Chris Scholtz reviews barrier trials at Canterbury on September 24 and Newcastle on September 25.
CANTERBURY September 24
Course Proper; Good 4
21 Heats – 7 x 1100m (5 Open; 2 Maiden); 8 x 901m (4 Open; 1 3YO; 3 Maiden); 6 x 896m (6 Maiden)
Crack sprinter GIGA KICK continued his preparation for a second win in The Everest with an impressive trial win at Canterbury.
Everything about his last to first win in his 901m heat confirmed that he had taken immense benefit from his first-up fifth in the Concorde at Randwick when he was having his first start back from an enforced break of 12 months.
James McDonald was content to let his rivals run from the barrier, riding GIGA KICK with no urgency to settle at the rear under a strong hold.
While GIGA KICK's rivals were a long way short of Everest quality his class came to the fore over the last 200m as he surged down the outside to score by a head without McDonald applying any serious pressure. He posted a good time (54.88; 34.13) and it was hard to miss his work after the line as was full of running for another 200m.
The Godolphin team provided most of the other highlights of the big session with a strong team of carnival contenders figuring prominently in the results.
TARTAGLIA (James Cummings): This a well above average 3YO who is poised to rise quickly through the classes this season. He ended his 2YO season with a maiden win at Warwick Farm in June and is ready to go on with it after this impressive 901m heat win in fast time (54.34; 34.11) to back up his recent placing in a Randwick trial.
Other Godolphin reps responsible for strong trials included the heat winners CORNICHE, DRIFT NET and EFFLEURE and placegetters KALLOS and INCANTATION.
Group winner CORNICHE is another set for a good spring after responding well to get the better of last year's Everest winner THINK ABOUT IT in their 1100m heat (55.02; 34.26). THINK ABOUT IT sat outside the leader and trialled in his usual manner to be beaten only a head with G2 winner KING OF SPARTA doing his best work late for a closing third.
The fastest heat times over the three distances were recorded by EVENFLOW (1100m – 66.04; 35.34); TARTAGLIA (901m – 54.34. 34.11); and RAINBOW GODDESS (896m – 54.29; 34.86).
NOTED TRIALS
XX Giga Kick; Tartaglia
X Behtar; Corniche; Drift Net; Effleure; Glad You Think So; Hardpoint; Incantation; Kallos; King Of Sparta; Kovalica; Manos; Maximum Dividend; Powers Of Opal; Rainbow Goddess; Straand Beauty; Tasman Bay; Tequila Baby; Waterford
NEWCASTLE September 25
Course Proper; Good 4
15 Heats – 9 x 940m; 6 x 820m
HARD TO SAY and THE BOPPER, two of Newcastle's better class sprinters, are in good shape for coming engagements after smart wins in their heats.
SNAPBACK, a former Snowden-trained gelding, won his first trial for his new trainer Mark Minervini in good style. Maidens to impress included the heat winners FLAME OF HESTIA, SOSUEME and HAWKER HALL.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Hard To Say
X Angara; Dream Hour; Flame To Hestia; Gundy Bridge; Hawker Hill. Like Lukey; Senshi; Snapback; Sosueme; The Bopper; Wooloowin
