Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Idle Flyer dominant in the opening heat
The talented Idle Flyer (Dundeel {NZ}) was clearly the pick of the older horses to trial at Warwick Farm on Friday, taking out Heat 1 over 1200 metres by an ever-widening margin of just over two lengths.
Prepared by Matthew Smith, the mare was given a lovely ride by Zac Lloyd, settling in the trail after jumping cleanly. Felix Majestic (Smart Missile) set the tempo up front, with Knight Of Rhodes (Fierce Impact {Jpn}) working across to sit outside the leader.
Video: Watch trial replay of Idle Flyer at Warwick Farm, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Lloyd bided his time before peeling Idle Flyer out from behind heels approaching the straight, and once into clear running she travelled sweetly. She quickly assumed control at the 200 metre mark and went on to win softly.
Felix Majestic battled on solidly, while Waterford (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) was good late and is one to watch, finishing third a further two lengths away.
Idle Flyer picked up the G3 Angst Stakes last spring and resumed with a solid fourth as favourite in the G3 Wenona Girl Stakes behind Gangsta Granny (Written Tycoon) on March 7. This tick-over trial suggests she is right on track, and ready for whatever assignment comes next.
Idle Flyer comes from the extended family of the great Redoute’s Choice and is one of three winners from her four-time winning mare Progressive (Street Cry {Ire}).
Cherry Bomshell cruises under a hold
The classy Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained 2-year-old Cherry Bomshell (Lucky Vega {Ire}) looked right at home in Sydney, producing a very impressive trial win by just over a length in the hands of Sam Clipperton.
Blessed Eagle (Farnan), from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott yard, rolled along at a solid tempo, with Dragon Blood (Pinatubo {Ire}) sitting outside the leader.
Video: Watch trial replay of Cherry Bomshell at Warwick Farm, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Cherry Bomshell settled midfield, albeit caught wide, but Clipperton was content to let her balance up without cover. Turning for home, she came widest and it quickly became apparent she was travelling far too well for her rivals.
She loomed under a hold and ran away to score comfortably without being fully extended.
Cherry Bomshell was purchased by Australian Bloodstock and Neasham & Archibald Racing for $220,000 from the Yulong draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Cherry Bomshell winning at Warwick Farm | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
She is the fifth foal out of the placed Not A Single Doubt mare Not A Cherry, who has already produced three-time winner Rhythm Of Love (Grunt {NZ}), a performer at Group 3 and Listed level.
Her grandam Cherokee Echo (USA) (Cherokee Run {USA}) was a Listed winner at two in America and has produced four winners as a broodmare. Not A Cherry left a colt by Grunt (NZ) last spring and was subsequently served by Lucky Vega (Ire).
Low Key looks sharp
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Low Key (Pinatubo {Ire}) was a sharp winner of Heat 8, the 2-year-old open trial over 792 metres, with Tim Clark aboard.
The filly jumped quickly and was positive early, settling forward despite being caught a touch wide. Hello G’Day (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) held the rail and the pair quickly put a margin on the rest of the field.
Video: Watch trial replay of Low Key at Warwick Farm, video courtesy of Racing NSW
They engaged in a solid battle in the straight, with Low Key proving the stronger late, edging clear under what looked like a solid piece of riding and urging from Clark.. Pleasingly the filly responded well and that is what counts.
Hello G’Day stuck on well for second, while St Gotthard (Snitzel) - the $2.7 million purchase and full brother to G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner and stallion Switzerland - worked home nicely into third in what was a nice educational trial where he wasn’t asked for much.
Low Key is out of the five-time winning Helmet mare Really Discreet, who was also placed at Listed level. She is a half-sister to the Group 2, Group 3 and Listed winner Too Darn Discreet (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who was served by Too Darn Hot (GB) last September.
Low Key winning at Warwick Farm | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Low Key was purchased by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Kestrel Thoroughbreds and B Rogers for $280,000 from the Highgrove Stud draft at the 2025 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Priory Park claims the win in a tight finish
A blanket finish highlighted Heat 9 for the 2-year-olds over 792 metres, with the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Priory Park (Wild Ruler) just getting the verdict in a tight result.
Just over half a length covered the first four runners in a competitive heat.
Fiaba (I Am Invincible), a half-sister to The Everest winner Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt), led comfortably, with Priory Park positioned on her outside and Titan Punch (Dundeel {NZ}), the full brother to the recent acquired Coolmore stallion Super Seth, settling third but caught wide.
Video: Watch trial replay of Priory Park at Warwick Farm, video courtesy of Racing NSW
In the straight, Fiaba drifted off the rail, opening the door for Priory Park to come through along the inside. Adam Hyeronimus made the most of the opportunity, lifting Priory Park to a narrow win.
Titan Punch closed off strongly under Zac Lloyd to grab second, while Fiaba and Apiarist (Xtravagant {NZ}) filled third and fourth, all four shaping as horses worth following.
Priory Park was purchased for $220,000 by Neasham & Archibald Racing and William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Riverstone Lodge draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Priory Park winning at Warwick Farm | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
He is the first foal out of Incredulous Dream (Press Statement), a four-time winner including the Listed HC Nitschke Stakes, and the family includes the durable So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}) and the classy filly Faith Hill (Danehill {USA}).
Incredulous Dream has recently produced a Justify (USA) yearling colt and a Zoustar filly foal, and was served by Home Affairs last spring.
