by Anthony Manton
Warwick Farm has been a hub of activity this week with the Inglis complex hosting the Australian Broodmare & Weanling Sale, and on Friday morning ‘The Farm’ conducted a set of barrier trials featuring some well-bred 2-year-olds worth following for the future.
Heat seven saw the first public appearance of Nudge (Fastnet Rock). Nudge was a $380,000 yearling purchase for Chris Waller and Mulcaster Bloodstock at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
After being slow to begin, Nudge mustered speed to hold a position along the rails and approaching the home turn saved ground by cutting the corner to take the lead, and go on to win the trial narrowly from Egyptian Missile (Smart Missile).
Nudge is from multiple stakes-winning mare Julinsky Princess (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), a half-sister to Singapore Group 3-winner Dontellthewife (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}). Nudge is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Julinsky Prince (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), and multiple stakes-placed Foreign Prince (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Although an encouraging trial for her first official outing, the Waller stable usually give their youngsters multiple trials, and with still a bit to learn expect to see Nudge again at the trials before a race debut.
Nudge as a yearling
Heat eight featured Sun Melody (Dissident), a close relation to champion New Zealand mare Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}).
Sun Melody is from city-winning mare Sun Song (Desert Sun {GB}). Sun Song’s granddam is Songline (NZ) (Western Symphony {USA}), making her a 3/4 sister to Sunline.
Sun Song has already produced Hong Kong Group 3-winner Supreme Profit (Encosta de Lago), as well as stakes-placegetters Kaching (So You Think {NZ}) and Zombie Dancer (Encosta de Lago), and three-time city winner Tower Of Song (Fastnet Rock).
Sun Melody showed great professionalism in Friday’s trial, beginning well and taking full control of the trial and quickened nicely in the home straight to win easily by nearly 3 lengths.
Being from such a well-known family carries a certain weight of expectation, however, Sun Melody did everything right and was one of the stands out trials of the morning. Chris Waller may look to trial her again, although she looks a ready-made racehorse who could easily go to the races on the strength of Friday’s trial.
Heat nine saw Rockarosa (Pierro) return to the barrier trials for her second preparation, and produce an eye-catching trial.
Rockarosa travelled well in the trial, tracking the speed into the straight and when asked to quicken showed a good turn of foot to gather in the leader Stralex (Stratum) late, and win the heat in good style.
Rockarosa was a $250,000 yearling purchase at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for Laurel Oak Bloodstock. She is from dual Group 1-winning mare Gallica (Redoute’s Choice).
Also trained by Chris Waller, Rockarosa appears close to heading to the races in the near future.
Rockarosa as a yearling
Heat ten featured $750,000 colt Strasbourg (I Am Invincible) who failed in the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ on a wet track recently. Already Group 3-placed Strasbourg looked back on track with an encouraging trial finishing 2nd, and could perhaps head to Queensland over the winter carnival.
Strasbourg as a yearling
