Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney barrier trials at Warwick Farm on November 8 and Randwick on November 11.
RANDWICK November 11
Randwick A Grass; Good 4
11 Heats – 1 x 1200m (Open); 5 x 1050m (2 Open; 3 Maiden); 5 x 740m (1 2YO; 4 Open)
Not unusual for the Waterhouse/Bott team to win six of the 11 heats.
ETHAARA (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott): Another sharp 2YO for the top juvenile stable. This Capitalist filly was having her second trial and looks a readymade winner after an impressive win in the fastest 740m heat (43.13; 32.89). Sat three wide before showing classy acceleration to stretch out freely and run away with the heat under no pressure.
GERRINGONG (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott): This Blue Point filly won her first trial 14 months ago and remains unraced. This was her fourth trial and whatever issues she has had look behind her as she took up an easy lead from the start and maintained an easy rhythm before cruising away with her 1050m heat by four lengths in good time (62.59; 33.48).
HEDGED (Mick Price/Michael Kent): Classy 4YO with strong Group/Listed form looks well prepared to resume after a soft win in his 740m heat (43.38; 32.85). Travelled well within himself before extending easily for a soft win by 1.5 lengths, strong confirmation that he has trained on well from his recent first-up trial
NOTED TRIALS
XX Ethaara; Gerringong; Hedged
X Axius; Doralee; Girlseeke Wnd; Hell To Pay; Meridiana; She's Unusual; Tomba
WARWICK FARM November 8
Inside Grass – Soft 6
17 Heats – 3 x 1200m (2 Open; 1 Maiden); 4 x 821m (4 Open); 4 x 818m (2 Open; 2 2YO); 6 x 815m (6 Maiden)
The short course heats featured some big margin winners.
HAYEK (Bjorn Baker): Big improvement by this Capitalist colt from his first trial at Randwick to win his 818m heat by more than 14 lengths! He put the foot down from the jump and you will rarely see youngsters win short course heats by this type of margin. As you would expect it was close to the fastest heat of the session and the fastest 600m sectional (47.70; 33.28).
LIFE AFTER LOVE (Ciaron Maher): The time didn't match Hayek but this 2YO filly by I Am Invincible showed talent to win her debut trial over 818m (48.91); 34.64). She was slow into stride but speared through after 200m to sit off the leader and was eager to run as she gained the upper hand over the last 100m under a soft ride from Jason Collett. Looked to have plenty to offer through the line.
VEGAS RAIDER (David Pfieffer): Sharp return by this 5YO in his first trial since July. Raced clear from the start and the further they went the faster he went, clearing out to win his 821m heat by almost nine lengths under a tight hold in the fastest time of the morning (47.58; 33.60). Has had his chances but will be suited in a restricted short course sprint first-up.
Other heat winners with good prospects include IOWNA MERC; MOONLIGHT DREAM; PRETTY POWERFUL and RUSSIAN SNITZEL.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Hayek; Life After Love; Vegas Raider
X Abuse Of Power; Accredited; Attica; Bombay Boom; Iowna Merc; Moonlight Dream; Pretty Powerful; Russian Snitzel
