Chris Scholtz tabs horses to follow from trials at Warwick Farm on July 15, Newcastle on July 18 and Randwick on July 19.
RANDWICK July 19
Randwick A Grass; Soft 5
9 Heats – 1 x 1200m (Open); 3 x 1045m (1 Open; 1 2YO; 1 C1/Maiden); 5 x 740m (1 Open; 3 2YO; 1 Maiden)
Classy youngster SHANGRI LA EXPRESS made a pleasing return to win the fastest of the 2YO heats over 740m.
He showed his usual speed to lead them up and responded well to win his heat in good time (43.73; 33.06) from MISS JUDAS with ENRICHED impressing with his easy third under a soft ride.
HOUSE OF CARDS (Michael Freedman): A maiden winner from only five starts, he was ready to resume after a good noted trial in May but an obvious hiccup in his prep delayed those plans. Resumed here in a 740m heat that again underlined his obvious ability. Travelled wide but was always under a good hold as the six time winner WAY TO THE STARS went keenly in front. He made up several lengths easily from the 300m and worked past the leader under a good hold for an impressive win.
NOTED TRIALS
XX House Of Cards
X Boomtown Chat; Ex Wife; Floral Legend; King Of Thunder; Mad Deel; Seascape; The New Sinatra; Way To The Stars; Zing To Me
NEWCASTLE July 18
7 Heats; Good 4/Poly
Course Proper - 4 x 920m (1 Group/Listed; 2 2YO; 1 2 &3YO); Poly – 2 x 1000m (2 Open); 1 x 800m (Open)
Some classy types took advantage of a good surface on the course proper to start their spring preps.
DETONATOR JACK (Ciaron Maher): Only a short break for this versatile gelding since he ran in the Doomben Cup in late May. Stood out in the Group heat over 920m won by CLOUDLAND (55.27; 34.95) working strongly from the back half over the last 400m to finish a closing third under no pressure.
SPYWIRE (Ciaron Maher): Quality youngster is primed to be a bold player in the early 3YO features over the short courses after showing his natural pace to breeze through his 920m trial for a soft win (54.46; 35.38). The unraced runner-up LITERATURE TYCOON backed up his impressive first trial at this course on June 28 with another smart effort that confirms his potential.
PRINCE OF SORTS (Allan Kehoe): This unraced Tassort youngster is a smart runner, backing up his impressive debut trial win at Hawkesbury with a sharp win in the fastest of the four 920m heats (54.18; 34.71). Slipped away from them with ease at the 300m to win untouched by almost five lengths.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Detonator Jack; Literature Tycoon; Prince Of Sorts; Spywire
WARWICK FARM July 15
Inside Grass; Soft 7
16 Heats – 2 x 1200m (1 Open; 1 C1/Maiden); 3 x 795m (3 Open); 3 x 792m (3 2YO); 3 x 788m (3 2YO); 4 x 785m (2 2YO; 2 Maiden); Poly 1 x740m (Open)
Rare to see a batch of Godolphin's G1 stars up and going in mid-winter trials, indicating they will be making early starts to their spring campaigns.
The big names on show included TOM KITTEN, PERICLES and ZARDOZI. They had easy trials but their class was evident in the manner of their work and the way they finished off through the line, especially TOM KITTEN.
HUMMING (Joseph Pride): Former Victorian mare earns a rare three star rating for her classy win in the fastest 795m heat (47.28; 34.23) that confirmed the high rating we gave her in her first trial for her new trainer at Warwick Farm on July 1. Tracked the leader and was responsible for excellent work over the last 200m as she forged away under a cold ride for the easiest of wins.
BENGAL (Chris Waller): Zoustar colt has come on in the right manner since his first two starts in March judging by his impressive win in the fastest 792m heat (47.33; 33.96), sprinting quickly with a fast sectional from the home turn to win by almost four lengths.
TOM KITTEN (James Cummings): This big spring contender was hard to miss in his795m heat won by the sharp sprinter GLOBAL EMPIRE (47.81; 34.12). He was last early but loved his strong work over the last 200m, trucking through the line to finish a closing fourth in a classy start to his spring prep.
VISUAL (James Cummings): Unraced I Am Invincible filly looks a coming winner for Godolphin after showing excellent improvement in her second trial to win her 792m heat 47.80; 34.20). Settled a few lengths back in fourth before surging past the leaders over the last 50m to win with plenty in hand.
NOTED TRIALS
XXX Humming
XX Bengal; Tom Kitten; Visual
X Global Empire; Infinity Talents; Motcombs; Mount Everest; Ride The River; Slick 'N' Quick
