Written by Keely Mckitterick
Friday's trial morning was buzzing at Randwick, with 15 Heats held that saw star mare In Secret (I Am Invincible) worked nicely as heads towards the G1 Champions Sprint next Saturday, while Newgate's gun sire Capitalist dominated the two juvenile heats.
Capitalist colts take juvenile trials
On Friday at Randwick, there were two Heats (10 and 11) for the 2-year-olds, and both were taken out by sons of Newgate Farm’s Champion 2-Year-Old Capitalist.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott unveiled Market Magic in Heat 10, held over 737 metres. The 2-year-old colt was partnered by Tim Clark, to ran out an impressive 2.24l victor Vinniro (I Am Invincible), while Voile (Exceed And Excel) ran into third.
The well-related Market Magic was a $460,000 purchase by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing and Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the draft of Yulong at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
The colt is the third foal from the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare Rekindled Choice. She is closely related to the Group 1 winner and young Yulong sire Alabama Express.
Market Magic is also from the family of The Everest victor Giga Kick (Scissor Kick), a winner of the G1 All Aged S. and the G1 Doomben 10,000.
Market Magic as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Spartus, from the Peter and Paul Snowden yard, contested Heat 11, the final juvenile trial and also held over 737 metres. The son of Capitalist was a comfortable winner over Gram (Exceed And Excel), who came from the back of the field to run into second in fine style, while Attention Seeker (Pierata) finished third.
Spartus is the third foal from Zouriana, a daughter of Zoustar, who was placed as a 2-year-old. Spatrus is related to the nine-time winner Intense Romance (Ire) (Intense Focus {USA}), who also scored the Listed Arran Sprint S.
Spartus was picked up for $135,000 by Spartus Bloodstock from the 2022 Inglis Digital July (Early) Online Sale when offered by Riversdale Pastoral.
In Secret gears up for Flemington
Godolphin’s star mare In Secret was given a comfortable workout on Friday morning at Randwick as she heads towards a showdown with Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) in the G1 Champions Sprint at Flemington next Saturday.
The winner of the 1050-metre Heat 4 was won by Gundy Bridge (I Am Invincible) over Mistress (More Than Ready {USA}), while In Secret ran an easy third.
Gundy Bride from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable was one of 10 trial winners for the stable on Friday morning.
Taormina back in action!
The progressive filly Taormina (Written Tycoon) was back in action after an 11-week let-up in Heat 12 at Randwick.
Taormina, trained by Waterhouse and Bott and partnered with by, Clark, won by 0.53l from Prima Bella (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) and Hyde Park (Spirit Of Boom).
Taormina, winner of Heat 12, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
The daughter of Written Tycoon has two of her three starts and was a $450,000 purchase by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing alongside Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the draft of Newhaven Park at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Taormina is from the family of the star mare English (Encosta De Lago), who Waterhouse trained to six wins, including the G1 All Aged S. and the G1 Doomben 10,000.
Unraced Arbiter dominates trial
The Waterhouse and Bott stable saddled up the unraced Arbiter (Star Witness) for his second time at the trials in Heat 7 over 1050 metres. The 3-year-old colt was impressive when scooting away by 3.48l from My Shalom (American Pharoah {USA}) and Sparks Flying (Flying Artie).
Arbiter is owned by E-Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd and L M Nestadt and is the sixth foal from Fastnet Rock mare Annonay, who won four races.
The colt’s third dam, Dantelah (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}), was a victress of the G1 Oakleigh Plate and the G2 Swettenham Stud.
Arbiter, winner of Heat 7, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Arbiter’s stablemate, Jagjit (Justify {USA}), also signalled he’s feeling well with 2.76l success in Heat 8.
The 3-year-old gelding, co-owned by Dorrington Farm and his breeder Kia Ora, has raced twice and placed twice. Jagjit was a $300,000 purchase by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott alongside Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the draft of his breeder at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Jagjit’s dam Inglorious (Can) (Hennessy {USA}) was crowned the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly in Canada, having won the Listed La Lorgnette and the Listed Queen’s Plate.
Jagjit, winner of Heat 8, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
She was also placed in the G2 Bayakoa H. at Hollywood Park in North America. Jagjit is a half-brother to the Group 2-placed Miss Canada (Exceed And Excel).
