Written by Kit Gow
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
A few big names were out to catch the eye at Randwick on Friday morning; Magic Time led home a line-up of leading sprinters, Evaporate made his post-NZB Kiwi return, a Yulong import had her first public appearance, and a full brother to Captivant made it two trial wins in a row.
Magic Time leads home starstudded Randwick trial
Last start third in the G1 Canterbury Stakes, Magic Time (Hellbent) showed her customary swift turn of foot to dart home down the outside of a Randwick trial on Friday morning. The 5-year-old mare needed little urging from Jordan Childs to win by 1.16l over Joliestar (Zoustar), who was followed in by boom colt Switzerland (Snitzel), who finished sixth behind Magic Time last time out. The trial was also the first Australian outing for triple Group 1-winning mare Anisette (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}), who was a recent US$1.8 million ($2.86 million) purchase for Yulong as Willingham Stud at the Keeneland November Breeding Sale.
The Grahame Begg-trained Magic Time currently holds a nomination for the G1 TJ Smith Stakes, as does Joliestar and Switzerland, where they will likely clash in a fortnight’s time. Anisette - the winner of two Oaks races - has been nominated for the G1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes and the G1 Doncaster Mile, as well as the Q1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Evaporate back on Australian shores
Back on home turf after a gallant second to Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) in the NZ$3.5 million NZB The Kiwi, Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) resumed with a strong trial win at Randwick on Friday morning. The Lindsay Park-trained gelding weaved through the pack in the home straight to run down Need Some Luck (Rubick) and score by 0.3l over a large field.
Video: Watch Evaporate (NZ) race replay, video courtesy of Racing NSW
A $330,000 purchase from Sledmere Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft and now the winner of four in a row in the spring before running third in the G1 Caulfield Guineas, Evaporate took his prizemoney over the $1 million mark with his Kiwi second. No targets have been announced for the 3-year-old gelding yet, but the Hayes team evidently think he has pulled up well after his trans-Tasman trip.
Full brother to Captivant wins another trial
The full brother to Kia Ora Stud stallion Captivant, Outer Banks (Capitalist), won his second trial in a row on Friday morning at Randwick racecourse. Trained by Peter Snowden, the juvenile colt fanned out wide on the home turn before running down last-start Group 2 winner Vinrock (I Am Invincible) by 0.9l to win.
Outer Banks was purchased out of the Ashleigh Thoroughbreds’ dispersal draft at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale for $625,000 by China Horse Club, Newgate, Go Racing, and Trilogy Racing. Aside from his full brother G1 Champagne Stakes-winning Captivant, he is a half-brother to G3 Black Opal Stakes placegetter Warby (Hellbent), and is closely related to G1 New Zealand Derby winner Crown Prosecutor (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}).
Beskar impresses in Randwick debut
Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Beskar (Snitzel) put in an impressive dash home to win his first New South Wales trial on Friday at Randwick. The 2-year-old colt, already a debutante winner in Victoria, turned up the heat under James McDonald and stretched out down the home straight to win by 1.74l over Akaysha (Capitalist).
Video: Watch Beskar race replay, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Purchased from Widden Stud at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock on behalf of Pinecliff Racing, Beskar is the third foal from G2 Let’s Elope Stakes winner Sword Of Light (New Approach {Ire}), who is a half-sister to Listed Tatt's RC Members' Cup winner and eight-time winner Sword Of Justice (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}). Their dam Joyeuse (King’s Best {USA}) is half-sister to four stakes winners, including 11-time winner and triple Group 1 victor Flamberge (Exceed And Excel). Sword Of Light has a Zoustar colt on the ground, and revisited the stallion in the spring.
Inkaruna powers home at Randwick
Winner of the G3 Chairman’s Stakes before her third-placed finish in the G2 Reisling Stakes, juvenile filly Inkaruna (I Am Invincible) put in a big finish in a Randwick trial on Friday morning. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained filly revved along the outside once in the home straight, blowing past fast finishing Bottleofbubbly (I Am Invincible) to win by 1.22l, with Raskol (Russian Revolution) in third.
Inkaruna passed in when offered at the Gold Coast by breeder Kia Ora Stud, and races in their colours for Victoria’s father-son Freedman team. She is nominated for the G1 Inglis Sires’ and the G2 Percy Sykes Stakes next month. She is the first stakes winner from G3 Sheraco Stakes-winning Ravi (Redoute’s Choice), who is a multiple Group-placed full sister to British-based sire Elzaam.
