Three trials for Group and Listed horses at Randwick on Friday morning showcased a number of leading spring contenders with the heats won by Home of the Brave, Savatiano and New Zealand Horse of the Year Melody Belle, but some of the beaten runners really caught our eye.
Mark Newnham’s soon to be four year-old Snitzel stallion Splintex closed out his last campaign with a career best performance to win the Group II ATC Arrowfield Stud Sprint on a heavy track.
A homebred for Geoff and Mary Grimish, he looked big and strong and ready for a good spring, particularly if the wet tracks linger around.
Rising six year-old mare Savatiano has been kept in work by Godolphin instead of being retired to stud and after being competitive in several Group I races this year, may well find an elite race to win in the new season.
The daughter of Street Cry (IRE) has made improvement in every season and she might well hit her peak in 2020/ 2021.
John Thompson’s star Wandjina colt Mamaragan looked to have come back super well in this trial, travelling strongly for Nash Rawiller all the way and hitting the line hard under a hold.
He was the best juvenile not to win a Group I last season and might be the first three year-old to win one this season!
Click for trial results at Breednet with Sale Mail and at Racing NSW with video.
