The big guns were out in force at the Rosehill trials on Friday morning with a galaxy of stars in action and Group I winning colts from last season Shinzo and King Colorado both won their heats, while a couple of up and coming Zoustar three year-olds impressed.or al
Click here for all the trial results at Breednet with Sale Mail and at Racing NSW with video.
Heat 1
A three time Group I winner last season for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable, Alligator Blood showed he was back in a big way with a powerhouse win over Montefilia, who hit the line beautifully in her second trial for Chris Waller after being purchased by Yulong for $3.4million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
Heat 3
Connections of nine year-old super sprinter Nature Strip would have been well pleased with his first trial since finishing fourth in the Group I ATC TJ Smith in the autumn. He cruised throughout to finish second to speedy I Am Invincible mare Queen of the Ball, who looked very sharp and well at her second trial. The first pair were a long way in front of more top class spring prospects in Sunshine in Paris, Espiona and Militarize who were all under a hold.
The Annabel Neasham trained Sunshine in Paris carries a huge weight of expectation having been bought by James Harron Bloodstock for a whopping $3.9million at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale and now runs for Fairway Thoroughbreds..
Heat 2
Golden Slipper winners have an iffy record coming back at three, but it was hard not to be impressed with Shinzo this morning. He settled well on the bridle and steamed to the line between horses to win his heat over older Group I winners Zaaki, Going Global and Kovalica. He wasn’t overtaxed at two and went to the paddock at the top of his game, so has been given every opportunity by Chris Waller to take another step.
We would need to go back to 2012 to find a Golden Slipper winning colt that trained on at three and that was Pierro, who incidentally stands at Coolmore, who also own Shinzo.
Heat 6
Last seen winning the Group I BRC JJ Atkins over 1600m, King Colorado was having his second trial back and powered to the line to win his heat running away. This blue-blood son of Kingman would be just as at home if he was in the UK getting ready for a Newmarket 2000 Guineas.
Heat 10
Zoustar filly Mumbai Muse is only a maiden, but was set a task with her only two autumn starts in stakes races won by Learning to Fly and Cylinder. Michael Freedman will no doubt be looking to get a win for this filly to build her confidence and she looked super here at her second trial back coming from last to beat older seasoned stakes horses such as Williamsburg.
Heat 13
A full brother to champion filly Sunlight, $3million Zoustar colt Kandinsky Abstract has been to the races once so far for a debut win at Canterbury back in May and was having his second trial this prep when charging to the line to win with ears pricked. Has been handled very patiently by Chris Waller and is a big heavy colt that may well deliver on potential this season.
Kandinsky Abstract will be headed for stakes goals this spring - image Steve Hart.
