June 12 – Randwick
The Local – Matthew Dale (Tim Clark)
Heat 5 – 1050m
Built like a brick wall, this lovely style of two-year-old gelding is trained by the talented Matthew Dale. His first trial back this preparation was an eye-catcher, finding the line well under his own steam. In his second trial, he was let off the bridle and made up good ground in the soft conditions. He looks ready to return to the races now, ideally on a Soft 6 at worst.
Coco Affair – Tom Charlton (Andrew Adkins)
Heat 8 – 740m
Cracking first trial back by this two-year-old Home Affairs filly. She was heavily backed on debut into $2.20 when running on into third. She’s had 15 weeks off with this sole trial, and I loved her action. I’m keen to see her step out once more before heading to the races. The stable will be looking to get a two-year-old winner on the board before the season ends.
Solid Heart – Chris Waller (Sam Clipperton)
Heat 11 – 740m
Not too worried about the overall time here given the effort from Solid Heart, who settled off the speed with her best work coming over the final 100m and through the line. She was kept very quiet throughout the heat before weaving a passage and letting down beautifully. Look for a second trial before heading back to the races.
Castillo King – Michael Freedman (Andrew Adkins)
Heat 12 – 740m
They simply do not trial much better than this. This unraced two-year-old Farnan colt backed up an eye-catching first trial, where he closed off from well back in good time, with a dominant second trial win in slick time. He looks top shelf and I’m keen to see him make his debut.
Stronghold – Bjorn Baker (Ashley Morgan)
Heat 12 – 740m
Comes through this hot heat behind Lady Moscato and Castillo King. It was a fast overall time and he still did a few things wrong while also being held up at a key stage. I love the way he’s built and this was only his second public appearance. Keen to see him step out again.
Vestas – Anthony & Sam Freedman (Tim Clark)
Heat 7 – 1050m
Lovely first trial in Sydney when finding the line stylishly over the 1050m. She has since been sent back to Sandown for another hit-out and now looks ready to return to the races.
June 17 – Wyong
Fire Dance – Sara Ryan (Aaron Bullock)
Heat 11 – 845m
Stylish debut trial by this two-year-old Exceedance filly. She’s in the right hands under the guidance of Sara Ryan, and it was also intriguing to see Aaron Bullock take the ride. She showed plenty of professionalism, closing under a hold and doing it easily, best in the heat. Look for a second trial now and hopefully Bullock sticks.
Avon Calling – Brad Widdup (Leeshelle Small)
Heat 18 – 845m
Sneaky good first trial back this preparation before backing it up with a slick piece of work on the home deck at Hawkesbury. The overall time and last 600m were slick when coming from off the speed. Ready to return to the races, ideally at provincial level.
June 19 – Rosehill
Gatineau – M, W & J Hawkes (Tyler Schiller)
Heat 7 – 900m
Impressive debut trial by this colt. Strung up for room, but Tyler Schiller looked to have plenty of horse underneath him. Look for a second trial now.
Essay – Richard Collett (Alysha Collett)
Heat 11 – 900m
I’ve been waiting a while to see this two-year-old filly return to the trials. She caught my eye back on January 22 when impressing over 799m at Warwick Farm before being thrown into the Listed Lonhro Plate, where she was backed from $10 into $5.50. She pulled up 1/5 lame there in a complete forgive run. That race produced Campione D’Italia, Agrarian Girl and Spicy Miss. She’s now put together two smart trials and looks to have come back terrifically.
June 19 – Warwick Farm
Chanterelle – Waterhouse & Bott (Tim Clark)
Heat 8 – 821m
Smart first trial when beating the impressive Coco Affair. She was pushed out that day, so I wanted to see her back it up in her second trial, and she certainly did. Ridden a touch quieter in the early stages before letting rip with a smart turn of speed. Slick overall time and last 600m. She looks a talent.
Aurora Boom – Chris Waller (Tyler Schiller)
Heat 9 – 821m
Only an okay overall time but a smart last 600m. The first trial was a bit of a head-scratcher, but the second was very impressive when weaving a passage through the inferior inside ground. Strong through the line and would look even better in drier conditions. Nice horse.
Half Pipe – Annabel & Rob Archibald (Braith Nock)
Heat 10 – 818m
A strange horse to get a guide on. Trialled like a rocket before a solid debut on a day it was difficult to make ground, then was sent back to the trials before a spell. He’s returned with two impressive trials and once again lit them up. Intrigued to see where they place him fresh, but keen to follow.
June 29 – Hawkesbury
Triple Seven – Terry Croft (Alysha Collett)
Heat 6 – 1000m
Looked weak in his debut preparation when fading late in an 800m trial. After 16 weeks off, he looked a lot stronger when leading throughout a 1000m trial, running slick overall and last 600m time. Keen to see where he kicks off now.
