There were a whopping 10 heats won by juveniles at the Canterbury trials on Monday morning that included some interesting unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Zousain and Trapeze Artist, plus a good looking youngster that may see the benefit of gelding.
A homebred for Fairway Thoroughbreds trained by Michael Freedman. Zoustar filly Fairway to Heaven was having her third trial this prep and was asked to do something this time after educational outings in the previous two. She was restrained last time and made to race back in the field, which she did not think was a great idea and this time from an inside draw she was allowed to slide.
Fairway to Heaven travelled smoothly all the way for Tommy Berry and was given a liven up to the line to win by four lengths to earn a big tick for her effort.
Fairway to Heaven is the second foal of stakes-winning Lonhro mare Taraayef, who was bought for $1.2million at the Shadwell Dispersal at the MM National Broodmare Sale in 2021. She comes from the family of Dual Group I Derby winner Rebel Raider.
Zousain colt Zocketman went around in the last heat of the day and the Richard and Will Freedman trained chestnut was pushed out to win over Duke Atreides, who was second to him in his previous trial win. Last time Duke Atreides led and was run down by Zocketman and this time the son of Zousain went forward with Duke Atriedes doing the chasing well on the bridle.
Zocketman is a half-brother to three winners from Group III winning Sebring mare Thurlow, while Duke Atreides is the half-brother by Written Tycoon to Group II winner Best of Bordeaux.
Richard and Will Freedman again with Trapeze Artist filly Crimson Wings, who showed good improvement from her first trial earlier this month to win this one with Savabeel filly Samarelle impressing greatly with her surge to the line to be beaten half a length.
Half-sister to Group III placed Blushing Wings, Crimson Wings comes from a top class Kiwi female family with her dam Crimson Kiss a sibling to Group and takes-winners Abidewithme, Stockman, Miss Scarlatti and the dam of $1.5million earning stakes-winner Destiny’s Kiss.
Trapeze Artist has had a few fillies that have gone over a trip and this girl may fit that profile.
John Thompson thought enough of Dirty Work colt Melanite to send him around in some pretty handy 2YO races back in February won by Blitzburg (G3 Canonbury Stakes) and Shaggy (Pierro Plate). Gelded since then, he has now had two trials back and won both of them, so do keep an eye out for this good looking black horse when he goes back to the races.
Melanite is from the first crop of Dirty Work and is from Caesarissa, who has had three winenrs and comes from the family of Group I winners Home Affairs and Russian Revolution.
Additional winners were: Tequisoda (Pierro), Profile (Frosted (USA), Koibitio (Satono Aladdin (Jpn), Custom (Street Boss (USA), Captivating Tycoon (Capitalist), Usain Boss (Street Boss (USA) and Cellarmaster (Bivouac).
Click here for all the trial results at Breednet with Sale Mail and at Racing NSW with video.
