by Anthony Manton
Eight barrier trials were conducted at Rosehill Gardens on Tuesday morning and despite recent rain in Sydney which meant the track was rated as heavy there were a handful of well-bred horses worth mentioning.
In heat two, 2-year-old colt Mandela (Sebring) put in perhaps the best performance of the morning and looks a potential stakes horse in the making.
Mandela was a $280,000 purchase at the 2018 Magic Millions Yearling Sale for China Horse Club, Newgate Farm and its stallion syndicate.
Mandela as a yearling
Mandela is from the dam Lonoree (Lonhro), a half-sister to stakes-winner Fleet (Dehere {USA}), and Negotiate (Red Ransom {USA}), dam of Group 1-winner Secret Agenda (Not A Single Doubt). His grand dam is Group 1-winner Euphoria (Marauding {NZ}), and he’s from the family of Group 1-winners Tuesday Joy (Carnegie {Ire}) and Sunday Joy (Sunday Silence {USA}).
Mandela was first seen at the trials in December last year. In two outings he had a quiet trial at Hawkesbury finishing 2nd behind recent Rosehill winner and stable-mate Enforcement (I Am Invincible), and backed that up with an eye-catching trial win at Canterbury on December 20 before being sent for a spell.
Trained by Peter & Paul Snowden and stepping-out for his second trial this preparation, Mandela was patiently ridden by jockey Tommy Berry settling a clear last in a slowly run trial. Approaching the home turn, Berry brought Mandela to the outside and between the 400m and 200m the colt went from last to first with a terrific burst of acceleration. Despite laying-in a touch down the home straight Mandela raced away and coasted to the line to win the heat by 1.3L.
Mandela was the only 2-year-old racing against older horses in the open age maiden trial over 1030m. Given it was such a slowly run trial and Mandela was able to sprint so quickly, he looks a horse of serious potential and his debut will be eagerly awaited.
In heat four, 2-year-old colt Nombuso (Snitzel) trained by Chris Waller won his first trial this time-in after a three month break.
Nombuso was a $325,000 purchase at the 2018 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Nombuso as a yearling
He hails from a strong Argentinian family. His dam Estatuilla (Arg) (Southern Halo {USA}) was a multiple stakes-winner in Argentina and Group 1-placed. She is also a half-sister to Champion Sprinter in Argentina 2001 Estambul (Arg) (Kitwood {USA}). Nombuso is a half-brother to Statuette (Redoute’s Choice), dam of recent stakes-placed 2-year-old filly Deserved (Dundeel {NZ}).
Nombuso has now had five barrier trials across four preparations suggesting he has taken a good bit of time to show his best.
Ridden by Jason Collett on Tuesday morning, Nombuso began well and sat outside the leader on the home straight where he was pushed-out the last 150m to get past the leader and win the heat narrowly.
As it was his first trial back from a break, Nombuso raced like he needed the hit-out and would benefit from the outing so expect to see him trial again before a race start.
In heat five, 2-year-old filly Lola Mae (Hinchinbrook) looks ready to head to the races and will be winning a maiden sometime soon on the strength of her trial victory.
Lola Mae was a $100,000 purchase from the 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. She is from the dam Lola Cherry Cola (Bel Esprit), a half-sister to Disguise (Grand Lodge {USA}), dam of four-time Group 1-winner Appearance (Commands) and stakes-winner Mascareri (Commands).
Lola Mae as a yearling
Trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, Lola Mae was having her second career barrier trial and was ridden by Kathy O’Hara. Settling third on the back of the leader, Lola Mae cut the corner saving-ground on the home turn and quickly took control of the trial sprinting away at the top of the straight, clearly relishing the wet conditions to easily win the heat by 1.8L.
Keep an eye-out for Lola Mae in perhaps a provincial maiden within the next few weeks.
Finally, in heat six team Hawkes sent out 2-year-old filly Lady Herbert (Star Witness) for her second career trial.
Lady Herbert is from the unraced dam Anuket (Nuclear Freeze {USA}). Her grand dam is Amwag (USA) (El Gran Senor {USA}), a half-sister to Group 1-winner Istidaad (USA) (Chief’s Crown {USA}).
Lady Herbert first trialled at Rosehill back in March finishing 2nd before going for a spell and after a four-month break was first-up at the trials on Tuesday morning.
Ridden by Tommy Berry, the filly settled fourth just behind the leaders and was eased-out for clear running at the top of the straight. Spotting the leader about 5L at the 350m, Lady Herbert closed-off very strongly under virtually no pressure to narrowly win the heat in 56.82 the fastest time of the morning for the six 900m heats.
Although it was her first trial back this preparation it was an excellent piece of work from Lady Herbert. Team Hawkes may elect to trial her again or send her to the races within the next few weeks, either way she looks a filly to follow.
