Chris Scholtz reviews the Randwick trials on February 16.

RANDWICK February 16

BLACKBOOK: MOST EXALTED; FAITH'S ENCORE; MACKELLAR’S LOVE; SANCTIONED; STONE; ALMANZORA; ZEEHAN; DIAMONDS ARE; RUSSIAN REVOLUTION; HIGH HEAVEN; DEVOLVING; OUR CROWN WITNESS; ASSIMILATE; BRAVE SONG.

More class was on show in this set of trials dominated by the big stables in another display of just how much depth they have in their teams. John O’Shea in particular will have come away pleased with his results, especially from his two-year-olds after winning the three longer juvenile heats over 1050m.

The trials were held on a soft inside grass with the the A grade trial of the morning being Heat 11 won by the high class colt RUSSIAN REVOLUTION. He was eager to work and led boldly with Kerrin McEvoy doing his best to hold him back to the field. Very strong to the line and the type of trial that will bring him on considerably in condition.

Talented mare KIMBERLEY STAR was OK holding her ground for second after challenging the winner from the 400m. The eye catcher came from HIGH HEAVEN’s closing third from the back. He went wide on the turn and ran to the line with plenty to offer.

The day started with two pedestrian 1200m trials. STAMPEDE, a good staying type, went through the motions to lead and win the first heat with BRIDLE LANE doing it easily in second. The second heat had more depth with the good mare ZANBAGH finding the line nicely from the back half, resopnding well when put under pressure. She's honest and excels on wet tracks. Zanbagh beat the race fit MOST EXALTED who tracked wide all the way under an very easy ride and probably could have won if asked for a serious effort. Nice clean out for a coming engagement

There were eight trials over 1050m, made up of a mix of open, maiden and 2YO heats. The pick of these trials were:-

FAITH'S ENCORE: Very sharp heat win, striding easily three wide to join the leaders on the turn and extending with a lot enthusiasm over the last 200m for a decisive 3.3 lengths win. Looks ready to produce a big fresh effort.

SPECTROSCOPE: First look at this Godolphin import and he impressed finding the line under his own steam from the rear for second to Faith’s Encore. His progress bears watching. Stablemates COTTAGE and IT'S SOMEWHAT had conditioning trials under no pressure as they ran to the line easily.

MACKELLAR'S LOVE: This last start Kembla maiden winner made an impression with a strong second to the better performed RAPHAEL'S CAT, who led by a good margin but came back to them at the finish. This filly certainly found the line best without being asked for a serious effort.

HAURAKI: The Epsom winner had very easy time of it behind Raphael's Cat but his class was evident when he was given a squeeze in the last 50 metres, closing quickly for fourth. Nice pipe opener for what’s ahead.

SANCTIONED: Impressive win in fast time marked her as the pick of John O’Shea’s three 2YO heat winners. Cruised with the lead and put them away easily under no pressure. Fast last 600m and looks to have the right gears.

STONE: Beaten in the second 2YO heat by stablemate OSMOND but he’s a big Exceed And Excel colt who was very strong running to the line. The closing sectional was slow but liked his style.

ALMANZORA: The third of the Godolphin 2YO winners and another who did it easily, travelling well within herself with the lead and extending like a professional when asked for a late effort. Quick time suggests it’s good form.

ZEEHAN: Most maiden fillies in her heat were put under pressure while she lobbed along at the rear. She extended nicely over the last 100m under a quiet ride and was cuddled to the line. Could have done a lot more than her fifth.

DIAMONDS ARE: Took the honours in his maiden heat, settling back then making a wide run under a hold. Responded well when asked for an effort to win clearly in the fastest of the eight heats over 1050m. SAN PABLO led and held ground well for second as they beat the rest easily.

There were four heats over 736m including Russian Revolution’s classy heat and two juvenile trials:-

DEVOLVING: First trial for this filly and she made an impression with her close second to SHUMOOKH, the daughter of Shamekha who was having her second trial. Shumookh was running all the way and was ridden up late while Devolving was much stronger on the line without being fully tested.

OUR CROWN MISTRESS: Fastest of the four 736m heat winners says plenty for the potential of this Waterhouse/Bott filly who had to trial against the colts. Looked classy going deep on the turn under a hold before opening the throttle and running away to win by 3.3 lengths. Back in the pack were some eye catchers from ASSIMILATE (strong through the line) and BRAVE SONG (given a late squeeze to pick up several lengths). They bear watching.