Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Spring preparations continued on Monday when Randwick hosted 16 trials on a Good 4 surface.
The first of two heats on the course proper was taken out by Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}), cruising down the home straight to win by 0.01l over G1 Stradbroke H. victor Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard).
Think About It (So You Think {NZ}) followed hot on their heels another 0.13l behind.
Fangirl (Sebring) finished a comfortable 1.41l behind the winner under a quiet ride from James McDonald. Last seen running stablemate Zougotcha (Zoustar) to less than 0.5l in the G1 Winx S., the star mare ticked over nicely ahead of a likely run in the $1,000,000 Seven S. on September 21.
The promising Kermadec (NZ) mare Scarlet Oak finished ahead of Fangirl in fourth, with Roots (Press Statement) bringing up the rear of the field. Wearing the familiar navy blue and pale-yellow colours of Aziz “Ozzie” Kheir, Scarlet Oak has won three starts from five, highlighted by victory in the G2 The Roses over Mare Of Mt Buller (Dundeel {NZ}), a horse that Kheir also owns shares in with close friend Brae Sokolski.
Amenable leads home Tropical
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained 5-year-old Amenable (Lonhro) flashed home in Heat 2, swinging wide and surging past eventual third-placed Tropical Squall (Prized Icon) on the home straight, with Revolutionary Miss (Russian Revolution) on his tail to finish second by 0.03l. A $150,000 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale purchase by MG Price Racing & Breeding, Amenable is yet to secure a black-type victory but chased Magic Time (Hellbent) to 0.39l in the G1 All Aged S. in April.
Tropical Squall didn't let down as well as expected in her first start wearing the Yulong colours at the end of last month, however the G1 Surround S. winner looked comfortable when stretching out under Adam Hyeronimus, without being placed under serious pressure.
The nine-time winner Coal Crusher (Turffontein) followed behind in fourth, with G1 Doomben Cup victor Bois D’argent (GB) (Toronado {Ire}) and Listed Princess S. winner Waikato Girl (NZ) (Savabeel) completing the field.
Matisse flies in Heat 6
Heat 6 was a smart second trial for the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Matisse (Microphone), sprinting from several lengths back at the top of the home straight to score by 1.93l over the Group 3-placed Chateau Miraval (Zousain).
Third 0.5l behind Hayasugi (Royal Meeting {Ire}) in both the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) and the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies), Matisse finished a respectable seventh by 2.4l behind the Clinton McDonald-trained filly in the G1 Blue Diamond, before breaking her maiden in Doomben as a juvenile.
Matisse, winner of Heat 6 | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Matisse is a homebred for Murray Thoroughbreds, out of stakes-placed Sanadaat (Not A Single Doubt).
Also running through the line strongly was the third-placed Smart Legend (So You Think {NZ}). A $340,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase for Bon Ho’s Legend Racing from the draft of Newhaven Park, the 5-year-old gelding resumes after a stellar preparation earlier in the year where he placed in six of eight starts, all in metropolitan company. He is the third foal of the winning Commands mare Herstory, from a family featuring Mercurial (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}), winner of the G1 Telegraph S. in January.
Cassiel one to follow?
Lightly raced Cassiel (Harry Angel {Ire}) flashed home in Heat 7, posting 33.16s for the final 600 metres, with the talented Godolphin-trained mare Commemorative (I Am Invincible) and Ausbred Flirt (Maurice {Jpn}) the only runners to make significant ground on the Peter Snowden gelding in the straight.
Winner of the Listed Denise Joy S. over Scone’s carnival weekend, Commemorative ran a slashing second in the G3 Toy Show Quality, and currently holds a nomination for the G2 Sheraco S. on September 14.
Cassiel, winner of Heat 7 | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Running on well in fifth was the expensive Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase, Natural Deduction (The Autumn Sun), trained by new partnership John O’Shea and Tom Charlton. The $750,000 gelding is a son of Axiomatic (O’Reilly {NZ}), a half-sister to Kiwi-bred sires Xtravagant (NZ) and He’s Remarkable (NZ). John O’Shea evidently has faith in the family, previously purchasing half-brother This’llbetheone (Exceed And Excel), who has now won seven races and $269,795 in prizemoney.
Success for half-sister to Hartnell
An interesting international pedigree popped up in Heat 10, won by Dominetta (Zoustar), the first Southern Hemisphere born foal of Debonnaire (GB) (Anabaa {USA}). Third in the $500,000 Magic Millions The Debut behind Too Darn Lizzie (Too Darn Hot {GB}) at her only start, the mare is a half-sister to Darley-bred Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), whose glittering career is highlighted by victories in the G1 CF Orr S., G1 Epsom H. and G1 Turnbull S., amongst seven stakes wins in 58 starts.
Dominetta wore the black and yellow diamonds of Arrowfield Stud to victory in her heat over Aye Aye Captain (Merchant Navy) and Let’s Fly (Flying Artie). Aye Aye Captain’s dam Dal Dal (Encosta De Lago) is a three-quarter sister to G1 Flight S. winner Speak Fondly (Northern Meteor), and from the family of sire Spill The Beans and dual Group 1 winner Kenedna (Not A Single Doubt).
Dominetta, winner of Heat 10 | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Let’s Fly led the field at the top of the home straight, only to be run down late. Trained by Richard and Will Freedman, the unraced filly is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Mimi’s Award (Shamus Award), who was recently acquired by Hancock Quality Bloodstock (FBAA) at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale for $125,000.
Spring stalwarts step out
The last open trial of the day, Heat 13, saw the return of several spring carnival stalwarts. A half-brother to last season’s R. Listed Inglis Millennium winner Fully Lit (Hellbent), The Novelist (Written By) led from the kick to score by 1.5l. Purchased by Tricolour Racing & Syndications with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott for $110,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, the G3 BJ McLachlan S. victor appears to have returned in good form after mixed performances last preparation.
The Novelist, winner of Heat 13 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Coming in strong behind him to finish midfield was the familiar face of King Of Sparta (I Am Invincible), under the steady hands of James McDonald. Renowned for his electric sprint when fresh, the twice Magic Millions Sprint victor looks to be in for a big spring. The 6-year-old son of Group 3 victress Octavia (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) was a $700,000 purchase for China Horse Club Colts Syndicate, Newgate Bloodstock, and Starlight Racing from Yarraman Park, who retain shares in the gelding. Octavia is expecting a full sibling due later this spring.
Further back was G1 Randwick Guineas winner Converge (Frankel {GB}), having his first hit out for the season and Listed winner Ostraka (Pariah). A three-quarter brother to Widden Stud sire Anders, who’s first yearlings realised up to $330,000 at the sales earlier this year, Ostraka is one of three stakes winners for his Oaklands Stud-based sire.
