Trial Watch Reviews: 24th March & 27th March 2023

By: By Chris Scholtz Time published 2023-03-28 at 05:14 PM (GMT +11:00)

Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney and provincial barrier trials at Gosford (March 24) and Rosehill (March 27).

FLAG OF HONOUR
FLAG OF HONOUR Picture: Steve Hart

ROSEHILL March 27

Inside Grass; Soft 6

15 Heats – 5 x 1030m (3 Open; 1 2YO; 1 Maiden); 10 x 900m (2 Open; 4 2YO; 2 3YO; 2 Maiden)

Times were average due to the soft conditions.

FIRE (Hawkes Racing): Back from Melbourne off a freshen, this smart sprinter looked the part winning the strongest open heat over 900m in moderate time (55.32; 35.70). From a wide gate he pulled his way to the front after 200m and was well in control under a hold from Jay Ford over the last 200m. Classy imported mare PRINCESS TRACY also worked strongly in her second trial for Chris Waller, keeping in touch with the winner all the way. She is a G1 placed US stakeswinner of seven races and her progress will be watched with interest. Godolphin's gun sprinter PAULELE went around under a big grip from Zac Lloyd and had no pressure applied in the run to the line, finishing an easy fifth. Expect improvement on his recent Melbourne efforts.

TSARINA SOPHIA (Gerald Ryan/Sterling Alexiou): Flying Russian Revolution filly has won three of her first five starts up to 1200m and will surely be adding to that record if kept to suitable sprints. Easily ran to a big lead in her 900m heat and was six lengths clear on the turn. From there she was in cruise control to maintain that margin under no pressure, clocking the fastest time in the 10 heats over the distance (54.71; 35.55), notably being the only winner to go under 55 seconds.

NOTED TRIALS

XX Fire; Tsarina Sophia

X Armed Forces; Autumn Ballet; Excelida; Hulm; Lascars; Lazzago; Mathkhoora; Nasturtium; Oscar Charlie; Princess Grace; Renaissance Woman; Tannhauser; Zou Tiger

GOSFORD March 24

Course Proper; Heavy 8

12 Heats – 1 x 1200m (Open); 4 x 1000m (2 Open; 2 Maiden); 7 x 800m (3 2YO; 2 Open; 2 Maiden)

Heavy conditions for a standard provincial set of trials.

FLAG OF HONOUR (Kris Lees): Strong return trial by this promising American Pharoah 3YO. He won his first two starts on slow and heavy tracks so it wasn't surprising to see him handle these conditions confidently, always travelling well within himself in his 1000m heat (62.17; 37.35) and going to the line easily under a soft ride. He took on three black type races in the early spring, a fair indication of the opinion held of him by his stable.

DEPRESSED (Greg McFarlane): Impressive debut trial by this Press Statement 2YO, showing excellent natural speed to lead with ease and extend under no pressure over the last 200m to record the fastest 800m heat win (47.84; 34.89) with plenty in reserve. The margins of 4.5 lengths to the second horse and more than 13 lengths to third underlines his talent.

CHILADA (Tracey Bartley): This unraced Pride Of Dubai filly looks to be a handy addition to the Bartley stable. She was placed in two city trials last August and looks a good prospect for a provincial maiden after a sharp win in her 800m heat (48.84; 35.46), doing it easily and not put under undue pressure to hold off her rivals.

NOTED TRIALS

XX Chilada; Depressed; Flag Of Honour

X Jackyy Dee; Sailor; Sherbies; Starice; Tidal Impact; True Crime


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