Godolphin's stars have shone on a busy morning of trials at Rosehill, with dual Group 1 winner Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) showing he is right on track for a likely racetrack return in the G1 Winx S. later this month, and Osborne Bulls boosting his chances for the Godolphin Everest slot.
Avilius, having his second trial for the campaign, stepped out in the day's opener for Group and Listed winners over 1000m and finished off impressively under Blake Shinn to win by half-a-length in a relatively moderate time of 1:02.40.
Trainer James Cummings has indicated the G1 Winx S. on August 24 is the likely kick-off point for the import's spring campaign as he looks to build on an impressive Australian record which currently reads eight wins from 11 starts.
"He's obviously returned in great order. He found the line really well today, it’s a pleasure to ride such an impressive horse and I think he's in for a terrific spring carnival," Shinn told reporters after the trial.
"He's obviously returned in great order. He found the line really well today, it’s a pleasure to ride such an impressive horse and I think he's in for a terrific spring carnival." - Blake Shinn
Richard and Michael Freedman's Listed Scone Cup winner Special Missile (Smart Missile) was second in the trial with Bjorn Baker's Rodrico (High Chaparral {Ire}) third in a promising first hitout since running in the G1 Sydney Cup.
Chris Waller's quartet filled the final four places in that opening trial, but the champion trainer would have been pleased with all four, Group 1 winners Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock) and Patrick Erin (NZ) (Gallant Guru) as well as stayers Eastender (Tickets) and Dealmaker (Dundeel {NZ}).
Cummings' G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Kiamichi (Sidestep) took significant improvement into her second trial this time in, leading all-the-way over the 1030m, again under Shinn.
Cummings' G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Kiamichi
Beaten a length by Meryl (Epaulette) in her previous trial, Kiamichi turned the tables on that mare, who was 1.3l behind her on Tuesday, with Harper's Choice (Street Cry {Ire}) splitting that pair in second.
"Her form speaks for itself. She's a Golden Slipper winner from last season and she's a very impressive horse," Shinn said. "She jumped very well. She's a high-speed filly. She showed that speed today and was super strong through the line."
"She jumped very well. She's a high-speed filly. She showed that speed today and was super strong through the line." - Blake Shinn
Kiamichi is headed towards the G1 Golden Rose on September 28 with her path through to the $1 million race likely to begin in either the G2 Silver Shadow S. or the Group 2 Toy Show S. on August 24.
Cummings would have also been delighted with Osborne Bulls' (Street Cry {Ire}) first trial back as he charged home from the rear of the field in Heat 6 over 900m under a firm hold from Hugh Bowman to finish fourth behind stablemate Wren's Day (USA) (Medaglia d'Oro {USA})
Osborne Bulls, a runner-up in five consecutive Group 1 races last autumn
Osborne Bulls, a runner-up in five consecutive Group 1 races last autumn, is possibly destined for a second shot at The Everest, a race he ran third in last year.
Godolphin has a slot to utilise, but won't make a decision on which horse gets it until its array of candidates have had a chance to show themselves. Osborne Bulls is set to resume in the G3 Concorde S. on September 7.
Imports shine first-up
Wren's Day, making his first appearance in Australia, showed plenty of dash to lead-up in the trial and score narrowly. He boasts a Group 1 second behind Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in France when trained by Andre Fabre.
Fellow recent import from the Fabre stable, Beau Ideal (GB) (Exceed And Excel), finished third in his trial, closing off well less than a length behind Broken Arrows (Smart Missile).
Cummings' Group 1-winning miler Best of Days {GB}) (Azamour {Ire}) was also third in his trial, Heat 2, just ahead of progressive stablemate Deprive (Denman). That pair were some six lengths adrift of impressive trial winner Samadoubt (Not A Single Doubt).
The Bjorn Baker-trained Samadoubt, a winner of the Listed Canberra Cup last campaign, ran his trial some 2.3 seconds quicker than Avilius did in winning over the 1000m of the course proper ten minutes earlier.
Night's Watch (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), making his first public appearance since transferring to Chris Waller's stable, finished off well for second in that trial, while G1 ATC Oaks winner Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) did what was asked of her, finishing fifth.
Stablemate Kings Will Dream (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) got through his first hitout since suffering a life-threatening injury in last year's G1 Cox Plate, finishing seventh in that trial.
