The morning kicked off with two high-quality straight-course jump-outs before shifting to the 2000m start on the course proper.
Star galloper Mr Brightside went around in Heat 3, enjoying a quiet hit-out behind stablemate Evaporate, who also moved stylishly. Lindsay Park were at it again in the very next heat, with Arkansaw Kid scoring impressively – he looks primed for a big sprinting campaign this prep.
Blackbook summary:
| Heat | Horse | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scenic Point | Classy 3YO filly, showed brilliance against quality opposition. |
| 2 | Davida | Strong maiden prospect. Won under little pressure. |
| 9 | Sapphire Reign | Flashy trial type, led throughout and impressed again. |
Heat 1 – Scenic Point (1st)
Target – She’s Stakes class
Going out on a limb and suggesting this will be one of the best 3YO’s of her generation. Scenic Point was excellent in her two wins during the autumn, but she was still very much learning what the caper is all about. When given a squeeze, she quickly put a length on a very good jump-out (and race) horse in Facilitate, suggesting she has come back in terrific order.
Heat 2 – Davida (1st)
Target – 3YO Maiden
Great jump-out to demonstrate the different pressure horses are placed under and how they respond. If you watch the final 300m closely, you will see Davida is the only horse amongst the first four not placed under significant pressure, yet she still beat them all and ran comparable time to Scenic Point in the first heat. She has trialled well twice now this campaign and should quickly knock off a maiden win.
Heat 9 – Sapphire Reign (1st)
Target – 3YO Maiden
Worth noting that the Blue Point breed are ‘flashy’ trial horses as a rule, but this filly has done it twice over two campaigns. Sapphire Reign was excellent in a Pakenham jump-out back in April, and was again impressive in leading all the way at Flemington on Monday. The Archibald stable might give her one more jump-out before heading to the races, but expect her to be in the winner’s circle before too long.
