Chris Scholtz reviews the Gosford trials on August 6.

Group One stars Redzel and Le Romain added a real touch of class to this set that featured starters from the Waterhouse/Bott and Snowden stables and a big team of runners from Newcastle’s Kris Lees.

LE ROMAIN: Went through his gears easily under James McDonald to win his 1000m heat in pedestrian time but his class was evident and he did enough to convince McDonald to take the ride when he resumes at Randwick on August 18. He’s ever reliable and you can expect him to sprint well fresh. Behind him his Lees-trained stablemates ZESTFUL and PICKELHAUBE were given an easy time and both had plenty to offer. Zestful was strong through the line after sitting three wide and she can turn around her last start failure in the Ramornie at Grafton when next produced.

REDZEL: There was sufficient merit in his second in his 800m heat when beaten by the lesser performed Show Me The Honey who was ridden out to gain the upper hand. Redzel led at his leisure and was never put under any great pressure by Kerrin McEvoy, the significant aspect being that he trialled without his trademark blinkers. Expect the shades to be applied when he has his next trial when we will be looking for a much sharper effort. GUARD OF HONOUR looked strong as he finished off under a hold for a creditable third but the time of 49.65 (last 600m 35.2) was well behind the quickest 800m heats of the day.

Everest champ Redzel, without his blinkers, kicked off his defence in a trial at Gosford on Monday morning running second in an 800m heat. pic.twitter.com/IuEsFwf2gY

— Racing NSWAugust 6, 2018

FIVE TO FOLLOW

CABEZA DE VACA (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott): Won his 1000m heat in great style by four lengths in the fastest of the six heats over the distance and could easily have gone quicker than his 1.01.83. This was his second trial win since he came back to work and looks to be in the right form to make up for missing the autumn.

ADAGIRL (GaiWaterhouse/Adrian Bott): Sharp filly recorded a free running 1000m trial win by a big space with plenty in hand. She has now won three of her four trials and her only start last season saw her placed in the Wellington Boot. Certain to win races.

CHABREET (Peter & Paul Snowden): Well-bred Exceed And Excel colt led the fastest 800m heat of the day (48.18/last 600m 34.35) under restraint and was not tested to hold down a close third against the talented pair Jonker And Graff who were both put under more pressure in a three-way finish. Chabreet showed up in good company in his only two starts last season and will be well placed to resume in a 3YO maiden midweek.

PURE ELATION (Peter and Paul Snowden): Group winning filly showed her quality running home strongly under no pressure for a closing third behind her classy stablemate Bondi in their 800m heat (49.47). Expect her to play a big hand in the Princess Series.

MISS FABULASS (Kris Lees): Big things are expected of this Frankel filly after her debut second at Rosehill last season. The expectations look well founded after her impressive second in her 800m heat when beaten narrowly by her stablemate EVALINA after she made up three lengths with a quick sprint over the last 200m. Evalina is also full of promise and both fillies can be followed with confidence.

NOTED TRIALS: Zestful; Pickelhaube; Guard Of Honour; Ellie’s Encore; Jonker; Graff; Evalina; Great Danger; Sheeran; Tikkitala; Maui Princess; Queen Ablaze.