Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Willaidow dominates from in-front in the opener
The Marc and Mitchell Conners-trained Willaidow (Shamus Award) looked in fine form ahead of a spring campaign with a comfortable trial victory over 800 metres at Warwick Farm in the hands of Tim Clark.
The Shamus Award 8-year-old gelding had not been seen publicly since running a strong fifth in the G3 BRC Sprint behind Abounding (Rich Enuff), having previously won the G3 JRA Plate over 1200 metres at Rosehill in late January.
Not a lot changed throughout the 800-metre scamper, with Willaidow taking up the running from Gangsta Granny (Written Tycoon) in second for Jay Ford and Bev’s Nine (Shalaa {Ire}) settling in third on the outer after jumping well.
In the straight, the three held their positions, with Willaidow narrowly holding out the other two.
Other worthy mentions included Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth), who ran on nicely late when asked from well back to finish fifth, while the Bryce Heys-trained Flying For Fun (Spieth), ridden by James McDonald, was a real eye-catcher running sixth under a tight grip. She needs to be respected in whatever she targets first-up.
Willaidow is the sole winner from Stimulated (Casino Prince), who was unplaced on the track, and he was a value purchase for only $7000 by his co-trainer M Conners via a Magic Millions Online Sale in 2022.
His grand dam, the stakes-placed Provokes (Octagonal {NZ}), was Group 3 and Listed-placed and is a half-sister to Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Aquiver (Danehill {USA}).
Willaidow | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Stimulated in recent times has produced a 3-year-old gelding by Royal Meeting (Ire) and a yearling filly by Shamus Award.
Pillow Fight’s off her opposition
The Bjorn Baker-trained 4-year-old mare Pillow Fight (Zoustar) was too sharp for her opposition in the Open 1200-metre heat in the hands of Rachel King.
Last seen out on the track when running second behind the classy Sass Appeal (So You Think {NZ}) in the G2 Kewney Stakes, this was her second trial this time in and she has now won both of them, looking ready for a first-up target.
Video: Watch Pillow Fight in the second trial at Warwick Farm, video courtesy of Racing NSW
It was Clear Blue Day (Blue Point {Ire}) who led up, with King slotting Pillow Fight into the outside leader spot, while the James McDonald-ridden Satono’s Shout (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) had to travel three-wide near the pace.
There was very little tempo throughout, but Pillow Fight’s class came through when she shot to the lead at the 250-metre mark and scored by just under two lengths from Satono’s Shout and Clear Blue Day in a trial that did not change shape much.
In a slow-tempo heat, a few proven stayers never really got out of clear running, including King Pedro (NZ) (Eminent {Ire}) and Mr Monaco (GB) (Territories {Ire}), who put in some nice late strides although well back.
Pillow Fight | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Purchased by Bjorn Baker Racing, Cunningham Thoroughbreds and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) for $375,000 from Newgate’s 2024 Magic Millions draft, Pillow Fight is one of four winners from only four to race from the Group 3 performer Slumber Party (Snitzel), whose close family includes Not A Single Doubt and dual Listed winner Come Hither (Redoute’s Choice).
Slumber Party has a 2-year-old colt by Justify (USA), a So You Think (NZ) yearling colt and is due to foal to City Of Troy (USA) in October.
Ice Kool just loves winning
Whether it is the races or the trials, the David Pfieffer-trained Zoustar 4-year-old sprinting gelding Ice Kool just loves winning, and he showed his readiness for another preparation with a soft trial win by just over two lengths in the hands of Jay Ford over 795 metres.
Ford took the gelding straight to the front and he dominated the event, albeit racing a little freely. Il Passero (Castelvecchio) sat on the outer back in second, while Banjora (I Am Invincible) was slotted into the one-one by James McDonald.
Video: Watch Ice Kool in the fifth trial at Warwick Farm, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Ice Kool just kept on running and won with ease. Il Passero was good in second, while Ciaron’s Star (I Am Invincible) made good ground for third nearer the rail. Banjora was an eye-catcher in fourth under a tight grip from McDonald.
Ice Kool is one of two winners from three to the races for his dam, Listed Bendigo Guineas winner So Far Sokool (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}), a daughter of G3 Gasmate Stakes victress and seven-time winner Sokool (NZ) (Bin Awjaad {Ire}).
Running in the colours of Blake Armstrong and John McPhillips’ Strong Bloodstock, Ice Kool initially passed in at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when offered by Widden Stud.
Ice Kool | Image courtesy of Sportpix
So Far Sokool has recently left a 3-year-old gelding named Glacialis (Zoustar), who is in work with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, a yearling filly by Zousain and is due to foal to Zousain again in late October.
Perfumist simply too quick
The Bjorn Baker-trained Perfumist (NZ) (El Roca) has always been a quick mare who is happy to roll along in front, and she put the writing on the wall on Aug 21 at the trials that she had come back well with a closing second after being ridden quietly behind Paradoxium (Extreme Choice).
She improved again off that effort and, given a customary ride out in front, she bolted in by just under four and a half lengths over 1200 metres in a time just under two seconds quicker than Pillow Fight over the same distance.
Jason Collett had her leading by up to three lengths ahead of the field and she was simply too quick for Encap (Capitalist), who sat in second throughout, and Juja Kibo (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), who trialled well for Sam Clipperton for a horse that can perform over 2400 metres, albeit beaten six and a half lengths by the El Roca mare.
OTI via their social media indicated that Perfumist is likely to kick off her spring campaign in the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle in two weeks’ time as she builds towards her major target, The Big Dance at Randwick in November.
Perfumist has won seven races and picked up black type when running second in the G3 Angst Stakes in Sydney. She was purchased by Bjorn Baker Racing, OTI, Phil Cataldo Bloodstock and Clarke Bloodstock for NZ$190,000 from the Westbury Stud draft at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.
She comes from the extended family of the G1 Golden Slipper Polar Success (Success Express {USA}) and the Group-winners Roots (Press Statement) and Sambro (Fastnet Rock).
Perfumist (NZ) | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Perfumist’s dam has recently left 3-year-old and 2-year-old colts by Redwood (GB) and El Roca respectively, a yearling colt by El Roca that was born in Australia, and she is due to foal to I Am Invincible in October.
