Godolphin goldmine rolls on at Rosehill trials

4 min read

By Bren O'Brien

Godolphin's production line of quality 2-year-olds keeps rolling on with the filly Devachan (Exceed and Excel) winning a Rosehill 900m trial in a very slick time on Tuesday.

James Cummings' Blue Army has already produced current Golden Slipper S. favourite Tassort (Brazen Beau) as well as recent Sydney winners Athiri (Lonhro) and Kiamichi (Sidestep).

Devachan looked every bit of the typical Godolphin professional, sitting off the pace of the early leader Touch Of Paradise (Bel Esprit) before producing a strong late run under Kerrin McEvoy to win by 0.5l.

The time of 54.05s was nearly a second quicker than any of the other 2-year-old trials. In fact it was the second quickest 900m trial of the day, with only one of the other seven 900m trials run by the older horses faster.

Devachan is the first foal from Heaven (Medaglia d'Oro {USA}), an unraced daughter of multiple stakes-winner Hosannah (Octagonal {NZ}). Hosannah also produced G2 2-year-old old winner Altar.

The second filly, trained by Mick Price, was quite green in the straight, running about before being overrun late. She was a $105,000 Classic Sale buy out of a half-sister to the stakes-placed Cosmic Causeway, which is the family of Group 1 winner Desert Eagle.

English's sister steps up

English's half-sister Paris (Snitzel) led all the way to win her trial, which was her third after trainer Clarry Conners gave her two earlier hitouts at Warwick Farm.

Corey Brown took her straight to the front and wearing the familiar colours of Peter Moody, who owns her in partnership with her breeders Newhaven Park, barely touched her as she beat the Lindsay Park-trained Hafaawa (Redoute's Choice) by a length.

Paris, who is out of the multiple Group winner Court (Anabaa {USA}), was passed in for $800,000 at this year's Easter Sale.

Dual success for Foxwedge 2YOs

The opening 2-year-old trial was won by the Lindsay Park colt Jahbath (NZ) (Foxwedge), who led all the way holding off the Godolphin colt Deterge (Exceed and Excel).

Jahbath, a half-brother to metro winning galloper Gamblestown, was a $150,000 buy from the NZ Karaka Sale. Their dam Inniskillen (NZ) (Centaine) is a half-sister to G1 NZ 1000 Guineas winner Insouciant (NZ).

Watch: Jahbath as a yearling

Another Foxwedge colt successful on the day was the Gerald Ryan-trained Vulpes, a half to Hooked, who won his trial easily under Brett Prebble.

Chris Waller's colts Dr Kardo (Not A Single Doubt) and Escondido (Snitzel) fought out the other trial with the pair closing off impressively from the rear of the field and Dr Kardo getting the bob on the line.

Dr Kardo was a $100,000 Magic Millions buy for Singapore-based trainer Cliff Brown and Barree Pastoral. Escondido was a $400,000 Easter buy out of G2 Villiers S. winner Dances On Waves (Anabaa {USA}), which is part of the family of champion stayer Preferment (NZ).

Alizee's return pleasing

Cummings and Godolphin would have been heartened by the trial of last start Group 1 winner Alizee (Sepoy), the half-sister to Tassort, with the 4-year-old mare working home nicely to finish second to Shock Alert (NZ) (Shocking) later in the session.

Godolphin pair Intuition (Street Cry {Ire}) and Tessera (Medaglia d'Oro {USA}) quinellaed their trial as well.

Millions-bound 2YOs shine at Doomben

At Doomben, Magic Millions bound The Odyssey (Better Than Ready) romped in for a six-length win in his 1000m trial in a time of 59.27s.

Already assured of a start in the 2YO Classic, The Odyssey looks to have retained his form from his 3.25l Doomben win in October.

The Odyssey as a yearling

Unraced filly Dreamtime Magic (Dream Ahead {USA}), for trainer Matthew Dunn, won her three-horse trial in a time nearly three-quarters of a second slower than The Odyssey, with Courseshewill (Unencumbered) fading late after leading.

The Chris Munce-trained Stampe (Whittington) edged out the highly-rated Sun City in the first of three 840m trials.

Stampe, a homebred for the Schumacher family, was pushed out but beat Sun City (Zoustar), with the second colt, trained by Tony McEvoy, given a very comfortable ride.

Sun City, a $525,000 Magic Millions buy, is out of the Listed winner Roulettes, and made his debut when second in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial at Flemington in October.

Waller produced the winner of the fourth trial, Belushi (Bel Esprit), who was bred and is raced by Reynella Thoroughbreds.

Devine Factor (The Factor {USA}) ran the fastest of the three 840m trials (44.92s), with the filly adding to her trial success in September over subsequent winner dual winner Betaima (Better Than Ready).

Devine Factor, a $65,000 Magic Millions buy for trainer Michael Costa, narrowly held off the previously unseen Underwood (Deep Field).