by Bren O'Brien
Five-time Group 1 winning sprinter Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega {Ire}) will go second-up into April's G1 TJ Smith S., looking to win the race for a second year in succession.
The 7-year-old trialled at Spendthrift Australia Park on Tuesday finishing third after making a strong run from the rear of the field. It was his second serious hitout of the campaign after a recent Balnarring jump-out and Sam Freedman, son of trainer Anthony, was pleased with what he saw.
"He went well but just got tired that last 100 metres," he told Racing.com. "He's going to have another jump-out either in Sydney or Melbourne over the next couple of weeks.
"He's still got a bit (weight) to lose. We gave him a really good spell after the spring, but he'll tighten up with another trial.
"Mark (Zahra) was really happy. He said his action was perfect and that he just got a bit tired.”
"Mark (Zahra) was really happy. He said his action was perfect and that he just got a bit tired.” - Sam Freedman
Freedman confirmed that Santa Ana Lane would resume in the G2 Challenge S. at Randwick on March 7 before a four-week break into the TJ Smith on April 4 at the same track.
The horse boasts a strong second-up record with three wins and two placings from nine second-up attempts and won the TJ Smith in such circumstances 12 months ago.
Santa Ana Lane boasts a strong second-up record
The winner of the trial was the former Aidan O'Brien sprinter Fleet Review (USA) (War Front {USA}), who having placed in a G1 July Cup, contested a trio of top level sprints in Australia in the spring of 2018 and has subsequently been transferred to the stables of Cranbourne trainer Alexander Rae.
He led all the way in the 800-metre trial, with in-form sprinter Yulong January (King Of Prussia) splitting he and Santa Ana Lane in second place.
The Freedman stable also had a significant interest in the second of the morning's trials with Homesman (USA) (War Front {USA}) making his first appearance since his switch from Lloyd Williams’ Mt Macedon base.
Over the 1100 metres, the 6-year-old controlled the trial and led all the way defeating G1 Queensland Derby winner Mr Quickie (Shamus Award) by 1l.
Homesman, who remains in Williams' ownership, will now head to the G1 Chipping Norton S. on Saturday week, with further Group 1 goals in the autumn.
"He's a lovely horse to do anything with and hopefully we can get him back to his best form for Nick and Lloyd Williams," Freedman said.
"He's a lovely horse to do anything with and hopefully we can get him back to his best form." - Sam Freeman
Trainer Phillip Stokes was delighted with the way Mr Quickie hit the line from back in the field and said he was cherry ripe to tackle next month’s All-Star Mile first-up.
"He's a bit stronger and a more mature horse this time around," Stokes said. "Last time around as a 3-year-old we weren't sure of his level but we've got a good gauge of that now, I think he's a really good miler."
Mr Quickie was seventh when voting for the All-Star Mile went dark last Friday, with voting closing on Sunday. The results of the public vote will be released on Thursday, with the top 10 guaranteed a start in the $5 million race at Caulfield on March 14.
