Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Sir Delius sends out a spring warning
The top-class three-time Group 1 winner Sir Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}) backed up his very good trial for second on July 31 behind Oh Diamond Lil (So You Think {NZ}) with a narrow but impressive win on the Kensington over 1250 metres on Friday morning.
Tim Clark jumped out Sir Delius well and he settled in the trail behind the pace-making Knobelas (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) and his stablemate The Euphrates (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who sat outside the leader in the hands of Adam Hyeronimus.
There was reasonable speed on and Knobelas gave a decent kick, but at about the 100-metre mark Sir Delius took the front under less urging than Knobelas and scored narrowly, but in style from Knobelas, with a further three lengths back to The Euphrates and the stayers further behind being given quiet rides.
Sir Delius was purchased for 1.3 million guineas (AU$2.6 million) at the 2024 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale by De Burgh Equine, McKeever Bloodstock and Go Bloodstock.
Sir Delius is by Frankel (GB) and out of Whatami (GB) (Daylami {Ire}), a mare from a deep international family. He is a full-brother to Listed winner and Group 2-placed Juan Elcano (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and a half-brother to Group 3 winner Nkosikazi (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). The family also includes Champion American turf mare Uni (GB) (More Than Ready {USA}) and traces back to the influential sire lines of Invincible Spirit (Ire) and Pride Of Dubai.
Sir Delius after winning the trials at Randwick | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Warwoven shines as Guest House impresses
It was two of last season's top 2-year-olds that battled it out in the first of the two Group Trials over 850 metres, with the Bjorn Baker-trained G3 Pago Pago Stakes winner Warwoven (Sword Of State) a touch too strong for the G1 Golden Slipper winner Guest House (Home Affairs) in a very close finish.
It was the Chris Waller-trained Lindermann (Lonhro) that led with ease for Nash Rawiller, with Zac Lloyd parking Guest House just off him and Rachel King settling Warwoven well in the trail.
At the 200-metre mark, the three of them were spread across the track, but just as Guest House looked to have the trial under control, Warwoven stuck his nose down to score by a nose from the Slipper winner, with just over a length to Lindermann, who trialled lovely.
Further back in the field, the Group 1 winners Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Tron Bolt (Toronado {Ire}), Fangirl (Sebring) and Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) were all given quiet trials, with importantly Aeliana back on track after her barrier mishap last time at the trials.
Warwoven is the first foal out of the Group 2-winning mare Needle And Thread (Makfi {GB}). Needle And Thread is also a half-sister to the Listed winner and multiple Group 1-placed stallion Savile Row (NZ).
Another member of this very strong family is the dual Group 1 winner and stallion The Gurkha (Ire), and the Group 1-placed Arrogant (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).
Warwoven after winning the trials at Randwick | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Needle And Thread, in recent years, has produced a Farnan 2-year-old colt, a Farnan yearling filly, and missed to both Ole Kirk and Farnan last spring.
Warwoven was purchased by Ridgmont, Bjorn Baker Racing, S & J Gosling and Clarke Bloodstock Pty Ltd (FBAA) for $380,000 from the Kia Ora Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Enriched trials boldly
In the second of the Group Trials over 850 metres, it was the Michael Freedman-trained 5-year-old Enriched (I Am Invincible) that trialled boldly to score by just under half a length in the hands of Zac Lloyd.
With the majority of the field staying well off the fence, it was Enriched that shared the lead wide out with Hellsing (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), who was much nearer the rail. The exciting 3-year-old colt The Next Episode (Snitzel) settled just behind the speed.
On straightening, it was clear to see that Lloyd had a big grip of Enriched and he cruised along to score. The Next Episode loomed but peaked and looked in need of the run, while Plaintiff (Zoustar) and Beadman (Snitzel) were both great trials, charging home late under minimal urgings to run second and third, and are both ones to watch once they get to the races.
A winner of the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint as a 3-year-old Enriched is out of a half-sister to Winx (Street Cry {Ire}), His dam Miss Atom Bomb (Encosta De Lago) has a 2-year-old Snitzel colt named Tahki and is due to foal to Anamoe next month.
Enriched was purchased for $450,000 by Michael Freedman Racing, Gandharvi and Mick Wallace from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Enriched winning the trials at Randwick | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Revengeance back bigger and better
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained 3-year-old Revengeance (Hellbent) has not been seen on the track since he won the $1 million Golden Gift in November last year as a 2-year-old, but he showed he is back and back in form with a tidy victory over 1040 metres, in what was his third trial for this preparation.
Tim Clark sent Revengeance straight to the lead, while Tommy Berry had Music Time (All Too Hard) matching motors a bit wider out on the track.
Video: Watch Revengeance's trial replay at Randwick, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Revengeance gave a strong kick closer to the rail upon straightening and lengthened out nicely to score by a neck, with Music Time running on nicely out wide and Komodo Dragon (Hellbent) running third.
An eye-catcher was the Almanzor (Fr) gelding Mr Miller (NZ), who made good late ground in the hands of James McDonald in his second trial back.
Revengeance by Hellbent and was bred by Davali Thoroughbreds. He is the first foal of Havasu (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}), an unraced half-sister to Group 3 winner Miss Federer (NZ) (Swiss Ace) from stakes-winner Halobelle (NZ) (My Halo {Arg}).
Havasu has a 2-year-old filly by Exceedance named Requital, a yearling colt by Exceedance and is due to foal to Hellbent next month.
Revengeance was purchased from the draft of Davali Thoroughbreds for $100,000 by Darby Racing at the 2025 Inglis Classic Sale.
Satin Serenade looks sharp
The highly regarded filly Satin Serenade (Frankel {GB}) has only had one start back in June, where she ran second behind Miss Scandal (NZ) (Home Affairs). She was subsequently straight away put aside for a break and showed she has come back well with an impressive win over 1040 metres for trainer Chris Waller and James McDonald.
It was a heat that was full of speed over the 1040 metres, as Loreal Belle (Written Tycoon) led with No Remorse (Brutal {NZ}) on her outer, while McDonald slotted Satin Serenade into a distant trail as she stalked the hot speed.
Video: Watch Satin Serenade's trial replay at Randwick, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Upon straightening, the leader kicked hard and gave everyone a bunny to chase. Out wide, McDonald loomed up and at the 100-metre mark took the lead as Satin Serenade cruised to an impressive win by just under a length and a half from Sanchuelo (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}), who ran on strongly from well back in the field, with Beyond The Reef (Flying Artie) solid enough nearer the inner in third.
Satin Serenade was bred and raced by Mrs Belinda Bateman. She is by Frankel (GB) and is the first foal out of the three-time winner Satin Ribbons (Capitalist).
Satin Ribbons is a half-sister to the Listed winner Satin Slipper (Pierro), who is the dam of the Listed winner and G1 Colmore Stud Stakes-placed I Am Unstoppable.
Satin Ribbons in recent times has left an Extreme Choice 2-year-old filly and is due to foal to Home Affairs later this month.
