Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Easy hit-outs for Arapaho and Land Legend behind the flying Perfumist
Group 1-performed stayers Arapaho (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Land Legend (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}) returned with solid placings in a sharp trial at Rosehill on Tuesday morning. The heat was taken out by the Bjorn Baker-trained Perfumist (NZ) (El Roca), who rolled along in front to win stylishly by just over nine lengths.
Arapaho, last seen winning the G1 Sydney Cup, ran on strongly for second, although beaten a long way, while the G1 Caulfield Cup placegetter Land Legend made good ground late to finish a further length behind in third.
The winner, Perfumist, has won five of her eleven starts, and was last seen finishing a brave fifth behind Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) in the inaugural running of the NZ$3.5 million R. Listed The Kiwi at Ellerlsie in March.
Lindermann back in action
Rising 6-year-old Lindermann (Lonhro) made a strong return to the trials, defeating G1 Thousand Guineas winner Another Prophet (Brazen Beau) by just over half a length, with talented Group 3 winning juvenile North England (Farnan) finishing close-up in third.
Lindermann had a consistent autumn campaign, placing in the top four across multiple Group 1 and feature races behind the likes of Fangirl (Sebring), Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock), and Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}).
Further back in the star-studded heat were Moira (Can) (Ghostzapper {USA}), a multiple international Group 1 winner owned by Yu Long Investments, and the Peter Snowden-trained Group 3 winning juvenile Memo (Capitalist).
Smart Zoustar juveniles quinella
Two bluebloods by Widden Stud's Champion sire in waiting Zoustar, produced the quinella in Heat 5 over 1030 metres.
Tuscany (Zoustar), trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, was a $1.55 million purchase by China Horse Club, Newgate, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy from the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. A full brother to G1 William Reid Stakes winner Schwarz, who is set to stand his first season at Rosemont Stud this spring, Tuscany has had two starts, finishing fifth on debut in the G3 Breeders’ Plate before disappointing at Kensington recently.
Video: Watch Tuscany trial race at Rosehill, video courtesy of Racing NSW
He produced a strong trial performance, flying home from well back under minimal urging from James McDonald to defeat Space Rider (Zoustar) by just over a length. Space Rider, a debut winner at Eagle Farm in December, is a full brother to Group winner Brereton (Zoustar), and a relation to Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai). The trial suggested he has returned in excellent order.
Tuscany’s dam, Summer Sham (Not A Single Doubt), had a Zoustar yearling colt sell for $1.4 million at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale to James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership and Tony Fung Colts, and she is due to foal to Zoustar again this spring.
King Of Pop is one to watch this spring
King Of Pop (Farnan) could be a major player this spring based on his strong trial effort. The Farnan colt, trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, placed third under a tight hold from Zac Lloyd in a 2-year-old heat over 900 metres, finishing just one length behind Asilah (Wootton Bassett {GB}).
Video: Watch Asilah trial race at Rosehill, video courtesy of Racing NSW
A winner of the G3 Black Opal Stakes last preparation, King Of Pop looks likely to improve further as a 3-year-old.
The winner of the heat Asilah (Wootton Bassett {GB}), was a $450,000 yearling purchase by Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Coolmore draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
King Of Pop was secured for $800,000 by Ryan and Alexiou Racing from the Newhaven Park draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. His dam, the Listed placed Za Zi Ba (All Too Hard), has since produced a weanling colt by Russian Revolution and is due to foal to Shamus Award this spring.
King Of Pop | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Skyhook and West Of Swindon put in nice strides late
Two G1 Golden Slipper runners, Skyhook (Written Tycoon) and West Of Swindon (Wootton Bassett {GB}), returned with strong efforts behind the unraced Bjorn Baker runner Whatalegacy (King’s Legacy), who led all the way in the quickest time of the 900-metre heats on the day.
Video: Watch Whatalegacy trial race at Rosehill, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Whatalegacy has a solid pedigree himself, being a half-sibling to the G1 Goodwood handicap winner Benedetta (Hellbent). In the running West Of Swindon settled just off the leader, while Skyhook, winner of the G3 Pago Pago Stakes, trailed and finished hard to grab second, just ahead of West Of Swindon and narrowly behind the winner.
Both colts appear to have returned in good order and look poised to target early-season black type races.
Officiate storms home late
Officiate (Justify {USA}) looked much improved from his debut back in April, when he finished eighth behind Just A Journey (Justify {USA}). On Tuesday, he stormed home late to win his heat narrowly over Benevac (Bivouac).
Sporting the Yulong colours and trained by Chris Waller, Officiate appears primed to break his maiden in the near future.
Video: Watch Officiate trial race at Rosehill, video courtesy of Racing NSW.
Initially purchased for $300,000 by KO Thoroughbreds, Munce Racing and Arthur Hoyeau at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, he was re-offered by KO Racing at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale, where Yulong purchased him for $700,000.
Blitzburg blitzes rivals
Dual 2-year-old winner Blitzburg (Snitzel) returned in style for the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou team, scoring by over a length in his second trial of the prep. The G3 Canonbury Stakes winner jumped cleanly, settled behind the speed, and quickened impressively under Tim Clark before being eased down late.
Video: Watch Blitzburg trial race at Rosehill, video courtesy of Racing NSW
His dam, Sierra (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), has a Snitzel yearling colt who sold for $900,000 - also to Ryan and Alexiou Racing. She has a The Autumn Sun weanling colt, and is due to foal to Maurice (Jpn) in September.
Within The Law back in business
Tough-as-nails filly Within The Law (Lucky Vega {Ire}), trained by Bjorn Baker, proved herself one of the most consistent juveniles last season, winning three times, including at Group 2 level, and collecting over $1.4 million in prize money. Her only blemish was an unfortunate incident in the G1 Golden Slipper, where she lost her rider.
Within The Law | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
She returned to the trials on Tuesday and impressed once again. Given a quiet early ride, she made strong ground late to finish third, one and a half lengths behind Ohope (I Am Invincible).
Her dam, Contract Signed (Dundeel {NZ}), is due to foal to Lucky Vega (Ire) again in early October.
