Spring is in the air with three Group Trials to kick things off at Randwick, but tracks are still wet. On a Heavy 8 for this morning’s heats. With the ‘good horses’ returning, drying tracks, and quality racing around the corner, The Trial Files team are back to help put you in the winners’ circle.
Race 1 – 9:00AM GROUP TRIAL (COURSE PROPER) (900 METRES)
Hot start to the morning with the field of 7 having 30 wins, 8 Group 1s, and over $19.6M in prizemoney between them.
FULLY LIT averagely away from the inside before kicking up and taking the lead.
To the eye it was NAPOLEONIC who was the most impressive here, winning this by over 5 lengths but the colt had a huge fitness edge, coming off a Queensland winter. He took over at the top of the straight when the leader weakened and was way too strong late. The positive with him is that he’s been freshened but still up and rolling. No shock if O’Shea and Tom Charlton have him going in the early spring, targeting some softer Group 1 races for him. Looks like a nice play by them. Winx Stakes over 1400m on August 22? Memsie Stakes over 1400m on August 29? Moir probably a bit short for him over the 1000m.
1⃣ Napoleonic
2⃣ Ninja
3⃣ Autumn Glow@ZacLloydx lets the classy @JohnOSheaRacing colt stride in winning a trial at Randwick on Monday by 5-1/4 lengths. Also trialling were Lady Shenandoah, Autumn Boy, Fully Lit and China Sea. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/CY60CfSJRt— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 19, 2026
NINJA fine working into second under a hold by Berry.
The Waller starts AUTUMN GLOW, LADY SHENANDOAH and AUTUMN BOY had typical soft trials. Little guide, no knock. AUTUMN GLOW moved well, making ground into third under a tight hold by JMac.
Race 2 – 9:10AM GROUP TRIAL (COURSE PROPER) (900 METRES)
All eyes on the $10M mare, BARNAVARA here. She had the one start in Australia where she was very disappointing at a short price back in March. Interesting that James McDonald rode AELIANA here in lieu of the Yulong owned mare.
Import Barnavara let run by @KPMcEvoy wins a 900m trial at Randwick on Monday by 2-3/4 lengths from Wootton Verni with Campaldino in third. Aeliana and Ohope Wins were close up. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/sHbADTrRUW
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 19, 2026
BARNAVARA raced quite fresh here, dominating the trial from the front. While it looked like she went fast, the time was much slower than the previous. BARNAVARA will take a lot of improvement from the trial, not exactly savaging the line. Jury is still out.
They cruised in behind them, nothing let off the bridle and nothing making ground. WOOTTON VERNI was poor through the line. OHOPE WINS was strong late.
Race 3 – 9:20AM GROUP TRIAL (COURSE PROPER) (900 METRES)
Group-performed two-year-old SCREEN ICON produced a nice trial performance here, jumping quickly to lead before easing late to score by half a length over Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes winner PROFOUNDLY. SCREEN ICON wasn’t overly strong through the line. A few stayers in behind and a tricky trial to read. Not a lot to take from this heat. SOUL OF SPAIN was good through the line.
BLACKBOOK:
CLANCY (Trial 5 – 1050m)
4YO gelding having his first trial this campaign after 16 weeks off. Loved his effort here, settling outside the lead before taking over in the straight. His work through the line was brilliant.
ALBANY ROAD (Trial 6 – 1050m)
Mid prep trial for this 3YO gelding. Tailed off last start. Loved his work through the line in finishing 5th here. Yes, he’s fit but look for a gear change and an improved showing next start at a price. Firmer track?
WANDA’S SPARK / ASTAIRE LEGEND (Trial 9 – 1050m)
Both WANDA’S SPARK and ASTAIRE LEGEND were having their second career trials. WANDA’S made it two wins from as many outings as she worked home out wide on the track to win impressively. She is the first foal out of Group 3 winning Wandabaa and looks above average.
2 trials, 2 wins from this 2YO from a family on the move.
Wanda’s Spark (2f Tagaloa x Wandabaa) for @MFreedmanRacing
A homebred for @YulongInvest who bought the dam for $800k on @inglis_sales Digital.
The dam’s half-sister Olentia sold through @mmsnippets online for $2.6mil to… pic.twitter.com/fN6xFJbxZI— Breednet (@BreednetNews) July 20, 2026
Liked the way ASTAIRE LEGEND made ground and worked through the line. He was good enough through the line in his first trial but appreciated stepping up in journey in this heat.
WONKA (Trial 13 – 745m)
Sneaky decent trial by this Snitzel colt. Worked home down the outside under minimal pressure. McDonald rode. Wet track may have assisted. Bit of money for him on debut back in April which is interesting and sent straight for a spell. Could be value next start.
