Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Knight’s Choice looks sharp at Bendigo
A G1 Melbourne Cup winner claiming a trial over 1300 metres isn’t something we see every day, but Knight’s Choice (Extreme Choice) showed he’s come back in terrific order with a sharp performance at Bendigo on Tuesday, winning his heat narrowly over 1300 metres.
Ridden by Lachlan King, Knight’s Choice jumped the gates like a Newmarket sprinter and initially led, before Yellow Brick Road (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}) took over. Sitting comfortably in second throughout, Knight’s Choice travelled strongly before peeling out shortly after straightening. He cruised past the leader and responded under urgings, holding off the fast-finishing Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young pair of Brayden Star (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}) who charged late, and Thedoctoroflove (So You Think {NZ}) to win by a narrow margin.
Co-trainer Sheila Laxon was thrilled by the trial, telling rsn.net.au:
“He actually blew us away, he has never won a trial in his life, but he jumped to the lead straight away and Lachlan King rode him and cuddled him for the journey and let him down in the straight and he won.”
Sheila Laxon | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“He’s never won a trial in his life. I’m just blown away by what he did today.”
Looking ahead to spring and the Melbourne Cup defence, Laxon added:
“He’s (Knight's Choice) never won a trial in his life. I’m just blown away by what he did today.” - Sheila Laxon
“The stepping stones on the way there have to be mapped out pretty precisely.
“We will plan now for where he will go, it is likely he will go straight to a mile in the next fortnight or so.”
Raging Force is a force to be reckoned with this spring
Smart 3-year-old Raging Force (Cosmic Force) ended his juvenile campaign with two stylish wins, and his first public hit-out back this preparation suggests he’s come back even better.
In the Open 1080 metre heat on the Polytrack at Randwick, Scorched Lane (Too Darn Hot {GB}) led at a muddling tempo, while Raging Force, piloted by Tommy Berry, settled with cover in fourth. Once straightened, the Peter Snowden-trained colt eased out and quickened nicely under minimal riding to win impressively.
Video: Watch race replay of Raging Force, video courtesy of Racing NSW
He scored by just under three-quarters of a length from Asgarda (The Brothers War {USA}), with Harlow Mist (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) back in third.
A $150,000 Darby Racing purchase from the Mullaglass Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Raging Force is out of Miss Loren (Stryker), who has since left a 2-year-old named Vantorix (Captivant), a yearling colt by Zousain, and is due again to the son of Zoustar this spring.
Aerodrome shows his class against the maidens
With the Group trials cancelled, it was a rare sight to see dual winner Aerodrome (Ole Kirk) competing in a maiden trial - but his performance in the 1080-metre heat certainly stood out.
Despite sitting wide throughout, jockey Regan Bayliss never panicked and was quite content aboard the Michael Freedman-trained runner. When asked, Aerodrome quickly pounced on the leaders and cruised clear to win by one and three-quarter lengths.
Video: Watch race replay of Aerodrome, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Cool Aza Beel (NZ) gelding Cobra Club, a stakes-placed maiden, finished second, with Feared (I Am Invincible) – a $600,000 yearling purchase – closing well for third and catching the eye late.
Aerodrome was purchased by Nine9park for $190,000 from the Gilgai Farm draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Yearling Sale. His dam, She Shao Fly (Epaulette), a G3 winner, has since produced two fillies by Ole Kirk and is due to foal to Extreme Choice next month.
Angel Capital leads Waller clean sweep
In a trial featuring eight Chris Waller-trained horses over 780 metres on the Polytrack, it was Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}) in the Yulong colours who impressed most.
This was his first public trial for the prep, and the 4-year-old colt travelled sweetly for jockey Tommy Berry. Hammett (Written Tycoon) led from the inside gate with Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn) and Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) just off the pace.
Not a lot changed throughout the trial as all runners were going through the gears under their own steam. Angel Capital sliced through on the rail and scored by just over half a length from Hammett, with Militarize also hitting the line well. Import Buckaroo (GB) was another to note, running on late for sixth under a quiet ride.
Angel Capital's dam Bahamas (Teofilo {Ire}) has been a fantastic broodmare leaving three Group winners, including Angel Capital, Senor Toba (Toronado {Ire}) and Berkeley Square (Territories {Ire}).
In recent times, Bahamas has left a 3-year-old colt by Blue Point (Ire), a yearling colt by Blue Point, and is due to foal to Harry Angel (Ire) in November.
