Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Airman sharp again
Airman (I Am Invincible) again impressed at the Randwick trials on Tuesday, cruising to a stylish win in Heat 1 over 1050 metres. In what was his second trial this time in, after finishing second to Briasa (Smart Missile) at Canterbury a few weeks ago. The G2 Premiere Stakes winner settled just off the pace and responded strongly when asked by Regan Bayliss at the 200-metre mark, bounding clear to win by just over two lengths.
Giveemethebeatboys (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) made the running, and held on well for second, while Group 1 winning mare Joliestar (Zoustar) was excellent in third, finishing just under a length behind the runner-up. She showed sharpness jumping well before easing into third under James McDonald, and cruised to the line under minimal pressure.
Just behind her, Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard) was solid in fourth, while Nepotism (Brutal {NZ}) did his best work through the line under Tyler Schiller, suggesting he’s progressing well ahead of his return.
Airman announced himself last spring with an upset win over Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}) and Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) in the G2 Premiere Stakes, and on the strength of Tuesday’s trial, he looks right back in that sort of form.
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes commented to racing.com about Airman, "He went super. It was unfortunate. He was in the Group 3 Heath in Melbourne last week, and we had to scratch him due to the rain. He's better on top of the ground."
Tempted only runs second, but catches the eye
In the second open trial over 1050 metres at Randwick, it was the three-time winner Sydney Bowler (Deep Field) who claimed top honours, just holding out the classy 3-year-old filly Tempted (Street Boss {USA}), who impressed having her first public outing for trainer Ciaron Maher, and in the hands of James McDonald and went down narrowly in a strong piece of work.
Format (Frankel {GB}) showed good speed to lead up the heat and held on for third, while Skyhook (Written Tycoon) finished sixth under a quietish ride on the inside. The Listed Rosebud winner wasn’t asked for much, and his form looks even stronger after the weekend as he had convincingly beaten Grand Prairie (Written Tycoon) in the Rosebud, form that has since been boosted with Grand Prairie’s G3 Up And Coming Stakes win at Rosehill last weekend.
Another to catch the eye was Fortune (Fr) (De Treville {GB}), who closed well into fourth in the OTI Racing colours. The French-bred gelding looks one to follow as he steps up in trip and targets staying handicaps over the spring.
Sandpaper leads from start to finish
In the open 740-metre heat at Randwick, the Bjorn Baker-trained Sandpaper (Snitzel) showed good speed and control, leading from start to finish under Nash Rawiller.
Jumping quickly, Sandpaper took up the running at a comfortable tempo while under a strong hold. Stablemates Iowna Merc (Winning Rupert) and O’ Ole (Ole Kirk) both began well and settled handy, close to the inside and just behind the speed, respectively.
Video: Watch the replay for Sandpaper, video courtesy of Racing NSW
As expected in a heat packed with quality and run over a short trip, the order didn’t change dramatically in the run. Sandpaper held on to win narrowly in a tight finish, with the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Getafix (Calyx {GB}) making strong late ground out wide under no pressure to grab second. Iowna Merc was close-up in third, while Enriched (I Am Invincible) ran on nicely for fourth, beaten just over a length.
Trainer Bjorn Baker told The Thoroughbred Report last week: “Sandpaper did a marvellous job last preparation, we will look to get him into a race like the Alan Brown for $1.5 million. He is an exciting horse, and hopefully he can take that next step.”
My Gladiola impresses
The high-class filly My Gladiola (I Am Invincible) caught the eye in Heat 6 on the Caulfield Heath, a 3-year-old trial over 800 metres, in a field packed with talent.
The unbeaten Legacy Bound (Ole Kirk) jumped well and initially led before Hey Jessie (Too Darn Hot {GB}) took up the running. My Gladiola, trained by John McArdle and last seen finishing a strong second in the G3 Quezette Stakes, settled towards the rear of the field. Once balanced up in the straight and shifted to the outside, she let down stylishly under minimal riding to win with authority.
My Gladiola as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Legacy Bound held on well for second and looked strong through the line, while Blue Hotel (I Am Invincible), who disappointed in the Quezette, bounced back with a sharp performance to finish a close third and appeared full of running.
McArdle spoke to RSN following the trial:
“She was here having a bit of a day out, she settled off the speed, got a little keen with no cover, rolled up and did everything we wanted her to do.
“She (My Gladiola) was here having a bit of a day out, she settled off the speed, got a little keen with no cover, rolled up and did everything we wanted her to do.” - John McArdle
“She will head to the Cap D’Antibes Saturday week and we will go from there. Ideally, if everything goes to plan, she will run in the Cap D’Antibes, then three weeks into the Danehill, and a month into the Coolmore. There are other options, but that is the main plan.”
My Gladiola is out of the Group 2 winning mare Villa Verde (Not A Single Doubt), who has also produced a 2-year-old filly named Bella Lavita (Pierro), and was due to foal to Ole Kirk late last month.
Jigsaw shows plenty of his customary speed
Heat 1 of the trials on the Caulfield Heath on Tuesday was taken out by the sharp sprinter Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain), who controlled proceedings in the open 800-metre heat, while Group 1 winner Charm Stone (I Am Invincible) had a nice quiet hit-out behind.
Jigsaw bounced straight to the front and travelled comfortably throughout, with Rey Magnerio (Magnus) settling in second. Charm Stone, meanwhile, was allowed to find her feet and settled well back in the field in the hands of Damian Lane.
Jigsaw | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Jigsaw proved too slick over the short course with Logan Bates in the saddle, maintaining his advantage to win comfortably, with the order largely unchanged throughout. Charm Stone, having her first public outing since the autumn, was ridden conservatively and made pleasing late ground under minimal pressure. It was an encouraging piece of work as she builds towards her race return.
