Trial Watch Review - Randwick 2YO Trials

By: Chris Scholtz Time published 2022-09-21 at 08:32 AM (GMT +10:00)

Chris Scholtz reviews the 2YO trials held at Randwick on Monday September 19.

Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

RANDWICK September 19

Course Proper; Rail Out 14 Metres; Soft 6

10 Heats x 850m (2YOs)

A soft 6 with the rail out 14 metres for our first look at the new season 2YOs.

No Sydney stable is better with early 2YOs than Waterhouse/Bott and they have a team ready to run after winning four of the 10 heats.

HEAT 1 (Colts/Geldings - 51.19; 35.07): Strong win by the Snowden-trained colt DON CORELEONE (Extreme Choice) in the fastest of the colts and geldings heats but most would be impressed by the effort of John O'Shea's runner-up PHYSICAL GRAFFITI (Russian Revolution). The winner took full advantage of the rails draw and first use of the track to trail the leader PHYSICAL GRAFFITI into the straight and was then put under a ride from Hugh Bowman. He responded under pressure to get the upper hand over the last 100m while Brenton Avdulla sat quietly on PHYSICAL GRAFFITI. He had plenty in reserve over the last 200m.

HEAT 2 (Fillies – 51.06; 34.74): Professional win by the Russian Revolution filly PERFECT PROPOSAL (Waterhouse/Bott)) in the fastest heat of the morning and significantly the only winner to go under 35 seconds for her last 600m. Jumped well from a wide gate and kept under restraint before crossing to lead after 250m. Responded well when called on to sprint through the line full of running for a decisive 2.2 lengths win. Nice trial from the runner-up SATIN AND SILK (I Am Invincible). She travelled well on the pace and was given an easy time over the last 100m, leaving a big gap to others.

HEAT 3 (Colt/Geldings – 51.97; 35.31): Big money on show here with the million dollar colts MACH TEN (Exceed And Excel) and GODFATHER (I Am Invincible) – both racing for James Harron syndicates - dominating from the jump. The $1.2 million purchase MACH TEN (Michael Freedman) led with the Snowden's GODFATHER ($1.1 million) sitting off him on the outside. GODFATHER responded when called on to head MACH TEN at the 200m but the latter went up a gear under riding and came back to win the heat by a half length in average time. The third horse KINTYRE (Hallowed Crown) was five lengths away, working to the line from last at the 400m.

HEAT 4 (Fillies – 51.38; 35.12): Well-bred SICILIAN (I Am Invincible) is another smart runner for the Waterhouse/Bott team. The $650,000 buy took up the lead easily from stablemate TAORMINA (Written Tycoon) and was always under a good hold from James McDonald, going up a gear when required to extend like a professional and post a good time. Had plenty in reserve through the line while LEARING TO FLY (Annabel Neasham), a $900,000 Justify filly, was put under a ride to run home from one out one back on the turn. TAORMINA was under pressure to hold third with ACHLYS (Deep Field) the one taking the eye with her work late to finish a soft fourth.

HEAT 5 (Colts/Geldings – 52.38; 35.79): Slowest heat of the session but a significant win by FLYING TRAPEZE (Gary Portelli) as he is the first trial winner by first season sire Trapeze Artist. Portelli is good with his early 2YOs and the racy winner had the early toe to lead but came under a pressure from the 200m. He had to be ridden out under the whip to hold off a strong finish from the $680,000 colt EMPIRE OF JAPAN (Snitzel), who kept making ground from the rear under less pressure. GOLD BULLION (Savabeel) ran like his pedigree suggested, doing his best work late for a strong third although four lengths back.

HEAT 6 (Fillies – 51.40; 35.17): The third heat win of the session for the Waterhouse/Bott stable with the $600,000 filly PLATINUM JUBILEE (Zoustar) another well prepared runner for the top stable. She was straight into the bridle to lead and maintained a good advantage all the way to the line after Tim Clark gave her a reminder with the whip at the 200m to keep her focused. DIVINE GLORY (Hellbent) chased the winner from the start and held her ground well for second with good margins to the rest. OUTCAST GIRL (Pariah) worked nicely for fourth.

HEAT 7 (Colts/Geldings – 51.36; 35.49): Honours went to the Bjorn Baker-trained OZZMOSIS (Zoustar) who did everything right to sit outside the leader and kick for home under a ride from Rachel King. Dipped a couple of times under pressure but kept running to the line in good overall time. A nice trial from the $600,000 grey SNATCHREILLY (Trapeze Artist) to finish a closing second after he came off the fence from behind the leader and chased keenly. The efforts of the third and fourth placed MEXICO (Capitalist) and GODZILLA (Shalaa) were just as good in a heat that had some substance.

HEAT 8 (Fillies – 52.20; 36.01): A narrow win in slow time by the Justify filly JUST GISELLA (Michael Freedman) but there was plenty of merit in her performance as she was held up behind the leaders at the 300m, had to check across heels to get a clear run and showed good acceleration over the last 100m to run down the pacy leader SKY ARTIST (Trapeze Artist). ZELTA (Snitzel) also did her best work late for a strong third.

HEAT 9 (Colts/Geldings – 51.92; 35.44):  Annabel Neasham's $825,000 colt FAMEUX (Exceed And Excel) won the heat but did a lot wrong over the last 200m. After leading easily he came under pressure and proved a handful for Chad Schofield, running out badly over the last 100m and hampering the placegetters HIGH KING (Russian Revolution) and MAKE A CALL (Extreme Choice). Obviously has ability but his manners will need to improve. HIGH KING could have won the trial with a clear run. Came from behind the leader to take a split at the 300m but was buffeted by the third horse and then hampered by FAMEUX with the margin of almost two lengths flattering the winner.

HEAT 10 (Colts/Geldings – 51.94; 35.56): The Brazen Beau colt TARABEAU gave the Waterhouse/Bott stable another win and he was just as professional as their others although recording the slowest time of their four winners. Sat three wide to the turn before taking control and running clear under a kind ride to score by two lengths. MAKTABI (Written By) and SAROYAN (Trapeze Artist) get pass marks for their encouraging efforts to fill the placings.

NOTED TRIALS                                                                                                            

XX Perfect Proposal; Sicilian

X Archlys; Don Corleone; Godfather; Godzilla; High King; Just Gisella; Mach Ten; Physical Graffiti; Platinum Jubilee; Tarabeau


Racing and Sports

Chris Scholtz

Managing Director Tronta Media P/L; Contributing Editor Racing & Sports
Chris is an award winning racing media professional working in the print, radio and online mediums since 1971 and managing director of his own racing industry media company since 1988. He has covered all of Australia’s major racing carnivals, numerous international events and is widely recognised as a leading form assessor and race analyst. Chris brings his passion for racing to racingandsports.com.au as its contributing editor since its launch in 2000.