Spring stars strut their stuff: Dean Watling’s report card on key spring hopefuls

Dean Watling had his astute eye over the spring stars back at the trials at both Randwick and Warwick Farm as they enjoyed their first leg-stretch ahead of a massive carnival. In coming weeks, these key trials will help uncover betting opportunities in futures markets throughout the Spring Carnival. 

Randwick – Monday July 20

Heat 1

Autumn Glow (A) – 14 weeks off, struggled slightly to keep up early but once she straightened she clicked up sharply through her gears. Her best work was 100m past the post.

1⃣ Napoleonic
2⃣ Ninja
3⃣ Autumn Glow@ZacLloydx lets the classy @JohnOSheaRacing colt stride in winning a trial at Randwick on Monday by 5-1/4 lengths. Also trialling were Lady Shenandoah, Autumn Boy, Fully Lit and China Sea. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/CY60CfSJRt

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 19, 2026

Lady Shenandoah (A) – 14 weeks off, absolutely trucked up in this trial. Nash, one of the stronger riders, would have had sore biceps. Smart through the line also, bang on track.

Autumn Boy (B-) – 14 weeks off, extremely quiet trial. Not a whole lot to note. Good through the line but we will know a lot more in his second trial.

Ninja (A+) – 14 weeks off, cracking trial overall. He looked brilliant in his action, hard held, screaming for more rein before punching strongly through the line.

Napoleonic (B) – 7 weeks off, residual fitness off a Brisbane winter campaign. Trucked along under light riding, putting a margin up on his rivals as you’d expect with that fitness advantage. Only query was he was pretty plain through the line.

Heat 2

Barnavara (B) – 16 weeks off, at first glance it looks to be a somewhat concerning trial but if you reference her on-speed pattern and her action overseas, it’s bang on with what it is back in the UK. She was solid enough through the line also. Intriguing horse, keen to see what she offers and what Chris wants of her in her second trial.

Import Barnavara let run by @KPMcEvoy wins a 900m trial at Randwick on Monday by 2-3/4 lengths from Wootton Verni with Campaldino in third. Aeliana and Ohope Wins were close up. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/sHbADTrRUW

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 19, 2026

Aeliana (A+) – 16 weeks off, outstanding return trial. Tucked up behind the speed when settling second last, exposed late and rocketed through the line to career away 200m past the post.

Ohope Wins (A) – 16 weeks off, lovely first trial. Similar to Aeliana and the Chris Waller trial model. Kept on the bridle before being exposed late and let gallop through and past the line.

Heat 3

Soulcombe (B-) – 141 weeks off, wow. Taken to the far outside and looked enthusiastic, worked well to the line but looked tired past the post as you’d imagine. Cobwebs blown out, keen for his second trial.

1⃣ Screen Icon
2⃣ Profoundly
3⃣ Soulcombe

The @JTRacingRwik filly leads all the way to win a 900m trial at Randwick on Monday. Also trialling were River Of Stars, Soul Of Spain and Valiant King. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/XGTvgzWYsa

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 19, 2026

Warwick Farm – Tuesday July 21

Heat 1

Beiwacht (A) – 13 weeks off, began sharply before being taken wide on the turn, clicked up beautifully and went to the line impressively. On track.

1⃣ Beiwacht
2⃣ Attica
3⃣ Tornado Valley

A @godolphin quinella in the Group & Listed trial at Warwick Farm on Tuesday. Also trialling were Cherry Bomshell, Angel Capital, Campione D’Italia, Fireball, Diameter and Piggyback. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/QC7bKpzy27

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 20, 2026

Attica (A) – Gelded into this prep, and this is the best I have seen him trial without his blinkers on. Looked full of energy, beginning sharply, another tick, before working well to the line. Could be a different horse this prep.

Angel Capital (B) – 13 weeks off, typical Angel Capital trucked-up trial. Hard on the bridle, wanting to explode but kept under wraps. He’s back in his usual way.

Campione D’Italia (B-) – 13 weeks off, very quiet piece of work. Big tick was his work through the line, super. Look for a sharper second trial now.

Fireball (B-) – 13 weeks off, a pass-mark trial, not a whole lot to report out of it. Solid through the line and we will wait and see what he does in his second.