Betsy’s NSW analyst Dean Watling takes a look back at key NSW barrier trials across the past week, identifying the blackbookers you need to be following.
Rosehill – July 10
Navigation
Trainer: Team Hawkes (Tyler Schiller)
Race: H8, 900m
2yo Extreme Choice colt, $1.15 million colt who has now had 2 x 900m trials. This is very key for Team Hawkes as their record of sending horses to the races off one trial is awful. Showed smart progression between trials and his work past the post has been solid. Looks very raw still though.
Iron Age
Trainer: Team Hawkes (Tyler Schiller)
Race: H9, 900m
Another 2yo colt for the Team Hawkes and Yulong combination. Second trial here too behind the very impressive I’m Ya Huckleberry. Sat poised in both trials before doing his best work late. Has talent and goes in the blackbook.
Temptation
Trainer: Bjorn Baker (Tyler Schiller)
Race: H11, 900m
Slick overall time here married up with what was a visually impressive trial. Sat poised on speed before clicking up through the gears well. Like the measuring stick with Lady Moscato in behind. This was her first trial as well, very key to note with the others having their second.
Shambala Rhythm
Trainer: Tom Charlton (Zac Lloyd)
Race: H11, 900m
Very similar setup here to Temptation. Debut trial and was asked for less of an effort than Temptation but was equally as impressive. Keen to see her again at the trials where Lloyd will likely stick.
Randwick – July 20
Transcend
Trainer: Michael Freedman (Tommy Berry)
Race: H5, 1050m
There has to be ability there. Trialled up like a rocket last prep before starting $4.60 fresh on a Heavy track. Failed that day and the prep was gone. Back again with back to back impressive trials. Looks an out and out dry tracker. She’s ready to fire fresh.
Albany Road
Trainer: Waterhouse & Bott (Regan Bayliss)
Race: H6, 1050m
Trialled up smartly before finishing 12/12 fresh, beaten 9L. Something had to go amiss there. Lovely trial since that failure where he was weaving through the pack. We may get big odds about him when he lines up next start. Keen.
Miss Trentino
Trainer: Bjorn Baker (Tommy Berry)
Race: H6, 1050m
That’s now back to back impressive trial wins by this mare. She looks to have come back in terrific order, first up off a 44 week spell. Speedy front running type who can push for black type for sure.
Steel Will
Trainer: Chris Waller (James McDonald)
Race: H7, 1050m
He’s come back a beast. He showed glimpses of black type 2yo ability in his first trial prep, but it all came too quick. He looks to have physically and mentally improved with back to back dynamic trials. I dare say they’ll be very keen to get a 2yo win on the CV before the spring 3yo season.
Wanda’s Spark
Trainer: Michael Freedman (Andrew Adkins)
Race: H9, 1050m
Very slick overall and L600m time. Nearly a second faster than Steel Will’s heat. Back to back trial wins by this Yulong filly. She’s out of the smart mare Wandabaa. She’ll likely be at her best over 1200m+ and her trials have shown that. She’s built into them smartly with her best work past the post.
Generous Harry
Trainer: Ron Quinton (Mitch Stapleford)
Race: H12, 745m
A noted smart trialler but his latest hit out was his best yet. To go with these trials, he does have a smart fresh record as well. Ready for the races now.
Montresor
Trainer: O’Shea & Charlton (Zac Lloyd)
Race: H15, 745m
Sneaky good debut trial by this gelding. He sat at the rear, educated well by Lloyd in what was a pretty solid heat won by Shiki. Found his feet and had no real room. Past the post he picked up very impressively and was extending away well 200m past the post. Keen to see his second trial.
