Cranbourne hosted a huge session of 26 trials in windy conditions on Monday and we've tried to pick the eyes out of them for the coming weeks.
MALAGUERRA
His last couple of runs in the autumn were below his best but the dual Group I winner looked to be back in good order in his trial at Cranbourne. He showed natural speed to be close to the pace with no effort early before his jockey Ben Melham let him stride home without pushing him to finish a length from the handy galloper Bassett in his 800m hit-out. Malaguerra will have a crack at the Group I Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley first-up on Friday week and his first-up record (6:5-1-0) is outstanding. He'll be hard to beat fresh.
Career record (26:12-3-0).
MASTERING
Mastering is an unraced son of Smart Missile from the Matt Laurie stable that could make an impression when he steps out in a provincial maiden in the next couple of weeks. Mastering showed pace and was beaten three-quarters of a length in his maiden trial on September 4 before racing behind the pace in his latest trial on Monday. Jockey Mick Dee had him tracking the leaders before easing him into clear running at the 200m where Mastering improved nicely under no pressure to be on the winner's heels at the finish. I'm expecting him to go to a maiden somewhere and perform well.
Career record (unraced) .
BOOKBUILD
The son of Choisir uses a bit of gear (a stallion chain, winkers and a tongue tie) but there is some ability there as shown in his two reasonable runs in May. He wasn't far away when fifth behind Mactier on debut at Bendigo before his third to the smart subsequent city winner Holy Seal at Ballarat. Bookbuild stepped out for his first trial of his spring campaign at Cranbourne and showed good pace to lead throughout. He just needed a gentle reminder to keep his mind on the job late but promised plenty with his effort. He's another that can go to a maiden somewhere soon and win.
Career record (2:0-0-1).
