 9 and showed the benefit with easy work to win the fastest of the four 2YO trials over 800m (47.35; 33.79) with plenty in reserve. Sat off the leader before gaining the upper hand under no pressure from James McDonald.
BRAVE KNIGHT (Blake Ryan): A super first trial by this 3YO gelding by Epaulette, showing great natural speed to lead easily and travel on the bit while running the fastest time in the nine heats over 800m. He cruised home by more than five lengths, being the only winner to go under 47 seconds (46.39; 33.24).
KA YING RADIANCE (Bjorn Baker): Another brilliant win by this unraced 4YO by I Am Invincible. He won his first trial at Rosehill on January 12 by more than five lengths in fast time and went better here, clearing out in his 1000m heat to score by almost eight lengths in the fastest of the six trials over the distance (58.35; 33.89). He was held back to his rivals until the 250m before quickly putting a big margin on them without any pressure applied by Rachel King.
PARISAL (James Cummings): Placed on debut at Canterbury in September, this Astern filly won a Randwick trial on January 9 and underlined her talent with another soft win in her 1000m heat (59.17; 34.20). Worked well within herself to win with authority and could have gone quicker.
HEADWALL (Matthew Smith): Dream Ahead 3YO won his first two starts at Newcastle and Kembla Grange in the winter and is set to go on with it after an impressive win in his 800m heat (47.42; 33.43), coasting behind the leaders before working past them with ease over the last 200m. It was positive improvement on his first-up trial when fifth at Randwick on January 9.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Barber; Brave Knight; Ka Ying Radiance; Parisal; Headwall
X Communist; Gun; Iknowastar; Lady Shenanigans; Morethannumberone; Pereille; Swats That.
WYONG January 24
Course Proper; Soft 6
18 Heats – 11 x 845m (5 2YO; 3 Open; 3 Maiden); 7 x 1000m (4 Open; 3 Maiden)
Look forward to the return to racing of the smart NORWEGIAN BLISS after a soft win in her first trial appearance since she suffered her first loss in eight career starts at Caulfield in November. Did all that was required to run down the leaders in the fastest 1000m heat (58.54).
NOTED TRIALS
XX Norwegian Bliss
X Bellatrix Black; Chevron; Fumiko; King's Duty; Lyrical Beauty; Simoom; So Good So Cool; Tender Streak; The Himalayas.
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Don Corleone; Dame Cartland; Ithadtobezou; Convincebility; Dancing Alone; Fourth Spargo; Journalism; Florida Sky; Mariamia; Red Resistance; Nasdaq Dubai; Turn Up The Night; Big Happiness; The Instructor; Think About It; Moscow Night; Alicia Roma; Silentsar; Vreneli; Capitol Queen; Cigar Flick.