Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Written by Kit Gow
All eyes were on Schwarz as he put the finishing touches on his preparation for the G1 Doomben 10,000 later this month, but he wasn't the only headturner on Monday morning; an unraced million dollar mare scored her first trial win, and a bevy of expensive juvenile colts stretched their legs ahead of lucrative winter campaigns.
Doomben warmup goes smoothly for Schwarz
It’s all systems go for 4-year-old entire Schwarz (Zoustar), who warmed up for his G1 Doomben 10,000 tilt on Monday morning with a trial win at Randwick. Recently announced for Rosemont Stud’s 2025 stallion roster, the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton trainee eased his way to the front ahead of the turn in the 1050-metre heat - from then, nothing could touch him until he crossed the like 0.82l ahead of Givemethebeatboys (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}).
Video: Watch Schwarz win his trial, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Speaking at the weekend, co-trainer Tom Charlton confirmed that this is “definitely his last preparation” and that no race plans have been made beyond Schwarz’s intended run in the Doomben 10,000 on May 17. The entire’s fee is to be announced after his race.
Million dollar mare approaches debut
Four-year-old mare Snipers (Snitzel), a $1 million purchase for A List Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2022, won her heat at Randwick on Monday morning with a gritty late burst. Trained by Jim and Greg Lee, the mare is yet to race, and was having her third trial where she dug deep late to get her head in front of a fast finishing Aloysius (So You Think {NZ}) to win by 0.15l.
Video: Watch Snipers win her trial, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Snipers is the first living foal from Listed Mick Dittman Plate winner Divine Centauri (I Am Invincible), a close relation to G2 Ajax Stakes winner Iowna Merc (Winning Rupert) and G2 Skyline Stakes winner Rivellino (Too Darn Hot {GB}). Divine Centauri has a weanling by Artorius and visited Alabama Express in the spring.
Farnicle posts easy trial win at Randwick
A winner at his first and only start to date, Farnan juvenile Farnicle returned from a six-week freshen up with a commanding trial win on Monday morning. Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the colt travelled comfortably behind the leads until straightening, then extended past them under the urgings of Regan Bayliss to score a 0.6l victory over Namaste (NZ) (Savabeel).
Bred by Kia Ora Stud, who remain in the ownership from he was purchased by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott for $600,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Farnicle is the first foal from G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}). She has a weanling filly by I Am Invincible, and is back in foal to the Champion Sire this season.
United States launches to trial win
Another big Snitzel purchase was running around the Randwick trials on Monday morning, where United States (Snitzel) won his heat in a strong fashion. The Chris Waller-trained juvenile colt travelled near the rear of the pack until well into the home straight, where James McDonald gave him a push to quicken and the colt bolted home to a 0.54l win over stablemate Master Of The Air (Dundeel {NZ}).
Video: Watch United States win his trial, video courtesy of Racing NSW
A $1.75 million purchase for Tom Magnier at the Gold Coast last year, United States is the second foal from Listed-placed Warranty (All Too Hard), a half-sister to the dam of Listed Princess Stakes winner Street Gossip (So You Think {NZ}) and G1 Australian Oaks placegetter You Wahng (So You Think {NZ}). China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock, and partners paid $600,000 for a full brother to United States at the Gold Coast this year, and Warranty has a Too Darn Hot (GB) filly to follow).
Just Legendary bags strong trial win
Juvenile Just Legendary (Justify {USA}) could live up to his name if he performs on raceday as well as he trialled on Monday morning, where he was victorious in his first trial of the preparation. Trained by Tulloch Lodge, the colt came out wide into the home turn, but balanced up well under Tim Clark to dart home over Yorokobi (NZ) (Maurice {Jpn}), winning by 1.43l.
Video: Watch Just Legendary win his trial, video courtesy of Racing NSW
A $900,000 Inglis Easter purchase from Sledmere Stud for China Horse Club, Newgate, Go Bloodstock, and Trilogy, Just Legendary is the fourth foal from Stockton Abbey (Stratum), a full sister to Listed WATC Gimcrack Stakes winner Darlington Abbey. She has a full brother to Just Legendary on the ground, and visited Maurice (Jpn) this past spring.
