Four heats at Rosehill on Friday morning for Group and Listed horses produced interesting winners with two stayers looking well primed as well as a potential star three year-old and an Everest contender.
The first two heats were won by the Chris Waller trained stayers Dashing Willoughby (GB), who contested both Caulfield and Melbourne Cups last year for his previous trainer, and Kukeracha, who was last seen winning the Group I BRC Queensland Derby.
A lightly raced stayer by Galileo sire Nathaniel, that had good form in the UK winning up to Group II level before coming to Australia last spring, Dashing Willoughby looks to be in good shape and could easily measure up to the top grade this spring.
A dual Group I winner last season, Montefilia is entered for the Cups and Cox Plate with all options on the table.
Kukeracha (Night of Thunder (IRE) was having his second trial as he had a previous outing at Doomben on August 3, so should be quite forward when he gets back to the races after a winter spent in the Queensland sunshine.
Group II ATC Silver Slipper winner Home Affairs (I Am Invincible) made it two trial wins from two starts this preparation when leading all the way to win, while Fastnet Rock colt Hilal was ridden quietly to finish a close third .
Everest contender Masked Crusader (Toronado (IRE) looked big and powerful travelling wide all the way and surging to the line to go straight past stakes-winner Villami to win by two lengths going away.
Masked Crusader looks set for his best preparation so far - image Grant Courtney.
Click here to see all trial results at Breednet with Sale Mail and at Racing NSW with video.
