Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick

Half a dozen juvenile heats at the Randwick trials on Monday morning produced some fascinating winners including the 2017 Magic Millions sale-topper and the half-sister to last year’s Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign.

Tchaikovsky topped the 2017 Magic Millions Yearling Sale for Arrowfield Stud when bought by James Harron Bloodstock for $1.3 million and the Peter and Paul Snowden trained son of Redoute’s Choice is starting to make real progress.

Third in his first trial on January 29 when not asked to do much, Tchaikovsky was stepped up to 1045 metres for this outing and appreciated the added trip.

Restrained early by Glyn Schofield, he surged into contention up the running and did his best work in the final furlong to win by a short head in 1:04.50.

Tchaikovsky is from unraced Stravinsky (USA) mare Ballet Blue, a half-sister to Group II winner The Heavyweight.

While Tchaikovsky is at the start of his career, another high profile JHB purchase in Khan is probably at the crossroads of his.

The flashy chestnut Exceed and Excel colt won the Listed ATC Breeders Plate on debut at two and was immediately installed favourite for the Golden Slipper.

In three starts since then, the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Khan has steadfastly failed to show his true ability and has now been gelded. He went around in a hot trial won by Dixie Blossoms from Russian Revolution and D’Argento.

Khan worked around near the tail of the field beating a couple of runners home, but will need to improve on that come race day if he's going to remain viable for his current owners.

Having her first outing for the Bjorn Baker stable was Shamus Award filly Rosina Kojonup, a half-sister to She Will Reign that was bought from the Inglis Easter Yarraman Park draft for $425,000 by Attunga Stud/ Blandford Bloodstock.

Sent around in one of the shorter 735 metre trials with Blake Shinn in the saddle, she jumped OK albeit from a wide gate and was allowed to travel wide throughout.

Rosina Kojonup was the widest runner turning for home and motored past all of her rivals to kick clear with ears pricked and win by the best part of a length.

It was a lovely trial and while it’s a big ask to think she could be as good as big sister, Rosina Kojonup does look to have her share of ability.

Other two year-old trial winners were: Neutrality (Sebring), Terminology (Star Witness), Munich (Snitzel) and Wagner (Bernardini (USA). Click here for all the trial results.