Dean Watling has found plenty to follow from the latest batch of NSW trials, with a mix of exciting youngsters, progressive gallopers and established stars catching the eye. Here are the horses to put in the blackbook as they build towards their upcoming campaigns.
August 18 – Warwick Farm
Superata – Greg Hickman (Andrew Calder) – H5, 819m
Underrated horse and trainer, and he looks to have come back in great order. Back-to-back forward trials against smart opposition. If placed well fresh, he can no doubt win.
Flying For Fun – Bryce Heys (Mollie Fitzgerald) – H2, 819m
She keeps coming back that touch better every prep and is a rocket fresh. She looks to have come back in great order again. We will look for a second trial and then look to back her fresh.
August 19 – Muswellbrook
On The Fritz – Brett & Georgie Cavanough (Mitchell Bell) – H4, 1000m
I like the inside horse Syllable, and On The Fritz went past it with ease in this trial. Second career prep, unraced and looks to have plenty of talent. This was in the fastest heat of the 1000m too. Ready for the races.
August 21 – Canberra Acton
Czech Me – Luke Pepper (Brodie Loy) – H1, 900m
Wow, what a debut official trial. Jumped well and mustered a stack of speed before controlling the trial. He skipped away on the turn and put up 11L in a very fast time, eased down and won with plenty in hand. Keen to see him kick off now.
August 21 – Rosehill
Genesis Runner – Richard & Will Freedman (Chad Schofield) – H5, 1030m
This was impressive. The 3YO colt went out a winner at his last start, has been off the scene for eight weeks and looks to have come back in super order with the residual fitness on his side.
August 28 – Randwick
St Gotthard – Chris Waller (James McDonald) – H3, 1045m
Four weeks between trial one and trial two, and boy did we see improvement from this gun colt. He jumped well and landed on speed before clicking through his gears effortlessly. Strong late and through the line.
“Now St Gotthard just clicks into another gear.”
The exciting @cwallerracing colt cruises away to win a trial at Randwick under @mcacajamez on Friday over Asgarda with King Of Roseau back in third. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/XysbJvgK1o
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 27, 2026
Decorum – Michael Freedman (Tim Clark) – H3, 1045m
Proper 4YO. Not sure if he has been gelded between preps, but he looks to have come back a 2L better horse. Showed a stack of talent last prep before failing in the Randwick Guineas. He’s had 26 weeks off the scene and has put in back-to-back eye-catching trials. Keen to see where he gets to this prep.
Low Key – Waterhouse & Bott (Tim Clark) – H9, 1045m
A very sharp 3YO filly who is now ready to tackle her second prep. She debuted in the Kindergarten Stakes when beaten 3.44L by Blue Door and The Next Episode. She’s had 22 weeks off and has looked outstanding in both trials. Ready to break the maiden.
Italian Spirit – Waterhouse & Bott (Regan Bayliss) – H10, 1045m
Very fast overall time here by this 4YO gelding. He hasn’t been seen for 37 weeks and is still yet to break the maiden. He looked solid in his action and should take plenty of fitness benefit from this very fast hitout. Look for a second trial before he heads to the races.
Laksa – Waterhouse & Bott (Regan Bayliss) – H10, 1045m
Smart first trial by this 3YO Zousain colt. Well built, covered ground but responded very well when asked. The most pleasing part was his work through the line when extending away well. Look for a second trial now.
Born To Fly – O’Shea & Charlton (James McDonald) – H10, 1045m
I’ve got a lot of time for this 3YO I Am Invincible filly. It’s been 25 weeks since her last trial and she looks to have come back in outstanding order. Matched motors with a speed machine in Lucsain. Look for a second trial now before she heads back to the races.
Oui Oui Oui – Jason Attard (Tom Sherry) – H12, 742m
Cracking return trial by this Yes Yes Yes mare. She didn’t quite come up last prep, but she looks back to her best and has maybe even come back better looking at this trial. It was in very sharp company and she was super back to the inside. Look for a second trial now.
Joliestar – Chris Waller (James McDonald) – H2, 1045m
Ten weeks since her Royal Ascot third and she looks to have bounced through the travel excellently. Loved her first trial back here over 1045m, coasting in behind the speed before extending away very well past the post. Keen to see her back at the races.
August 31 – Gosford
Oakfield Jupiter – Damien Lane (Kerrin McEvoy) – H4, 1000m
5YO mare who has an exceptional record already. Her two trials back this prep have been super. She’s come back bigger and better, no doubt, and we can cash in on that fresh. Attractive pattern and is ready to attack the races.
Fovea – Bjorn Baker (Winona Costin) – H13, 800m
Blue-blood filly who has now put in back-to-back scintillating trial wins by a combined 12L. Both have also been in very fast time as she has skipped away from her trials. She looks to have a lovely quick action and is ready to head to the races now.
Fat Barry – Kristen Buchanan (Jess Taylor) – H15, 800m
Fast overall time and last 600m here. Compared to his first trials for his debut prep, these have been apples and oranges. Looks a brute now who can sustain a gallop. Following.
