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Trial Watch Reviews: 3rd - 7th October 2025

Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney trials at Warwick Farm on October 3 and Randwick on October 7.

KA YING RISING trials at Randwick
KA YING RISING trials at Randwick Picture: HKJC

RANDWICK October 7

13 Heats; Good 4

Course Proper – 1 x 1000m (Everest/King Charles); A Grass - 1 x 1200m (Open); 7 x 1050m (3 Open; 4 Maiden); 4 x 740m (1 Open; 1 2YO; 2 Maiden)

Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising was the focus of attention in his first public appearance in Australia, taking on a super heat on the course proper against six other G1 winners including three of his Everest rivals.

He finished third in the 1000m trial, beaten only a half head and a head by LINEBACKER and OVERPASS after tracking widest under an easy ride from Zac Purton. All runners were between six and eight horses off the rail with the time a sharp 58.39, home in 33.67.

LINEBACKER finished off nicely to get the upper hand on the line after sitting behind the leader OVERPASS. KA YING RISING, who sweated up noticeably prior to the trial, was best to jump from his wide gate and travelled kindly outside OVERPASS with the latter under pressure from the 400m to hold a slight advantage.

Purton seemed a little deflated to be beaten in the trial but to the eye KA YING RISING was travelling sweetly and never came under pressure to hold his ground to the line. His trainer David Hayes was satisfied and expects the trial, his first since he last raced at Sha Tin a month ago, to improve the sprinter's condition with 12 days to the Everest.

The first three quickly got away from the other four in the trial. MR BRIGHTSIDE put in solid work over the last 200m to finish fourth about five lengths back. JOLIESTAR was kept under a big hold from start to finish, FANGIRL was also given an easy time while ANGEL CAPITAL fired up and was keen to run when restrained at the rear in the first 200m.

The other 12 heats were conducted on the Randwick A Grass with a couple of standouts from the Bjorn Baker stable.

CABALLUS (Bjorn Baker): This talented sprinter is flying, backing up his first-up trial win at this course on September 26 with another impressive effort to breeze home for second in the fastest 1050m heat won by OSTRAKA 63.11; 33.96). Expect a big fresh performance if he runs up to his trial form.

SWORDPLAY (Bjorn Baker): Promising Shalaa filly was beaten as favourite on debut at Warwick Farm in June but she remains unbeaten in three trials with her work to win the fastest 740m heat (43.86; 33.29) another example of her obvious talent. She was held back to her rivals through the first half of the trial and did it easily to over the last 200m to win by a comfortable margin.

Other maidens to impress included the 1050m heat winner GIRL GUIDANCE, a 3YO gelding by Exceedance who won his first trial by almost six lengths in good time (63.29; 34.37).

Tommy Wong doesn't train a big team but he looks to have a handy youngster in the Yes Yes Yes colt RAPID PROGRESS. He had plenty to offer winning the 2YO heat over 740m (45.01; 34.07).

The 1200m heat (73.86; 34.11) was won by the free running MAYFAIR in his first trial following a stable switch from Waterhouse/Bott to Bjorn Baker with the import SUN GOD getting home nicely for second.     

NOTED TRIALS

XX Caballus; Swordplay

X Big Tiger; Frankely Sublime; Girl Guidance; Goldane; Ivy Legend; Ka Ying Rising; Linebacker; Plaintiff; Rapid Progress; Revolutionary Star; Samarelle; Solid; Soverato; Spirit Of Wealth; Sun God The Yeti

CABALLUS
CABALLUS Picture: Martin King / Sportpix

WARWICK FARM October 3

18 Heats; Good 4

Inside Grass – 3 x 1207m (2 Open; 1 Maiden); 5 x 818m (4 Open; 1 2YO); 5 x 815m (2 2YO; 3 Maiden); 4 x 812m (4 Maiden); Polytrack 1 x 740m (Open)

A couple of rogues redeemed themselves with strong trials while the maiden heats were full of encouraging trials.

WHINCHAT, POINT AND SHOOT and TERRITORIAL EXPRESS are a trio of talented gallopers but you have to catch them on their right day due to past misdeameanours, principally poor barrier behaviour that has led to embargoes.

They all performed with merit, WHINCHAT beating POINT AND SHOOT in their 1207m heat (72.17; 35.32) while TERRITORIAL EXPRESS responded to the removal of blinkers to lead and win his heat over the same distance in quicker time (71.44; 35.58).

AMAZING EAGLE (Gerald Ryan/Sterling Alexiou): He's been off the scene for almost 12 months but this second exciting trial win ensures he is ready to perform first-up. Earned 2 stars for his Hawkesbury trial win last month and gets another high rating for this effort, cruising through his 818m heat in fast time (47.60; 33.08) for a dominant win. 

LONG LEGS (Gary Portelli): Russian Revolution filly was one of the standout maiden heat winners. Raced twice last season for two city placings and is sure to be winning races after an impressive piece of work to win her 815m heat (48.45; 34.32) with style, extending easily over the last 200m with plenty in reserve.

WEEKEND MARKET (Gary Portelli); Unraced Godolphin mare is in fine form for her new trainer, making a mess of her rivals to win her 1207m heat by eight lengths (72.47; 35.02), sitting second to the 400m and dropping them off the turn to open up a big margin with ease. She's had four trials in 18 months and being a 4YO you would think she would have been stud bound if Godolphin didn't have faith in her ability.

WHINCHAT (David Pfieffer): After winning six of his first 12 starts he struggled through his winter campaign including an embargo from racing after he reared badly at the start of one of his races. He was on song in his first trial since July, trucking through the first 1000m of his 1207m heat (72.17; 35.32) to lead by eight lengths at the 500m before he was eased down with POINT AND SHOOT closing the margin quickly to 1.5 lengths on the line. The latter has trialled twice since he stood in the gates at Randwick last month and while he was slow to jump he pleased to come from the rear with impressive work that has him ready to return to the races.

Classy 3YO RAGING FORCE regrouped after his recent loss to win his 818m heat (48.64; 33.64) with authority.

NOTED TRIALS

XX Amazing Eagle; Long Legs; Weekend Market; Whinchat

X Alabama Hussy; Casserousse; Confidentiality; Crepe Myrtle; Detendu; El Qasabi; Ernaux; Green Kirk; Mortal Hero; Naifah; Point And Shoot; Raging Force; Silver Wedding; Six Kings; Terra Lumina; Territory Express; Trenino Rosso; Tyrone's Power


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