Written by Kit Gow
Cover image courtesy of Kia Ora Stallions
It was a packed morning at Royal Randwick's trials on Monday morning, with a full brother to young sire Captivant demonstrating his turn of foot, Angel Capital having his first hit-out for the Waller stable, and Bellazaine ticking over nicely ahead of a G1 Golden Slipper Stakes tilt.
Full brother to Captivant wins first trial
A full brother to Kia Ora Stud's young stallion Captivant won his heat at the Royal Randwick trials on Monday morning; Outer Banks (Capitalist) sat several lengths behind the leader swinging into the home straight before letting down impressively to overtake G2 Silver Slipper Stakes runner-up West Of Swindon (Wootton Bassett {GB}) by 0.86l. Trained by Peter Snowden, it was the colt’s second career trial.
Video: Watch Outer Banks win first at Randwick barrier trials
Out of a half-sister to dual Listed winner Cross Current (Keltrice), Outer Banks was purchased by China Horse Club, Newgate, Go Bloodstock, and Trilogy for $625,000 at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, where he was offered as part of a dispersal from Ashleigh Thoroughbreds.
Well-bred Farnan son proves too strong at Randwick
Farnan colt Farnicle stepped out with his second lifetime trial on Monday morning, rocketing home to a 1.64l victory at Randwick. Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the 2-year-old led the pack all the way, before showing a strong turn of foot to make a clean getaway from the other runners.
Gai Waterhouse, Adrian Bott, and Kestrel Bloodstock paid $600,000 for Farnicle at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale last year, from the draft of Kia Ora Stud. He is the first foal from G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {NZ}). A full sister was offered at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale this year by Woburn Farm, where she passed in.
Big finish promises an improved Chicama in the autumn
Tulloch Lodge produced another strong juvenile trialler later in the morning, when the well-bred Chicama (Written Tycoon) won a 740-metre trial in fine fashion. Eighth in the $1 million Golden Gift on debut, the colt swung out wide coming out of Randwick’s home turn, then had an impressive burst of speed to win by 4.71l.
Video: Watch Chicama win first at Randwick barrier trial
A $1.35 million Easter graduate when purchased by China Horse Club and collaborators, Chicama is a son of The Broken Shore (Hussonet {USA}), making him a half-brother to triple Group 1 winner Shoals (Fastnet Rock). A half-sister by Maurice (Jpn) will be offered as Lot 156 in Arrowfield Stud’s Easter draft in April.
Bellazaine puts on final polish before Slipper bid
Tulloch Lodge-trained G1 Golden Slipper Stakes leading chance Bellazaine (Zousain) ticked over with a trial win at Randwick on Monday morning. The Listed Lonhro Plate winner let leader Headbanger (Capitalist) tow her into the home straight, then zipped past to win by 0.82l.
Video: Watch Bellazaine win first at Randwick barrier trial
Currently 15th in the official order of entry for the Slipper, Bellazaine is more than likely guaranteed a start, given that at least three runners above her have headed to the paddock following the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes. Billy Healey Racing, Furlong Bloodstock, and Onfire Racing swooped on a half-sister to Bellazaine by Supido at this year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, securing her for $55,000.
First hit-out for Angel Capital in new stable
Freshly transferred to the stable of Chris Waller after winning the G2 Autumn Stakes first up, Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}) had a comfortable hit-out at Randwick on Monday morning. The 3-year-old colt was asked for a little effort from James McDonald in the final furlong, improving from mid-field to finish 0.5l second to Struck Gold (NZ) (Castledale {Ire}).
Video: Watch as Angel Capital finishes second to Struck Gold (NZ) at Randwick trials
Also the winner of the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude, Angel Capital is nominated for the G1 Doncaster Mile, G2 Phar Lap Stakes, and G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint. The half-brother to Group winners Berkeley Square (Territories {Ire}) and Senor Toba (Toronado {Ire}) was acquired by Yulong ahead of his Autumn Stakes victory.
James Harron pair quinella fast-finishing trial
Two James Harron Colts Syndicate-owned 3-year-olds ran a quinella in a Randwick trial on Monday morning; the Peter Snowden-trained colt Fearless (Pierata), third in the G1 Champagne Stakes as a juvenile, swept past Listed Talindert Stakes winner Aardvark (Capitalist), now gelded, to win by 0.51l. The latter is trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Both hold nominations for the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint.
Video: Watch as Fearless sprints past Aardvark to win at the Randwick trials
Ciaron Maher’s Estriella (I Am Invincible), who will be offered at this year’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale, was third.
Fearless was a $220,000 Inglis Classic purchase for the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership, whereas Baystone Farm purchased Aardvark for $240,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier the same year. Ciaron Maher Bloodstock purchased a half-sister to Aardvark by Bivouac from Highgrove Stud for $170,000 at the Gold Coast this January.
