Cover image courtesy of Wyong Race Club
Gringotts leads a Group 1 Quinella in Heat 1
In the 1200-metre Open heat there was no shortage of talent, and the Ciaron Maher-trained Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) showed his class, leading throughout under Tommy Berry to score by just over 0.5l.
The 10-time winner of almost $3.7 million had resumed late last month in the Winx Stakes, finishing a gallant fifth, less than 3l behind the outstanding Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock), and he ticked over nicely with this trial success.
Video: Watch Gringotts (NZ) in heat 1 at Wyong trials on Monday, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Gringotts controlled the rail with Onigiri (GB) (Expert Eye {GB}) alongside, while Mission Bravo (Smart Missile), piloted by Andrew Gibbons, swept up three-wide to ensure a genuine tempo.
Class told in the straight as Gringotts coasted home under minimal pressure. Royal Patronage (GB), the Group 1-winning son of Wootton Bassett (GB), closed strongly for Tim Clark to finish second, with stablemate Royal Supremacy (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) catching the eye in third.
Gringotts’ dam, Miss Bluebell (NZ) (Savabeel), has recently produced a Proisir two-year-old filly and a Satono Aladdin (Jpn) yearling colt, and is due to foal to Per Incanto (USA) late in October.
Duke looks strong winning at the trials again
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Duke Of Arrakis (Written Tycoon) was an impressive juvenile debut winner at Kensington in June, before a respectable seventh behind boom youngster Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun) at Listed level in Brisbane.
After a short break, the 3-year-old colt has returned in style, winning his second trial in a row on Monday following an earlier 900-metre success at Rosehill on August 28. Ridden positively by Regan Bayliss, Duke Of Arrakis pressed forward to lead before Bantarki (Sooboog) took over, ensuring a solid tempo. Bayliss eased off the rail and gradually closed on the leader, and when asked to respond in the straight, the promising colt quickened well to score by 0.75l.
Video: Watch Duke Of Arrakis in heat 2 at Wyong trials on Monday, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Bantarki stuck to his task for second, with Midnight Opal (Deep Field) finishing third. The real eye-catcher was the Kristen Buchanan-trained Broadway Bouncer (Kermadec {NZ}), storming home from last under Jay Ford to grab fourth and shaping as one to follow when he resumes.
Bred by Yulong Investments, Duke Of Arrakis was purchased for $360,000 by Gai Waterhouse, Adrian Bott, Kestrel Thoroughbreds, Cunningham Thoroughbreds and Clarke Bloodstock from Yulong’s draft at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. His dam, Sent From Above (Lonhro), has recently produced a 2-year-old filly by Alabama Express and was due to foal to that sire again last month.
Shadows Of Love as sharp as ever
The Kim Waugh-trained Shadows Of Love (Dissident) showed she retains plenty of sharpness, taking out her 1000-metre heat by just under a length. The 6-year-old mare had not trialled or raced since finishing third in the G3 Dark Jewel Stakes behind Fall For Cindy (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) in May last year.
Jumping quickly, Shadows Of Love led along the rail for Jay Ford, with stablemate Shambretta (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) settling outside under Alysha Collett. Former G1 Australian Derby winner Major Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) travelled comfortably in behind.
Video: Watch Shadows Of Love in heat 3 at Wyong trials on Monday, video courtesy of Racing NSW
The order barely changed throughout, and the trio crossed the line as they had travelled, leaving connections satisfied with their horses’ efforts. Group performers Bosustow (Blue Point {Ire}) and Harlem Queen (Brutal {NZ}) were ridden quietly at the rear, completing their trials without pressure.
Shadows Of Love’s dam, Sky Dazzle (Written Tycoon), has a 3-year-old filly Brilliant Horizon (Impending), an impressive debut winner at Cranbourne last month in the same Laurel Oak Bloodstock colours, and a 2-year-old filly by Rebel Dane named Dazzling Rebel. Sky Dazzle is due to foal to Tassort later this month.
Shangri La Spring looks ready
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Shangri La Spring (Castelvecchio) showcased his class over 1000 metres, narrowly defeating the exciting colt Hidden Motive (Capitalist) in 58.82 seconds, the fastest time of the day.
The pair dominated the heat, racing well clear of the rest. Hidden Motive rolled along the rail for regular rider Ashley Morgan, while Shangri La Spring tracked him outside under Tim Clark. Shoutaboutit (Overshare) travelled alone in third.
Video: Watch Shangri La Spring in heat 5 at Wyong trials on Monday, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Straightening, Clark asked the Castelvecchio 4-year-old to reel in the leader, and he responded, edging past Hidden Motive under urging. Morgan barely moved on Hidden Motive, who looks every inch a black-type sprint prospect this spring. Bojangles (Showtime) filled third, 3.5l behind the leading duo.
A G3 Frank Packer Plate winner over 2000 metres last season, Shangri La Spring’s sharp display over 1000 metres was an encouraging effort after running third behind the talented types Marhoona (Snitzel) and Headwall (Dream Ahead {USA}) in his first trial at Hawkesbury on August 25 over 800 metres.
