A couple of bona fide superstars were in action at the trials at Randwick on Friday and we also saw a fascinating heat in which two of the most expensive stakes-winning Snitzel colts from last season got their first look at each other as 3YOs.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Frankel stallion Sir Delius (IRE) continued his spring build up winning his 1200m heat with Craig Williams on board.
The winner of this 1045m heat was the Matt Smith trained slick sprinter Way to the Stars beating G1 winning sprinter Headley Grange, but all eyes were on the also rans that included newly crowned Champion Australian Sprinter Joliestar, plus Group I winning colts Tron Bolt and Fireball along with Australasian Oaks winner Panova.
Hopes will be high for spring in the camps of both St Gotthard and The Next Episode, two super expensive Snitzel colts that both ended last season as stakes-winners. St Gotthard won this heat in good style, while The Next Episode closed off nicely held together.
$2.7million Inglis Easter purchase St Gotthard is two from two and the Chris Waller trained colt will no doubt be looking to replicate the success of his full brother Switzerland, who won the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes before retiring to Coolmore Stud last spring.
$2.8million Magic Millions purchase The Next Episode was second to Blue Door in the G3 ATC Kindergarten Stakes before winning his next two starts in Queensland, notably beating highly rated filly Natural Fling in the Magic Millions National 2YO classic.
His three wins to date have all been at 1000m, so The Next Episode has a bit to prove, while St Gotthard has ticked that box with his two wins both at 1200m.
