Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney and provincial trials at Randwick on November 21, Gosford (November 25) and Warwick Farm (November 25).
WARWICK FARM November 25
Inside Grass – Soft 5
12 Heats – 2 x 1200m (1 Open; 1 Maiden); 4 x 793m (3 Open; 1 2YO); 3 x 790m (1 2YO; 2 Maiden); 3 x 787m (3 Maiden)
Classy gelding Whinchat is back on his game after a strong front running trial win.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Jason Coyle): Unraced Russian Revolution gelding is progressing the right way with an impressive win in his 787m heat in the fastest of all the short course heats (45.69; 33.10). He won his first trial at Warwick Farm on November 13 and showed excellent improvement to come wide off the back of the leaders on the turn and easily run past them, coasting to the line for soft win by more than two lengths.
MONTE KATE (Bjorn Baker): Talented mare is set for a good campaign after an easy win in her 793m heat (47.00; 33.79) to back up her Rosehill trial win on November 5. Dominated the trial from start to finish, never coming off the bit to win by 1.4 lengths with plenty in reserve.
WHINCHAT (David Pfieffer): He's had his issues since he last raced in July with a six weeks gap since he finished second in a Warwick Farm trial in October. He was his old self in this 1200m heat (71.70; 34.61), working his way to the lead after 200m and from there doing it in style to cruise home by almost four lengths in a good pointer to his summer prospects.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Foreign Affairs; Monte Kate; Whinchat
X Bedda Mia; Cifonelli; Home Invasion; Levelling Up; Man Of Worth; Mashean; Ocean Empress; Over The Mountain; Ragga Ragga; West Of Africa;
GOSFORD November 25
Course Proper – Good 4
10 Heats – 5 x 1000m (3 Open; 2 Maiden); 5 x 800m (2 Open; 1 2YO; 2 Maiden)
XX Brightburn; True To Form
X Aroha Stone; Damons On a Bender; Mercy Me; Resume; Tambeloa; Valilee
RANDWICK November 21
Randwick A Grass; Good 4
13 Heats – 2 x 1200m (2 Open); 5 x 1050m (2 Open; 3 Maiden); 6 x 737m (1 Open; 2 2YO; 3 Maiden)
Plenty of quality form in these trials from promising juveniles and maidens.
There were numerous good trials in the maiden heats but a newcomer stood out with an impressive win in a fast 737m heat.
GRAFFITI TYCOON (John O'Shea/Tom Charlton): Unraced colt showed abundant promise to win his debut trial over 737m (43.10; 32.74). Tucked in behind the leaders until well into the straight where he eased across heels to secure clear running. From there he surged past his rivals under no pressure for a strong win over FARNISHED, another promising maiden who has shown good talent in previous trials.
LADY TASSORT is another 737m maiden heat winner (43.27; 32.99) to create a lot of interest. She raced once in the 2023 Gimcrack Stakes and hadn't been seen since she won two trials in May of 2024. The Waterhouse/Bott trained mare is now unbeaten in four trials and while it's obvious she has had issues she is a runner with natural ability.
The fastest 737m trial was won by NULLABOR JANE (42.77; 32.73) while other maidens to take the eye in these heats included the Godolphin pair MANUKAU and MARETH having their first trials for their new trainer Michael Freedman.
IN the 1050m maiden trials the heat winner MADAME FIOCCA (63.68; 34.69) is another who has been missing since placings in two 2YO races in the 2023/24 season. She showed good pace to win her heat where the effort of the third placed CELLARMASTER stood out as one to follow. Heat winner AIRWORTHY (63.76; 34.75) and the previously noted CHIX were others to impress in the 1050m maiden heats.
The 2YO trials over 737m saw the return of Gimcrack Stakes winner SHIKI winning her heat in good style (43.74; 33.60) while the colt PARADOXIUM went quicker in his heat (42.83; 32.91) in his first appearance since his fourth in the Breeders Plate at the start of the season.
The promising NINJA added to his reputation with another smart win in the fastest 1050m heat (63.05; 34.21).
NOTED TRIALS
XX Graffiti Tycoon
X Airworthy; Cellarmaster; Chix; Cinsault; Countyourblessings; Farnished; Generous Harry; Infusion; Madame Fiocca; Manukau; Mareth; Ninja; Nullabor Jane; Paradoxium; Shangri La Spring; Shiki; Lady Tassort
