Cover image courtesy of Australian Turf Club
On Thursday, Rosehill hosted 13 trials on a Good 4 track under overcast conditions. Heat 6 drew considerable interest, featuring Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr.'s promising colt Bustling (Frosted {USA}).
The former Western Australian runner was piloted by Chad Schofield in the 900-metre heat. Bustling was unleashed at the top of the straight, bounding away to secure a 1.39l victory over Makarena (Snitzel). Also noteworthy was the first appearance of Group 1-placed I Am Unstoppable under his new trainer, Ciaron Maher.
Finishing strongly despite a sixth-place result was Joseph Pride’s The Black Cloud (Shamus Award), who was only 2.79l off the winner.
Bustling is already locked in for next month’s The Everest. The son of Frosted (USA) was purchased privately after a successful 2-year-old campaign in Western Australia, where he won four races, including the G2 Karrakatta Plate, the G3 WA Sires’ Produce S., and the Listed Perth S. Bustling is the standout runner from Busimiss (Key Business), who was twice Listed-placed.
Broadsiding makes a show
Another trial that garnered significant attention was Heat 7, marking the return of the dual Group 1 winner Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}).
The son of Too Darn Hot (GB) was last seen 12 weeks ago when he secured a dominant victory in the G1 JJ Atkins S. Ridden by James McDonald in the 900-metre heat, Broadsiding was, however, upstaged on this occasion by the Michael, John, and Wayne Hawkes-trained Keysborough (I Am Invincible), a grandson of the late Champion Black Caviar (Bel Esprit).
The James Cummings-trained colt wasn’t disgraced by any means. Keysborough set the early pace while McDonald settled Broadsiding in mid-field. As they entered the straight, Broadsiding was urged forward, closing the gap to finish 1.26l behind Keysborough. Terrestar (Zoustar) claimed third, finishing 1.44l behind, while Body Bob (Written Tycoon) took fourth.
Bred by Darley and raced by Godolphin, Broadsiding has won four races, including the G1 Champagne S., the G1 JJ Atkins, the G2 Sires’ Produce S., and the Listed Fernhill H.
Kitten runs second
Godolphin's Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}) was also in action in Heat 3, where the G1 Spring Champion S. winner finished second to Chica Mojito (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}), trained by Chris Waller.
Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, the 4-year-old mare Chica Mojito narrowly defeated Tom Kitten. Finishing third was Vaguer (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) from the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald stable.
Chris Waller's G3 Rough Habit Plate winner Tannhauser (Dundeel {NZ}) was fourth, only 1.69l behind the winner.
Chica Mojito is a proven winner over 1300 metres, having been placed in the G3 Eulogy S. and finishing fourth in both the G2 Queensland Guineas and the G3 James HB Carr S.
Tom Kitten, who recently returned to the track as a gelding, made an explosive comeback at Rosehill. Trainer James Cummings has indicated that the son of Harry Angel (Ire) may now be aimed at the G3 Bill Ritchie H.
A winner for Exceedance
Vinery’s Exceedance was in the spotlight on Thursday morning with a winner in Heat 9. Gattodance, trained by Michael, Wayne, and John Hawkes and carrying the Vinery colours, claimed victory in the trial over 900 metres.
The 3-year-old gelding, ridden by Jay Ford, managed to edge out Parting The Seas (Ocean Park {NZ}), with Canara (I Am Invincible) finishing third. Also making a strong impression was Ellipsis (Written Tycoon), who finished fast on the outside to secure fourth place.
Gattodance is the second foal out of the winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Meow, who is well-related, being a half-sister to Outback Barbie (Spirit Of Boom). Outback Barbie boasts victories in the Listed Bright Shadow H., the Listed Mode S., the Listed Keith Noud H., and the Listed Calaway Gal S.
Gattodance as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Outback Barbie also placed in several black-type events, including the G2 Silver Shadow S., the G2 Percy Sykes S., and the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Eagle one to watch?
The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Northern Eagle (Written Tycoon) might be one to keep an eye on, following the unraced 3-year-old colt's trial win on Thursday morning.
Northern Eagle featured in Heat 4 over 1030 metres, with Tom Sherry in the saddle. The colt took the lead and finished strongly, winning by 1.46l over San Jeronimo (Lope De Vega {Ire}), with Counterpart (Trapeze Artist) in third.
The son of Written Tycoon is the third foal out of the Congrats (USA) mare Queen’s Crown. He hails from the family of the Listed winner Listen Here (Elusive Quality {USA}), who is the dam of Shooting To Win, the G1 Caulfield Guineas victor, and his full brother Deep Field, a Group 2 winner and Group 1-producing sire.
Northern Eagle was purchased for $90,000 by George Moore Bloodstock from the draft of Two Bays Farm at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Northern Eagle as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Epsom winner continues comeback
Chris Waller’s G1 Epsom H. winner Rediener (Redoute’s Choice) continues his comeback as he prepares for a return to the racetrack. The son of Redoute’s Choice finished third in Heat 8 over 900 metres, with James McDonald in the saddle.
The trial winner was Shines (Dream Ahead {USA}), from the Michael, John, and Wayne Hawkes stable. Ridden by Zac Lloyd, Shines defeated Star Act (Snitzel) by 1.16l with Rediener close behind in third.
Shines, a lightly raced 6-year-old gelding, has won three of his 17 starts and placed in a further six. He was a $3000 purchase by the Superhorse Trust from Newhaven Park’s draft at the 2019 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.
The son of Dream Ahead (USA) is the fifth foal from the Exceed And Excel mare Christmas and hails from the family of Group 1 winner Mission Critical (Fantastic Light {USA}).
Have A Lot makes a favourable impression
Richard and Will Freedman’s Have A Lot (Deep Field) made an impressive debut on Thursday in Heat 11 over 900 metres. Ridden by Andrew Adkins, Have A Lot secured a comfortable victory, finishing ahead of Handkerchief (Capitalist) and Broadway Follies (Smart Missile).
Have A Lot is the fourth foal of the Majesticperfection (USA) mare Ma Can Do It (USA), who was placed in the G1 Alcibiades S. and the G2 Black-Eyed Susan S.
The son of Deep Field was purchased for $200,000 by AP Chan from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Have A Lot as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
