Written by Paul Vettise
Leading colt Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) showed he is making exemplary progress toward a return to serious action with an impressive trial performance at Randwick.
Last season’s G1 Golden Slipper winner was among an array of stars to step out in three 850 metre heats on Friday morning for Group and Listed performers on a heavy Kensington track.
Farnan was ridden by his regular partner Hugh Bowman, who was sporting the Kia Ora Stud colours following the Hunter Valley operation’s move to successfully secure future standing rights in the colt they race with Aquis Farm and Phoenix Thoroughbred.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained 3-year-old was quickly into stride and led all the way to win by 0.5l without being pushed out from Mamaragan (Wandjina). They were clear of the dual Group 1 winner Fierce Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
“Obviously, it is still very early in his campaign and he was out there to have a good hitout and that will bring him along,” Bott said. “These races will come up quite quickly and we’ll see him in the G2 Run To The Rose S.
“We’re delighted with the way he has come back and he’s very well at this stage of the preparation.”
“We’re delighted with the way he has come back and he’s very well at this stage of the preparation.” – Adrian Bott
Bowman, who rode Farnan to Slipper glory, is currently under suspension but will guide him in the Run To The Rose on September 12.
“Hugh will be back the day before so he will sneak in and we’ll be right on that score,” Bott said.
The G2 Skyline S. winner Golden Slipper placegetter Mamaragan will oppose Farnan in the Run To The Rose, but will have the benefit of a run under his belt.
Mamaragan
“I was very pleased to see our colt improve from his first trial to this second one and it will top him off nicely. He will run in the G3 San Domenico S., it’s a nice race for him to kick off,” trainer John Thompson said.
“The Everest has been mentioned and a few people are watching him. I think he does have the quality and the speed and whatever 3-year-olds run well leading into the Golden Rose, and in the Golden Rose, will be a chance of getting in the race.
“He’s definitely bigger and stronger and a little bit more mentally switched on and a bit more to go. He’s a quality colt and destined for some good things. Nash (Rawiller) was very happy and in his opinion was starting to take ground off the winner, but they both went super.”
“The Everest has been mentioned and a few people are watching him.” – John Thompson
Following Mamaragan’s program of the San Domenico, the Run To The Rose and the Golden Rose will be heat two winner Prague (Redoute’s Choice), who rounded off strongly to beat Con Te Partiro (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}) by 0.3l.
“We were quite soft on him in his first trial and he’s come back quite laid-back so we put the shades back on today and he was much sharper,” Annabel Neasham said.
She is coming to the end of her tenure with trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and will next week take charge of her own stable at Warwick Farm.
“He was really good through the line and I loved the way he pricked his ears. He’s a funny horse and he gets better during his prep and puts condition on and I’m sure he’ll come on with every run,” Neasham said.
“This time next week I will be out on my own and it will be sad to see these horses go.”
James McDonald partnered last season’s dual Group 3 winner Prague and he faces difficult choices in the coming weeks as the regular rider of a number of smart 3-year-olds, including Team Hawkes’ G3 Quincy Seltzer Up & Coming S. at Randwick contender, North Pacific (Brazen Beau).
“Prague was really good and did everything pretty well. He attacked the line and pulled up well,” McDonald said.
“Prague was really good and did everything pretty well. He attacked the line and pulled up well.” – James McDonald
“Obviously, North Pacific would be the A seed at the moment and hopefully he goes well on Saturday. There’s a big rap on him and we hope he lives up to that. Prague is a very good horse too so we’ll see what happens.
“I trialled King’s Legacy (on Tuesday) and he was just exceptional the way he floated over the ground. He’s come back in magnificent order and he’ll be cherry ripe for his first appearance.
“It’s a very open year and it’s just a matter which one takes the next step. They are all very good quality horses and exciting to see them clash, it might not be until the Golden Rose and it will be a few interesting weeks ahead.”
The final heat of the morning was dominated by the Mark Newnham-trained pair of Invictus Salute (Exceed And Excel) and Splintex (Snitzel) with both ridden out strongly and the former claimed a 0.2l decision.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-prepared Dame Giselle (I Am Invincible), winner of last season’s Golden Gift, made ground without being unduly pressured for third ahead of her stablemate Stellar Pauline (Not A Single Doubt).
