The spring stars are well and truly making their return, and Monday’s jump-outs were another strong reminder that the carnival is just around the corner. Matt Welsh has dissected the key heats to identify the horses trialling the house down, along with a few who may still have improvement to come before the spring kicks into full swing.
Heat 1 – 46.01 secs
Dominant trial win from Natural Fling. Clearly the quickest of four straight-course jump-outs. She had a fitness edge, having raced nine weeks ago, but she looks a top-class filly. A debut winner over 1100m at Caulfield, she appears on track to resume in the Quezette Stakes over the same course and distance in a fortnight.
Closer To Free was having his second jump-out of the preparation and wasn’t asked for much in finishing second. He’s gone well in both pieces of work and looks on track for the spring.
Feroce was under pressure a long way from home and needed plenty of riding to stay in touch over the 800m.
Blackbook: Natural Fling
Heat 4 – 50.35 secs
The first of the circle heats. Slow time relative to the morning.
Evaporate won the heat. He’s a horse that has always trialled well, but he did miss the start and get keen early. This was his second jump-out of the campaign and he looks on track to resume in the PB Lawrence Stakes. He trialled as well as ever.
Ex-William Haggas galloper Caviar Heights, now in the care of Tony and Calvin McEvoy, finished second. He was given a solid test for 400m past the post, suggesting there was plenty left in the tank. This was his second hit-out since joining the stable and he looks ready to head back to the races.
Mr Brightside was given a very easy time towards the tail of the field before picking off a few runners after the line. It was a pass mark, for sure, but expect him to ramp it up at his next jump-out prior to resuming in the Memsie.
Sea What I See also moved nicely throughout.
Heat 5 – 48.94 secs
Don’t Hope Do showed his customary speed to find the front comfortably. He was held together late and moved well throughout. He’ll likely have one more hit-out before resuming.
I liked the work of I Stand By You, who was given a decent test over the final 200m and responded well to win the heat in good time. He’s a big horse who looks set to improve further during his second preparation.
Betwitchery wasn’t asked for much but moved nicely, while Simurgh was ridden right through the line and given a searching gallop past the post.
Blackbooker: I Stand By You
Other horses for the blackbook:
- Heat 12 – Turbo Babaa – Danny O’Brien looks to have his team flying. This filly moved very well on speed and ran slick time. First jump-out for the campaign, so may have another, but won’t be a maiden for long.
