Plenty of the big bangers were in action at the Randwick trials on Friday morning and there was a plethora of horses to evaluate, but a very interesting runner that has had just one run in Australia was certainly an eye-catcher.
Tony and Calvin McEvoy are the trainers of lightly raced Dubawi blueblood Yellow Jersey (Fr), who came to Australia with the impressive record of three wins in France and a Group II placing from just four starts.
One of those wins was in a Listed race over 2400m last year so on pedigree and performance this guy is a stayer, but he still showed enough pace to be second at his first Australian run in Brisbane back in June to War Eternal in a Listed race over 1600m on a heavy track.
He has obviously wintered in Queensland, a path to Cups success followed last year by the McEvoy stable with Half Yours, and he reappeared in a 1000m heat with Chad Schofield on board.
Classy rising three year-old filly Blue Door led before being overhauled by quality sprinting mare Gangsta Granny with Yellow Jersey splitting the pair some six length margin ahead of the Waller army of stayers led by expensive import Barnavara (IRE).
A €400,000 Arqana Deauville Yearling purchase for David Redvers Bloodstock for Qatar Racing, Yellow Jersey was gelded after winning his first two starts which does narrow your options considerably in Europe where geldings are barred from the Classics and plenty of other elite races.
He comes from the same family as current undefeated European glamour filly Diamond Necklace, so is bred to be special and profiles in a similar vein to Sir Delius (IRE), who was also on show at Randwick in the other Group and Listed heat over 1000m.
Speedier types went around in the 900m Group and Listed heat with the Bjorn Baker trained colts Warwoven and Paradoxium stepping out for the first time this preparation. The Myracehorse owners will be excited at the prospect of a return to the races for Ninja, who looks to have come back bigger and stronger.
