There were three heats for 2YO’s at Hawkesbury on Monday and also on show was Golden Slipper winner Lady of Camelot, who might be a fruit out of season as an elite three year-old tuning up for race day a week out from Christmas, but the lure of the $3million Magic Millions Sunlight slot race has enticed connections to curtail her post spring break.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Lady of Camelot was last seen finishing fourth in the Group I Everest and then third in the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes, so a race at the Gold Coast against summer opposition will be a walk in the park and that’s exactly what she had at the trials today.
She sat off Bonita Queen and then forged past her in the straight under a hold to win by three-quarters of a length for Tim Clark in a slick 46.12 seconds.
Three heats for juveniles followed at 800m and all were about a second slower starting with Bivouac colt Swag from the Michael Freedman stable. He was clueless at his first trial earlier this month when finishing last, but fitted with blinkers was a lot more professional this time and won by three-quarters of a length.
Bivouac has yet to have a runner in Australia, but has had a wealth of trial horses in recent weeks so that may change quickly.
A $240,000 Magic Millions purchase from Sledmere Stud for Gandharvi Pty Ltd/Michael Freedman Racing, Swag is a three-quarter brother to Group III placed Cristobal from Group III placed Status Quo, who comes from the family of Champion 3YO Colt and sire Trapeze Artist.
Sledmere Stud will offer his full brother as Lot 687 at Inglis Classic.
The Brad Widdup trained Hellbent filly Savvy Hallie was the most expensive yearling by her sire sold in 2024 and looked to have nice ability with this stylish win at her first trial over Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Waverley Road.
A $320,000 Inglis Classic purchase for BK Racing from the Riverstone Lodge draft, she is the second foal of winning Fastnet Rock mare Rose of Savannah, a grand-daughter of Group I winner Savannah Success, the dam of Cox Plate winning champion sire Savabeel. She was a pinhook winner having been sourced from Baramul Stud at the MM National Weanling Sale for $150,000 by Belmont Bloodstock.
Michael Freedman would have been well pleased with Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic, who improved from a quiet third at her first trial earlier this month to win this one under a hold by a length doing her best work on the line and finishing with ears pricked.
A $400,000 Magic Millions purchase from Coolmore for MyRacehorse Pty Ltd/Michael Freedman Racing/Julian Blaxland Bloodstock, Apocalyptic is the second foal of unraced Medgalia D’Oro (USA) mare Shadow, a grand-daughter of dual Group I winner Virage de Fortune.
Click here for all the trial results at Breednet with Sale Mail and at Racing NSW with video.
