Trial Watch Review: 6th February 2023

By: By Chris Scholtz Time published 2023-02-07 at 10:06 AM (GMT +11:00)

Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney barrier trials at Randwick on February 6.

RANDWICK February 6

Course Proper; Good 4

2 Heats – 1 x 1000m (Group/Listed); 1 x 900m (Group/Listed)

A Grass; Good 4

16 Heats – 2 x 1200m (2 Open); 9 x 1050m (4 Open; 2 2YO; 3 Maiden); 5 x 740m (1 Open; 3 2YO; 1 3YO)

Polytrack – 1 x 1080m (Open)

More black type stars strutted their stuff in two trials on the course proper with the former Hong Kong sprinter JOYFUL FORTUNE turning on the jets with a brilliant heat win.

HEAT 1 (1000m): It was a three way go to the line with CROSS TALK (58.86; 34.71) ridden out to claim a narrow victory over MATCHA LATTE and EXPAT. MATCHA LATTE sat behind the other pair and did his best work over the last 100m and is certain to derive plenty of benefit from the trial. I liked the effort of EXPAT as he travelled strongly in the lead and was always under a good hold when the others came at him. The stayer LAURE ME IN had an easy time finishing a soft fourth while the G1 winner NUMERIAN obviously needed the hitout, being off the bit at the rear from the 600m.

HEAT 2 (900m): JOYFUL FORTUNE has won two of his three starts for Mark Newnham and the way he is trialling indicates he can rise further up the sprinting ranks over the autumn. He was eager to run from the start and easily strode away from some very smart types at the 400m, going to the line untouched for an impressive win by 3.5 lengths over the classy ZAPATEO in fast time (52.50; 33.44). The runner up reaffirmed that he is also in top form with his easy second backing up his impressive trial win at Warwick Farm on January 16. IN THE CONGO trialled like he needed the hitout, finishing fourth, while KIRWAN'S LANE (6th) and PROMISE OF SUCCESS (7th) looked strong have an easy time through the line in sixth.

Another topliner EDUARDO made his return in the open heat over 740m on the A grass. Worked well within himself to finish third behind the fast running HAVE MERCY, a provincial class speedster looking far better than that class as he sprinted to a soft win (43.83; 33.97). The promising 2YO MEXICO split them with a strong second, gaining a stewards clearance after he was a barrier scratching at Randwick two days prior.

SPORTS LEGEND (Les Bridge): This impressive maiden again looked a class above his rivals recording another easy trial win over 1050m in fast time (62.42; 35.16). Must win races if he runs up to his trials.

BUTCH CASSIDY (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott): How much 2YO talent is there in Tulloch Lodge this season? Here's another big prospect from the stable as this Written Tycoon colt made quite an impression winning his first trial over 740m (43.79; 33.70) with authority. Note that he was ridden by James McDonald and it will be interesting to see if he sticks with the colt when he makes his race debut.

The fastest 2YO heat over 740m was won by another unraced Waterhouse/Bott youngster INTRODUCING (43.27; 33.38), who showed good determination to get the better of his well performed stablemate PLATINUM JUBILEE in a close finish. Another Tulloch Lodge filly TU QUI SANTUZZA made up ground from the rear for a good third.

NOTED TRIALS

XX Butch Cassidy; Joyful Fortune; Sports Legend

X Billiondollarbaby; Butch Cassidy; Dynasties; Eduardo; Expat, Free Enterprise; Helldancer; Introducing; Irish Legend; Have Mercy; Mexico; Miss Hellfire; Need Some Luck; She's Got Veuve; Tajneed; Tu Qui Santuzza; Vomo Island; Zapateo


Racing and Sports