Chris Scholtz reviews the Rosehill trials on August 7.
Winx, as expected, was the star, and Chauatauqua……the now most famous barrier rogue in Australian racing again refused to jump leaving a huge cloud over what the future holds for the former premier sprinter.
WINX: Hughie Bowman said it all when he stated that the mare had probably never gone better in a trial after she coasted through the line in third place in her 1000m heat on the course proper. Her strength was obvious and she gave the impression that she could have sprinted straight past her rivals if Bowman had given her any rein. She was surrounded by G1 winners all going to the line full of running led by ALIZEE who showed the quicker turn of foot when she took a gap at the 200m to cruise to the line a comfortable winner. Victoria Derby winner ACE HIGH was given a solid test by sitting outside the leader Classic Uniform for the first 800m and held his ground strongly. D'ARGENTO and HARTNELL were equally as good crossing the line with Winx in a trial that should be marked down as a big pointer to their spring prospects.
CHAUTAUQUA: He stood in the gates for the sixth time and it is now well documented that his career is hanging by a thread as it has become a question of how many chances will the 7YO be given to pass the stewards ban and return to the races. When he failed to compete the focus in his 900m heat turned to TRAPEZE ARTIST and while he may have been expected to do a bit more it was obvious his easy fifth was just maintenance work to get him started on the path to The Everest.
ESTIJAAB: The hot 3YO heat of this trial session was won by the enigmatic PERFORMER who was given a solid hitout under Hugh Bowman to sprint hard from fourth off the turn. It’s obvious he takes riding and he responded well but the eye catcher definitely came from his quality stablemate FIESTA who looked very strong running home from further back under no pressure for second. LEGEND OF CONDOR (3rd) and BUBBLES'N'TROUBLES (4th) were also very good through the line and get bigger ticks than the Golden Slipper winner ESTIJAAB who was fifth over the line after showing her usual speed to lead them to the 200m. No doubt she will be fitter next time but she is still a small filly and it was obvious she was giving away size and strength to the quality types she met in this trial.FIVE TO FOLLOW
D’ARGENTO (Chris Waller): The first-up 1000m trial from the Rosehill Guineas winner was a corker! Loped along at his leisure behind the leading pair and simply coasted down the running under the easiest of rides to finish a close fourth behind Alizee, Ace High and alongside Winx. He’s set for a super spring.FIESTA (Chris Waller): She was one of the best fillies of last season and is on song to add to her record if her excellent second behind Performer in her open 900m heat is any guide. The winner was ridden out while she was working powerfully to the line from the back half with Kerrin McEvoy swinging to her over the last 100m. She will be a match for any filly up to 1600m.
DEBATE (Team Hawkes): Second trial from this unraced So You Think filly confirmed the promise she showed in her first appearance last month. She has finished a close second in both trials but each time could have won if asked to extend. She was beaten narrowly here by another promising type in Happy Bubbles in the fastest 900m time of the day (54.34) with her rider Tommy Berry intent on giving her the easiest possible time of it. Bright future.
VENDOME (Team Hawkes): NZ-bred 3YO by O’Reilly had just the one start last season in Group 3 company and two strong trial placings since resuming indicate that he is building up for the longer spring races. Loved the way he finished off this 900m trial from midfield, coming across heels and held down by Tommy Berry as he worked strongly though the line.NOTED TRIALS: Alizee; Winx; Hartnell; Nettoyer; Dealmaker; All Things; Momentum Amethyst; Coruscate; Performer; Bubbles‘n’Troubles; Happy Bubbles; Gem Setter; Plagiarist; So Taken.
