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Naughty boy Helmet is one of the important triallers going first up in the Run To The Rose
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SR 3-3 LAMASERY (David Vandyke): This promising stayer resumes with the benefit of solid fourth in 1200m trial at Warwick Farm on 11 August. He has performed well fresh in the past and looks to have done enough for the 1500m first-up.
SR 5: The high anticipation over the return of top colts (1) HELMET and (2) SMART MISSILE is well founded on the quality of their trials and track work. Helmet was given a typical easy “Snowden” - trial when cruising home for a soft fourth in a classy 800m heat at Warwick Farm on 11 August. On the other hand Smart Missile's natural ability could not be restrained when he outclassed his rivals for a very sharp 728m win at Randwick on 5 August.
SR 6-11 HIDDEN GEM (David Vandyke): The trainer kept to his word when he said he would trial the gelding after his last start failure at Randwick, giving him a solid test at Rosehill on 15 August when he finished a close second over 1030m to alleviate concerns about his condition.
SR 7: Hard to make a judgement on (5) SIKKA after he went back to the trials and finished last in a 900m heat at Rosehill on 15 August. (7) GYBE has had seven weeks between runs but was brought up to the mark with her fourth in a Randwick trial over 800m last Friday. She went better than (11) SWIFT JUDGEMENT, who was sixth in the same heat.
SR 8-9 SPOT THE ROCK (Tim Martin): A big four length trial win by the promising Spot The Rock over 900m at Rosehill on 15 August was a strong indicator that he has done very well since returning from Brisbane.
NSW TRIALLERS RACING INTERSTATE:
MR 6-5 HERCULIAN PRINCE (Gai Waterhouse): The Metropolitan Hcp winner had a disappointing Autumn but has had two trials over longer distances suggesting he has had a good long prep for this Spring. Straight to Melbourne suggests there is a plan in place here.
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MR 5-2 LIGHT VISION (Robert Smerdon): This is a tried and true formula for the Smerdon team. Once fit, this horse loves to be kept ticking over and he had another trial since his all the way win here a fortnight back.
MR 6-1 HEART OF DREAMS (Mick Price): Perennial contender for Mick Price who had a trip out to stretch his legs this week. Races well without winning first up before but does like Caulfield.
MR 6-6 RED COLOSSUS (Greg Eurell): Was fourth in a good trial at Cranbourne earlier in the month and don't forget he scored first up last campaign in the Victoria Hcp over this course and distance.
MR 7-8 CHOSEN TO FLY (Colin/Cindy Alderson): After winning first up down the straight at Flemington when well backed he had a further clean out trial coming second at Cranbourne to G1 winner Aloha.
VIC TRIALLERS RACING INTERSTATE:
SR 6-1 ALANDI & SR 6-2 MOURAYAN (Robert Hickmott): Both Alandi (finishing 4th) and Mourayan (finishing 3rd) jogged around in 1550m Cranbourne trials after running in races much, much short of their best. The Premier's Cup is a far more likely race.
AR 5-6 BELLE DIVA (Neil Dyer): The mare has decent Melbourne metro form and has won in Adelaide before. She trialled nicely in a small field winning over 900m at Wangaratta and can definitely play a role here.
QUEENSLAND
BR 7-2 POOR JUDGE (Wayne Nugent): After being placed in the G1 Toorak behind More Joyous and winning the G3 on Derby day, he had a disappointing Autumn. Perhaps he has turned that around going by the strong trial win at Toowoomba. Could he be on the way back.
BR 7-3 ROTHERA (Ben Currie): Another Queenslander who scored a group win over the Victorian carnival last year. He loves it wet which could be important but his comeback trial is exactly like previous efforts when he just goes around for practice.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
AR 1-1 TADGH (Robert Smerdon): Has been having a great run with the jumpers and giving them a little trial in between runs seems to keep them ticking over. This son of Zabeel was second over 2400m at Cranbourne to do just that.