Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney trials at Warwick Farm on March 21.
WARWICK FARM March 21
Inside Grass; Good 4
17 Heats – 4 x 1200m (2 Open; 2 Maiden); 5 x 795m (4 Open; 1 2YO); 4 x 792m (4 2YO); 4 x 789m (1 2YO; 1 3YO; 2 Maiden)
G1 winners Linebacker and Alligator Blood were the headline acts at a big session where the track condition was a concern as most riders sought better ground away from the rails.
Randwick Guineas winner LINEBACKER continued his preparation for the Doncaster Mile with a classy win in his 1200m heat (72.40; 34.49). Travelled easily in fourth on the rails before peeling three wide off the turn. The leader Thunderlips gave a good kick with Zac Lloyd having to make LINEBACKER extend to run down the leader.
Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker given a good workout by @ZacLloydx to win a 1200m trial at Warwick Farm on Friday. The Doncaster Mile bound @JohnOSheaRacing gelding ran down Thunderlips with a gap to Struff in third. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/s9PRUjGJDg
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) March 20, 2025
The $9 million earner ALLIGATOR BLOOD made his first appearance in 14 months with an easy trial, finishing fifth in his open heat over 795m heat won by Couples Retreat (47.03; 33.80). He's now an 8YO and while this trial eased him back into competition it remains to be seen if his new trainer Chris Waller can restore him as a G1 star. There were some nice trials in his heat from COOL JAKEY (2nd) and PEACE OFFICER (4th).
BACCHANALIA won the fastest 1200m heat with a strong all the way win (72.28; 34.29). He was never extended to win by 3.5 lengths, typical of the way he can trial, and he will be competitive under the right conditions if he can take this form to the races.
Lightly raced filly TESSY TEE was a sharp winner of a fast 795m heat (47.09; 33.41), sitting three wide and impressing with her sharp response when asked for an effort. Other nice trials in the short open heats included CITY OF LIGHTS and GUMDROPS.
Some high priced youngsters appeared in the 2YO trials with their efforts suggesting they will make an impression in late season races.
THALESTRIS, A $1.8 million filly by I Am Invincible improved on two previous trials with an impressive second in her 795m heat won by the free running TIGLETTA (46.99; 33.75), coming from well off the pace with fast closing work through the line.
JET, a $1 million Zoustar colt, worked in good style to win his 792m heat (46.86; 33.31) while the $900,000 Snitzel colt BEADMAN will take plenty of improvement from his debut second in a 792m heat (47.04; 34.05)won by the previously noted trial winner CHICAMA, a $1.35 million colt by Written Tycoon.
Other youngsters to take the eye in their trials included KITESURFING; CASSEROUSSE; PENPEL; MISS FREELOVE and ARTISTIC FLAIR.
There's no slowing FARNAN down with another trial winner at Warwick Farm today. Kia Ora co-owned 2YO colt, Farindira (Farnan x Somethingvain) strode to an easy win in Heat 14 today for @GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott.
— Kia Ora Stud (@kiaorastud) March 21, 2025
Congrats to connections! pic.twitter.com/lneJ7SyaW7
The fastest heat win of the morning was posted by the racy THE WAY AHEAD clearing out for an eight lengths win in her 789m heat (46.29; 33.21). It was the best effort by the unraced filly in four trials and it remains to be seen if she can sustain this speed under race conditions.
NOTED TRIALS
X Artistic Flair; Bacchanalia; Beadman; Casserousse; City Of Lights; Cool Jakey; Excess Capital; Gumdrops; Jet; Kitesurfing; Linebacker; Miss Freelove; Peace Officer; Penpel; Prize Writer; Tessy Tee; Thalestris; The Way Ahead; Tigletta; Twin Island
