The first two heats at the Randwick trials on Monday morning featured a bevy of talented horses stepping out with spring goals in mind and for the passionate racing fan they bring some intriguing questions and we will get the answers over the next few months!
First five home in the opening heat have some big questions.
Napoleonic – he’s a talented 3YO colt by the late Wootton Bassett (GB) and has undeniable appeal as a stallion prospect, but has finished this season as a G3 winner with a lone G1 placing to his name, that’s OK, but not going to get you the big bucks for a stud career.
He needs a G1 and the O’Shea Charlton camp achieved that with a colt of similar profile in Schwarz, so have 12months now to make it happen.
Ninja -is a gelding, so he’s here for the long haul and has already given the Myracehorse owners a wild ride and over a million in prizemoney and should have won a lot more had he not been edged out of the $3million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas. He thumped Napoleonic when they met in the G2 Hobartville and it’s hard not to think the $10million Golden Eagle isn’t the end game this spring. The question is how much has he improved?
Autumn Glow – got rolled for the first time at the end of the autumn when tried at 2000m, so she won’t be doing that again. Looked fabulous in her trial and the only real question is Everest or King Charles II?
Lady Shenandoah- unbeaten at three and winless at four, the big question is can she get back to winning form? I say yes, it’s the Goldilocks year – maybe not as good as at three, but more successful than four… it might be just right!
Autumn Boy – a 3YO G1 winning colt racing on! You don’t see much of that, but here he is and he’ll be looking to a Golden Eagle, although his G1 wins this season have been at 1600m and 2000m and whether he can remain sharp enough for a Golden Eagle against Sheza Alibi remains to be seen, could the Cox Plate be a better race?
Five runners in this heat and three of them including the winner have some big questions to be answered.
Barnavara (IRE) – bought by Yulong for 4.8million guineas at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year and for that reason alone carries a heavy weight of expectation. Won four of five previous starts in Europe before arriving here including a G1 in France at 2000m and was underwhelming to say the least when only fourth in G2 Neville Sellwood Stakes to Wootton Verni. Can she justify the price tag and become another Via Sistina?
Aeliana (NZ) – got cuddled last season at four after winning the G1 Australian Derby at three and will come back at five with confidence sky high after winning G1 Ranvet and Tancred Stakes double. Can she win a Melbourne Cup?
Ohope Wins (NZ) – dual G1 Oaks winner in New Zealand and Australia and looking at the Chris Waller playbook might be due for a cuddling season. Is she this season’s Aeliana?
