Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Handle-bars down for Handloom
The Gary Portelli-trained Handloom (Exceed And Excel), ridden by Reece Jones, turned Heat 6 over 795 metres into a procession. Allowed to stride freely in front, she put a margin on her rivals and sustained it, scoring by just under four and a half lengths in scintillating fashion.
Video: Watch Handloom in Heat 6 at Warwick Farm trials, vision courtesy of Racing NSW
Barracks (Home Affairs) did his best work late for trainer Ciaron Maher to grab second after settling in third early, while Albert Palais (Snitzel) finished off well for Clarry Connors in third. Morosini (St Mark’s Basillica {Fr}) stuck on gamely in fourth after racing prominently.
Handloom is the second foal from the Bernardini (USA) mare Handspun. She was talented on the track winning five races and just over $300,000 in prizemoney. Handloom debuted in the G3 Gimcrack Stakes where she ran 10th, but after a break, she looks back bigger and better than ever, especially in this trial, her second trial for this preparation.
Handspun | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Handloom's pedigree is a bit quiet in terms of close-up black type, but her third dam is In A Bound (Ashkalani {Ire}), who was a very talented mare winning five times including the G2 Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
Handspun, since producing Handloom, has left a yearling colt by Bivouac, and foaled a Victor Ludorum (GB) colt last October.
Raise The Bar salutes in a blanket finish
Heat 7 produced one of the tighter finishes of the morning, with the Ciaron Maher-trained Raise The Bar (Exceedance) prevailing in a desperately close result, with just 0.08l separating the first three.
With genuine speed injected early, the race was set up for those off the pace. Adam Farragher manoeuvred Raise The Bar into clear running at the top of the straight and she let down strongly to score from well back. Zensen (Exceed And Excel) charged home in similar fashion for trainer Gary Portelli to claim second, while Superb Twentysix (Farnan) hit the line strongly nearer the inside for trainer Blake Ryan and jockey Jay Ford.
Video: Watch Raise The Bar in Heat 7 at Warwick Farm trials, vision courtesy of Racing NSW
Spring Ruler (Wild Ruler), who set the tempo, boxed on bravely for fourth, beaten only 0.18l in a performance full of merit.
Raise The Bar is out of the Starcraft (NZ) mare Dayeala (NZ), who has had three foals to race for three winners. She is a half-sister to the South Australian Listed winner Sky Punch (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) and comes from the family of the Champion Irish 2-year-old, Older horse and stallion in Grey Swallow (Ire).
Dayeala, since producing Raise The Bar, has left a yearling full brother, and was served by The Autumn Sun last spring.
Dayeala as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Raise The Bar was purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, Strong Bloodstock and Koolman Bloodstock for $140,000 from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Better Off Alone trials stylishly
Better Off Alone (Better Than Ready) was well regarded by Darby Racing and trainer Bjorn Baker earlier in the spring, debuting in the G3 Gimcrack Stakes. While she finished seventh behind Shiki (Too Darn Hot {GB}) on that occasion, she returned to the trials a more complete product, taking out Heat 9 narrowly under Jason Collett.
Video: Watch Better Off Alone in Heat 9 at Warwick Farm Trials, vision courtesy of Racing NSW
She displayed sharp early speed to control proceedings, though Karkadaan (Yes Yes Yes), under Regan Bayliss, applied pressure to ensure a genuine tempo. In the straight Collett allowed her to edge wider, but she travelled sweetly throughout. Helenic Belle (Hellbent), ridden by Zac Lloyd, worked home strongly along the inside to grab second, with Saltash (Capitalist) finishing off well a length and a half away.
Another to note was the well-bred Universe (Pierro), who once again trialled in soft fashion for trainer Chris Waller and shapes as one to follow when he gets to the races.
Better Off Alone is out of the 1100-metre winner Not A Single Woman (Not A Single Doubt), who has since left a yearling full sister and a colt foal full brother before being subsequently served by Alpine Edge.
Better Off Alone as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Better Off Alone was purchased by Darby Racing for $120,000 from the Yarramalong Park draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Mazu still full of spark
Heat 5 over 795 metres saw the evergreen Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}) remind observers he retains the dash that has helped him amass over $13 million in prizemoney and bonuses for Triple Crown Syndications and connections.
Video: Watch Mazu in Heat 5 at Warwick Farm trials, vision courtesy of Racing NSW
The 7-year-old was positive from the outset, controlling proceedings under Sam Clipperton, who remained pretty much motionless throughout. Stablemate In Flight (Flying Artie) tracked just off him in the hands of Jay Ford and trialled neatly in second, around three-quarters of a length astern, while the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Missile Magnate (Capitalist) was ridden along to hold third, another half-length away.
A quiet improver was the Chris Waller-trained Emirate (Extreme Choice), who found the line nicely in fifth under minimal pressure.
Headley Grange trials boldly
The Joseph Pride-trained Headley Grange (Exosphere) returned to the trials in imposing order following a lucrative spring campaign that netted the G3 Cameron Handicap and the $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes. After a break post his 10th in the $3 million Big Dance, the gelding looked big, furnished and ready to launch again at Warwick Farm.
With Adam Hyeronimus aboard, he railed through to settle second behind last-start Group 3 winner Willaidow (Shamus Award), who rolled along under Deanne Panya, albeit very wide on the track.
Video: Watch Headley Grange in Heat 3 at Warwick Farm trials, vision courtesy of Racing NSW
When asked to extend, Headley Grange travelled with purpose and held too many cards late, edging clear of Willaidow, who enjoyed a soft tick-over, Encap (Capitalist) was solid a further half-length away in third.
Two notable eye-catchers emerged behind them. The Bryce Heys-trained Flying For Fun (Spieth) and the exciting 3-year-old filly Panova (Trapeze Artist) both worked home under quiet handling, suggesting there is plenty to come when they resume.
