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Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney and provincial barrier trials at Rosehill on Newcastle on May 7 and Rosehill on May 9.

ROSEHILL May 9

Inside Grass; Soft 6

14 Heats – 5 x 1030m (4 Open; 1 2YO); 9 x 900m (2 Open; 4 2YO; 2 3YO; 1 Maiden)

The 2YO heats should be the source of some worthy late season winners.

GALLO NERO (Hawkes Racing): This Wootton Bassett colt was one of the summer's classier youngsters with a Randwick win before his third in the MM Classic at the Gold Coast. Returne4d in top order with a strong win in his 900m heat (54.48; 34.59), surging between runners at the 100m to run past the leaders with style. The late work of BESKAR, another youngster with strong exposed form, to finish fourth also impressed.

Last seen when finishing 3rd in the @mmsnippets 2YO Classic, the @KambulaStud bred & @KerryLStephens sold Wootton Bassett colt Gallo Nero impressed at the trials on Friday, working home to win his heat for @HawkesRacing & @G1TySchil. Watch out QLD Winter Carnival!@anz_news… pic.twitter.com/rcxIkXi2Xx

— SAbreeders (@SAbreeders) May 9, 2025

IKNOWASTAR (Bjorn Baker): Renowned front runner did his thing to win the fastest 1030m heat (61.03; 34.27), opening up a big lead after 300m and cruising home by almost eight lengths in his first trial since October. He's the winner of 10 of his 25 starts and is obviously going well but it must be noted he is yet to win in six first-up attempts.

MISS JONES (Richard & Will Freedman): Deep Field filly has been placed in three of her four starts and her maiden win is not far away after she worked strongly to win her 900m heat (54.54; 34.21) with plenty in reserve in her first trial since February.

SWORDPLAY (Bjorn Baker): This Shalaa filly is another sharp 2YO runner for the Baker stable. She's now won two trials and again showed natural speed to dominate the fastest 900m heat (54.06; 34.79), leading easily and booting clear ov er the last 200m to score by more than four lengths.

Other 2YO heat winners CHAMPERE and THE LITTLE GENERAL and the placegetters MISS LOLA, THE PEARLS and LONG LEGS are also worth following out of the juvenile heats.

NOTED TRIALS

XX Gallo Nero; Iknowastar; Miss Jones; Swordplay

X Ang Pow; Beskar; Champere; Grebeni; Harry's Evidence; Long Legs; Miss Lola; Pisanello; Thames; The Little General; The Pearls; Soft Love; Vibrant Sun

NEWCASTLE May 7

Beaumont Grass; Soft 6

18 Heats – 2 x 1200m (2 Open); 7 x 1000m (4 Open; 3 Maiden); 9 x 800m (3 Open; 4 2YO; 2 Maiden)

Expect numerous runners from this session to be prominent players at the coming Scone carnival.

The depth in the Kris Lees stable was evident as he won eight of the 18 heats. Nathan Doyle won four trials and Wyong-based Sara Ryan three.

HAWKER HALL (Kris Lees): Lived up to his earlier trials when he won his maiden at Newcastle on April 23 and his reputation will grow after this impressive win in the fastest 800m heat (45.71; 33.17). Sped to a big lead and was cruising from the turn to coast home by 4.5 lengths with third horse 12 lengths away.   

LUZIA (Kris Lees): An unraced Trapeze Artist gelding with positive prospects after making easy work of his first trial, leading on the bit and under no pressure to win his 800m heat by almost three lengths 46.06; 34.14).

TANGLEWOOD (Todd Howlett): Talented sprinter could be a banker bet at the Scone carnival. Improved off his first-up placing in a Wyong trial on April 24 to dominate the fastest 1000m heat (59.33l 33.69). Loved the way he tucked in behind the leaders before easing clear at the 400m and cruising away to win by almost four lengths.  

NOTED TRIALS

XX Hawker Hall; Luzia; Tanglewood

X Aix En Provence; Herman Said; Just Response; Loch Eagle; Newy; Night Agent; Queen's Rhapsody; Tasoraay