Three Group and Listed trials at Warwick Farm on Tuesday morning were packed with interest and outside of those were a couple of real watch trials won by a $2.3million filly that was bought by one trainer, but is racing for another, plus a big disappointment looking for redemption in a new stable.
First heat over 1000m was won by Ciaron Maher’s veteran miler Gringotts, who has turned spring into a lucrative time of year for his owners winning the past two runnings of the $3million ATC Big Dance on Melbourne Cup Day.
He carried 58.5kg the first time and 62kg last year…. Three in a row might be a hard task.
Back as a 4YO stallion, Beiwacht was on his second trial here and nothing not to like, while his G1 winning stablemate Campione D’Italia appears to have acquired a more tractable nature during his winter break.
This was also his second trial and on both occasions, he has settled kindly and found the line under a hold which looks a good sign for Campione, who was at times his own worst enemy in the autumn.
The next heat over 900m was won by the Bennett Racing colour bearer Warnie(IRE), but all eyes were on Everest hopefuls Marhoona and Tempted.
Tempted and Marhoona have been rivals going back to their 2YO days. Tempted beat Marhoona to win the G2 Reisling and then Marhoona turned the tables to win the Golden Slipper.
At three, they have met just once when Tempted won the G2 Arrowfield with Marhoona fourth coming off her win against older age sprinters in the G1 Galaxy.
Tempted was quite soft and wintery as you can see in this video before she trialled, but it’s not hard to imagine both getting to The Everest this year, although whether they can get past Ka Ying Rising remains to be seen.
Bennett Racing again with the winner of this 900m heat Tornado Valley, but all eyes on the most expensive 3YO colt and filly in training – Guest House and Chayan.
Home Affairs colt Guest House won the Golden Slipper and was subsequently purchased by Coolmore, but will continue to race in the Roll the Dice racing colours until he goes to stud.
Chayan won the G2 Reisling Stakes before finishing unplaced in the Golden Slipper and was purchased by Tom Magnier for a mind blowing $5.6million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
First trial back for both horses and neither was asked for a lot.
Guest House has always been an impressive looking colt and is developing into a big powerful horse very much like his father.
This time last year Written Tycoon filly Scenic Point was heading into spring with expectation of being a serious player after two impressive wins at two including a stakes win, but she failed to deliver for the Lindsay Park team in three runs last season and is now with Joe Pride.
It was the second trial in Sydney for Scenic Point and so far so good, but can she do this on race day?
Quality Stay Inside colt Incognito is winless since his debut victory in the G3 Breeders Plate last spring, but rattled home from well back to be second. He did the same thing in his first trial back, so there would appear to be some strategy at play here, will it translate into a return to winning form? Interesting to see the blinkers have been off in both trials.
As a full sister to multiple G1 winner In Secret that made $2.3million at Magic Millions, I Am Invincible filly Secrets Within is no stranger to the spotlight and was having her second lifetime trial in this 789m heat and recorded her first win.
At the sales Secrets Within was knocked down to Laguna Partnership/John Sargent Racing, but Sarg is no longer in the picture with Annabel and Rob Archibald doing the training.
She led and was pushed along at the finish to win by a long neck over Gone to Gowings, who was back at the trials having had a near nervous breakdown at her previous start when she misbehaved badly at the gates and ran last at Warwick Farm.
Third placed Frankel filly Satin Serenade might have something and was featured in a recent Breeding to Win Crystal Ball story highlighting 3YOs to follow this season – click to read.
Click here for all the trial results with Sale Mail at Breednet and at Racing NSW with video.
