Trial Watch Reviews: 12th February - 15th February 2024

By: By Chris Scholtz Time published 2024-02-18 at 01:53 PM (GMT +11:00)

Chris Scholtz eviews barrier trials at Warwick Farm, (Februaryt 12), Rosehill (February 15) and Gosford (February 15)

AFT CABIN
AFT CABIN Picture: Martin King / Sportpix

ROSEHILL February 15

Inside Grass; Soft 5

14 Heats – 5 x 1030m (4 Open; 1 2YO); 9 x 900m (1 Open; 4 2YO; 1 3YO; 3 Maiden)

Unbeaten youngster Storm Boy commanded the spotlight in his first trial appearance since his return from Queensland.

With his new rider James McDonald aboard the unbeaten 2YO showed why he is a dominant favourite for the Golden Slipper with a super display of speed to win his 900m heat by more than six lengths.

He extended easily over the last 200m to post the fastest time of the morning (53.47; 22.96), something that has been a feature of his brilliant wins.

A classy Group winner and an unraced 3YO also produced notable heat wins.

AFT CABIN (James Cummings): Godolphin's classy Group winner is working up to his return in great style, improiving nicely off his first up trial at Hawkesbury to record an impressive win in the fastest of the five heats over 1030m (60.98; 34.32). He was given time to find his legs and was at the rear until the 400m before making ground quickly along the rails to easily run down the G1 winner TROPICAL SQUALL for a soft win.

CASSIEL (Peter & Paul Snowden): Unraced Harry Angel colt has been in the blackbook since an early trial win last year and the wait for his debut will be worthwhile. Worked well within himself to win his 900m heat in fast time (53.96; 34.13) by almost two lengths, making it three wins and second from his four trial appearances since last July.

NOTED TRIALS

XX Aft Cabin; Cassiel; Storm Boy

X Bright Red; Gatsby's; Just Party; Little Jeanie; Limahuli; Marais; Podium Queen; Remarque; Zouprince

 

 

GOSFORD February 15

Course Proper; 15 Heats (1-2 Soft 6; 3-6 Soft 7; 7-15 Heavy 9)

7 x 1000m (4 Open; 3 Maiden); 8 x 800m (3 Open; 3 2YO; 2 Maiden)

NOTED TRIALS

X Almania; Cloudland; Dream Hour; Happy Cappy; Pier Pressure; Provencal; Rustic Steel; Shadows Of Love; Silvanito; True Crime; Ucalledit; Xtravagant Star

 

WARWICK FARM February 12

Inside Grass; Good 4

15 Heats – 3 x 1207m (3 Open); 3 x 822m (3 Open); 3 x 819m (3 2YO); 3 x 816m (2 2YO; 1 3YO); 3 x 813m (2 3YO; 1 Maiden)

Impressive wins from a couple of stars we will hear a lot more about through the autumn.

STRAIGHT CHARGE (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott): Classy trial in his first appearance since a hiccup ruled him out of the Magic Millions. Showed there is no cause for concern as he sped away from his rivals for the easiest of wins in his 816m heat in one of the fastest times of the session (46.86; 32.94).

TAORMINA (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott): Went off the boil after winning his first two starts last year but has found his form again with three trials since early January. Really showed the benefit of his earlier trials to blitz his 813m heat, running out to a big lead and cruising home by more than eight lengths in fast time (46.80; 33.04).

THINK ABOUT IT (Joe Pride): A lovely first-up trial from the Everest winner in his first hit-out since November. Never came off the bit to finish a close second in his 822m heat (48.53; 33.61) and is sure to take plenty of benefit from the exercise.

The 1207m trials provided some good pointers with the in form ZENZELLA working well within herself to beat a quietly ridden UNSPOKEN in their heat (73.28; 34.96) and CORMAC T, an interesting imported maiden by Nathanial who was placed in all his four starts in Ireland, looking a readymade winner for Annabel Neasham with his strong work to win his heat (73.02; 35.31).

NOTED TRIALS

XX Straight Charge; Taormina; Think About It

X Call Di; Cormac T; Erno's Cube; Force Red; Kintyre; Majestuoso Phoenix; Mazu; Po Kare Kare; Roselyn's Star; Silmarillion; Unspoken; Zennzella


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