3 minute read
Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney trials at Warwick Farm on May 22 and May 26.
WARWICK FARM May 26
Inside Grass; Heavy 9
19 Heats – 4 x 1208m (3 Open; 1 2 & 3YO); 3 x 824m (3 Open); 3 x 821m (3 2YO); 5 x 818m (4 2YO; 1 3YO); 4 x 815m (1 Open; 3 Maiden)
Back on the grass but Heavy 9 conditions saw times well outside average.
A strong Godolphin contingent performed well, sending a clear message that the trainer who inherits the majority of the team from James Cummings will have readymade winners under his care.
CELERITY (James Cummings): Talented Exceed And Excel filly has been highly regarded from day one but nothing much has gone right for her with two placings from four starts last year and three trials since she last raced in September. Her two recent trial efforts indicate she is on track for her maiden win, winning this 815m heat with plenty in reserve in one of the better times for the session (49.04; 34.55).
CORNICHE (James Cummings): This classy Group winner as a two and three-year-old is back and firing after things went amiss for him with only one start as a spring 4YO. He did all that was required to win his 824m heat (49.49; 34.71) and is sure to take benefit from the trial, his first since October.
GRAM (James Cummings): Big talent but not easy to train, being off the scene since he won a trial in October. The big gelding by Exceed and Excel has been placed twice from only three starts and a win is surely in store after he disposed of his rivals in his 815m heat with ease (49.08; 34.67).
WEEPING WOMAN (Joe Pride): This Lonhro mare is a natural runner and is set to add to her good short course record after two recent trials. Sharp work to win her 815m heat in the quickest of the short course heats (49.03; 34.71), cruising away to win by almost three lengths.
Other Godolphin runners to perform with style included PINITO, CABRIOLE, SNACK BAR and CINSAULT.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Celerity; Corniche; Gram; Weeping Woman
X Big Papa; Cabriole; Catonahotinroof; Federer; Itinerary; King Of Dragons; King Of Sparta; Layla; Manaajem; O'Invincible; Pinito
WARWICK FARM May 22
Polytrack; Synthetic
8 Heats – 2 x 1175m (1 Open; 1 Maiden); 6 x 740m (3 Open; 1 C1/Maiden); 2 2YO)
A full session on the polytrack by necessity due the huge amount of rain that severely restricted the grass tracks at all courses.
Poly trials are never a reliable guide but due to the need to give horses their required work there were a number of classy runners led by the G1 star JOLIESTAR.
She finished last in her open heat over 740m won by the Group winner ANGEL CAPITAL (45.71; 34.53) but was seven and eight deep all the way and was never tested by James McDonald to finish about three lengths from the winner.
The following noted trials list features horses who went through their work strongly. As is the norm with poly trials most runners never came off the bit as they were held together on a wet surface.
NOTED TRIALS
X Angel Capital; Golden Mile; Just Awesome; Miss Lola; Night Sky; Snack Bar; Terra Mater; Tsavo