A field of potential spring stars took their first public steps towards Group I
targets in the opening trial over 900 metres.Lining up in the heat were Cox Plate candidate Verry Elleegant, Group I winners Nakeeta Jane, Unforgotten, Shraaoh and Patrick Erin.
The trial was a one-act affair in the end with the Gary Portelli trained Time To Reign leading throughout to score by 6-1/4 lengths.
Time To Reign will be the first horse out of the trial to return to the races with Portelli indicating he would look towards the The Rosebud over 1100m at Rosehill on August 10.
"I was happy enough with that," Portelli told Racenet. "You'd be disappointed if he didn't do that having his second trial against a field mostly made up of middle distance, staying typeshaving their first trial.
"I did like that he didn't go crazy up front, he pricked his ears and just went about his work.
"We're in a good place heading to The Rosebud."
A half-brother by Time for War to Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign, Time to Reign has an ownership group that includes Kitchwin Hills, who stood his ill-fated sire for two seasons.
Kitchwin Hills also purchased his full sister at Inglis Easter this year for $800,000.
